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newsNovember 13, 2009Community Site LaunchesWondering what the new "Community" tab on the site is all about? (We know you didn't notice.) Starting this week, dozens of Flea vendors have started writing their own posts, on everything from what they're bringing to market this weekend (a Steampunk doghouse, e.g.) to their latest pumpkin pie recipe (thanks Whimsy + Spice). The best part: you can post there too! Just join the Community and then you can ask the vendors to find you, say, a George Nelson coffee table, or an old Brooklyn map, or a new flavor of pickle. What other flea is so virtually advanced? It's new, it's hip, and we have no idea what to expect—always the best recipe for fun. Check it out, and let the fireworks begin.
October 26, 2009Hangin' with Martha
Martha was shooting part of her TV show's upcoming hour-long special on Brooklyn, which focuses especially on the food scene Fleasters know and love so well. It's scheduled to air Tuesday, November 10—don't worry, we'll remind you. Here's Mr. B and Senor bantering with Miss M before our interview. She was talking about being stuck in bridge traffic, and how she hadn't eat all day in anticipation of the Flea, except for some carrot puree she's working on for Thanksgiving. Then she ate like 4 lunches including Pizza Moto, pupusas, lobster rolls, Asia Dog and more!
Gifted, Big City Style!
The Flea is doing its "Gifted" holiday market again this year--in the big ole borough o' Manhattan. Yes, it's true, and yes it's gonna rule. Remember the old Tower Records Annex, at E. 4th St. and Lafayette? We're doing it there. (There's a halloween store there now.) We'll have room for about 50 vendors, and we'll be open 5 days a week (Wed-Sun) until Christmas, after launching the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27. We're working with Lucky magazine on Gifted: Their editors will do a rotating Curated Corner all month featuring their favorite cool designers and makers, and the mag will help us get the word out in that foreign land across the river, and beyond.... So what to expect as we step it up? An alternative to big-box stores for one. An affordable option to high-priced boutiques for another. Way better stuff than blah gift markets--for sure. So far we've got everything from Lotta Jansdotter to Brooklyn Brew Shop home beermaking kits to 19th Century nature prints to Lacroix vintage jewelry to awesome design objects to super-cute letterpress stationery to hipster T-shirts to pretty terrariums to a full range of maker-made jewelry. And we've only just begun. We've left a few spots open to welcome new vendors into the Flea fold, so if you've got what it takes and want to sell at Gifted, drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you. Finally, we're planning a cool window display/installation, likely featuring the digital reindeer on the right as Gifted's mascot. What do you think of this cute creature?
October 16, 2009In the News
Plenty o' news bites to go around of late, figured we'd do a little gray-day roundup. Not least among them is Lonely Planet, whose homepage splashes (above) on the Flea with an informative Q+A with Senor. Hopefully lots of global backpackers and adventure travelers will take heed! Some other cool hits: Stylecaster peruses the Fort Greene Flea, tries on a fur stole, ogles a turtle-shell purse, plays with a Stormtrooper action figure, visits Charlie the Child Swami. The Daily Obsession drools over Kumquat Cupcakery, like so many before them. Sweet. Heart Fish's Hijiri cruises the Flea, also extols the virtues of our new Design Co-op. NBC NY also digs the Design Co-op. The Voice's Robert Sietsema returns to the Flea food fold and discovers (relative) newcomers like Liddabit and Asia Dog. Also acknowledges the Salvatore ricotta "toasts" as out of this friggin' world. Senor is quoted in the Times Styles section as helping redefine the word "curate." Silliness. Longtime vendor Brooklyn Junior has opened a new shop of their own at Myrtle and Clinton. Congrats! NYU Local, the big U's unofficial news site, hearts the Flea. The Daily News gets hip to Boiled in Brooklyn's Goober Peas. Boiled peanuts, yum. (Unfortunately, Katherine and crew are done for the season we just learned! :-()
October 14, 2009Brooklyn Based in the Curated Corner
