Last modified 15.3.2011 at 13:19

Flea(less) markets

Text: Laura Myllykoski Photos:Annika Lamberg, Mika Saloranta

Flea markets can be found all around the world, at least in the Western parts of the world. And Oulu is no exception, the city has flea markets for every need.

Students never have enough money to invest in brand new clothing or furniture. It is a common habit among students to wander around flea markets in hope of finding treasures. And often one gets lucky.

Finnish flea markets can basically be divided into two groups. There are self-service flea markets that offer rental stands for sellers and then there those flea markets that take stuff and sell it themselves. The quality and price of the goods range from a bargain to total exploitation but of course the choice is yours. Some of the flea markets offer their profits for charity organisations such as Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Scattered around Oulu

Usually the flea markets tend to focus in some speciality of goods. For example there are places that sell the best furniture and such and then those that are the places for finding clothes.

In Oulu the ones with the best furniture are located outside the city centre probably because of the bigger and cheaper properties. After all selling furniture needs space. For example a flea market that is considered to be a good place for finding furniture and other decorating stuff is located in Hiukkavaara about seven kilometres from the city centre. But of course there is furniture in other flea markets as well, the selection just might be a bit more narrow.

The most popular flea market in the city centre is probably the Second Hand Store. It's a self-service market that sells mainly clothes, but you can also find some furniture, bikes, magazines, records and other stuff like that in there. It all depends on what the people want to sell there.

Other self-service flea markets can be found near Höyhtyä and another one in Alppila. Self-service flea markets are also handy when you want to sell some of your own stuff. The stand rents aren't that high (about 20-30 euros per week) and you probably end up earning some money.

Flea markets in Oulu

Second Hand Store,
Isokatu 8 (city centre)
self-service flea market that sells mainly clothes and commodities
Paljekirppis
Paljetie 12 (Höyhtyä)
a big self-service flea market
Alppis Store
Kaarnatie 15 (Alppila)
a self-sevice flea market selling also antique
Laatukirppis
Hiukkavaara H2 (Hiukkavaara barracks)
a popular flea market that has the owners selling their goods themselves
Kierrätystavaratalo Kontti,
Jääsalontie 12 (Limingantulli)
everything from furniture to clothes, toys and dishes
Pelastusarmeijan kirpputori,
Limingantie 5 (Limingantulli) / Merikoskenkatu 1 (Tuira) / Ratakatu 6 (Raksila)
several stores that sell cheap clothes and furniture