For decades, Mexican migrant farm workers have come to toil in the fields of southern Miami-Dade County. Many settled in the area, creating a community as distinctive in its own way as Little Havana and Little Haiti in Miami. More than 17,000 Mexicans now dwell within the Homestead city limits, and thousands more live in unincorporated areas outside the city.
The hot and humid core of Bargain Town, located 22 miles south of Miami in Princeton, is a former tomato packing plant that later was used to manufacture windows. Now it houses merchants’ stalls. It encompasses a flea market, a pet shop, a plant shop, a produce barn, and a food court.
“This place is a bargainer’s paradise,” said Claudia Ramos, a local shopper. “It’s huge but definitely cramped with all sorts of tiny shops and stuff.”
Upon entering the shopper will be greeted by friendly smiles and Spanish phrases. Although many of the merchants do not speak the language, they speak enough to explain their products and negotiate prices.
The flea market can offer shopper a wide array of different consumer goods. From fresh Mexican and Central American food to adult and children’s clothing, cooking implements, appliances, CDs and DVDs, musical instruments, tools.
“Many of the vendors sell merchandise from Mexico and Latin America. I have strived to build a good relationship with them. This is their home and mine,” said Rene F. Infante, who grew up watching his father develop and run Bargain Town.
Bargain Town arose from the ruins left by Hurricane Andrew on August 24, 1992.
After Hurricane Andrew destroyed ReneInfante’s father flea market, he inquired about using the window plant, which had been abandoned.
“The Infante family has operated markets for generations. My great-grandfather, Don Carlos Nuñez, had a market in Holguin, Cuba,” says Rene F. Infante.
Many locals continue to make their way to Bargain Town in search of new deals, food, and fun.
Monday, May 2, 2011
From Flea Market to a Family Affair
Shoppers arrive with varying agendas but families like the Zepedo family
opt for Sunday afternoon of “family fun day” with pony rides, eating chimichangas, and chatting with other parents about their homeland.
"For a while now, they started having these mini carnivals for the kids and families. Its great because my girls really enjoy it and its cost efficient,” said Carla. "It really gives us an opportunity to take our kids out and meet other families."
The flea market, is a former tomato packing plant that later was used to manufacture windows, today it houses vendors of both new and old merchandise, open air fruit market, many eateries with typical Hispanic dishes in particular Mexican and a mini carnival area.
Bargain Town’s developer and owner, Rene F. Infante, said the flea market contains a family ambiance. Through out the years he has witnessed people form close ties. Families have fun together while also investing on staple deals for groceries and toiletry items.
“It's not really a money-maker; it's more to get people out," she said. "A lot of people here can't get to Ottawa for all those events," Infante said.
More than 150 people join in on the weekend’s merriment at the flea market. Many families race to Bargain Town in the morning to complete their shopping early. Ponies, a few carnival rides, and occasionally a clown await the families. For a few dollars kids can enjoy a an afternoon of activities.
“Its difficult adapting to a new culture, language and country. Here we can forget the troubles that we face during the week and be Mexican,” Luis Zepedo said.
For many immigrant families it is almost financially impossible to benefit from fairs, venues targeted for children because their salaries just don’t allow it. Different mothers explained that having the option to rejoice with their husbands and kids is what keeps them coming back.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the merchants set up their stalls about 7 AM in the produce barn, a large building open on all four sides with dozens of stalls. Shoppers arrive about the same time as the sellers, and continue to come until the market gates close around 6 PM.
Most of the activities take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For those looking to purchase fresh produce, farmers bring their goods Wednesday through Sunday, and the pet and plant shops are open daily.
Bargain Town’s main building is difficult to miss, located on 24420 S. Dixie Highway, the packing house building can be seen from many blocks away.
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