Bill's Flea Market has burned down... (Virginia Beach, Pembroke: fit in, income, shops)

[Rita Mordio]

Read the Article here

I was just there last weekend. Some of the shops there were pretty decent... I'm going to miss that place.....

[darzz1]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

Read the Article here

I was just there last weekend. Some of the shops there were pretty decent... I'm going to miss that place.....

I'm sorry it burned down - sad.

But,, boy that place was filthy & nasty. I can't say I'm going to miss it.

[citydweller]

I heard once that a two story Walmart was going there but not sure if this is still to be.

[bbguy05]

It didn't burn down, the building behind it, "Allied Technology", burned on the inside and destroyed everything. Bill's Flea Market suffered heavy smoke and water damage. In the end, they decided to shut it down.

I heard a nightclub was suppose to take it's place (which is would be pretty neat), but it's not exactly sure what's going to take this place.

Even without the fire, Bill's Flea Market wasn't going to last long with the new Town Center a couple of blocks away. With Virginia Beach trying to boast an "upscale" shopping atmosphere, having a "flea market" a couple of blocks away wouldn't fit into that vision.

I do hope that that vendors there find an alternate place to sell their things since the majority of them were selling full time.

[YaMen24]

Originally Posted by bbguy05

It didn't burn down, the building behind it, "Allied Technology", burned on the inside and destroyed everything. Bill's Flea Market suffered heavy smoke and water damage. In the end, they decided to shut it down.

I heard a nightclub was suppose to take it's place (which is would be pretty neat), but it's not exactly sure what's going to take this place.

Even without the fire, Bill's Flea Market wasn't going to last long with the new Town Center a couple of blocks away. With Virginia Beach trying to boast an "upscale" shopping atmosphere, having a "flea market" a couple of blocks away wouldn't fit into that vision.

I do hope that that vendors there find an alternate place to sell their things since the majority of them were selling full time.

I agree. Virginia Beach wants to be a very upscale city (well especially in that area) and that flea market was too close to the Town Center. I did see a lot of cars in front of it during the weekends so it must have been doing well. They also have issues with the Taco Bell being on the corner of Independence and Va Beach Blvd, but the owners of the property aren't going to sell anytime soon. Maybe the vendors can move somewhere.

[Shellybean]

My husband brought up a funny point, mostly in jest. It's rather ironic that that specific building caught fire, when the city has been itching to acquire that property for quite some time. I say funny because it was the tone he said it in, very conspiracy-theorist like. Though I must say, it was a good point. Especially since the firefighters let it burn (no, I'm not speaking negatively about them, but perhaps they were instructed to do so?) *evil laugh* Really, it's a sad thing, considering a lot of people used Bill's as a primary source of income. I hope they find a new building soon.

[Rita Mordio]

Actually, the idea of "just letting it burn" just seemed too convenient to everyone where I work. As far as the Taco Bell - inside information says that the city basically said "Remodel or Leave" and Taco Bell replied with "What the....?"

The outside of the Flea Market was pretty grungy and nasty - but they had some great stores inside. There was a video game store - had some excellent deals, the weapons shop was really nice, etc. There was even a dresser there that I was looking at getting - it had a gorgeous dragon painted on it.

[resnostyle]

Originally Posted by Shellybean

very conspiracy-theorist like. Though I must say, it was a good point. Especially since the firefighters let it burn (no, I'm not speaking negatively about them, but perhaps they were instructed to do so?)

My parents thought the same thing too when I told them what had happened. So, is it official that Bills Flea Market wont be reopening at that location?

I figured VB would want it back, but I didnt think Bill's would stop after a fire.

I also agree though, Bills makes the whole area look run down. They had used cars outside, and the parking lot was run down. It is not the prettiest area in town.

What are they doing with the other vacant spaces there?
The HQ, and Harris Teeter properties.

[bbguy05]

Originally Posted by Shellybean

My husband brought up a funny point, mostly in jest. It's rather ironic that that specific building caught fire, when the city has been itching to acquire that property for quite some time. I say funny because it was the tone he said it in, very conspiracy-theorist like. Though I must say, it was a good point. Especially since the firefighters let it burn (no, I'm not speaking negatively about them, but perhaps they were instructed to do so?) *evil laugh* Really, it's a sad thing, considering a lot of people used Bill's as a primary source of income. I hope they find a new building soon.

I heard that too. I do find it suspicious that a "light-bulb" all of a sudden fell from the roof and ignited a desk full of papers. And the fact that they let it burn is also something to think about. All I know is the owners of the Taco Bell property need to watch out. If the city wants something, they will get it NO MATTER WHAT.

[tvpirate05]

From what I read, the owner of the property is looking for new locations, maybe the old HQ building a few blocks up V.B. Blvd.

I honestly loved going to Bill's, but the place was pretty seedy looking on the inside. I never thought about it, but there were a lot of dark hallways around the building, which is all some psycho needs, esp. with the number of kids who go there.

I do wish the owner the best, but they need to look into a well-lit, professional looking building.

I think it's ironic that the city desperate wants the Town Center to be their crown jewel, yet there's been a few muggings nearby (actually in the Pembroke Mall parking lot), but a few (attempted) sexual assaults in Town Center's parking garages.