Cary Business Owner Not Happy With Summer Flea Market

Lake in the Hills could soon get a weekend flea market if an area developer's plans move forward.

The Village of Lake in the Hills Planning and Zoning Commission approved in a 5-2 vote Monday a conditional use request for a weekend flea market on the vacant Plote Homes property.

That property is located west of Illinois Highway 31 and about 2,500 feet south of Rakow Road -- just south of the Berquist Marine Center, 8415 Illinois Highway 31 in Cary.

Commissioners Dennis Zepka and Frank Covone voted against the proposal.

Ryan Trottier, of Plote Homes, and Tony Sarillo, of Nick’s Pizza and Pub, shared plans for the temporary flea or “street” market on five of the 24 vacant acres.

The pair is seeking a temporary use permit to run the market for the next two years. They are also requesting parking variances for the 2.5 acres for parking that would be covered with asphalt grindings instead of pavement.

The market would run from approximately 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends from April through October. The conditional use request must now go before the Lake in the Hills Village Board.

If approved, the flea market could be up and running by mid-summer, Trottier said.

“This is not our plan for the long-term use of this property,” Trottier said. “When the economy turns around, we would like to develop this as a retail center or business development.”

Challenges in Developing Property

Developing the site has been a challenge because existing water and sewer lines are far from the property and costly to extend, Trottier said. The site already has one entrance off Illinois Highway 31.

Sarillo estimates the weekend flea market could draw around 100 vendors. To start, the vending sites would be rented at $8 to $30 a space. A small number of food trucks would be allowed to sell refreshments on sale days, he said.

“We want to establish a strong antique vendor clientele,” Sarillo said. “We want to appeal to the middle and upper income residents in Lake in the Hills and Crystal Lake with antiques, jewelry and crafts.”

Dan Olson, director of community development for LITH, said vendors would be required to charge sales taxes.

The temporary market would necessitate the use of portable bathroom facilities, garbage dumpsters and an administration trailer.

Businessman Emmett Stains, owner of a self-storage business at 8405 Illinois Highway 31 in Cary, asked commissioners to deny the flea market project during the Monday meeting.

“I have leased storage units to people who sell in flea markets, and they’re a pain,” Stains said. “Usually, after a year, we’re trying to get rid of them.”

Commissioners said they received two additional letters from neighboring property owners who also objected to the flea market plan.