Swap meet lovers rejoice, Kobey’s in the Midway District is debuting a summertime Thursday night edition now through Labor Day.
“We felt it was a good time to try a night market in the summertime for locals and tourists giving them another (shopping) opportunity here in this beach community,” said Kobey’s president Kimberly Kobey-Pretto of the new addition held Thursdays from 3 to 8 p.m. now until Sept. 1. “We just thought it would be a good niche. The weather’s beautiful. It’s light out. So we’re trying it between Labor Day and Memorial Day.”
Kobey-Pretto noted she and her late father started the family run and operated Kobey’s in San Diego Sports Arena’s parking lot in 1980. Family patriarch Monte Kobey launched his San Diego swap meet in 1976 at the Midway Drive-In. Thirty-six years later, Kobey’s Swap Meet at the Sports Arena remains San Diego’s biggest outdoor market drawing close to 25,000 shoppers and nearly 1,000 sellers weekly. The outdoor market offers great bargains, unique items and numerous garage sales.
Noting her family is hoping to “build on our Thursday nights,” Kobey-Pretto added live musical entertainment is now provided on Thursdays by a violinist from Ocean Beach’s weekly farmers market.
“We’re also using food trucks provided by the Sports Arena,” said Kobey-Pretto. Each member of the Kobey family has played a part in the accomplishments of the market, which has been passed along to the stewardship of Monte Kobey’s children and grandchildren who’ve appeared in company ads and now help run the establishment.
Under Kimberly Kobey-Pretto’s management, Kobey’s Swap Meet solidified its reputation as a clean, family-oriented outdoor marketplace. Over the years, she’s been able to keep the numbers stable despite increased retail competition and shifts in the local economy. In recognition of her achievements, the U.S.-Mexico Foundation named her Entrepreneur of the Year in 1992.
Noting her family is hoping to “build on our Thursday nights,” Kobey-Pretto added live musical entertainment is now provided on Thursdays by a violinist from Ocean Beach’s weekly farmers market.
“We’re also using food trucks provided by the Sports Arena,” said Kobey-Pretto. “We had two the first night including a fish taco and an ice cream truck, which was delicious. We’re hoping to bring in more food trucks.”
Kobey’s office is now located at 3740 Sports Arena Blvd., Suite 3 near Phil’s BBQ, noted Charles “Chuck” Pretto, Kimberly’s husband, who is the swap meet’s corporate counsel and vice president. He added the swap meet’s lease at the Sports Arena runs until May/June 2020.
“We’re excited about it,” added Kobey-Pretto about summer Thursday night swap meets. “We’re hoping to make it an annual thing every summer.”
Kobey’s regular hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 619-226-0650 or visit kobeyswap.com.