Our friendly pals at fun-loving blog/email Brooklyn Based are taking over the Curated Corner at both markets this weekend, and they've done a bang-up job--perhaps our most dedicated and cohesive effort yet. The potential of the Curated Corner is being realized less than a year after it was launched at the Winter Pop-Up Market in DUMBO, which is nice. Nicole and Chrysanthe of BB have compiled a full breakdown of the 12 snazzy vendors they've lassoed this weekend, everything from muffins on a bike to hula hoops to a vintage-portrait photobooth. Curated Corner crammed with quality and cool. Cosmic. In what's now a Corner tradition, a percentage of sales proceeds will go to the St. John's Bread and Life soup kitchen and food pantry in Bed-Stuy. Nice! Here's some of the fun stuff the gals have procured for your perusal:
Saturday Maid Marian Muffins: Marian is making 3 kinds of muffins--apple-chocolate-pear, cranberry-orange, and cranberry-orange-corn, which she'll be selling off her bike. (She's usually in Prospect Park.) Jezebel Letterpress: Flea veteran Leigh Batnick's line of stationery and 14 karat "ant" necklaces and rings. Mama O's Kimchee + The Meat Hook: Meat main man Tom Mylan brings a taste of his soon-to-open butcher shop with some homemade chili. Yummy kimchee. Miss Ellie Jewelry + Brooklyn Based totes: They'll be joined by BB contributor Alicia Kachmar’s super-cute crocheted creatures, including the mother-and-daughter pumpkin set above. Tiburon: Anne O'Neil's Red Hook shop will be selling her shirt dresses made of flannel and corduroy men's shirts, as well as ties made from men's dress shirts. (Her label is Archibald Leach.) Sunday Circle Candy Custom Hula Hoops: Made by Elaine Tian makes custom hoops for indie rockers like Sufjan Stevens, and for regular folks too. Jen Bleier will give a "hoopilates" demo at 12:30 pm. (Sign up and head to the park for the demo.) Kenspeckle Designs: Nerdy Brooklyn-inspired t-shirts for men, women, and kids. Anarchy in a Jar + bundt: Are mini bundt cakes the new cupcake? Decide for yourself with bundter Andrew Sessa's pumpkin, Guinness-ginger, chocolate-chile, and other flavors. Anarchy jammers are preservationists of the highest order. Bundt for a hit! The Meat Hook + Brooklyn Kitchen:: Tom Mylan's back, joined by Flea vets Brooklyn Kitchen, who will be hawking cool vintage kitchenware. Shootbooth: Get your shot snapped with a large-format camera inside an updated century-old photobooth. Really fun!
October 6, 2009Flea Design Co-op Starts Oct. 10
This Saturday, Oct. 10, we're launching a new "Design Co-op" of top local artists and designers, curated by textile designer and illustrator Lena Corwin, under a single big tent every week in Fort Greene. It's a big step for us in terms of logistics and quality, but we figured that if so many folks love the Flea's local food, we should capture that same spirit with Brooklyn and NYC's excellent craft/design scene. You'll find the Co-op in its own double-booth up front every Saturday (B19+20 on the vendor map), featuring top Brooklyn artists in design, painting and printing, ceramics, letterpress, and more. (We'll have a webpage with all the vendors later this week.) Confirmed Co-op vendors for October include Lotta Jansdotter, Laura Normandin, Marcie McGoldrick, Moontree Letterpress, Sesame Letterpress, MAPTOTE, Wayne Pate/Good Shape Design, and Lena Corwin. Additional vendors will be added for November, and for the Flea’s upcoming Gifted holiday market, starting November 27. Individual vendors will make appearances at the Co-op on a rotating basis, and special events and guests will be scheduled as well, such as a limited-edition poster designed by Wayne Pate (above) available for $15 at the October 10 launch. Check it out!
September 29, 2009Hip Hip Huarache!
All hail Fernando and Jolanda Martinez, makers of the venerable huaraches, tacos, quesadillas, and horchata at the Flea and Red Hook Ball Fields--and now 2009 Vendy Cup winners! Rafael and his perfect pupusas took home the Cup last year, so the Red Hookers are on a serious roll--to almost no one's surprise frankly. We're happy as jalapenos to be snuggled inside the tortilla of love and deliciousness that is the pupusa/huarache/elote trinity, and hereby vow never to rest until every Brooklynite--nay, New Yorker--has basked in their handmade, saucy sopa de sabor glory. Que fuerte!
September 23, 2009Casting Call!
