Representatives of Benderson Development have been quietly talking with Cheektowaga officials about a proposal to develop an upscale farmer’s market at a vacant, run-down Union Road plaza.

And while the some kind of change for the sprawling, scrappy Super Flea on Walden Avenue has been discussed in connection with a new “Garden Village Marketplace,” Benderson officials declined to elaborate on whether they will close, renovate, relocate or do something else to it.

Yet conversations with the developer’s staff in recent weeks led the town zoning inspector to say, “The idea is to close the Super Flea down.” Daniel Ulatowski added that Benderson has not disclosed a timetable for its markets.

“I think it could be exciting if the town demands some good design standard,” he said of the plaza at Union and French roads. The open-air plan would require a rezoning, said Ulatowski. Benderson wants to leave the site of the former Vix drugstore open for another retailer and adapt other empty store spaces for market vendors, he said.

Company representatives have presented Cheektowaga officials with rough color sketches showing the plaza transformed with new peaked roofs topped by small flags, and garden and flower plantings where there is now barren, cracked asphalt. It had been home to a Bells grocery store, but is now mostly empty, with the exception of a Dollar General store.

The abandoned plaza has drawn criticism from neighbors.

“I think it’s terrible. It’s an eyesore, the way it is now,” said Betty Binner, speaking from her nearby Hickory Woods patio home.

But the idea of the Super Flea—with its antique dealers, used DVDs and designer knockoffs, produce stands and sellers of discount sliced bologna — made her wonder about the quality of the new market.

“I just don’t want to buy used tires. . . . There’s a difference in farmers’ markets,” she said. To continue with things as they are at Union and French is also unappealing. “Would I like to get rid of those empty stores?” she asked. “Yes, I would.”

Town Board member Charlie Markel said he was impressed when he listened to a Benderson’s informal work session presentation earlier this year. Sample photographs presented then showed attractive-looking outdoor stands from a market the developer wants to emulate.

“It was just very classy, upscale,” Markel said. “It was a place I would like to go to.”

Eric Recoon, a Benderson vice president of leasing and development, offered this by e-mail: “I’m truly not in a position, at this stage, to discuss details,” he wrote. “I can at least confirm for you that we’ve had exploratory talks with certain town officials about transforming the former Garden Village Plaza into the Garden Village Marketplace.”