What started as a love for vintage and flea markets, evolved into something bigger: a community in the heart of the South.
In this feature, we got to sit down with Justin, Dime, and John, the trio behind, South Trading Post, to talk about how it all began.
How It Started
At its roots, South Trading Post began as a flea market for vintage and second hand item lovers. But if we’re talking about the very beginning, the earliest seed of STP can be traced back when Justin Francisco, who now runs STP’s Marketing & Partnerships, met John Reyes, now in charge of Finance and Operations.
Together, they started Wayback Vintage and were selling vintage and second hand items. The pair were merchants in different markets and bazaars, eventually, with their appreciation for thrifted and unique items, they realized that they wanted to bring this experience to their homebase: the South.
“We just wanted to bring that experience that we didn’t see in the South. We wanted to bring it to our community.”
Along Justin’s & John’s various stints as merchants, they met Dime Ocampo, who started as a merchant as well as 10 Cent Art, now in charge of STP’s Marketing & Creatives, and coincidentally he’s from the South too. After a few conversations and brainstorming, South Trading Post was born and the rest is history.
“There really wasn’t anything here sa south, aside from going to the mall, we wanted to reinvent that weekend experience.”
Community Hosts
Now, jumping forward a bit, South Trading Post has definitely grown.
In the span of two years, STP has managed not only to create its own community, but to expand its reach in all aspects, down to the merchants, attendees, and the size of their venues. The STP team are not only event organizers, but in a way they’re party hosts. From the attendees to the merchants, they’re juggling a lot on their plate.
When we asked them how they found the balance amidst the busyness of it all, they told us that: “We all came from our own brands. So from those experiences, we were able to identify, as an organizer, what would’ve been better, what we would look for. And I think that’s what really gives us a unique perspective. That’s something we really pay attention to.”
This tactic has definitely paid off when you think about how at this point, STP has its resident merchants, further fostering the relationship with their merchants.
“The merchants are the heart of our event, and we want to make sure they’re taken care of.”
With South Trading Post’s rapid growth, you’d think they wouldn’t have time to venture off to other things. But Justin, Dime, and John prove us wrong again, as they tell us that aside from STP they’re cooking up other community events.
Aside from STP, the trio also organizes Lots of Local, a gathering focused on homegrown and local brands. While on the side, Dime also sets up Wet Market: Art Market, a space for students and up and coming artists to share their stickers and art.
In a way, the STP team has created their own cinematic universe, with attendees from STP, Lots of Local, and Wet Market: Art Market often crossing over during the three events. Proving how great the three of them can pull off a community event, there’s always something new to look forward to.
This past year, they’ve also managed to bring the STP experience to other places in the Metro, from Makati to San Juan, and even super up north, La Union last June.
What’s Next for South Trading Post
Even the STP team still can’t believe how fast they’ve grown in a short period of time. Justin elaborates that: “Once in a while we do get reminded that we’re changing lives, whether it’s through small ways, like we made their [attendee] day better, or even helping someone [merchants] go through college.”
They definitely did not expect to see South Trading Post grow as a community this fast, especially considering that it started off as a flea market. Now, the team gets to curate and conceptualize all sorts of community events. John also says that they really do enjoy doing this, “as long as we keep doing it, the way we’re doing it now, but just keep pushing it, innovating, trying to find new ways for our attendees and merchants.”
Through it all, the STP boys have continued to keep it real and remember what really matters, the community experience. In a couple of years, all they hope for is that South Trading Post and its community continues to grow, as Justin says: “We’re more than just a flea market, we’re event organizers, we’re creators of experiences.”
“South Trading Post has become bigger than all of us. In the sense that we really provided a third space for everyone, where they feel comfortable, where they belong.”
Currently, the South Trading Post team is gearing up for their Southversary 2 Anniversary Celebration on September 26-28, 2025 at Alabang Town Center.
Dime hypes up their anniversary as he further explains: “Southversary 2 is coming back, bigger and better. We have the flea market, lots of local, mini concert, all happening at the same time. Here in Alabang Town Center for three days, expect more freebies and giveaways, new STP merchandise, new merchants from vintage to local brands.”
For tickets, you can check it out here or visit South Trading Post’s concept store in Alabang Town Center.
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