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November 5, 2007

Brownstoner to Launch Weekly Flea Market Next Spring

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Back in the mid-90s, we were completely addicted to the 26th Street flea markets in Manhattan. As they were gradually displaced, lot by lot, by the high-rises that now line Sixth Avenue in Chelsea, one of the most interesting slices of city life died. Now, Manhattan is too expensive and, frankly, soulless to recreate anything like that. Brooklyn, in contrast, is the ideal place, in our opinion, to nurture such a scene. With no disrespect meant to the flea market on 7th Avenue in Park Slope, however, there's certainly nothing currently in the borough that comes close to what 26th Street used to be in either scale or vibrancy. So we're going to try to create it.

With the great help of Council Member Tish James, we've worked out an arrangement with the head of the Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene to use its gigantic schoolyard on Sundays starting next spring to host a weekly flea market. (We're talking about 40,000 square feet of space—check out the photo on the jump.) The lot itself is located on Lafayette Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt, walking distance from Boerum Hill, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights and Bed Stuy and just a short bike ride away from Williamsburg, Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights. (Sorry if we left your 'hood out, but you get the idea.) We also like the fact that it's just a block up from the flourishing restaurant scene on Dekalb, making for a nice destination outing for folks from farther afield.

Although the flea market won't open until early April, we've set up a web site at BrooklynFlea.com where vendors can indicate preliminary interest (update: the registration is working now) and anyone can send in questions and comments. We've got plenty of time to plan things, so we're hoping for lots of reader input. One thing we're considering, for example, is having some kind of local and organic food court in addition to the antiques, vintage watch and vinyl record dealers. So let us know what you'd like to see by emailing us at flea@brownstoner.com—and please pass this along to anyone you know who might be a potential vendor. We've got booths of all shapes and sizes to accommodate everything from the person who knits hats as a hobby to a large architectural salvage dealer.

Thanks and look forward to your input.

Mr. B

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Posted by Brownstoner at 10:13 AM | Comments (68)
Categories: Fort Greene

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Comments

Great idea and location!

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:22 AM

this may just be the best news i've gotten all year! can't wait and i hope it's a huge success!

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:26 AM

Fab Idea. Can't wait. It would be great to have architectural salvage vendors for renovators like me.

Katia@pardomeforasking.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:27 AM

You are brilliant. This is a fabulous idea. I think it would be awesome to invite some of the farmers who deliver to our area (Dines Farm comes to mind) to set up shop there as well. But not if this was to step in any way on the foot traffic at the Farmer's Market. But especially in the summer people aren't necessarily around on Saturdays. And perhaps the owner of Choice Market who is setting up shop on Greene Ave next would be interested in also selling flowers there as well. Fort Greene already has a French vibe, why not capitalize on it?

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:29 AM

Awesome. Looking forward to it.

Posted by: thwarted at November 5, 2007 10:29 AM

Ft. Greene has a French vibe, 10:29?

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:32 AM

i'd say so, 10:32. maybe it's all the french and n african people walking around speaking french and the numerous business that cater to them by selling or serving french food?

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:35 AM

Love the idea of including a Sunday farmers market, if possible, as I often don't/can't make it to any of the markets on Saturdays.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:38 AM

Just curious as to where the profits from the booth rentals will go? It would be great if they were dontated to a worthwhile neighborhood cause.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:43 AM

You want to know why your not taking seriously b'stoner its because of comments like this:

"Now, Manhattan is too expensive and, frankly, soulless to recreate anything like that [flea market]"

It is just pointless and gratuitous bashing with no facts, or evidence - you've become like fox news but instead of republican ideology, your 'cause' is left leaning, wealth based, white-man guilt with architectural snobbery.

I recognize this is a blog and your editorial voice is great but try giving your opinion in a straightforward and honest manner instead of this smarky backhanded stupidity - it really lowers the level of discourse

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:56 AM

Fantastic idea. Hope Loughlin is getting a big cut, they're a great school. Just tried to register with the 'placeholder' site and got kicked off; will try again later. Only caveat:
NO TUBE SOCKS
NO TUBE SOCKS
NO TUBE SOCKS

Also, you should strictly forbid the vending of tube socks.

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at November 5, 2007 10:56 AM

from a midlevel wall street guy via media tycoon to flea markert organizer with a year!!

I guess somehow the mortgage needs to be paid and your family wants to eat as well

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:58 AM

Love the idea!!

I bought a great coffee table a couple years ago at the Chelsea flea market-- it would be excellent to include the makers (who use reclaimed wood):

Unique Woodworks
PO Box 1159
Woodstock, NY 12498
845-679-8278

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:00 AM

is it April yet?