There will be a casting tent for the new Jerry Seinfeld-produced reality show The Marriage Ref at the Fort Greene Flea this Saturday. We know, wacky. On the upcoming NBC show, various celebs will act as refereees for real-life disputes between spouses, deciding who's right and who's wrong. Cute idea. Basically you and your partner can go to the tent on Saturday and "pitch" your favorite/classic marital argument or point of contention--parenting, pets, fashion, money, in-laws, housework, friends, sex, etc.--and if they like you who knows!? The Flea is only a host for the casting call--we ain't got nothin' else to do with it. Have fun!
September 10, 2009Music + Fashion Are Always The Passion
Quick update on the goings-on this weekend in case you missed it: There is no Brooklyn Bridge Flea this Sunday, Sept. 13. The Bridge Flea will be back every week as normal next Sunday, Sept. 20. So instead, we put together the record fair/fashion bazaar under the Manhattan Bridge, at Water and Pearl St. in DUMBO. (Map below.) Luckily, folks like New York mag, the Times, Daily Candy, New Release, and NY Press noticed and helped us spread the word. There's a lot going on in the hood this weekend: Brooklyn Book Festival (not to be missed!), our partner/pals' Halcyon's 10th anniversary throw-down (Saturday) at South St. Seaport, Harbor Day, make a day of it. Some nice new blood has come onboard since we announced last week. One special guest is Babi Floyd, who has sung on hits with the likes of Gwen Guthrie ("Ain't Nothin' Goin' On but the Rent"!), Nile Rodgers, and Max Romeo. Holy moley! Think of the possible records he's got. His wife Jennifer is also a Flea regular with Spotted. Musician Guillermo E. Brown, who's played with David S. Ware, Anti-Pop Consortium, and now Billz, has crazy vinyl plus musical instruments and artifacts. Top hip-hop mag Wax Poetics is coming with a crate of "Golden Era" hip-hop and all kinds of goodies. DFA told us they'll have the first hand-stamped white label vinyl of the four upcoming LCD Soundsystem remix 12"s of 4533--get 'em quick! On the fashion side, Treasures + Pleasures have a special trove of unique pieces they scored from a longtime Christian Lacroix jewelry designer, which they'll be unveiling this Sunday for the first time. Fancy! Come on down. September 1, 2009Superstar DJ Record Fair + Vintage Fashion Bazaar: Sunday, Sept. 13
The Flea's Superstar DJ Record Fair returns Sunday, Sept. 13. Yay. Since it's also Fashion Week, we're combining it this year with a rad Vintage Fashion Bazaar. Double yay! Because we can't hold the normal Brooklyn Bridge Flea that date (due to Harbor Day festivities), we're doing this special double-whammy at The Archway under the Manhattan Bridge, just down Water St. in DUMBO, and in the adjacent Pearl St. Triangle plaza. (Apparently we have an affinity for Fleaing under bridges.) We'll have about 30 record vendors under the Archway and 15 vintage clothing/accessories/jewelry dealers in the Triangle. Plus a few special Flea treats of course. Lots of friends are helping us make the event great, including Time Out NY and the Dumbo Improvement District, and old pals Halcyon (whose doorstep we're on) and Other Music (who partnered with us for last year's record fair). Rollin' deep! Brass tacks: So who all is selling stuff? Record vendors: You got your techno, your house, your bhangra, your soul, your obscuro, your dirge, your indie, your classic rock, your worldy vibes--you got it all basically. We still have room for a few more record vendors if you or anyone you know is interested. Just email us. Duds and baubles: See you at the Fair!
August 26, 2009In the NewsSlow news week wha? Fleasters abound in media large and local alike in the last week, all of it well-earned as always. We're proud papas!
The Nightwood gals, Myriah and Nadia (above, left and right), are a Flea success story. They gave their new biz making minimalist craft furniture from reclaimed wood parts (like the cool dresser above) a go at Day One April 2008--they started with an 8x8, but have since moved up to a snazzy front 10x10--and haven't looked back since. (Nadia also makes awesome pillows like the geometric pattern on the chair in the photo, as well as the Zodiac signs.) This week they get a nice look from the Times Local/Fort Greene blog, which recaps their story thus far. We know the gals have big things in store from here on out--get a piece now and say you know 'em when. They're in B9 at Fort Greene right up front every other Saturday, including this week.
