Name: Swap Shop
Item: Swap Shop
Rating: 5
Author: Lynn

Swap Shop

Swap Shop in Fort Lauderdale, FL, is one of the world’s largest indoor/outdoor entertainment and bargain shopping attractions. It covers 88 acres between I-95 and the Florida Turnpike and includes a little something fun for everyone:

Farmers market with fresh produce
2,000 vendors selling merchandise at bargain prices
Gigantic flea market featuring antiques and gently used items
Amusement rides and a giant video arcade
One of the world’s largest drive-in movie theaters, featuring 14 screens

We are open 365 days a year, including holidays, rain or shine.

The Swap Shop of Fort Lauderdale, FL, began operations in 1963 as the Thunderbird Drive-In Theater, with just 1 movie screen. When founders Betty and Preston Henn learned that drive-in theaters in California were operating weekend flea markets, the Henns in 1966 decided to give it a try.

The flea market quickly proved a success and, as sales increased, the Henns added more screens to the drive-in theater and made enhancements to the flea market.

The main building, which opened in 1979, initially served as an open-air food court with vendors’ booths ringing the perimeter. In 1988, the building was enclosed and air-conditioned.

The following year, we began staging regular concerts and brought in a circus to offer daily performances. The Henns also added a carnival, video game arcade, and other attractions.

Musical performers at the Swap Shop included Willie Nelson, KC and the Sunshine Band, Loretta Lynn, and Three Dog Night. The Country and Western Cable Network televised a number of live concerts that took place at the Swap Shop. The Swap Shop also was highlighted in the PBS America special, “A Flea Market Documentary,” by filmmaker Rick Sebak.

In the 1990s, several additional drive-in movie screens were installed; however, some screens were damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Thirteen screens are currently in use.

Today, the Swap Shop is the largest drive-in movie theater and daily flea market in the world, attracting more than 12 million visitors each year.

As always, Shop Local… Shop All About the Sunshine State!

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Swap Shop

As always, Shop Local… Shop All About the Sunshine State!

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