What will happen to Walden Super Flea?

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A new Walmart Supercenter is moving into the Cheektowaga flea market on Walden Avenue. But now many want to know what's going to happen to the Super Flea.

Walmart is proposing to construct a new supercenter at the site, replacing the Walmart store now located at the Thruway Plaza in Cheektowaga. Where does that leave flea vendors like Russell Gattuso?

"There's a lot of empty buildings that they can probably find to rennovate and bring another flea market there," Gattuso hoped.

Selom Adjogah added, "Few of us kind of make a living on the side here so... If there's no place for us to go, that's a concern, yes."

One possible location could be the Garden Village Plaza at French and Union. Daniel Ulatowski, Town of Cheektowaga planner, says Benderson Development submitted a site plan proposal for the plaza with the town well over a year ago.

"They wanted to have a high end open market concept attracting produce markets and other retailers on a seasonal basis, as well as use the interior of that existing plaza," Ulatowski explained.

In a January 2011 letter, Benderson Development indicated a plan to redevelop the mostly vacant retail center as "Garden Village Market Place." But Ulatowski says the company seems to have pulled back from those initial plans.

He said, "We're hopeful that Benderson will do something with that, and possibly relocate the flea market or their open market concept there."

News 4 reached out to Benderson Development, but our calls were not immediately returned. Once Walmart submits a formal application for the Walden Avenue property, it's likely to take 60 to 90 days for the town to do an environmental review before it even gets to the town board.