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:00 AM

Oh, so you mean French colonial-vibe.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:00 AM

I hope you get some interesting artwork from the students at Pratt who are so close by!

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:04 AM

Would be great! BTW, most of the Manhattan outdoor flea markets HAVE been displaced by the building of residential towers on the former parking lots in the high 20s. Same thing happened to the one in Soho. Although there still is one in Hells Kitchen and the schoolyard on the UWS. I suppose you could argue about the "soulless" comment, but the reality is that there is very little space left for this kind of thing in Manhattan.

Posted by: Carol Gardens at November 5, 2007 11:05 AM

Flea markets used to be places where you could get the odd, the old, and sometimes, the valuable. I think this is a wonderful idea, and I hope it's a rousing success.

I agree with Brenda - no tube socks, or any other vendors selling cheap junk such as cell phone holders, sunglasses, generic tee shirts and bootleg cd's and dvd's. That stuff is available anywhere. Many of the late, lamented craft shows in the city used to be juried - a vendor would have to submit photos and descriptions of their wares in order to be accepted. That would be much harder with salvage and tchockes, but it will only be successful if there is quality, variety, and a wide price range.

Also a couple of bathrooms.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:07 AM

Yeah, more artwork, just what the world needs.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:08 AM

Love the idea. LOVE IT. I'm looking forward to opening day!

-The Changeling

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:08 AM

This flea market will be worthless once AY is built.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:13 AM

I got kicked off the registration site too. Mr.B, please check. It lets you fill out the registration, but when you submit, there is a long error message.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:14 AM

Dear Mr. Brownstoner,

I am seller of tube socks. I have great interest in renting booth for flea market. Where to can I apply?

Sincerely,
Yuri

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:15 AM

working on it...should be fixed shortly. grrrr.

Posted by: brownstoner at November 5, 2007 11:15 AM

Great news! This is funny because I was going to post a sort of petition thing on the forum requesting/forcing another Salvage Fest.

I was just checking into Green Flea to sell off some inventory for the holiday season. Any chance you'll do another anything BEFORE April so I can avoid schlepping to 77th St? Because it's all about me. ;)

Salvage Fest Holiday Show!
Mr. B!
Mr. B!
Mr. B!

Posted by: rh at November 5, 2007 11:26 AM

I think this would be really wonderful if the vendors were selected based on their selling items that are flea market appropriate (local designer wares, antiques, etc.) Designer imitated purses, tube socks and chinese men giving back rubs all have their place but not here.

How much would you charge for a booth?

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at November 5, 2007 11:29 AM

This is brilliant...I've been working on some etchings which dipict Brooklyn especially DUMBO, and now I'll have a weekly venue in which to sell them (hopefully). Great idea!

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:30 AM

Mr. B -

Just wanted to say that I appreciate and respect your game and hustle. Keep making it happen! It's refreshing to see someone constantly bringing news ideas to the table and trying to get things done. Best of luck to you and much continued success.

JWhite125

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 11:38 AM

This is a fantastic idea! I would especially like to see some sort of Farmers' Market. This will be great for the neighborhood.

As far as selection goes, here's a good rule of thumb: if you can buy it at Fulton Mall, then it probably has no place at your flea market.

Amy

Posted by: Anonymous at November 5, 2007 11:40 AM

Huzzah! Just the sort of vibe that all our nabes need, to keep making them better and better each year.

I concur with some of the earlier postings that the presence of farmers who deliver to our area would be wonderful, but definately NOT at the expense of foot traffic at the Farmer's Market (where it is a joy to buy fresh produce every week). I would also welcome with open arms the presences of architectural salvage stores. Perhaps a few local funky furniture stores, too. . . for example, maybe local merchants like Little India would consider a flea market presence, and thereby attract more foot traffic to their stores?

I can't wait!!!

Posted by: nellymikhaiel at November 5, 2007 11:45 AM

The vendor registration on BrooklynFlea.com is now working.

Posted by: brownstoner at November 5, 2007 12:06 PM

Great idea. In such a large space, the possiblilites are endless.

You might want to think about tenting the food court space, as well as offering tented vendor space for a more premium price, and/or getting a piece of tent rental to vendors. That way extreme sun or a spring shower won't stop the show. As I recall from the Salvage Fest, it can get pretty broiling in an open blacktopped parking lot.

Looking forward to this!

