USA Flea Market Closed After 'Significant' Safety Threats Found

PORT RICHEY, FL — Folks who enjoy shopping at Port Richey’s USA Flea Market will have to find a new place to bargain hunt for a while. Pasco County on Wednesday announced its decision to shutter the popular U.S. 19 destination after a recent investigation into possible code violations turned up “hundreds” of concerns.

“The investigation uncovered hundreds of fire, building and electrical violations that pose a significant threat to public safety,” county spokeswoman Tambrey Laine wrote in an email to media.

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The county also released a video of its inspection at the 11721 U.S. 19 N. property, along with a listing of some of the more pressing concerns. According to county code enforcement officials, inspectors found unstable beams supporting an enclosed structure, extension cords used in place of normal wiring, unpermitted electrical work, a leaky roof, exit signs leading to block exits and a “water line with open electrical wires wrapped around it.”

“This electric is extremely dangerous,” an inspector pointed out on the county’s video of its walk-through.

The market will remain closed until the violations are addressed, according to the county.

How long that will take, or even if it’s feasible remains unknown.

“We’ve got to get general contractors (out here) to see if it’s feasible to do what they’re wanting us to do,” Kay Moksay, the flea market’s manager told patch. “Right now, we don’t know.”

USA Flea Market has been in business for more than 50 years. The venue, which spans more than 40 acres, was recently taken over by new management, according to its website. Prior to the closing, the market was open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the year.

Moksay said the closing affects about 200 people who make their livelihoods at the flea market. The county has said it will work with vendors to help them set up elsewhere so they may remain in business until code issues are addressed at USA, WFLA reported.

How soon the fate of the flea market might be known remains unclear. For more information about the market, visit its website.

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Video and screenshot courtesy of Pasco County