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Brooklyn Markets, Creating Community & Vendor Vibes

by Dekalb Market on March 29, 2011

in Uncategorized

It’s the oldest business around. Or perhaps the second oldest — but even that trade relied on markets to grow. Markets and market culture are nothing new. Perhaps they are enjoying a renaissance these days with the explosion of markets popping up and coming to Brooklyn.

The announcements over the past week have certainly made it seem like this is the beginning of a new wave in alt retail. Cynics might call it a get-on-the-bandwagon sensation but we think it’s part of the same market forces that make markets different, ripe for discovery, and exciting venues for engagement. Whether it’s the news of Urban Space’s DeKalb Market, the sizzling after-hours idea for waterfront fun coming to Greenpoint called the Brooklyn Night Bazaar, or Brooklyn Flea‘s doubling-down in Williamsburg with a Saturday food market and a Sunday food and vintage market on the waterfront, things are about to get groovy for the whole culture of artists, designers, fleasters, foodies and the cult of fans and fan boys that loves to shop them.

We spent some time last night hanging with several folks – newcomers and old-timers, Danny from Black Cat Vintage who reminded us that he moved to NYC in late August and started selling in September and hasn’t looked back, Kelly of Kelly Marks Jewelry whose past life flying the friendly skies was shelved for something more local, more down to earth, Molly Rose whose aesthetic looks and feels so right – that are part of our family. Some are new to Williamsburg. Some are new to the market. Some are new to doing things on their own terms. But one thing was cool and clear. There are deep connections that are being built in the community of vendors at Artists & Fleas. And these relationships are born of respect, a genuine desire to see others succeed and a positivism that, we feel and believe, is core to the market, our market, and the way we have built up a market in Williamsburg over the years. To us, it runs both ways and it’s about the good of the market and all who make up the market.

For vendors, a market is a place to sell and make money. But ask any vendor who has set up at Artists & Fleas over the years in our old space on North 6th or our new home on North 7th what else the market is about and they’ll tell you: community, vibe and people.

We’re looking forward to seeing more people come around Williamsburg this Spring and Summer. See what the neighborhood is about. In 8 years of being neighborhood-based, we’ve seen people come in with an open mind, pick up something they couldn’t imagine living without and make a connection that was anything but disappointing. We’re pretty sure you’ll feel the same.

See you this Spring.

http://www.artistsandfleas.com/2011/03/williamsburg-waterfront-brooklyn-flea-market-vendor-vibe.html

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