Posted by: Montrose Morris at November 5, 2007 12:17 PM

hey 11:03, if possible i'd love to come up to your place to see your etchings.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 12:21 PM

Hopefully this one will be better than the 321 clip joint.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 12:22 PM

wonderful news!!!

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 12:29 PM

Great idea! Just please, PLEASE, no cheap and shiteous merchandise which seems to be the ruination of the NYC street fair. No tube socks, no funnel cake...well, you get the idea. Looking forward to April.

Posted by: GHB at November 5, 2007 12:54 PM

Fantastic! Might be a good spot for local artists to sell their wares as well.

Posted by: lesterhead at November 5, 2007 12:54 PM

no disses, great idea, thanks for rockin' in the bk!

Posted by: bkkitten at November 5, 2007 12:56 PM

Don't worry, there will definitely be quality control.

Posted by: brownstoner at November 5, 2007 1:00 PM

>>Hopefully this one will be better than the 321 clip joint.

I like the stuff at the 321 clip joint and I wouldn't mind if the stuff for sale here was kind of the same. Sadly, though, the difference between flea markets of a few years ago and flea markets of the 21st Century is eBay. There is price fixing of well... crap.

I am more than happy to buy crap, as long as its cheap and disposable but as soon as your crap becomes my "One of a Kind Collectible", then I stop buying it. I will go to Target to buy a $27.99 chair instead of buying your grandmom's wobbly piece of retro crap for $75.

So, to rec(r)ap, crap is fine. Precious overpriced crap isn't!

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 1:02 PM

Strange...this entire discussion is making me strangely desirous of getting a backrub from a Chinese guy...while wearing tube socks and eating a funnel cake...

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at November 5, 2007 1:03 PM

As long as a vendor is licensed and legal, he should be allowed to sell his wares and participate. If you dont want to buy tube socks,cellphone holders or so called junk, then keep it moving.Noone is holding a gun to your head but why should you dictate whether somebody who might patronize these vendors isnt given the chance to.And whether you like it or not, people patronized Fulton Mall making it very successful and profitable for the owners.So get over yourselves. This is Brooklyn,take that attitude somewhere else.

Posted by: iluvclintonhill at November 5, 2007 1:07 PM

No funnel cakes? Wait a minute, what's wrong with funnel cakes????

BTW Brenda, would the Chinese guy be wearing the tube socks and eating the funnel cake, or would you be? Either way, I'm sure there's already a website for that particular fetish.

:-)

Amy

Posted by: Anonymous at November 5, 2007 1:08 PM

Sorry iluvclintonhill, but I couldn't disagree with you more. Anything approaching the kind of crap sold in the Fulton Mall and most of the street fairs would be a blight on the neighborhood. But luckily, with Mr. B. in charge, we won't have anything to worry about.

Amy

Posted by: Anonymous at November 5, 2007 1:19 PM

Hey Amy,

Almost everything is sold at Fulton Mall, how can you call it all crap. Just because you don't shop there, doesn't make the merchandise crap.

I have a feeling from the comments here that there won't be anything at this flea market I would want to buy (at least for the prices offered). I sense a lot of antique (ie old, poor condition) furniture and way-overpriced chotkes. Hopefully the vinyl is cheap.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 2:06 PM

Amy is apparently a woman who doesn't appreciate a pair of fresh sneakers.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 2:13 PM

In its heyday, the 24th/26th Street Fleamarket was THE place to get both interesting merchandise and a bargain. People shopped for everything from vintage ball gowns, Victorian button shoes, Danish modern furniture, Chinese chairs to Waterford crystal and dusty plastic bags of vintage trims and notions. You never knew what you would find - a cool piece of silverware, a 50's brooch, the Beatles White Album, or an African sculpture. It was fun, and a great way to spend a day. To this day, in decorating magazines and books, someone will tell of getting some fabulous, or fabulously awful piece at the 26th St Market. It was one of the most successful and popular destinations in New York, and rivaled the great flea markets like Portabello Road, in London. The building up of 6th Ave caused moving the market to other lots or buildings, and it just wasn't the same, or successful. Plus the prices started to hit the ceiling for everything. There's nothing worse than success to spoil a good thing, or higher overhead.

All that to say, if the Brooklyn Flea can recapture the fun, trash to treasure adventure that was the 26th St. Market, it will be a great success. That means no tube socks or Chanel knock-offs. That's not snobbery or lack of affordable goods, those goods are just a whole different kind of flea market.

I don't want to see just hugely overpriced salvage, because that won't sell to a large amount of people, and the fair will fail. With this huge space, there is room for all kinds of merchandise in a true Brimfield/old 26th St. kind of way. Bring it on!

