New Georgia market plans to support 250 entrepreneurs

Hoping to serve the community around Ocilla, Ga., as a business incubator, Andy and Jannis Paulk are founding Big Andy’s Market and Fun Center, a flea market that will have room for about 250 vendors. “We have wanted to open a micro-enterprise incubator in our area for years, to help other people start their own businesses,” says Jannis Paulk They found a vacant warehouse property and got to work. “The economy here is like it is everywhere else, and everybody is looking for an opportunity,” Paulk says. “We have room for 250 booth spaces, which means we have room to help 250 perople create their own source of income, and that’s really the heart of it.”

The flea market, opening Oct. 29, “covers 140,000 square feet, and it’s the perfect facility,” Paulk says. The community response has been enthusiastic, and many people have expressed interest in the market. The Paulks intend to charge by the month and by the day for spaces. The market is also on Facebook.

The grand opening will feature a bean-bag toss tournament, a tailgate auction, and a live band and costume party. The market will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays year-round.

The Paulks are hoping to attract some larger retail establishments, such as a laser tag business and a car wash. For more information, contact Big Andy’s Market and Fun Center, located at 301 E First St, Ocilla, Ga., by calling (229) 457-0079 or visiting the market Web site at bigandysmarket.com.