Is there a place in Sacramento where you can show up early in the morning, buy yourself a tall can of Michelada and walk around drinking it while shopping for deals? Is there a place where you can find anything from Barack Obama T-shirts to lawnmowers to movies on DVD that only recently appeared in theaters?

Well, there is such a place and it’s located only minutes from Sacramento State. The Folsom Boulevard Flea Market, formerly known as the Auction City Flea Market, is located on 8521 Folsom Boulevard and is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine.

With current economic conditions, more people are looking for alternatives to the high prices of retail stores. While most businesses are doing comparatively worse than ever, the Folsom Flea Market has actually been doing better now than it has been before.

Michael Dellorfano, who’s been working at the Folsom Flea Market for more than 26 years, said the economy is actually sending more customers to his discount grocery store.

“I typically sell to senior citizens and people who make only minimum wage, but lately I’ve been getting state workers and students coming in to shop,” Dellorfano said.

With deals like three loaves of white bread for $1 and most other products knocked off at least 50 percent from the grocery stores, it’s easy to see why more and more people are buying their groceries at the market.

“I recently expanded my store to add more space for products; I haven’t had an expansion like that since the 80s,” Dellorfano said.

Sergio Chavez, a local artist who makes a living airbrushing, has been working out of the Folsom Flea Market for about six years.

“I sell T-shirts, hats, belts and can work on things that people bring in themselves too,” Chavez said.

Chavez sells airbrushed hats for $10 or $15, belts for $10 and shirts starting at $10.

On a normal day, the Folsom Flea Market sees 3,000 to 5,000 people coming through, looking at things to buy.

Mike Phelps and Jasmine Lee have been working at the flea market for over a year selling CDs.

“We sell local hip-hop and rap CDs, trying to make a little money and, at the same time, spread and support the local music scene of Sacramento,” Phelps said.

Aside from members of the community, a lot of Sac State students choose to go to the flea market to buy what they need.

For Jorge Lopez, alumnus from Sac State, the restaurants are a good enough reason to pay a visit to the flea market.

“Yo no mas vine pa’ los tacos (I just came for the tacos),” Lopez said, as he enjoyed his food from La Macarena.

Michael Mercado, senior mechanical engineering major, said he enjoys going to the flea market to get specific things.

“I buy the Mexican blankets that the Asian ladies sell and also one of my buddies got some tires here for 30 bucks,” Mercado said.

Mario Garcia, part of the credential program at Sac State, goes to the flea market to get essentials at a good price.

“I go there to get my veggies…and they also have like 20,000 pairs of socks for $3, so I take advantage,” Garcia said.

For Xico Gonzalez, ethnic studies professor at Sac State, the flea market is more than just shopping for good deals.

“I like to go because the environment reminds me a lot of Mexico; families showing up after church with everyone all dressed up and ready to have a good time,” Gonzalez said.

Another reason Gonzalez enjoys the flea market is because of the diverse mix of different cultures all in one place.

“I like seeing the multiculturalism in the flea market; you’ve got Chinese and Indian vendors speaking Spanish to Mexicans trying to sell their stuff and it’s great to watch,” Gonzalez said.

Andres Cuevas Jr. can be reached at [email protected]