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The Black Swan Flea Market (New Bern, NC)

Black Swan Flea Market
820 Broad Street
New Bern, North Carolina

(252)-633-2600
Open Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm

This past August I traveled south on Highway 17 through North Carolina – and stopped for the night in New Bern.  It was my first visit to New Bern, and when I stopped it was late and dark and I didn’t have any idea what the place was like when I went to sleep.  But what  treat when I woke up and drove downtown!  I love places with a strong sense of history and (not surprisingly) places that are close to water – New Bern sits along the Trent and Neuse Rivers (just inland from Beaufort and the Cape Lookout National Seashore) and is the home of Tryon Palace which served as the first permanent capitol of North Carolina and home to the Tryon family.  I’m originally from Virginia – and have visited Williamsburg a million times – and the historic district of New Bern immediately made me think of Williamsburg.  It was charming!

There’s much to mention about New Bern – but I’ll start with a place that I saw as I was leaving town, the Black Swan Flea Market.  It looked interesting, and unfortunately it was Sunday mid-day and the establishment was closed (I loved the dog statue!).  But it’s definitely a place I will stop at when I will return – and I will definitely plan a longer stay in New Bern next time.

Here’s bits about the Black Swan from a piece in New Bern Now:

“Meeting Irene Magness, the Sole Proprietor, was a fun-filled and educational experience for me! Her travels and experiences have molded her into a one of a kind and a very down to Earth lady!

The shining star behind this story is Irene. I believe her upbeat personality, hospitality, and hotchpotch of unique relics will keep visitors coming back time and time again!

When I asked Irene where she came upon the ménage of contents that are displayed throughout the rooms of this large building, she told me that she collected them throughout her life. She mentioned that one of her friends considered the shop “Eclectic”. 

Eclectic is an understatement! Not only is the building a historical landmark, built in the 1820′s with an addition built in 1910, but its contents outline Irene’s travels throughout the United States and Abroad. One may consider it a diary of collectibles! Each piece of merchandise has a unique story and history to Irene and anyone who owned the items before she selected these treasures!”