A Denver flea market investor has bought the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on Tucson’s south side.
United Flea Markets, which owns properties across the country, paid $7 million for the Tucson site, Pima County Recorder records show. The Tanque Verde Swap Meet has about 750 vendors on 30 acres at .
Rob Sieban, president, CEO and co-owner of United Flea Markets and former chairman and president of the National Flea Market Association, said Tanque Verde’s reputation was an appeal.
“Founders Richard and Monica Chapin have adeptly guided the swap meet since its founding in 1975,†he said. “We’re looking forward to building upon their solid foundation and further positioning the swap meet for the next 50 years of operation.â€
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Richard Chapin said the decision to sell was not easy.
“It was really important to my family that the new ownership team understand the swap meet’s past while looking to the future,†he said. “United Flea Markets’ business acumen paired with its love for the industry ensures that Tanque Verde is in good hands.â€
In a letter to vendors, Sieban said the management team would remain intact. The company plans to invest in capital improvements like enhanced technology, including Wi-Fi throughout the market, and building and grounds upgrades.
Other recent commercial transactions include:
- Bellevue One LLC and Bellevue Two LLC bought the 24-unit Bellevue Apartments, in the 5300 block of East Bellevue Street, for $1.5 million. Joseph Chaplik, with Joseph Bernard Investment Real Estate, represented both parties.
- Clark H. and Kathryn A. Reed bought the 20-unit Sherwood Terrace apartment at for $950,000. Joseph Chaplik, with Joseph Bernard Investment Real Estate, represented the buyers and Joe Boyle, also with Joseph Bernard, represented the seller.
- South Beach LLC bought the former Beach Furniture & Appliance store in the 2200 block of South Sixth Avenue for $450,000. Pat Darcy, of Tucson Realty & Trust Co., represented the seller and Ron Schwabe, of Peach Properties HM Inc., represented the buyer.
- Rothrock Building & Remodeling Inc. leased 7,732 square feet at from DBLS Holdings LLC. Max Fisher, with Picor, handled the transaction.
- The D.M. Caldwell Corp. leased 1,440 square feet in Exchange Place Business Center, , from Presson Corp. Max Fisher and Rob Glaser, with Picor, handled the transaction.
- GK Company LLC, doing business as Variety H20 + Ice Cream, leased 1,220 square feet at 6330 E. Golf Links Road. Craig Finfrock, of Commercial Retail Advisors LLC, represented the tenant and the landlord was represented by Rob Tomlinson and Greg Furrier, with Picor.
- Mr. Beez Vape Emporium leased 1,200 square feet at from St. Mary’s Investors LLC. Dave Hammack and Ramiro Scavo, with Picor, represented the landlord.
- Red Star Vapor LLC leased 1,200 square feet at from Massapequa Associates LLC. Dave Hammack, with Picor, represented the landlord and Debbie Heslop, with Volk Co., represented the tenant.
- S.W.A.T. Glass LLC leased 1,050 square feet at from Central Point Tucson LLC. Picor’s Max Fisher handled the transaction.
Tanque Verde Swap Meet in the '70s
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥: Tanque Verde Swap Meet in Tucson through the years

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in January, 1979. Dan Tortorell / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in January, 1979. Dan Tortorell / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in April, 1982. Peter Weinberger / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in February, 1977. Dan Tortorell / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in February, 1977. Dan Tortorell / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in April, 1982. Peter Weinberger / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in February, 1977. Dan Tortorell / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in February, 1977. Dan Tortorell / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in April, 1982. Peter Weinberger / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in April, 1982. Peter Weinberger / Tucson Citizen

Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant Tanque Verde roads in January, 1987. Xavier Gallegos / Tucson Citizen

An electrician prepares light poles at the new location for the Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Palo Verde Road and Ajo Way in February, 1987.

Site preparations at the new location for the Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Palo Verde Road and Ajo Way in February, 1987.

Miguel Urquidez, left, in mirror, and Tomasa Urquidez , right, look at different pairs of sunglasses at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on June 21, 2008. Dean Knuth / ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star

Maria Jimenez reacts to a buying customer as she works her candy and snack table at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet in 2013. Ron Medvescek / ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star.

Boots from Botas Egures are for sale at the Tanque Verde marketplace in 2001. Some sellers find a space they like and set up what looks like a semi-permanent shop. A.E. Araiza / ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star

The crowd thronging the swap meet aisles is reflected in a mirror.

It’s closing time at the swap meet and Adriana Calleja helps haul in the dozens of mannequins used to show off jeans and other fashions for sale.

Abraham Lossou, left, and his son Samuel wait their turn in the chair with Armando Ortiz in Ortiz’s Savage Cutz, a mobile barber shop in a buffed-up trailer. Ortiz bought the trailer for $300 and he and Paul Ruiz gutted it and turned it into an inviting barbershop: wood floors, two barber chairs and a sink.

Rows of decorative rosaries for sale shine under the lights in one of the booths during the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on Saturday

Wayne Turnage restocks his inventory of knives while his grandson Alex Mitchell chows down in the early afternoon. “It hasn’t been a great day,†said Turnage at the end of the session. But he’s optimistic. “I’ll be back,†he says.

Four-year-old Turtle Carter sleeps under the lights of Carters Kidswheel, the children’s Ferris wheel his parents operate, just after sunset at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on Saturday. The swap meet, celebrating its 40th year in business, has entertainment, services and food in addition to about 19 acres packed with 800 vendors selling merchandise.

Kassandra Vazquez holds her granddaughter Genesis Davila as she gets her eyebrows threaded in Diana Beltran’s booth during the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on Saturday.

Ramon Ruiz hangs the sign over his booth. He’s getting ready for the second, the afternoon, session of the Tanque Verde Swap Meet.

“Hey Macarena†— Vanessa Cota dances with the crew from TK Wholesale outside the booth. The swap meet, packed in the evening, has several entertainment options.

Berenice Abeles, right, holds her baby Raben Abeles, 2 months, while looking for shoes at a booth at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on June 21, 2008 in Tucson. Dean Knuth / ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star

People walk by mannequins with womens jeans at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on June 21, 2008. Dean Knuth / ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star

Dmitrick Lopez, 6, right, watches Chang Yi draw names at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on June 21, 2008. Dean Knuth / ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star

Purses are backlit at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on June 21, 2008. Dean Knuth / ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star

Rafaela Crockwell's truck is surrounded as women look through clothes at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on June 27, 2008. Dean Knuth / ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star

Elbert Esquivel with the Eden Company sets up his booth at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet on June 27, 2008.

Tanque Verde Swap Meet draws a wide variety of people in 2001. Max Becherer / ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star

Rain clouds roll over the Goldfish booth, one of the carny games running on a dark, cold evening at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet, Tucson, Ariz., January 22, 2022.

Anahy Fernandez dusts off the selection of musical instruments on display in the Guitarras Paracho booth at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet, Tucson, Ariz., January 22, 2022.

Rows of mannequins display the clothing available at the Fashion District booth, one of the regular vendors at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet, Tucson, Ariz., January 22, 2022.

Roberto Estrella sorts oranges on sale from his truck and table set up at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet, Tucson, Ariz., January 22, 2022.
Information for Tucson Real Estate is compiled from records at the Pima County Recorder’s Office and from brokers. Send information to Gabriela Rico, grico@tucson.com. On Facebook: