For the past few weeks I have enjoyed reminiscing and sharing with you my New York fleamarketing experiences and revisiting some of my faves. We are coming up on the last NYC Market that I'm going to share and, while looking back, I came across another fave. A favorite movie, a favorite movie location, a favorite fountain... all faves easily accessible via a long walk, a subway stop, or a (frighteningly) fast New York taxi when Washington Square Park by NYU is your destination. It's where Sally dropped off Harry, not realizing he would never again be truly absent from her life. Miles and many magical memories away, New York is likewise omnipresent. Like I said, a fave.There are, of course, too many faves to squeeze into one visit, but squeeze we do. We recently added a new favorite, the Brooklyn Flea at Fort Greene, to our fleamarketing travel list after seeing it featured on HGTV's Flea Market Flip. When we caught a glimpse of the Brooklyn Flea on the crafty competition show hosted by our favorite GMA personality, Lara Spencer, we knew we needed to check it out.
visit hgtv.com to view full episodes
Here we are, checking it out one fine Saturday. There are several Brooklyn Flea locations, depending on the season, and we are selfying (run with it--you have my full permission) here in the school yard at the Fort Greene location (open April through November on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM). A very detailed and colorfully-engaging site will help you explore the markets, locations, and all the tempting tidbits you need to know to plan the ultimate flea experience.brooklynflea.com
I want you to step back from your screen a moment, close your eyes, inhale a deep breath, and recall that feeling that overwhelms you when you step into a new-to-you fleamarket for the first time. The scents: smokey grilled meats and vegetables wafting on crisp spring air or moving towards you languidly on heavier summer breezes; herbal and floral wafts checking in as well from nearby vendors with fresh flowers and smooth homemade balms. The sounds: children laughing, tinkling ice cubes shaken about in soft styrofoam cups intermingling with fresh fruit and slurpy straws, adults exclaiming and exchanging greetings of surprise with long-lost friends, energetic voices both loud and indistinct attempting to bargain a new collectible into a waiting (hopefully recycled!) shopping bag. Open your eyes and enjoy the colors and textures: clothing of all shapes, hues, and eras; artwork, books, and furniture waiting to be re-displayed, re-read, and re-imagined; jewels glistening their best tempting brilliance in poetically personified attempts to avoid being boxed up at the end of the day. These secondhand temptations want to travel (safely enrobed in you-know-what) with you and find a new life in a new (your) home!
Okay, romantic reverie and sausages savored, let's move on to the enjoyable business of the Brooklyn Flea, only a few subway stops from the City, depending on where you start, and only a five or ten minute walk depending on whether you take the C or the G (G will drop you less than 2 blocks away) train. A school courtyard loaded with fleamarketably tempting goods and over a hundred energetic vendors await your capable or casual browse and your savviest or most lackadaisical bargaining overtures.
Okay, romantic reverie and sausages savored, let's move on to the enjoyable business of the Brooklyn Flea, only a few subway stops from the City, depending on where you start, and only a five or ten minute walk depending on whether you take the C or the G (G will drop you less than 2 blocks away) train. A school courtyard loaded with fleamarketably tempting goods and over a hundred energetic vendors await your capable or casual browse and your savviest or most lackadaisical bargaining overtures.
When I first began fleamarketing I was simply happy to find an item in good condition that appealed to me so I never questioned the price, just counted out the amount requested. Years of casual shopping with my fabulously frugal partner and years of hosting clutter-cleansing yard sales and market booths together have taught me a thing or two about that ugly word, "haggling." I prefer "making a deal" (with a special appreciation for the humor, patience, and charm of Monty Hall, one of my favorite childhood deal-makers) because it offers both buyer and seller equal footing in the process of negotiation. Respecting the seller is number one, however. Some vendors rely on weekend markets to make a living and even if vending once a week is a hobby, it is a time-consuming and demanding pastime.
I have previously offered this nugget of advice in my fleamarket travels (remember the Vienna nativity?!), but it is important to remember, especially when faced with so much temptation as offered at the Brooklyn Flea.
...especially if you suspect you will live a life less enjoyable without it. Pass it up if it's too costly (money and available space are equally important considerations). Not sure? Walk around the market. Have a bratwurst. If you have a fleamarket wingman with you, use him or her as a sounding board. What are the pros and cons? Do you have the space for it? Do you have the cash (not credit card)? Still in doubt? Don't leave the market before going back to see said collectible that is driving you crazy one more time. (Maybe stop and have a piece of artisan cheese to help you decide.) If the treasure that caused you to gasp at first glance is still there sitting at the table (or IS the table itself) after all this time and internal debate (and calories), and if it still makes you gasp, then you have your answer. Remember, you can always step back, enjoy (photograph) it one more time, then walk away.
I have previously offered this nugget of advice in my fleamarket travels (remember the Vienna nativity?!), but it is important to remember, especially when faced with so much temptation as offered at the Brooklyn Flea.
If you want it, BUY IT!
...especially if you suspect you will live a life less enjoyable without it. Pass it up if it's too costly (money and available space are equally important considerations). Not sure? Walk around the market. Have a bratwurst. If you have a fleamarket wingman with you, use him or her as a sounding board. What are the pros and cons? Do you have the space for it? Do you have the cash (not credit card)? Still in doubt? Don't leave the market before going back to see said collectible that is driving you crazy one more time. (Maybe stop and have a piece of artisan cheese to help you decide.) If the treasure that caused you to gasp at first glance is still there sitting at the table (or IS the table itself) after all this time and internal debate (and calories), and if it still makes you gasp, then you have your answer. Remember, you can always step back, enjoy (photograph) it one more time, then walk away.
I've both walked away and succumbed countless times over the many enjoyable years I've been fleamarketing the world with Mari. We've also enjoyed sharing formerly collected items with new collectors when we host our own sales. It's all a part of the collecting and recollecting catch-and-release process.
I haven't even begun to list the variety of items you can find at Fort Greene, but you probably get the idea (everything). I can't comment on the turnover from week to week because this was our only visit thus far, but our sunny spring Saturday was sufficiently satisfying for us to want a return trip. I confess I let out a little gasp when I first discovered the perfect-for-poker-night Mr. Peanut bowl set (large metal bowl and four smaller matching bowls) and didn't even have the will to bargain with the friendly young dealer who seemed to have priced his entire booth about 50% below the prevailing market rate. Mr. Peanut makes me THAT happy.
I'm also gleefully posing with one of Mari's finds, a smoothly aged wooden display for miniatures (of which there are many strewn about our home) that has yet to gather our collected knickknacks, but lies in wait to organize and show off tiny treasured trinkets.
I will attempt to squeeze in one last New York fave (or two) next time.
I will attempt to squeeze in one last New York fave (or two) next time.
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