The vintage scene in Victoria is thriving – and the Granville Flea Market is riding that wave of momentum as it returns to the Victoria Public Market on Good Friday (April 18).
Since its founding in 2018, the Granville Flea has become a hub for vintage fashion lovers, community-minded shoppers, and sustainable style seekers.
What started as a small idea in a Vancouver nightclub has evolved into a mainstay event in both Vancouver and Victoria, drawing hundreds of people and bringing together a unique blend of local and visiting vendors.
Co-founded by Cole Brownstone, Josh Stevens, and Riaz Khan, the market has carved out a space for people to discover curated, one-of-a-kind pieces – and connect with a broader movement centred around sustainability, individuality, and creative expression.
"Our generation is very conscious of where their money is going," says Brownstone. "People want to support businesses that align with their values, and there’s a big movement towards sustainability, especially here in B.C."
The thrill of the hunt, he adds, is part of the appeal.
"Even if we’re both looking for things to resell, what you pick and what I pick is going to be different because we have a different eye for stuff," Brownstone said. "That’s what makes it fun – it’s all about individuality."
The market’s roots go back to Brownstone’s time at Vancouver’s Fortune Sound Club.
"We were launching a night called Midnight Mondays, and we were thinking of ways to fill the space to make the room look busier," he recalls. "We started putting a clothing vendor in there on Monday nights, and it became really popular. People were shopping while having a good time, and that’s where the idea came from."
That experiment sparked something bigger. The first official Granville Flea event drew over 1,000 people and revealed the power of community around vintage culture.
"We realized that we tapped into something that was pretty cool," Brownstone says. "It was the first time we really saw how the community could come together around something like this."
This month’s Victoria event will be the third hosted at the Victoria Public Market, a venue Brownstone says fits the event’s vibe. It will feature around 17 vendors – 10 from Victoria and seven travelling from Vancouver.
"It’s always great to have those connections, especially in a city like Victoria where people are so passionate about supporting local."
He’s also proud of how the Granville Flea has helped small businesses grow.
"What I’m most proud of is how many vendors have gone on to open their own stores and build their businesses," Brownstone says. "A lot of them credit the Granville Flea with being the first place to bring the community of drifters and resellers together. It’s really cool to see how the whole thing has grown."
Even with changes on the horizon – like the upcoming transformation of Victoria Public Market to a No Frills store – Brownstone remains optimistic.
"We’re definitely going to be looking for a new space in Victoria," he says. "But there’s always new opportunities, and we’re excited to keep growing and finding new places to bring the market to."
The Granville Flea Market will run from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on April 18 at the Victoria Public Market.
Tickets for the event start at $6.66, and can be purchased ahead of time on their .
