Phoenix Park N Swap

27-acre Park n' Swap opens next month

The first Park ‘n Swap opened 51 years ago at 40th and Washington streets at Phoenix Greyhound Park. It was a popular venue, and people flocked from all over the Valley to sell and buy. The concept has evolved over the years, but interest remains constant.

Now, the modernized concept, a unique one, is coming to Glendale.

A 27.5-acre former industrial site with a large steel structure at 6112 N. 56th Ave. is being transformed into an indoor/outdoor Park ‘n Swap. Its doors are set to open in September. Just north of Bethany Home Road, the property was purchased by Delaware North Companies, which also owns and operates Park ‘n Swap sites in Little Rock, Ark., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Memphis, Tenn., Phoenix, and now, Glendale.

Regional Operations Director Richard Hogue said Delaware North purchased the property and 120,000-square-foot building for $4.2 million and plans $3.7 million in improvements, which include a new cooling system. He surveyed the structure's interior work and pointed out the three large food concessions that are now under construction, and said other smaller food vendors would have spaces inside and outside the building.

In all, Hogue said, there will be 290 indoor and 390 outdoor vendors once the doors open in September.

The parking lot will be fully lighted and restroom facilities are also undergoing updates.

"We are creating a clean, comfortable year-round shopping experience for the residents of the West Valley and the surrounding region," Hogue said.

Hogue, a native of Tempe, is not a newcomer to the Park ‘n Swap. While he was still on the force of Phoenix Police Department, he did undercover work for the Park ‘n Swap Phoenix location. Once he retired - after 21 years - from the police department in 1986, he came on board full time with Park ‘n Swap.

One of the main reasons he was hired was to put into place stringent policies against counterfeit and stolen products. Another reason was to ensure vendors deal honestly with customers.

"We are very professional in our operations," Hogue said. "We look at vendors as partners. If they sell something bad, they take it back. We want those vendors to respect their customers, so we've gotten a good reputation."

Hogue said the Glendale location was chosen after looking at sites all across the Valley, even on the outskirts. Demographics of the region helped in the decision and recommendation from the company's broker. Hogue took the tour and said he knew right then it was ideal.

Park 'n Swap expands with new Ariz. flea market | fleamarketzone.com

After running Phoenix Park ’n Swap flea market for more than 30 years, general manager Richard Hogue is expanding to the West Valley with plans to open Glendale Park ’n Swap in September. The new swap meet will have more than 850 vendor spaces, including nearly 300 indoors, at a 27.5-acre former industrial site at 6112 N. 56th Ave. near the intersection of 57th and Bethany Home Road in Glendale, Ariz.

Delaware North Companies, which already owns and operates the Phoenix Park ’n Swap, purchased the property in foreclosure in November. The company is completing a $3.7 million renovation of the property this summer, including equipping the 120,000-square-foot former industrial building with a new cooling system. Other improvements include constructing a fully-lit parking lot, adding food and beverage concessions and a dining area, and updating the restroom facilities.

“We are creating a clean, comfortable year-round shopping experience for the residents of the West Valley and the region,” says Hogue in a press release .

The new flea market will be open Friday through Sunday and Wednesday evenings. According to Delaware North, a “significant number of vendors have already signed on,” and more are being sought. For more information, call (855) 462-7927, visit the Web site , or text “vendor” to 55678.

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