Dumbo NYC

Notes from the DUMBO, Brooklyn NY neighborhood


The First Brooklyn Flea Attracts Thousands

April 7th, 2008

Despite the cool weather, the Brooklyn Flea, Brooklyn’s biggest flea market, organized by our blogging friends at Brownstoner in a 40,000 square foot school yard in Fort Green, Brooklyn attracted ‘tens of thousands’ of people yesterday. Yesterday was the first Brooklyn Flea and will take place every Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

There are 200 vendors (some rotating each week) from a group of over 800 applicants, including Dumbo based Prague Kolektiv, Moontree Letterpress, Sesame Letterpress, AMH Design (needlepoint), Journey Home, Counterevolution, and others.

As you can see from the photos, the turnout was great, and there were a wide variety of vendors (including food vendors). Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz made an appearance. Once the weather gets nicer, there will probably be bigger crowds, more vendors, and the need for a bigger space. We’re all for small businesses and new ventures, and we’re encouraged to see Brownstoner bringing attention to creative Brooklyn based businesses. Could a eBay-like flea .com be next? Any feedback? Congrats Brownstoner!

Marty Markowitz, Eric, Jon

Brooklyn Flea is a nice 30 minute walk from Dumbo or take the C train to Lafayette Ave (3 stops from the High Street station) and walk 7 blocks east on Lafayette Ave. [Google Map]. For more photos, go to DumboNYC’s Brooklyn Flea Flickr set.

{Brooklyn Flea Flickr set}

Filed in Dumbo Retail and Businesses at 10:52 am
Comments
  • loose stool
    I'm sorry. This is a flea market, right? I think they've been around for awhile, Does the boro president have nothing better to do than encourage people to sell garbage in a school yard? This is hardly the kind of small business we need to waste time promoting.
  • Chloe
    Well, "loose stool" (classy!) this is no tube socks and bootleg cds, run-of-the-mill market. Vendors at the Brooklynflea offered everything from gorgeous antiques, delicate and beautiful jewelery, artisanal perfumes, clothes by up-and-coming fashion designers, art, photography, restored bikes, fantastic cupcakes, freshly made waffles . . . it was really an astonishing array and the biggest market NYC has ever seen. Brooklynflea supports over 200 local small business by its very existence, and brings together a neighborhood as a destination. The Market represents the best of what community can be, and when Marty Markowitz and Eric Demby were up there, crowds cheered and the vibe was nothing short of joyful. This is exactly the type of business and community event that should be encouraged. I'm glad that I was there opening day--I had a fantastic time and bought some great stuff. Seventeen thousand people were counted as having entered the market. And that was on a cold, windy day. That more than deserves the presence of an elected official, but I guess we all have our different definitions of what's important, "loose stool".
  • No wonder your handle is loose stool!. Not every new business can afford $8,000 a month store rentals and believe it or not, politicians go where the crowds are (duh). People had a good time and if they like the merchandise and spend the money, the vendors will be back. I'm going to make a judgement, that loose stool NEVER says anything nice about anyone or anything.
  • loose stool
    Yea, whats wrong with tube socks? Chloe is typical of the elitist assholes that have taken over decent middle class neighborhoods. Turns them into "park slopes" or worse "dumpos".
    "Fred Shapiro", if thats your real name. I don't even know what Fred Shapiro could possibly mean. Sounds white and snobbish.
  • mikenyc
    loose is a typical example of morons with a strong opinion that possess clever word play skills
  • loose stool
    thank you
  • Kim
    One question then, Loose, why are you reading & commenting on a DUMBO excuse me "DUMPO" blog if you have no desire to be a part of that community?

    I thought the flea market was great. It can't be the perfect event for everyone, but maybe in the coming months there will be a bit more dusty dirties (but hopefully no Avon and tube socks) for those who want that.

    I had a blast selling my wares, felt encouraged and got a much needed blast of revenue!
  • loose stool
    Dear Ms. Kim
    I guess I find it peculiar how the swarm of new people need to label where they live as if we're all in this monumental struggle to survive and flourish as an artist community when really the patient has already died!
  • Grunt
    Yawn. Who cares.
  • ?
    shut your pie hole, loose stool. you think you're part of the solution rather than the problem? if your contributions to dumbo are anything like your posts here on this site, you're not adding anything worthwhile.
  • loose stool
    Actually ?, you prove my point. What exactly are we to do for our community (Dumbo). You seem to be alluding to a "problem". What is that problem Mr ?. What do we need to do. I never said I was part of the solution. Tell me what the problem is and I'll get a T shirt that says I'm against it.
  • ?
    loose stool Says:
    April 8th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
    from the ps8 auction fundraiser thread

    "...Unless you have lived here for more than 10 years (let’s say) you are part of the problem not the solution."

    i call bullshit on this line of thinking. and hearing you chip away at every thing new that goes on in dumbo and a lot of your neighbors who post here is so tiresome.
  • loose stool
    The "problem" was defined by spikelee. Something about the Walentases and their ilk wanting to build a high rise in front of his condo. I was being sarcastic (10 years (lets say)). You on the other hand have offered up a new "problem". Tell me what your problem is so I can "fix it". Is it the Iraq war? Racism? too many cars? Are you sad because your HD TV is smaller than your pecker. Reminds me of a joke.

    What can a bird do that a man can't?

    Give up?

    Eat with his pecker.
  • spikelee
    Don't make assumptions about me, stool (does the moniker refer to the diahrea of the mouth?) The high rise won't be built in front of my condo. I'm at 1 Main and have been here for almost 10 years.
  • loose stool
    I think 1 Main was one of the first condo conversions in the neighborhood. Had a lot of state offices and other middle level businesses. That conversion displaced a lot of middle to low income office workers so people like yourself, "spikelee" could enjoy the ambiance of a laid back neighborhood. Now that you see the hood you bought into slipping away you get all rightous about Walentass building another highrise. Don't get me wrong, I am as much to blame for the "success" of Dumbo, I just don't delude myself into thinking I can stop the inevitable.
    Speaking of monikers. Are you calling yourself spikelee because you are Spike Lee or are you just another self loathing white person.
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