A year after a devastating fire destroyed several buildings at the South Augusta Flea Market, the owner and vendors say that a waterline and connecting fire hydrant have yet to be installed.

On Sunday, a frustrated Glenn Rhodes, son of former owner Harold "Dusty" Rhodes, said he had met with Mayor Deke Copenhaver on Friday about ways to get his business on Doug Barnard Parkway fully operational.

"The fire was on May 7, and a year later we still don't have a hydrant," said Mr. Rhodes, who said that he purchased the 18-acre property from his father earlier this year.

"My dad is 73. He waited and waited to rebuild the property. He finally got fed up and sold it to me," said Mr. Rhodes, 48, who said he was told the county had approved a hydrant six years ago.

Phone messages left for Mr. Copenhaver were not immediately returned.

Mr. Rhodes said once a hydrant is installed he will be able to renovate the property, reconstruct buildings and buy insurance.

He said he and his father never had insurance. With "an older building, wood structure and no fire hydrant," the cost was too high, he said.

Last year's fire was not the first at the flea market. It also caught fire in November 2000.

The nearest hydrant is a quarter-mile from the flea market.

Mr. Rhodes said he and his vendors have experienced economic woes since the fire.

"We lost a lot of our business," he said.

Regular customers Michael and Lisa Dunbar of Windsor said they'll remain faithful patrons, but they have noticed a difference since last year's fire,

"It used to be jumping out here, but it's just not the same," said Mr. Dunbar.

Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or tim.cox@augustachronicle.com.