We just received word from Racked that Brownstoner’s Flea is expanding to the location across the street at 81 Front Street starting next Saturday. Says Racked: “…plan to fill it with vendors that don’t fit the antiques mold. That space will open the weekend of January 31st, and will offer new (non-antique) clothing and accessories and—this is very exciting—food vendors like Kumquat Cupcakery, McClure’s Pickles, Hot Blondies Bakery, Choice Market and Fine + Raw Chocolate. There’s even talk of a BBQ truck.” The food options are a good addition for locals to go grab a snack.

It’s cold and the economy has affected our psyche, but with the new Obama administration in place, everyone is hoping for positive change (yes, even the Republicans, right?). We can take charge of our own positivity by volunteering, being active in our community, or taking care of our mind/body. At least that’s what the Dumbo-based health/body related services are here for. And since they’re right here in our neighborhood, it’s a convenient way to recharge and get fit.

• The Wellness Lounge (133 Water Street) – We profiled The Wellness Lounge last month, and they’ve got a new winter “Happy Hour Specials” on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 2-7pm. For DumboNYC readers, call them (718-875-1514) to get a list of their unadvertised specials. For example, get $20 off any 1 hour massage on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2-7pm until end of February, 2009.
• Sencha Wellness Center (147 Front Street, Suite 406) – This appointment-only center offers holistic ‘community style’ accupuncture to de-stress and address your health problems such as migranes, pain, anxiety, and insomnia. They have an array of services that includes shiatsu massage, hot rock, aromatherapy, and others. The community style schedule is expanding hours from 11am-2pm on Wednesdays and starting Feb 2, from 5:30-8pm on Monday evenings. Call 917-586-6626 for an appointment.
• Bridge Pilates (147 Front Street, Suite 225) – With a full line of Pilates equipment at their studio, they’ll help you improve your core strength, flexibility, and agility. See why they’re one of the top pilates studios in NYC. Call them at 718-522-1506 or email info@bridgepilates.com.
• The Fitness Guru (77 Front Street)- They’ve been in Dumbo for 2 years and have helped the community with a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their families. Check out the list of classes. 718-554-3560
• Mom/Baby Postnatal Fitness Class – (Located at the Sencha Center: 147 Front Street, Suite 406) – Although this class doesn’t start until next week, Work Out, Baby is a postnatal fitness class incorporating strength, cardio, toning, flexibility, and core work designed to get your body back into shape and free of the aches and pains of motherhood. For Moms and babies ready to move (6 weeks- precrawlers). Six week session begins January 29, Thursdays at 11am or 1pm. Contact Zoe Levine ACE C-PT, Pre and postnatal certified (healthymomsnyc@yahoo.com or call 917-309-5969).

These are just a few of several other health and well-being related services in Dumbo. Feel free to comment below on any others you like.

Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea started in Dumbo this weekend. For 12 weekends, a rotation of antique furniture, vintage art, clothing and accessories will set up mini-stalls on the ground floor retail space on the corner of Front and Washington Streets. The space, airy with high ceilings, was full of people when we went on Saturday, which made the space seem smaller than it is. And while it’s too early to tell how sales went, we did see plenty of buyers.

There is a rotation of vendors who will set up at the flea each weekend, so each visit will have something different. [Vendors, please let us know how you did and how often you'll be back to set up.]

Brooklyn Flea Dumbo
76 Front St at Washington St, Dumbo
Sat, Sun 11am—6pm

Related:
{DumboNYC Brooklyn Flea Dumbo Flickr set}
{Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea Winter Coming to Dumbo, 08Dec2008}
{The First Brooklyn Flea Attracts Thousands, 07Apr2008}

Our Dumbo friends over at outside.in, a personalized, hyperlocal news and discussion site announced yesterday that they have raised an undisclosed sum of new funding from existing venture and angel investors, including Union Square Ventures, the New York City Investment Fund, and Betaworks. With the release of their product, StoryMaps, which offers publishers “geographic navigation for geographic content,” their unique users grew more than 400% from January to November. We personally use Outside.in to get localized information on Brooklyn, and it’s been a helpful tool for us to gather local news. Congratulations to Steven, Mark, and the Outside.in team!

