Dumbo NYC

Notes from the DUMBO, Brooklyn NY neighborhood


Brooklyn Flea sets up shop under the Brooklyn Bridge

June 14th, 2009


The Brooklyn Flea moved into its new Sunday home for the summer underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. The weather couldn’t have been better, and a large crowd of people turned up to browse and buy. (Click on the jump for more photos and a recap).


One of my favorite vendors is Olde Good Things, where restored and repurposed antique hardware abounds. Check out the ceiling-tin framed mirrors and glass doorknobs.

 
The Brooklyn Flea isn’t all antiques however. Food vendors of all sorts are here too. Rick’s Picks has an assortment of pickled vegetables, from the staple garlic dill pickles to the more exotic wasabi green beans.

I ordered a cup of Ethiopian Wondo coffee from coffee roaster Stumptown. Ethiopian coffee is typically smooth and non-acidic, and drinks almost like a wine. Stumptown’s Wondo is especially smooth and mild, much more relaxing and enjoyable than a cup of coffee should be. Think more after-dinner-unwind than early-morning-jolt.

 
 

There’s many more booths to see of course. But after you’ve seen what the Flea has to offer, don’t leave Dumbo yet. Walk through The Empire Fulton Ferry park to the other side to find the Dumbo Farmer’s Market.


Bombay Emerald Chutney Company let my go through and sample all their chutneys. My favorites were the royal mint and royal cranberry. They also sell samosas, which I will definitely have to try next time.

I also chatted briefly with Marni Horwitz, founder of Alive Structures. Her company engineers rooftop gardens, an ingenious use of otherwise wasted dead space in an urban environment. Aside from the obvious ecological benefits, these rooftop gardens reduce energy costs and increase the life of the roof. They also happen to look really good.

My last stop was a horseradish pickle from Horman’s Best Pickles, seconds before it was munched into oblivion. A tangy end to this photoshoot.

(Remember, if you have your own pictures from either the Brooklyn Flea or Farmer’s Market, please feel free to drop them in the DumboNYC Flickr Pool. Thank you to today’s guest author, Josh Derr, whose photographs we love and often feature on the DumboNYC site.)

Filed in Dumbo Events, Dumbo Retail and Businesses at 10:40 pm
Comments
  • Steve
    While the flea market location is scenic, they have a no dog policy. This makes it difficult for many residents who like to walk dogs and would stop in to the flea market. They allow a person to carry a small dog, but no leashed larger dogs are allowed to walk around.
    Policy is not posted anywhere.
    Comments anyone?
  • Is it the Brooklyn Flea policy or Brooklyn Bridge Park? Empire-Fulton prohibits dogs. The Flea space is technically City but run by BBPDC.
  • The Flea has signs up at their Fort Greene location barring dogs and bikes, along with an explanation that their contract with the school requires them to do so. I'm guessing they have similar contractual restrictions with BBP. You might want to ping them over at brownstoner.com to clarify.
  • Zee Zee O.
    Great blog. As an ex-Brooklynite, it was nice to visit the Brooklyn Flea via cyberspace. Our Farmer's Markets in California also have "no dogs" policies. I'm a dog lover but I appreciate the health standards behind the policy. Hair shedding, dander, drool, fleas, possible skin disease, allergies, the marking of territory...I'm glad we have dog parks to accomodate our furry friends....Zee Zee O.
  • Mike
    I tend to agree with the current no dog policy. Vendors and shoppers should not have to worry about dogs potentially relieving themselves on the premises or unruly dogs barking or trying to "get at" other dogs. Some dogs are well trained... other's not such much. It should be a pleasant shopping experience for all. If a resident is really interested in the Flea, I'm sure they'll come back after dropping off their dog.
  • A related question is if the future Brooklyn Bridge Park will permit dogs.

    There's a planned enclosed dog run for Pier 6; however, last summer the pop-up park on Pier 1 banned leashed dogs.

    We also know that Empire Fulton Ferry State Park bans dogs (though the city-run Dumbo park adjacent allows leashed dogs and has a small enclosed dog run).

    I've inquired into this question to senior BBPDC officials, but have not gotten a definitive answer.
  • Every time I've asked I've gotten a non-answer answer that would make a White House Press Secretary proud.

    I assume the answer is no. State parks prohibit dogs, BBP is a quasi–state park. There may well be a dog run and we may be able to explicitly access it, but otherwise I assume no dogs in Brooklyn Bridge Park until someone goes on the record stating a definitive yes.
  • praetorius
    Concerning dogs at the Brooklyn Flea- they were there this past Sunday. I walked over expecting to leash my dog up before a quick look around, as dogs were not allowed (unless carried) in the Brooklyn Flea when it was inside the Front St buildings, or outside at Fort Greene, but as I approched I saw a large Golden Retriever in there so just walked in w/ my small dog. They have people posted at every entrance and nobody stopped me. And there were quite a few other dogs inside. I made sure to hold my dog on a very short leash so he has no chance to pee on anything- or lunge to say hello to another dog. But I hope, if they continue to let dogs in the Brooklyn Flea, all dog owners are vigilant about that. My terrier was very interested in a large leather trunk on the ground and I was very careful not to let him near it as, especially w/ males, anything upright that smells interesting is a place to pee in their minds.

    I would guess they don't allow dogs in the Fort Greene Flea because it's a children's playground the rest of the week, and not in the Front St. flea because it was inside. As the Brooklyn sunday Flea is on city property, they will probably continue to allow dogs unless there is a bad incident of some kind. I for one am thankful.
  • Matthew Parker
    That's odd. I was there around noon, and the guy at the front manning the gate told me no dogs allowed.
  • praetorius
    That is odd. I was there about the same time- maybe 12:30, and the man at the entrance clearly saw my dog and didn't ask me to leave him outside. I returned later for something, and again there were dogs inside and the person at the gate said nothing. Used different entrances also- so I assumed it's now their policy to allow dogs when the Flea is under the Brooklyn Bridge. Maybe they're prejudiced against large dogs? But, like I said, there was a Golden in there. Hope they don't read this & begin cracking down. I think allot more people would stop by if they can come w/ their dogs- and as long as they remain considerate & keep their dogs from doing anything they shouldn't I think it's a good policy to allow dogs.
  • Marty
    I'd be more concerned about bed bugs than fleas from this market. The Fort Greene people are up in arms over these folks, now we have them in our 'hood. Go figure.
  • jasonm
    I do like having the flea however, someone at BBP needs to consider the drawbacks of hosting the flea, namely the outrageously loud music blaring through the speakers all day long. Why do we need music at the flea? The Chelsea flea, the most successful flea, never had music. Personally, my wife and I found it distracting when discussing purchases and negotiating with vendors. The bedbug thing should also be taken seriously. A friend had them and had to throw away all of his furniture, books, etc. People should thoroughly clean everything before bringing anything into their apartments.
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