We're not sure anyone works harder than Dave (above, right) and his deservedly heralded Pizza Moto oven/booth. Dave is chef at Lunetta on Smith St. by day, then slaves over his hand-built brick oven every weekend, braving the 900-degree peak temperatures (as well as rain and cold) to serve you perfect pies. Pizza guru Adam Kuban of Serious Eats' Slice blog reviews the Moto 'za this week, and you can color him impressed. Dave's back by the Fort Greene bleachers and at the Bridge Flea every damn weekend without fail--thank goodness. (Also join Dave's Facebook group for amusing pre-Flea weekly missives.) The hits keep comin' for the Brooklyn Brew Shop kids, with a full fawning-over in last week's NY Observer. Brew on! We love the fashionista blogs, like My Dad's Happier Than Your Dad (?), which reveals the kind of obsessive shopper that keeps the Flea's vintage-clothing vendors in business. Nice pics! That Budget Travel shout-out was picked up by CNN.com yesterday--let the crowdswell begin! August 21, 2009More Accolades for the Flea
August 19, 2009Brooklyn Flea Named #1 Flea in U.S.
Some big props for The Flea! Cree McCree, who literally wrote the book on flea markets (Flea Market America) and is a veteran herself of ye olde Broadway + Canal flea, launched her new presence as the "Flea Queen" on the Discovery Channel website Planet Green with a round-up of the Top 5 markets in America. Some classic long-running markets on the list: Rose Bowl, Woodstock Mower's Saturday, G-Town in D.C. But some year-and-a-half-old newbie came out on top, the Brooklyn Flea? Never heard of it. We love our little markets, glad to know you do too. See you at the Flea! Note: Feel free to fawn over the Flea on Trip Advisor, which has a new Flea thread. August 13, 2009Flea Goes to Pot(Belly)
Which reminds us: lobster rolls (the owners, not the lobsters) are on vacation from both markets this weekend, but you will be able to find yummy Choncho's fish tacos in Fort Greene for the first time this Saturday. The "green" (guac'd) tacos are delish.
In the News
Carla and Aaron (right) of Osborn Design Studio (formerly Heartisans) get some nice ink in this week's Time Out Designer Spotlight (courtesy of Flea pal Erin Wylie), highlighting the technicolor shoes and booties they design in Greenpoint and have made by a cobbler in Guatemala. Carla also paints gorgeous super/natural scenes and often sells these crazy giant mushrooms that look like driftwood. Out til Labor Day, but usually in every week at W12/Fort Greene, I-20/Bridge. They're both cute. Around town: (Stay tuned for news on the Flea's second annual Superstar DJ Record Fair Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Manhattan Bridge Archway. This year with a Vintage Fashion Bazaar for Fashion Week too!) The Flea is featured in a new book called Snapshot Brooklyn, published by PFSK. We haven't seen it yet, but we seem to be in good company. August 5, 2009NY1
In the News
Also, we'll be on the NY1 loop all day tomorrow (Thursday) as part of their "Clutter for Cash" business series. Urban Art + Antiques caught on to Heather's new Focused Vintage booth, which, um, focuses on all things photographic: vintage cameras, piles of old photos, classic viewers, photo albums, all that great stuff. You can get lost in the most mesmerizing way in her booth of images from every era. Archetypal Flea. Special bonus: Heather is one of the 200 guitarists in the world-premiere performance of Rhys Chatham's "A Crimson Grail, for 200 Guitars," at Lincoln Center Out of Doors this Saturday, Aug. 8. So cool! The L named the Bridge Flea one of the past year's best store openings, which we will humbly accept on behalf of the hundreds of vendors who make the Flea so stellar every goddam week. Late addition: Asia Dog continues to collect press clips the way a retriever hordes bones. Japanese food blog Pecopeco said, well, we have no idea what they said to be honest. If anyone can translate let us know. But we're sure it's laudatory of Mel and Steve's stellar franks topped with bulgogi, banh mi, kimchi, and the like. Hot dog!
