What Happened to Flea Market Flip?

Flea Market Flip, a reality television series that premiered on HGTV and Great American Country on September 28, 2012, quickly became a fan favorite for its engaging premise and the charismatic hosting of Lara Spencer. The show challenged two teams to scour flea markets with a $500 budget, purchase items, creatively refurbish or repurpose them, and then resell their creations for the highest possible profit at another market. The team that generated the most profit won a $5,000 prize. Spencer, who also served as executive producer, leveraged her personal passion for 'flipping' furniture and her expertise, which she also shared in her New York Times bestselling books.

The series enjoyed significant popularity, running for 14 seasons and earning critical acclaim, including a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle Program in 2017. Its appeal lay in its blend of treasure hunting, creative design, and competitive selling, inspiring viewers to see potential in discarded items. The show's format, featuring diverse projects like transforming industrial pieces into stylish furniture or creating matching sets from mismatched objects, resonated with a broad audience interested in DIY and sustainable design.

The production of Flea Market Flip came to an halt after its 2019 season. The show went on an indefinite hiatus, primarily attributed to the logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the operation of flea markets and the ability to film. In March 2021, Lara Spencer confirmed in an exclusive interview that there were "no plans on Flea Market Flip right now," expressing gratitude for its popularity but acknowledging that the show's format was incompatible with the prevailing global circumstances at the time.

Despite the hiatus of Flea Market Flip, Lara Spencer continued her work as a journalist on ABC's Good Morning America and explored other television projects, including "Everything But the House." Her enduring passion for thrifting and design, however, led to a new venture. In September 2025, Spencer announced a new unscripted competition series titled "That Thrifting Show with Lara Spencer." This new 12-episode series, which she also hosts and executive produces, premiered on Freeform and Hulu in March 2026.

"That Thrifting Show" shares a similar spirit with its predecessor, challenging two designer duos to decorate identical rooms using only vintage and thrift store finds within a limited time and budget. This new show allows Spencer to continue celebrating sustainable design and the art of transforming secondhand treasures, effectively serving as a spiritual successor to "Flea Market Flip." As of August 2026, "Flea Market Flip" remains off the air, with Lara Spencer's focus now on her new series, which has been met with anticipation from fans of her previous work.