Flea Markets in Des Moines, IA
🗒️ 2 markets
- Iowa State Fair Flea MarketDes Moines, IA1st full weekend monthly (Sept–May): Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 9am-3pm
- Brass Armadillo Antique Mall - Des MoinesDes Moines, IAMon-Sun 9am-9pm daily
Iowa State Fair Flea Market
💰 What to buy here
- Mid-Century Costume Jewelry Lots Buy$15-35 → Sell online$60-140 on Etsy Check makers' marks behind brooches and clasps like Trifari, Eisenberg, or Weiss; avoid unsigned pot metal pieces with missing rhinestones.
- 1980s-90s Vintage Toys & Action Figures Buy$5-15 → Sell online$35-90 on eBay Check plastic toy totes for loose Kenner Star Wars, G.I. Joe, or TMNT figures that retain their original tiny weapons and accessories.
- Pyrex & Fire-King Milk Glass Buy$8-20 → Sell online$40-95 on Mercari Hold bowls up to daylight to check for dishwasher damage (dull paint); prioritize complete promotional patterns like Butterprint or Gooseberry.
Brass Armadillo Antique Mall - Des Moines
💰 What to buy here
- Retro Nintendo & Sega Video Games Buy$10-25 → Sell online$40-90 on Mercari Look inside glass cases for complete-in-box titles and first-party classic RPG cartridges with clean labels.
- Vintage Iowa & Midwest Sports Pennants Buy$8-18 → Sell online$35-85 on eBay Examine wool felt banners for vibrant colors, intact tassels, and 1950s-70s collegiate or minor league graphics.
- Mechanical 35mm SLR & Rangefinder Cameras Buy$15-40 → Sell online$70-170 on eBay Look for Olympus, Canon AE-1, and Minolta bodies; check lens optics with your phone flashlight to ensure zero fungus or glass haze.
Know what to grab before you go
These categories hide the most undervalued finds at flea markets. Learn what drives their prices — or just scan the item at the stall and get an expert answer.
Questions resellers ask
What are the best flea markets in Des Moines, IA?
Well-known flea markets in Des Moines, IA include Iowa State Fair Flea Market (Des Moines, IA) and Brass Armadillo Antique Mall - Des Moines (Des Moines, IA). This page lists 2 markets with addresses, opening hours and what to buy there to resell.
When are flea markets open in Des Moines, IA?
Most run on weekends. Iowa State Fair Flea Market: 1st full weekend monthly (Sept–May): Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 9am-3pm; Brass Armadillo Antique Mall - Des Moines: Mon-Sun 9am-9pm daily. Hours change with the season, so check the market's own website before you go.
What can you buy at flea markets in Des Moines, IA to resell?
Good finds at these markets include Mid-Century Costume Jewelry Lots (buy $15-35, resell $60-140 on Etsy), 1980s-90s Vintage Toys & Action Figures (buy $5-15, resell $35-90 on eBay), Pyrex & Fire-King Milk Glass (buy $8-20, resell $40-95 on Mercari) and Retro Nintendo & Sega Video Games (buy $10-25, resell $40-90 on Mercari). Check what an item actually sold for before you pay — the FlipTip app shows real sold prices from a photo.