Related:
{Dumbo-based Digital Music Distributor TuneCore Raises $7 Million, 28Oct2008}
{Dumbo Based Waterfront Media Merge with Revolution Health, 03Oct2008}
{Brooklyn-based Etsy Raises $27 Million in Fourth Round, 31Jan2008}

While previous years we’ve provided gift ideas from Dumbo, this year, we’ll echo what the Dumbo Improvement District has been doing and highlighting shops, drinks, and dining in Dumbo. Below are some of the retail stores in Dumbo that are offering discounts and specials as part of the Shop Brooklyn initiative. Also, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will meet with retailers and shoppers in Dumbo today at 11:45am at the Pearl Street Triangle (outside Halcyon at 57 Pearl Street at Water Street) to promote “Shop Brooklyn”. Hot chocolate by Jacques Torres Chocolate (66 Water Street) and Neighborhoodies (26 Jay Street) will also be on hand for the event.

• BoConcept (79 Front St) – Additional 15% off from already discounted accessories
• Bridge Apothecary (104 Jay St) – 5-10% off specific items in store.
• Bubby’s (1 Main St) – Bubby’s A free slice of homemade pie with the purchase of two entrees (Valid only at dinner).
• (68 Jay Street, Suite 207) – 68 Jay Street, Suite 207
• DUMBO Pet Care (25 Jay St) – 5% off products & services
• Galapagos Art Space (16 Main St) – Buy One, Get One drinks one hour before each show
• Half Pint (55 Washington St) – 15% discount for all Half Pint Citizens private label items with customers mention “Shop Brooklyn” or “Brooklyn Bonus” on weekends till December 21st.
• halcyon the shop (57 Pearl St) – 10% off storewide for anyone who loudly says, “Economic Crisis… Fuggetaboutit”
• Journey (166 Water St) – Journey10% off gifts & 15% off furniture
• Loopy Mango (117 Front St) – Loopy Mango40% off all outerwear & shoes
• Modern Tots (53 Pearl St) – 5% off all purchases.
• The powerHouse Arena (37 Main St) – 10% off all front-list books & 30% off all other powerHouse books, except sale items.
• Speak Low (81 Washington St) – Happy Hour 5-7PM; $3 Tsing Taos; 2 for 1 cocktails
• Tivoli Home (111 Front St) – 20% off all regular price merchandise
• Water Street Restaurant & Lounge (66 Water St) – Water Street RestaurantFrom the Oyster Bar, a new addition to Water Street Restaurant & Lounge, 6 complimentary steamed clams with every dinner entree (ever Saturday & Sunday through December 21st).
• Wonk (68 Jay St) – 10% off standard orders & 10-15% off floor models.

View Larger Map

Previously:
{DumboNYC Gift Guide 2007}
{DumboNYC Gift Guide 2006}

Zakka NYC is a design and art bookstore based in Dumbo. They not only stock unique art, photography, design, and architecture books, but also graphic t-shirts, Japanese magazines, and collectibles. The store is an otaku’s dream. We covered the opening of their Dumbo location in October 2007. They also host shows for underground art culture, artists, and music. This Saturday, December 13, 2008, there’s a book signing for Ryan McGinness, author of “No Sin / No Future”.

“The book is a collaged collection of snapshots, sketched, and scans, culled from the artist’s studio archives. Sketchbook notes collide with photos of painting-in-progress and combine with vectors and bitmaps creating a dense site-specific visual mash-up that provides insight into the mind and process of the artist.” Check out the show from 6-9pm.

What: Ryan McGinness Book Signing Show
When: Saturday, December 13, 2008, 6-9pm
Where: Zakka, 155 Plymouth Street, Dumbo Brooklyn

Previously: {Zakka Opens on Plymouth St. in Dumbo, 02Oct2007}

The Wellness Lounge, a new mind and body boutique and holistic health center opened at the beginning of December 2008 at 133 Water Street in Dumbo. We interviewed the owner, Dr. Yelena Kozlyansky, who is a chiropractor and a licensed massage therapist and has been practicing for over 10 years.

What does the Wellness Lounge offer?

