The iconic Oldsmar Flea Market, including 20 acres of property and 30 structures, is currently listed for sale, with an asking price of $12 million, on LoopNet.com.
According to the listing for the property, which is located at 180 Racetrack Road North:
The subject property has a total of 847,663 SF (square feet) MOL or 19.46 acres, with approximately 326 feet of frontage on State Road 584 or Tampa Road and 1,357 feet of frontage on Race Track Road. The subject site is currently improved with 30 structures including seventeen, metal, masonry and wood warehouse buildings that were constructed between 1976 and 1986 that contain a gross total of 223,490 SF as provided by the survey and 13 wood frame sheds which total 31,652 SF.
Built in 1980, the Oldsmar Flea Market quickly became a go-to place for residents and visitors to find deals on thousands of new and vintage items.
But with online merchandisers all but replacing many brick and mortar businesses, rumors had been floating around for some time that the property could be for sale.
However, as recently as two months ago, representatives for the flea market’s owners told City officials it was not for sale.
“We met with them two months ago and they said nope, we have no interest in selling,” Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis told Oldsmar Connect by phone this week.
“So, I don’t know what happened between then and now, but I’m not shocked. There’s been rumors going around for years that it was for sale.”
The property sits at a critical juncture in the rapidly developing City.
Situated on a heavily trafficked intersection of Tampa and Racetrack roads, the land is considered prime real estate for developers.
In fact, 120 acres north of the site had been proposed as a potential new home for the Tampa Bay Rays, with Bevis repeatedly stating during the flirtation with the team that “something was going to be built on the land whether the team relocated there or not.
Bevis said he couldn’t begin to speculate about what might happen to the property when and if its sold.
I don’t have a magic (8) ball,” he said, adding, “we don’t control it because we don’t own it.”
“It depends on who buys it and how they zone it.”
But the mayor did offer some suggestions as to what he’d like to see there.
“I’d love to see high-paid industrial jobs there,” he said, noting he “doesn’t think we need another shopping plaza.”
“I’d also love to see a mixed-use development with office space, retail and restaurants similar to what we’re talking about building next to City Hall or a bigger version of downtown Westchase with shops, retail and office.”
The property is currently zoned as C2, or Commercial/General, according to the City’s zoning map.
Oldsmar Connect attempted to reach the broker for the property, but his mailbox was not accepting messages prior to the publication of this article.
Stay with Oldsmar Connect.com for updates on this story.
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