James (my main squeeze), Ryder (my 7-month-old son) and I recently relocated to Ft. Greene from Park Slope in Brooklyn. While we miss the eclectic selection of restaurants and trendy boutiques in the Slope, we were stoked to find out that the venerable Brooklyn Flea was located just 2 blocks from our new home.
It’s not your typical “flea market” where you can buy a tea cup for a quarter, but where you can find hipsters sporting TOMS Shoes, see the resurgence of brands like Dooney & Burke making a comeback and discover that your 7-month-old has developed a palate for plum and lemongrass popsicles.
Brought to you by the guys behind the popular Brooklyn website Brownstoner.com (smart marketers I’d like to add); the outdoor flea market consists of about 150 vendors hawking goods ranging from vintage clothing (or sometimes just used Marc Jacobs sweaters from five years ago), repurposed furniture, antiques, jewelry, art (check out http://www.shehitpausestudios.com/– I own three of Matt’s pieces) and an unreal variety of freshly prepared foods.
It is located in the recreation area behind Bishop Laughlin High School (Giuliani’s alma mater) on Lafayette Ave between Clermont and Vanderbilt Aves. It is open rain or shine from 10am-5pm every Saturday through Nov 20. *
A Saturday does not go by without a visit to the food vendors. If you’re a fan of Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race, you know what I’m talking about. It doesn’t get any better than the artisanal popsicles from People’s Pops that Ryder loves, melt-in-your-mouth Manchego Cheese Balls from Good Fork, fun and funky choices from Asia Dog (think Vietnamese sandwiches merged with hot dogs and crushing Ruffles potato chips on your hot dogs), and incredible cultural delights from the Red Hook Food Trucks including huaraches, pupusas, and elotes.
Make sure you try the horchata (traditional agua fresca from Mexico which is made with rice, milk, cinnamon and vanilla) or sandia (liquefied watermelon) if you’re thirsty. They are both do die for!
Definitely bring cash: At least $10 if you’re eating; $100 if you want to come home with well-worn designer handbag or a one-of-a-kind necklace, a big appetite and a friend. Some vendors do take plastic but most are strictly green. There are too many delicious food choices to try everything in one weekend. That’s where the friend comes in. Divide and conquer to beat the occasionally long lines and get a selection of food to share.
You can join the over 7,500 followers of Brooklyn Flea on Facebook.
* The Flea also operates on Sundays on the lower levels of the Williamsburg Savings Bank at 1 Hanson Place. After Nov 21, the Flea will take place at the Williamsburg Savings Bank every Saturday AND Sunday until March 2011.
Gigi
