LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — This year has been especially challenging for local businesses, but outside events have made it easier to market their products safely to customers.
'Drunken Flea' was held on Saturday at The Burl in Lexington, which highlights local vintage clothing and furniture vendors around the area.
"If you can get through COVID-19, you can get through anything. If we can get through a global pandemic, we can survive anything," says Elizabeth Busse co-owner of vintage clothing and goods store 'Wearhouse.'
Busse and Shanda Synder own 'Wearhouse' together and started the 'Drunken Flea' in 2019 to help promote local businesses.
This was their first market since the pandemic hit. In the meantime, they've had to get pretty creative in the meantime to keep their business afloat.
"It's creativity and being passionate. I think especially in Lexington, the community here for small businesses is so strong throughout COVID-19. People have been supporting businesses so much and we have been so grateful to have that," says Busse.
For some vendors, this was their first flea market experience though.
Hannah Cantrell, owner of 'Good Taste Studio,' has operated entirely on social media until Saturday's market.
"Having Instagram and stuff helps too because you can showcase all your stuff. People can visit. It's almost like being in a real store so it kind of just works out. We can use it to help us," says Cantrell.
As the pandemic continues to spread business owners will have to continue to spread their creative horizons in order to survive the next several months.