July 16, 2009News Week
On Monday evening, Mr. B and Senor waded into Manhattan (which is near Brooklyn) to receive one of the Municipal Art Society's annual awards, for a private venture in the public service that has activated/galvanized a community space. MAS has been around for 116 years, and is the granddaddy of NYC civic/urban planning groups, very much in the Jane Jacobs (a longtime member), neighborhood-centric mold. So for the Flea to be recognized by such a prestigious organization as such a young business--well, we're humbled. Time Out's roundup of the city's best fleas nicely names the (big F) Flea, also flattering. They say lobster rolls are the big draw at the Bridge, but we think it's the unstoppable force of the 100 best vintage/antiques/jewelry/handmade/art vendors in the region. Objectively of course. And in a tale of the tape in the NY Post this week (above), we essentially knocked out the much-touted Flea by the Sea in Coney Island. In 2009 the Flea has been often imitated but never duplicated--and we thank you for keeping it great. May 12, 2009This Sunday: Dumbo Flea-->Manhattan Bridge Arch
Here's a link to the spot: MAP. Big shoutout to Jane, Kate and the Dumbo Improvement District for making this fabulous venue happen. The NY Photo Festival is also going on this week May 13-17 (that's actually why we're not at Front St.), so check out some snazzy snapshots at the locations all over DUMBO before or after you Flea. May 24 and 31 we're back at 76 and 81 Front St. Then no Flea June 7--and Brooklyn Bridge Flea coming June 14! April 28, 2009Brooklyn Bridge + Flea = Wow!
Starting Sunday, June 14, the Flea will launch a long-awaited second weekend location, at a truly magnificent site under the Brooklyn Bridge on our gorgeous waterfront. Tucked between River Cafe and the Tobacco Warehouse at Water and New Dock Street, the Brooklyn Bridge Flea has stunning views of the NYC skyline, graced by cool river breezes and the mighty Bridge's dramatic arc. It's, like, totally world-class. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the folks at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation and a handful of City agencies, let's just say the Flea has hit the bigtime! Stay tuned for updates on exciting new vendors, tasty treats, and more. And of course keep visiting the indoor Dumbo markets on Sundays through the end of May. Thanks to all vendors and Fleasters for giving us the confidence to make this bold leap. April 13, 2009Fort Greene Flea Returns! (And DUMBO Is Here to Stay!)
The Fort Greene Flea reopens this Saturday, April 18, from 10am to 5pm. Bishop Loughlin H.S., Lafayette Ave. between Clermont + Vanderbilt Ave. That's right, the outdoor Flea is on SATURDAYS THIS YEAR. Plus, our fabulous Dumbo markets have been so popular and fun that we're keeping them open too--on Sundays only from now on. 76 + 81 Front St. (at Washington St.), from 11am to 6pm, Sundays only. Some vendors will do both markets, some will just do one, so it's always worth it to visit both locations. Lots more info to come this week, stay tuned. February 26, 2009Flea + Twitter = Fleat?
You can now follow the Flea on Twitter: we're "bkflea." February 19, 2009Sign Up for the Flea's Mailing List
In the coming weeks we'll be launching an e-newsletter to keep devout Fleasters like you updated on the latest market news: awesome new vendors, guest curators, onetime food offerings, special events (record fair, etc.), giveaways, photo slideshows, and other cool stuff. It'll be a little like the blog and website rolled into one happy fun email--and if Senor can get his act together you'll get it every Thursday or Friday. Signup is mega-easy: just enter your email address in the box in the upper-right corner (follow the arrow), then confirm your sign up when you receive an email immediately after. Stay in touch! January 28, 2009DUMBO Doubles Down
