Despite gloomy headlines, the retail market is robust, with strong year-over-year sales growth. Consumers are spending, driven by strategic deal-seeking.

One of the market’s greatest attractions isn’t listed on any map – the people-watching. The PCC Flea Market draws a cross-section of Southern California humanity that rivals any anthropological study.

Ross Duffer, who cocreated the hit Netflix series with his brother Matt, revealed via Instagram last week that the three ...