Get to know the story of the trending flea market, a hotspot for vintage and archival shopping.
Stepping into a flea market presents a unique experience for anyone going for the first time. Seeing random knick-knacks and finding hidden gems are experiences unique to visiting a flea market. Plus, seeing a variety of items whether clothes, accessories, or home goods—almost everything is laid out for you to see.
READ ALSO: Locally Active: 5 Filipino Athleisure Brands To Check Out
Aside from shopping, one thing about flea markets is the sense of community it creates. Different vendors and customers come together in a single place to create a place full of experience and fun. For South Trading Post, bringing the flea market concept to the Philippines started their journey to building a community.
From Experience
Before starting South Trading Post, founder Justin Francisco ran an archival and vintage fashion shop called Wayback Vintage. Justin used to join other fairs and weekend markets to share his love and passion for vintage fashion. However, as he continued to grow his archival fashion store, he missed something from his childhood—flea markets in the US.
Justin Fransico, his co-founder John Reyes, and Dime Ocampo / Photos courtesy of STP
“I was born and raised in the US, and growing up, I used to go to a lot of flea markets as well. So I think one of our goals with South Trading Post was sort of bringing that experience here,” he says.
Justin, alongside his co-founder John Reyes, sees STP not just as the beginning of bringing flea market culture to the Philippines, but also as a chance to create a community. “I think the community that we’ve built over the past year is really the most special part about it,” he expressed. Gen Zs and Millennials now favor STP as a highly sought-after event.
However, aside from the younger crowd that is usually present in their events, STP also brings in the sense of family through their events. “It’s more of a family, more for everyone. I think that’s actually what keeps us grounded.”
STP has grown into the dream Justin has envisioned it to be. “I wouldn’t have expected like, we’d be able to do something in Alabang Town Center, especially since, you know, I pretty much grew up here as a Southie as well,” he says with glee.
The crowd that believes in STP’s mission helped them grow. “We’re not looking to, you know, leave the community that has, you know, got us this far,” Justin said.
Beyond Fashion
Aside from establishing a flea market in the Philippines, Justin also goes back to his core passion—sustainable and archival fashion. At each STP market event, they invite local shops that offer and sell vintage clothes. This practice has led them to create conversations and events focusing on the sustainability of buying vintage and archival fashion.
Aside from promoting sustainability, STP also uses its platform to launch and give exposure to local and emerging brands. “We do like to invite brands from time to time that we represent, like, let’s say, like, the local ones as well. So I think the more that we can provide, exposure,” he says.
“Since the past year, especially since the first STP, there have been, like, a lot of brands, you know, not even like, with this fashion, but then, like, just a lot of brands in general, that have sort of used STP as their launch pad, you know, to build their brand,” he adds.
STP also serves as an avenue for other creatives to prosper. They create collaboration events with other creatives from different sectors. “We’ve thrown, like, maybe two parties so far, collaborating with different creatives when it comes to, like, the music industry and different creative communities in general,” Justin adds.
STP uplifts a community filled with talented and creative people. Whether fashion, music, or art—STP has made an effort for everyone in the community to grow with them.
All photos courtesy of STP.