My goal is to provide a facility where the community can go to for all their wellness needs. It can be confusing when a person is faced with a health concern or wants to change their lifestyle to enhance overall well being. Often, people don’t know where to start, they may go to a health food store and buy vitamins, but how do you really know what your body needs? More people are choosing alternative health care physicians rather than allopathic ones. There is definitely a paradigm shift toward prevention of disease and maintenance of the body. My goal is to be Dumbo’s source for wellness. If you need vitamins, let us do a computerized health analysis before you waste money on vitamins that your body cannot digest. We have technology that does galvanic response testing which measures what organs are in distress, what vitamins and nutrients can heal you, and what foods/supplements stress your body. It’s amazing! We carry the best organic and bio available supplements in the world. We will custom tailor a nutritional plan that suits each individual. We also provide care of the body for pain relief or for relaxation such as Chiropractic, massage, Physical Therapy, cold laser therapy and Acupuncture. When you combine nutrition with body work, the results are phenomenal…more energy, look better, stabilizes mood, balance hormones, lose weight, decrease pain and add years to life.

What do you like about Dumbo? Who are your clients?

I chose Dumbo because it has a new and young energy. It has momentum. It’s exciting to be part of a growing and thriving community. The people seem vibrant, educated, modern and with an edge. My ideal client is someone who thinks outside of the box, wants to work on themselves and is looking for newest anti-aging products, cutting edge technology and a tranquil healing environment.

How did you come about selecting the 133 Water St location?

I personally don’t live in Dumbo, but have friends in the area and love it there. I live close by in Cobble Hill. My close friend and real estate broker from Apts and Lofts.com, Yuri Vatel found the spot for me. I think I got it for fair market value, since I’m a little bit off the beaten path on Water St. I am very excited to share my passion and expertise with the neighborhood!

Thank you Doctor and welcome to Dumbo!

–

The Wellness Lounge is offering a December 2008 special for DumboNYC readers:

• Quick Fix $50.00 – What’s Hurting? Pick a Joint – Any Joint; Come on in and bring any one achy joint; whether it’s computer neck, tight shoulder, ouchy ankle – any joint at all and we will make it dramatically better using the latest technology, cold laser to activate healing and reduce swelling, joint mobilization to increase range of motion, and muscle work to set it right. (Regularly $75.00)
• Shiny and New $50.00 – Fifteen minutes is all it takes to reduce fine lines, firm and tighten skin, and increases collagen production. Walk out with a healthy, fresh glow to your face using the latest in skin care technology and Dr. Hauschka organic skin care products. (Regularly $75.00)
• Computerized Nutritional Assessment (Complimentary) The Zyto uses galvanic skin response technology to assess nutritional deficiencies and organ stress. Based on your results we can create a custom tailored nutrition profile for you. It will let you know about any hidden allergies that you may have. (Regularly $50.00) DOUBLE BONUS: 10% off all Nutriceuticals purchased after the complimentary assessment.

Other services include chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, weight loss plans, nutrition, skin and body care, anti-aging products, and aroma therapy. For more information, please contact The Wellness Lounge at 718-875-1514.

The Wellness Lounge (dumbowellness.com)
133 Water Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Phone: (718) 875-1514
Fax: (718) 504-7630

Previously: {Wellness Lounge at 133 Water Street, 07Nov2008}

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}

Front and Washington Street (Image courtesy of r5n5)

According to the NY Observer, Nico De Swert, a Belgium floral designer who lives in NYC will open a flower school and shop on Front Street in Dumbo. (The story mentions 81 Front Street, but the flower shop will open on the corner of Washington Street and Front Street at 73 Front Street, as first reported by Brownstoner in October 2008. We’re clearing the facts with Two Trees and will update post.) Nico De Swert is apparently a celebrity in the world of flower arrangement. Celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and Valentino have turned to Nico De Swert for his artistic designs. His arrangements are featured in magazines such as Martha Stewart Living, The Oprah Magazine, and InStyle. In keeping with the Dumbo art culture, his work challenges people “to see flowers and plants in a new light: as a medium for creating art,” according to The Flower Expert. Mr. De Swert has signed a 10-year lease for 6,600 square feet space.

{Belgian to Open Dumbo Flower School, NY Observer}
{Nico De Swert profile}

A reader sent this video of the ReBar staff lifting up their huge Christmas tree above the stairs. Oh what an effort they go through to serve all of us in Dumbo!

Rebar Christmas Tree from innuendo on Vimeo.

Related to this, check out ReBar’s new awning/signage on Front Street.

Rebar (rebarnyc.com), 147 Front Street – Between Pearl St. and Jay St.