LA Koreatown flea market, known as the ‘Friends & Family Flea,’ is returning with its upcoming events following a successful turnout of up to 700 visitors in September.
The Origins of Friends & Family Flea
Two Korean-American entrepreneurs, Park Gi-oh and Arnold Byun, originally launched the market to create a space where local small business owners and residents could connect. Their connection to Koreatown dates back about five years when they lived in the neighborhood and conceptualized their business ideas, eventually launching the Korean artist market ‘Maum Market’ in 2022.
Growth and Community Impact
While Maum Market has grown into a platform hosting events across seven cities in South Korea, the founders decided to scale down for this new initiative to create a market deeply rooted in the local community. Park noted that Koreatown symbolizes the starting point of Maum Market and represents their roots, while also attracting a high volume of foreign visitors due to the growing influence of K-culture.
According to LA Local, the inaugural event in September drew an estimated 650 to 700 attendees, exceeding expectations. Most of the 24 participating vendors were small business owners with ties to Koreatown. Organizers aim to develop the market beyond a simple buying and selling venue into a platform that promotes local merchants and fosters community interaction.
Upcoming Events and Expansion Plans
Park shared that many Maum Market participants eventually opened offline stores or entered large distribution networks, and expressed his desire for the Friends & Family Flea to serve as a mutually beneficial platform providing new opportunities for local small businesses.
The upcoming events are scheduled for November 21 and December 12 at Another Space on Western Avenue. Organizers plan to transition the market to a monthly schedule while expanding to Pasadena and Culver City in the future.