Same details as the antiques market: Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 6pm, through March 29. The address is 81 Front St. (Click the Map/Directions tab to go to there.) The 6100sf loft-like space will feature 35 (mostly) non-vintage vendors of clothes, jewelry, art, handmade/crafts, and best of all, food! This weekend, Jan. 31/Feb. 1, will be a soft launch for the new space, with the full grand opening Feb. 7/8. In short, we're getting the band back together! So who's onboard so far? Silkscreeners Loyalty + Blood, Brooklyn Junior, and Flux Productions. Jewelers Birdhouse, Bonbon Oiseau, Jessica De Carlo, and Blint Design. Upcyclers Reclaimed Home and Un Jour, Georges. Handmade mavens Heartisans, Perch Design, A.S.I.S., and Hortensia Handmade. Vintage finds from FDR to JFK and Sew Moni. We'll also have the folks from DUMBO record shop Halcyon and other guest DJs spinning every weekend, special guest curators, and lots of other cool stuff. Flea food-vendor staples Kumquat Cupcakery, McClure's Pickles, Hot Blondies Bakery, and Choice Market will all be at 81 Front St. Fine + Raw Chocolate will debut their insane raw hot cocoa. Consider Bardwell, the 140-year-old Vermont cheese farm, will be selling their award-winning goat and cow cheeses starting Feb. 8. For the 81 Front launch this weekend, Chris and his Kings County BBQ truck will be parked out front. Did we mention pupusas? They're back too! Red Hook and Brooklyn Flea Food Vendor Rafael Soler will have his renowned pupusas available at 81 Front St. starting this weekend. Winter Pop-Up will also feature the debut of the "Curated Corner," where the Flea will partner with guest curators to bring in their favorite designer/shop/artist/dealer to hold a one-time-only show/sample sale/trunk show. Curators include: Daily Candy (Feb. 7/8, Feb. 28/March 1, March 28/29), Refinery29 (Feb. 21/22), Cool Hunting (March 7/8), and Fred Flare (date TBA). (More curators to be announced soon.) Guest curators will create their own environments inside the market where visitors can shop and meet the creatives behind their favorite brands. Pulled pork, a handmade t-shirt, some earrings, a vintage side table, and some classic Dior sunglasses--the Winter Pop-Up is a Brooklyn winter wonderland. January 6, 2009DUMBO Ready to Fly
Each of the next 12 weekends--Saturdays and Sundays--find 25 vendors with all kinds of stuff you want and/or like to drool over. Some are familiar Flea faces, others are new to our crew, all are totally rad. And they've been stocking up on gorgeous/dazzling/curious items just to please...you. Here's the lineup of vendors onboard so far. Not all vendors sell every day, so check the layout we'll post here every Friday for the coming weekend. We couldn't be more proud of these folks! Adele Amore November 3, 2008THE FLEA IS BACK THIS SUNDAYJust a quick note before we get to our regular weekly posts that the Flea returns this Sunday, Nov. 9, at its regularly scheduled time: 10am to 5pm. We'll be there until Dec. 21, and stay tuned here for news about our upcoming Holiday Market and other exciting developments. See ya Sunday! October 28, 2008NO FLEA THIS SUNDAY
We've known since Day One that Fleasters would go Flealess on November 2, and now that fateful day is nearly upon us. To be clear: Because of the NYC Marathon, the Flea will not be open this Sunday, November 2. The Flea will return Sunday, November 9, and continue every Sunday from 10am to 5pm until at least December 21. In lieu of the Flea, definitely check out the Bishop Loughlin HS Band (above), which has made an awesome tradition of playing the theme song from Rocky for runners coming up Lafayette Ave. during Mile 8. Never ceases to inspire. August 12, 2008Sept. 14: Superstar DJ Record Fair @ The Flea
The Flea's first-ever special event is coming Sunday, Sept. 14: the Superstar DJ Record Fair. We'll carve out an area of the market for 10-15 folks selling mostly records and some CDs on that day only. But these are no ordinary folks. Fleagoers will have access to the personal/secret collections of some of the finest DJs, musicians, and record labels in our fair city. Here's who's onboard so far: DFA Records, Other Music employees, dj /rupture, DJ Rekha, Def Jux Records, McBoing Boing, and DJs db and Dara. Wow!
That's just the lineup so far; stay tuned for updates. If you are a Superstar DJ yourself--or know someone who is--send us an email to get involved. February 13, 2008Signing Up Isn't Hard To Do
The Flea thanks you for listening. |
We're officially jumping the shark. 
We're going all techno here at the Flea, boldly taking markets into the future. OK, the present really. 
We can't wait to get back in the groove this weekend when the Flea's new Pop-Up Market for snazzy vintage and antiques launches in DUMBO (76 Front St., corner of Washington St.). Come on down! 
Mark your calendars!
In addition, the Superstar DJs will get a half-hour or so each to spin on the Flea's modest sound system, and every record they play will be for sale. Fun.
For everyone here for the first time after reading