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 2:28 PM

I am very excited about this idea. I live down the street from this school and it would be an excellent location. As much as I enjoy cheap things, I agree with most of the posts requesting no tube socks and other crap! I would love some organic food, fresh cut flowers, etc.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 2:50 PM

I too miss the 26th Street markets and love this idea.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at November 5, 2007 2:52 PM

I believe the proceeds are going to be used to pay for the expansion of Mr. Butler's residence to fit his swelling ego.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 3:36 PM

Has anyone ever been to San Telmo...the neighborhood in Buenos Aires?

They have the most incredible open air antiques/flea market with everything under the sun, cafes surrounding it, people in the street doing tango and playing instruments.

It is one of the top attractions in the city and not to be missed if you are there on a Sunday. It is literally packed and I got some incredible finds there.

I think something along those lines...something that really harkens to Brooklyn's culture could be really successful.

Can't wait.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 3:43 PM

Better have the giant turkey legs!

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 3:45 PM

Can there be an area for FREE EXCHANGE too?

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 3:56 PM

Terrific! I furnished a studio apartment with stuff from 26th street.

I suppose tube socks with fleas might be appropriate ;-).

I don't recall there being ant tube socks at 26th street. They usually haunt the street fairs.

Posted by: Hal at November 5, 2007 4:45 PM

I think the idea of having a booth for Pratt students to show their work is a really good one. I live right next to the school and have often wondered if they have a gallery of student work--anybody know? My art budget is a little on the low side....

Posted by: Rehab at November 5, 2007 5:39 PM

my art budget consists of dried macaroni and cheese.

anything in that price range?

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 6:01 PM

my kid glues macaroni to construction paper, 6:01. you can have the series she did on green for five cents.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 7:07 PM

As regards food, you can go for a simple vibe - the same guys who sell the farmers market produce, or their cohorts, could also sell organic turkey burgers, or kielbasa and arugula sandwiches, for example; you get the picture. Simple, fresh, and not crazy expensive.

Archiefina

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 8:16 PM

Finally something useful! This is great. Looking forward to it.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 8:40 PM

What about having a few booths for folks in the neighborhood to sell their own homemade food? Community potluck kind of vibe. Living on Clinton Ave, I can attest to the yummies that this 'hood can put out when there's a street stoop sale going on. Maybe a little Food Court with tables...

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 9:54 PM

Pratt students put on enough gallery shows. If you were paying attention you'd know this. No need to go out of your way to get a "Pratt Booth" at a flea market.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:00 PM

Good work Brownstoner. There with bells on.

Posted by: guest at November 5, 2007 10:33 PM

EVeryone please don't worry Mr. Brownstoner said trust me there will be no tube sock vendors. Hey he is just incredible!

Posted by: guest at November 6, 2007 2:51 AM

The 26th Street Flea Market was a desination. Those in search of excellent goods with a past were greeted every weekend, rain or shine with some of the most amazing items around and the prices were AFFORDABLE. If this attempt is half as successful, it would be worthwhile. Variety is the key. Worthless junk to one person is a tresure to another, so try not to edit vendors too harshly, only ensure variety. Good Luck. I'm a whore for Junk.

Posted by: guest at November 6, 2007 3:22 AM

Terrific! I've been researching and writing about fleas in Manhattan for my site Here Be Old Things and can't wait to post both a news item about this, and a profile next spring. Good luck!

p.s. I just profiled the 7th Ave market here.

Posted by: guest at November 6, 2007 10:17 AM

As one of the participants of Salvage Fest, I look forward to attending this flea market; however, it needs to be Vendor Friendly. That means drive in unloading and loading, reasonable fees and people willing to spend money. Making a trip from Albany is not cheap and many of the best dealers are 100 to 200 miles away. I agree with many of the people writing comments and hope it would be more like the old 6th ave and 26th street flea market in Manhattan. There are enough people selling tube socks, cheap pocket books, etc. at a thousand other places. Thanks. Fred from Silver Fox Architectural Salvage

Posted by: guest at November 7, 2007 8:30 AM

I cannot wait for this Flea market to open up, I hope the cost to have a booth is low enough that everyone who is not fully established yet, gets a chance to sell their stuff. I love the green ideas, as I do a variety of different things like selling wreaths and making my own glass jewelry and beads. Will we need any speacial licenses to participate?

Posted by: guest at November 9, 2007 2:39 PM

I hope Ratner doesn't graze your land.

Posted by: guest at November 30, 2007 2:58 PM

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