Dumbo NYC

Notes from the DUMBO, Brooklyn NY neighborhood


Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea Winter Coming to Dumbo

December 8th, 2008


Washington and Front Street

Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea will be setting up in Dumbo at 76 Front Street (photo above, in the 70 Washington Street building) between January 10 – March 29, 2009 each Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 6pm. According to a Gothamist post today, the space is smaller than the outdoor flea in Fort Greene and will accommodate 30 vendors (a fifth of the normal Flea space). The winter Flea location is around the corner from Brownstoner’s Dumbo offices, and there will be “one or two “interesting food trucks” out front. And bathrooms,” according to a NY Mag post.

{Brooklyn Flea Finds Shelter for Winter, 08Dec2008, Gothamist}
{Brooklyn Bargains Move Indoors for Winter, 05Dec2008, NYMag}
Previously:
{The First Brooklyn Flea Attracts Thousands, 07Apr2008}

Filed in Dumbo Events, Dumbo Retail and Businesses, Front Street at 3:24 pm
View Comments
  • As a vendor, I'm looking forward to participating in the Brooklyn Flea in Dumbo 2/21. I make limited and one of a kind personal and home accessories, mostly bags and pillows. I make them right here in Brooklyn where I grew up. So if you're in the neighborhood stop by and check out some new handmade items.
  • Anon
    Yes, OMG, you so right . . . tourists come to NYC to buy furniture! How did I not see it before. Of course, I was distracted by all the Manhattanites hauling their new bedroom set on the BB pedestrian walkway.
  • stop biting my handle...
    @Jason:

    I don't get it, are you trying to be ironic?

    If I can navigate through the tourists, I'll meet you at Starbucks, or West Elm to discuss.
  • Right - because with a single subway line serving it Dumbo is EVER going to have the foot traffic of alphabet city, let alone Times Square. Big lame corporate superstores thrive on throngs of empty-headed tourists, not Brooklynites.

    Disney is not coming! Fear not!
  • stop biting my handle...
    @Jason:

    And for you, I present: times square.

    It's dreamy!
  • DOT
    To the above poster: Actually, if you knew anything about Brownstoners Flea you'd know that its not just your typical flea market. There's a variety of vendors... think union square market/street fair as opposed to basic garage sale. There are vintage/antique vendors mixed in with new creative finds. Don't knock it until you try it.

    Despite the negativity from a few posters who take their lives way too seriously, I think most people in the neighborhood will appreciate the new market. Great way to fill the space until a permanent business comes along. Looking forward to it.
  • Flea markets suck. They usually sell worthless junk or a whole assortment of bongs and pipes. If I want to buy someone's dirty hand me downs the flea market is the way to go. I'd much rather see another pet store, furniture store or clothing store there.
  • Baffled
    Come on guys, it's a flea market....Relax and enjoy it. Christ alive.
    Every great 'hood in Manhattan and Brooklyn has them.

    This is just temporary (For the winter)

    Grow up and quit whining like little babies.
  • VH
    I like what 'newgirl' has to say! In fact, if you could do that in a fairy-type costume, while throwing pixie dust, now that would be grand! :)
    And that's what DUMBO needs.
  • As someone who took a chance on Dumbo with his business, I can say any new business in Dumbo is good news. For those who dream of the halcyon days of vacant storefronts, crime, and isolation I present you with Arverne, Queens. Totally desolate. Miles of expansive waterfront. Crime everywhere you turn. It's dreamy!

    Would I love Bobby Flay to open a restaurant in that space instead? Sure. Is a Flea Market better than a vacancy though? Absolutely.
  • newgirl
    Well, instead of complaining, I'm going to spread some joy and positive energy and announce that I am happy and excited that the Flea is coming to Dumbo. It's going to be fun.
  • Complainant
    Actually, what I'm tired of are the complaints about the complaining. I find THAT type of complaint the worst of all complaints. Sort of the way you must feel reading this complaint about the complaints about the complaining.
  • Dumbo res.
    Ditto Harry the Hawk !
  • anon
    Actually, if you want to live somewhere with lots of empty storefronts, BUY THE PROPERTIES AROUND YOU! No landord buys a property to let it sit empty generating no revenue. I don't understand where people get off complaining about the legal use properties they don't own. Whether or not anyone trusts Walentas on Dock Street, I certainly don't expect him to let existing buldings sit empty so DUMBO can stay the ghosttown it was in the 1990s. DUMBO has huge storefronts, did people actually think business that would attract large crowds to fill those big spaces would never develop here?
  • newgirl
    I came on to read the comments, and sure enough there are complaints. As always. It's absurd. For those who wish to live in a sterile, empty neighborhood with plenty of parking should perhaps consider moving to the edge of Queens. I'm so tired of people who don't know how good they have it. A flea market?! Oh, the horror!
  • Daddy Mack
    This is truly great news for DUMBO! I'm so tired of looking at that vacant storefront -- its depressing. The neighborhood definitely loses alot of its energy on the winter weekends. Hopefully this will help out local businesses during some otherwise difficult months. Now if we could just trade Pomme for a restaurant a la Frankies 457 or Franny's, that would be awesome!
  • neighbor
    This is going to be great for the neighborhood. It's a good use of the vacant storefront and I hope the increased foot traffic will help all of our local businesses. I'm excited to see which food carts show up. Some of the food vendors at the Flea in Fort Greene were amazing!
  • T
    I agree with Mike and TWC. I am not a fan of empty store fronts sitting around year after year. Having something there is better than nothing and it could be some really interesting stuff.

    Anything that brings people to the neighborhood is good for the neighborhood and for the local businesses. In my opinion this is great news.
  • TWC
    I couldn't agree more with Mike.
  • Mike
    With all due respect Harry and 30 Year Old Resident... SHUT UP AND QUIT COMPLAINING!!!

    My goodness, I'm so sick of hearing residents who frequent this site complain about EVERYTHING! Sh**!

    Just like the great farmers market we had this summer, I am looking forward to the new flea market and will support wholeheartedly. This is a great value added idea for the nabe. Bring it on!
  • 30 year resident
    now we will have weddings and flea markets. It will be impossible for local people to park their cars or do their weekend errands.
  • Harry the Hawk
    This is a joke, right? We're supposed to be happy that we will now have a flea market with all the crowds, cars, traffic, every damn Saturday and Sunday ALL DAY for the next three months.

    What wonderful news for those who eagerly anticipate the "Coney Islandization" of DUMBO.

    So much for Walentas caring about the community and only bringing in "certain types" of stores. No chain stores for David, eh? What a class act. Maybe we can just get 1000 local residents to each give Two Trees $20 each weekend just to keep the crowds away.

    And while we're on the subject....It is unbelievable to me that anybody who knows anything at all about Two Trees would trust them one iota regarding the Dock Street "middle school" project. What a smoke screen that is!
  • Ang
    Great news! Can't wait!
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