The Flea
Not everyone loves the Flea. Who woulda thunk it? http://racked.com/archives/2008/07/25/church_vs_commerce_parishioners_try_to_take_the_brooklyn_flea_down.php
Not everyone loves the Flea. Who woulda thunk it?
http://racked.com/archives/2008/07/25/church_vs_commerce_parishioners_try_to_take_the_brooklyn_flea_down.php
If Jesus were here, I’m sure he would have welcomed the throngs and the opportunity to spread His message. If Queen of All Saints feels threatened by tchotchke-seekers, then maybe they should take a look at their mission. This should be a challenge to them to be welcoming, not quavering behind their stained glass–even to those who just want to use the bathroom. Paul preached endlessly in the marketplaces of empire, and even Rome itself was built at the place where all roads converged. As a tribute and stimulus to the church, I suggest you change your name from simply “the Flea” to “Queen of All Fleas”. Lighten up, Christians, aren’t you the light of the world?
Thanks for the report Reclaimed! Sounds like sour grapes by the church. If they were smart they would use the market as a way to boost their own stature and lure new attendees but they seem to just want to stick their heads in the sand and bitch.
We want more Fleas! …but usually Fleas just tend to get bigger and moved, they almost never splinter (unfortunately). I’d be shocked if this flea stays at Loughlin long term simply because it’ll grow beyond the capacity of those gates.
Hell’s kitchen has a pretty good flea.
I was there last night and I had the same take on it as Racked. I was worried that I had overreacted to some of the comments, but now I don’t think so. The church looked bad because more than one person had a very un-Christian attitude. At the end of the day I see it as a few old timer NIMBYs stomping their feet, but they aren’t willing to negotiate. They just want it gone. I’d say the majority of the neighborhood supports the flea. The parishioners haven’t got a prayer. Ha! Haven’t got a prayer….get it?
http://reclaimedhome.com/2008/07/25/brooklyn-flea-vs-the-church-round-1/
I wish we had a Flea over here in CHN. Maybe the Brooklyn Children’s Museum will host an artisan fair once or twice a year? That would be so awesome.
St. Phillip and James in the Bronx used to have a huge wonderful carnival in their playground (also quite huge) every summer. Some of my favorite memories- I loved the little plastic ducks with numbers painted on their asses that told you what kind of prize you won. They had rides, games, cotton candy. Sigh. miss that.
Hillside, the Housing Project I grew up in also had a carnival each year too. Also great. I remember trying to dunk my dad in one of the games. (I wasn’t able to- lucky for me I think). Any of the schools here run carnivals?
We got so frustrated with the bells my whole building used to take turns calling their answering machine and either screaming, blowing whistles or singing filthy ditties into the phone. (I don’t sing, but I have a lovely Victorian police whistle). Eventually it sunk in and they stopped it 🙂
bxgirl–from what I could tell from that article that was linked to it seemed like community sentiment was largely on the side of the Flea despite the dire predictions of some. I have a hard time believing that the majority (or even a significant minority) of people in my neighborhood would be against the flea market. Willing to hear otherwise of course but my sense is that it is generally positively received by the community and certainly drives interest in the neighborhood and increases revenues for local merchants.
What–why would doctors and lawyers and other long time residents be against something that brings business and cultural cache to their neighborhood?
bxgrl, that’s the stuff of legend…..but exactly what I’m talking about. Lot’s of take no give. Besides…..most churches rarely, if ever, do anything to improve their community. …and instead of this church trying to become involved they react like this. Where was this church when crime in Ft. Greene was astronomical? Where was the town hall meeting then?
On another note…..Loughlin has changed quite a bit since I graduated. Class of ’93!
moreteasir, I used to live on Schermerhorn between Court and Boerum, a few doors down from St. Helen and Constantine (or is it Constantine and Helen- can’t remember). twice a year they would shut down the block for street fairs that last 4-5 days,that attracted maybe 150 people total. My sister and I were doing an art show and she had to come get me and load up the car. they wouldn’t let her onto the street until I went to get the Priest and the police. Then the “guardian” of barricade called my sister the Anti-Christ. they didn’t have tables in the street, that time of the morning, no one was even there. On top of that they had been told residents were to be allowed to use the street if needed.
They also used to play a tape of church bells ringing extremely loudly. Sundays after services I don’t mind. Every 15 minutes to mark the time of day- oh yeah. I minded. the whole street minded. they were horrible horrible neighbors and none of the parishioners even lived in the neighborhood any longer.