ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Happy's Flea Market will be closed indefinitely after city inspectors found the building dangerous for both customers and vendors.
The City of Roanoke gave Happy's Flea Market a notice of unsafe structure and required it to close by 5 Tuesday evening.
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Read the full posted statement from the City of Roanoke by clicking here.
The Roanoke landmark was forced to close temporarily two years ago, but this time city officials say the problems are bigger and the popular landmark may be closed for weeks or months - if not longer.
Related Story: City may condemn Happy's Flea Market
The roof is leaking into open buckets and the electrical system not up to code. That's a bad combination for the Williamson Road landmark.
Though the owner made progress after warnings from the city two years ago, city officials say it hasn't been enough.
"We've been working with the property owner for over two years. We've been through the building a number of times and noted a large number of code violations. From the roof to the electrical systems to emergency exits being blocked, things like that…The building is really quite unsafe," said Chris Chittum, the Roanoke Director of Planning, Building and Development.
Read the full list of codes violated by Happy's Flea Market by clicking here.
Chittum says the needed repairs are quote, substantial, too big to be completed in a weekend. He predicted, "It may take weeks, months and based on responses we've received in the past, it's probably longer than that."
The restrictions apply only to the indoor portion of the business, so the outdoor flea market will still be allowed. Inside vendors - many of whom have worked here for decades - say they feel like family.
"I don't know for sure what I'll do. I'm sort of in shock myself," said Rachel Ayers, who has run a booth at Happy's for more than thirty years.
Ayers says vendors depend upon the business for all or a portion of their income. Despite that, Chittum says his office responded to complaints from vendors about the unsafe conditions. Yet, he believes all the problems are fixable and the City would like to see the flea market re-opened.
"We're giving them a notice of unsafe structure. So it's not really a condemnation notice as much as we've determined the building to be unsafe. We are not ordering demolition or anything like that," he said.
Chittum said that vendors would need to leave by 5 p.m. on June 9, but they would be allowed to return to claim their goods and merchandise by making an appointment and being accompanied by a member of his office.
According to its website, Happy's Flea Market, at 5411 Williamson Road, is one of the largest tourist attractions in Roanoke and Southwest Virginia.
"Fun for the whole family, Happy's Flea Market is the largest and oldest indoor/outdoor flea market in Virginia. It's part carnival, shopping mall and food wrapped into the greatest flea market you have ever seen! Happy's is a place for everyone. Kids will love the free face painting, carousel ride and arcade games."
It also boasts nearly 600 paved vending spaces and over 100,000 shoppers annually.