Festival Flea Market Mall in Pompano Beach Set to Close After Decades of Service
The Festival Flea Market Mall in Pompano Beach, a beloved shopping destination for Broward County residents and beyond, is closing its doors after nearly four decades. Originally launched as the Pompano Outlet Mall in 1986, the marketplace was revitalized in 1991 as the Festival Flea Market Mall, transforming into a sprawling retail hub covering over 390,000 square feet. This diverse marketplace has long been a community staple, offering everything from jewelry and handbags to cigars, shoes, perfumes, and outdoor furniture.
The End of an Era: Closure Announcement and Impact on Vendors
In 2024, vendors at the Festival Flea Market Mall received notices that the mall would cease operations by June 2025. The news has sent ripples through the community of small business owners who rely on the mall as their primary source of income and customer interaction.
Kira Silverman, co-owner of the popular Hillsboro Antique Mall located inside the marketplace, expressed the challenges faced by vendors:
"I know that they tried to kind of rehouse people wherever they could, but commercial real estate prices are expensive, and for small boutique-style vendors like this, unless you come up with a group of people, it’s really hard to be able to make that move."
The Hillsboro Antique Mall, operated by Silverman and Christiane Scott, has roots dating back to 1997 in Deerfield Beach before relocating to the Festival Flea Market Mall 15 years ago. Many smaller vendors worry about their future, as relocating is not a feasible option for everyone.
From Flea Market to Industrial Warehousing: The Future of the Site
The mall was acquired in 2018 by North Miami-based IMC Equity Group, which pursued rezoning the property from commercial to industrial in 2022. The City of Pompano Beach approved the plan, paving the way for the site’s transformation.
Currently under contract with Orlando-based Foundry Commercial, the site is slated to be developed into industrial warehouse space — marking a significant shift in land use.
This trend reflects broader economic changes in South Florida, where industrial development is booming to support growing e-commerce and logistics industries.
Vendor Relocation Challenges and New Beginnings
While some vendors are moving to other locations, such as the Lauderhill Mall — also part of IMC Equity’s extensive retail portfolio — many face uncertainty.
Silverman shared her perspective on the transition:
- Vendor collaboration: Many vendors attempted to team up and find new business spaces together.
- Real estate hurdles: The competitive and costly commercial real estate market remains a significant barrier.
- Community loss: Moving away from the flea market environment means losing the unique marketplace community.
Despite these challenges, the Hillsboro Antique Mall plans to relocate just two miles away to Peppertree Plaza in Margate, aiming to maintain some continuity while navigating a new retail landscape.
The Changing Face of Flea Markets and Small Business Retail
The closure of the Festival Flea Market Mall highlights a nationwide trend in flea markets and brick-and-mortar small businesses facing pressure from online commerce.
"I don’t think any of us will ever be able to get that back, because the flea market business is just not what it used to be," Silverman said. "A lot of other flea markets and antique stores have slowly started going out of business because so much of this business is done online now."
The traditional flea market experience, with its array of shops under one roof, is being replaced by a combination of e-commerce and industrial development driven by evolving consumer habits.
Key Facts About the Festival Flea Market Mall Closure
- First opened: 1986 (as Pompano Outlet Mall), relaunched in 1991 as Festival Flea Market Mall
- Total retail space: Approximately 390,497 square feet
- Closure date: Saturday, May 31, 2025 (last day of operation)
- New development: Industrial warehouse and commercial spaces by Foundry Commercial and IMC Equity Group
- Vendor relocations: Some moving to Lauderhill Mall; many facing uncertainty or moving independently
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Pompano Beach
The transformation of the Festival Flea Market Mall site is emblematic of a larger shift in South Florida’s landscape — from retail-centric spaces to industrial and logistics hubs supporting the region’s growth.
Community members and small business owners will likely feel the impact of losing a longtime shopping and social gathering spot, as well as the tight-knit network of vendors and shoppers that the flea market nurtured for decades.
For more insights on Florida’s shifting retail scene and industrial growth trends, visit:
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Festival Marketplace in Pompano Beach captured on May 9, 2025, will soon make way for industrial warehousing, closing a chapter in the community’s retail history.
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Festival Flea Market Mall, Pompano Beach, Flea Market Closure, Small Business Relocation, Industrial Development South Florida, IMC Equity Group, Hillsboro Antique Mall