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May 11, 2009

Spotlight on Brooklyn Flea Markets

metro-flea-issue-051109.jpgBrooklyn's flea market boom makes the cover of the free Metro newspaper today. "Following the success of the Brooklyn Flea last year, the borough will be teeming with new markets this summer. Developers found a low-cost way to utilize empty lots, vendors have cheap spots to showcase their wares and consumers are learning how to haggle again." It'll be interesting to see how many fleas the market will bear. There's not an infinite supply of good vendors after all.




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:15 AM | Comments (16)
Categories: Brooklyn Flea

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The article would have been a lot more useful if it had a comprehensive list of the new flea markets.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at May 11, 2009 10:29 AM

I walked by that new one calling itself Park Slope Flea even though it's in frigging Greenwood Heights. It totally sucked. They had maybe 5 vendors.

Posted by: guestula at May 11, 2009 10:31 AM

i got a TON of stuff at stoop sales this weekend. i even got a pink Lockhart Care bear for 2 bux. sometimes i think flea markets overcharge though.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at May 11, 2009 10:37 AM

There were a TON of stoop sales this weekend.! Re: pricing, of course stoop sales are cheaper--the primary motivation is to get rid of crap; it's an alternative to throwing stuff out. Flea market vendors, however, are trying to make a living; they have overhead and generally invest a great deal of time acquiring or making the items they sell...

Posted by: brownstoner at May 11, 2009 10:44 AM

I'm glad you got coverage. I'm sorry I may have baffled you on Friday, but I just wanted to point out that there aren't quite the level of "antiques" that would appeal to the likes of me and the husband unit. I'm very glad the flea market is there and that is so successful. It really does seem geared to a younger set. That's fine and I enjoy it for what it is.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at May 11, 2009 10:47 AM

I am beginning to think brownstoner.com should change it's name to Brooklynflea.com. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the flea market and am glad that it's popularity has attracted more and more vendors. Now I have multiple stalls to buy 5 dollar homemade brownies, and 12 dollar lavender infused soap. It does seem, at least in my opinion, that it gets a disproportionate amount of mention on this site.

Posted by: GrapeofWrathNYC at May 11, 2009 11:01 AM

Thanks, BrooklynGreene. Are you talking about true high-end antiques that cost thousands of dollars or $200 bureaus? There's quite a bit of the latter...and if you can figure out how to bring in enough buyers for the latter we're sure we can get the vendors!

Posted by: brownstoner at May 11, 2009 11:02 AM

I love a good bargain, and will stop for a good flea market, any time, but as someone who sold at the Flea last year, I have to say some people's idea of a bargain is a bit skewed. Brownstoner is correct in that most organized market vendors have to price items to include overhead, as well as expertise and expenses in finding and choosing merchandise that we feel will sell for a fair price for both vendor and customer. To go through all that and then have customers complain about fair prices, and I'm talking about a very modest markup on my goods, is very frustrating. No way can I charge the same amount (for superior goods) than if I take my mismatched glassware out on my stoop and sell them. Being a vendor is a business, not a charity.

I'm not trying to justify some very high pricing I see at Flea markets, especially for salvage and furniture, some of which is outrageous, but for most of the stuff most classic flea people sell, most of us are merely trying to make a living. I know the economy is bad, and most flea goods are certainly not necessities. But that still doesn't mean they should all be under $10 either.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at May 11, 2009 11:31 AM

Unfortunately, I don't think the Brooklyn Flea is going to be able to support the higher end of the middle market, maybe the slighter high end of the lower end...maybe.

I can imagine someone might spend $800 on a dining room table and chairs...maybe a bit more. But, it seems the top purchases prices will be for large items/sets of furniture. I doubt any one small item or group of small items have gone for anywhere near $800.

Last year, when I heard "flea" I think I had visions of the Porte de Vanves or la brocante of the cours Saleya in Nice...last year you had Clyde who things that just didn't fit with the shopper profile.

But, as I mentioned, I'm okay with the flea market being geared to the young and those seeking shabby chic. It's actually a relief not to be tempted by too much stuff!!!

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at May 11, 2009 11:43 AM

Also, BG, it's possible that the Brooklyn Flea under the Brooklyn Bridge, with its proximity to two of the wealthiest nabes in the borough, will be able to support some higher-end antiques. We'll have to wait and see.

Posted by: brownstoner at May 11, 2009 11:50 AM

im as ghetto and white trash as they come and i thought the flea had a very decent array stuff with all price points. i nearly went poor last week when i bought a 60 dollar painting (a velvet painting!!!) i love it!

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at May 11, 2009 11:59 AM

To me, "flea market" will always conjure "funky bargain." Not high-end "find," not low-end tube socks. So far, the Brooklyn Flea (outdoor one) has delivered: Hunting for vintage clip earrings, I bypassed one hip little dude who wanted $25 a pair for Mom's old Monet, and found better ones three tables away at 3/$12. (Daughter is now rocking some major-league Twiggy-era screwbacks.) Now that's the sort of inconsistency that motivates deep, obsessional shopping. (Oh, and btw, I did not hesistate to pay $50 for a nifty jacket from KimonoLily; totally worth it, in fact, gently priced given the quality of the merch.)

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at May 11, 2009 12:01 PM

I'd love to make it down to the Dumbo flea market but we just haven't been able to fit it in. The nice thing about the Fort Greene flea market is that it's "right there"...a two-minute stroll out the door for us.

I was curious last year how well the GreenJeans kids were doing, and the artisans they represent. The prices were high for the crowd it seemed. And we started rolling into this deep recession...

I loved some of the furniture. Somethings were a little too "furniture major" for my needs. We've "had to" buy things made by friends' kids who were in "furniture"...okay things, nicely made...not exactly my thing though. And pretty expensive when it comes down to it...but what are you going to do? It's kind of like a graduation present. You've got the bar/bat mitzvahs, bridal and baby showers, sweet sixteens, engagement parties, wedding presents (and sometimes the "big birthdays" like 50, 60, etc.) so you'll never get away from it.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at May 11, 2009 12:20 PM

I'd love to make it down to the Dumbo flea market but we just haven't been able to fit it in. The nice thing about the Fort Greene flea market is that it's "right there"...a two-minute stroll out the door for us.

I was curious last year how well the GreenJeans kids were doing, and the artisans they represent. The prices were high for the crowd it seemed. And we started rolling into this deep recession...

I loved some of the furniture. Some things were a little too "furniture major" for my needs. We've "had to" buy things made by friends' kids who were in "furniture"...okay things, nicely made...not exactly my thing though. And pretty expensive when it comes down to it...but what are you going to do? It's kind of like a graduation present. You've got the bar/bat mitzvahs, bridal and baby showers, sweet sixteens, engagement parties, wedding presents (and sometimes the "big birthdays" like 50, 60, etc.) so you'll never get away from it.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at May 11, 2009 12:20 PM

I was just chatting with another vendor this weekend about all the fleas popping up now that BK Flea is so successful. We're under the impression that most of them will fail because they don't realize how difficult it is.

As far as the Ft Greene market goes...I did really well at the Salvage Fest and expected to carry the same type of merchandise at the flea. I have since altered my inventory based on what sells. I do best with small, funky furniture, under $150 price point. That being said, I have sold more higher priced pieces this year than last.

And of course vendors are going to charge more than at a stoop sale! I'm on your case today, Rob!

Posted by: rh at May 11, 2009 12:46 PM

Totally agree Grapes of Wrath...it's mentioned waaaayyy too much on this site and really..it's not all of that.

Posted by: grip100692 at May 13, 2009 4:38 PM

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