Owner says good things on horizon
Ranger – Perhaps in casual passing one may not recognize Jerry Edward Decker. However, after 44 years in business, it would be difficult to say the Decker name doesn’t at least “ring a bell” with most folks in Cherokee and surrounding counties.
Decker’s Flea Market at 75 Blairsville Highway is, by many accounts, a local landmark. The 44-year-old flea market actually began way back when at the Grizzly Bear Restaurant – known as Hot Spot today – along U.S. 64 West.
It all started in a small parking lot, with several friends of the Decker family who would gather together. They would each bring tables, chairs and items to sell, and while making money they would just enjoy each other’s company. It was a small but quaint group.
In time, the parking lot yard sale grew, and they were all invited to move over to what became known as Decker’s Flea Market, which originally started with just 10 vendors. The small group began to grow by word of mouth until it became a
full-scale flea market, attracting folks from just about everywhere to stop by and browse.
Decker has lived his entire life here and owned the flea market for many years. Originally the property belonged to Virgil Decker, his father, and was managed by his uncle Wade Decker and Wade’s wife, Zelda.
However, Decker has reached the point in his life where it’s time to retire and enjoy other adventures. On June 22, Decker’s Flea Market was sold – with the exception of the stone yard – to Ranger Express LLC, which is owned by Mike Lakdawala of Georgia.
Barbara Guthrie lives in Bellview and has been a faithful vendor with Decker’s Flea Market for 44 years. She recalls the earlier times when she and her late husband, Arnold, would set up and sell their area rugs. Over that time, she has made many friendships and lasting memories.
Several vendors said
they believed things were going to be even better at the flea market under new ownership. Wayne and Tootie Weaver, vendors from the beginning, own Weaver’s Flower Shop inside Decker’s. They had only good things to say about what’s ahead.
Tootie said of her years as a vendor at Decker’s, “We just love our customers. All the friendships. We’ve had customers that came and never spent a dime, they were just here to socialize. We love it.”
Wayne said of the future, “We’re gonna stay right here. We’re fine right here, we’re happy with the way things are. Nothing’s changed with the new owner as far as we know.”
Then there’s Bobby Moss, who has been a Decker’s vendor for seven years.
“I don’t know what it’ll do under new management, but I’d say it’ll prosper,” he said.
Norman Floyd has been around for five years selling his wares and hates to see Jerry Decker go.
“I really like him,” Floyd said. “He’s a great man, but it’s time for him to retire.”
“I love people, so I’m going to leave it as it is and make sure that I help them to be successful in their business,” Lakdawala said. “I want to make sure that people come down here and shop.”
Lakdawala also owns Ranger Flea Market, which is across the street from Decker’s. Nothing has changed there, either.
“We have the same vendors, the same everything. I’ve made changes for the betterment like renovating the bathroom. Apart from that we haven’t changed anything,” he said.
Lakdawala said his aim is to have vendors be happy and successful, which in turn also helps him. He plans on adding live music to Decker’s Flea Market to attract visitors.
Lakdawala is married with two children. A man of faith, he said he loves the Murphy area, which is why he chose to do business here.