Downtown Phoenix will soon add another local shopping destination to its lineup with the opening of the Phoenix Flea retail store at DeSoto Central Market. Known as Shop Phoenix Flea, the store is a permanent outpost of the popular Phoenix Flea outdoor market, which takes place twice yearly at Heritage Square.
DeSoto Central Market. Photo by Jaryd Neibauer.
According to Phoenix Flea founder, Ashlee Molina, Shop Phoenix Flea will be a micro-version of the outdoor market, where shoppers can expect to find a selection of “thoughtfully designed, handcrafted items for gift and home.”
The 350 square foot space will be located on the second level of DeSoto and will carry things like soaps and bath items, fine art and prints, candles, plants, ceramics, leather goods and more. 90% of the products will come from local vendors, many of which have appeared at Phoenix Flea events, including Standard Wax, The Aestate and Paige Poppe.
Verano Bathery soaps.
Molina is an Arizona native who grew up in Mesa, though left the state for college and career opportunities. When she landed back in Phoenix a few years ago, Molina, who says she has always loved vintage shopping and going to markets, felt the city was missing something like Phoenix Flea. She decided to put her event-planning experience to work and “figured out a way to make it happen.”
With both the Phoenix Flea outdoor market and the new shop, Molina felt that the urban, historical locations were important in creating a fun atmosphere for shoppers.
“I’m just so excited to be here at DeSoto,” says Molina. “I just love the space, that it’s a historical building and they preserved the right stuff. I think they did a great job… I’m just happy to be a part of it. And it’s a great spot – Central and Roosevelt, you can’t beat it.”
With so many new condos and apartments going up in downtown, particularly in the Roosevelt Row area where DeSoto is located, Molina hopes the shop will provide a convenient, walkable place for residents to pop in and pick up home essentials and gifts.
Lola and Pine Design.
“We want to carry stuff that people will continue to re-use, so they can just grab and go.” And while the shop will have staple items, Molina also plans to keep it fresh so there will always be something new to see.
Phoenix Flea is the second retail outlet to open at DeSoto this year, with MoonAge relocating from Tempe in August. When Molina pitched the idea to DeSoto, Moonage had just started the process of opening their jewelry boutique there. “It seemed like the perfect combination,” said Molina.
Phoenix Flea’s shop at DeSoto will officially open on November 4th, in time for First Friday.
