Mercato Market---Repurposed Atlantic City Racetrack

     I  went to the grand opening of the Mercato Flea Market on the grounds of the former Atlantic City Racetrack in Mays Landing, NJ.  I will say that overall I am delighted.  I am only a 15 minute drive to this flea market.  While it is not quite up to the variety of vendors seen at the Columbus Auction, I had a good time and I am hoping that it is a successful venture for the promoters.  I read a few reviews and there were some glitches.  I would assume that they need to look at their competition and copy the tried and true ideas. For one, skip the parking fee or the strong-armed donation tactics.   Secondly, they need  seating for those who might like to take a break for eating or listening to the music.  All the other complaints will probably iron out on their own like some cheaper food alternatives and more vendors. 

 On hand at the event was an acrobatic team:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eddie Berner, former lead guitarist of the ‘80s band Flock of Seagulls turned chef, performed for the grand opening.    I am not familiar with this man but he was quite a good guitarist.  Find out more about him on the link below. 

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/rockinroadgrill

 

 

I do remember the glory days of the racetrack and went there a few times with my grand parents.  Betting at the track was so much more complicated than pulling a lever at a casino machine.  I remember my grand mom knowing all the jockeys, and her ability to understand the details on the race track paper.  Which horse liked mud and which did not. Which horse started late and pulled ahead at the end and many more details that helped you to select your bet.  There was so much to know before you placed your bet. Then there were the bet types like the exacta and the trifecta.  Some had to see the horse in a little preview area before they made their bets.  It was so exciting and bewildering at the same time.  The crowds roared and people stood up on their seats to yell for their favorite when the horses neared the finish line.  Sometimes you had to wait to hear the announcement of the winner when it was a photo finish.

Although the curbing in the parking area is crumbling and the asphalt is no longer smooth, I also remember when landscaping at the Atlantic City Racetrack was one of the best in the area.  I could be wrong but was it done by a Petrecca from Hammonton back in the old days?  Here below you see a remnant of those days with these crab apple trees in bloom.  I also remember there used to a small plot near the entrance where colorful flowering annuals spelled out the words: Atlantic City Racetrack. 

http://www.mercatomarket.com/

 

Well, I went to the market again this past Mother's Day with my son.  It was pretty much a repeat from the prior week except it had a singer that covered Frank Sinatra tunes.  They had another stilt walker and I guess all stilt walkers look alike to me because I told her I had photos of her from last week. She said she was not here last week and then I realized she did look different.  We had a nice chat and she told me that the girl from the previous week was a body builder and that is why she had those well-toned arms. They stuck with the no fee parking but they continued to have no place to sit to enjoy the food.