One Hanson Flea

I was here for a LivingSocial Beer fest for $ 29. There were like 20+ beers available for tasting, along with food karts to purchase.
It was a great time! Amazing atmosphere. Except for whatever reason I thought it was appropriate to wear a light jacket in December. Since the doors were open for the food karts, the rainy breeze kept creeping in.
Really, aside from the rain and cold, it was a great event. Beautiful venue, tall ceilings, many rooms of different uses. I bet it’d make a great place for cult initiation. Nah, that’s too mainstream.

Visited the Fort Greene parking lot location (kinda bummed now, reading all the reviews about the beautiful bank building) and was overall underwhelmed. Maybe that’s a bit harsh; maybe I wasn’t disappointed, just wasn’t whelmed.
Lots of booths, seemed like more were selling vintage whatevers (furniture, extremely expensive clothing, housewares, giant metal letters, etc.) than had brought new stuff (which I suppose is the nature of a flea market?). I was far more interested in the new creations, which included jewelry, clothes, some gorgeous and creative wood furniture, and things of that sort. My brother told me I’d like the booth of prints of old New York and other vintage images, but I’ve lived in my apartment for two years and still only have a calendar on the wall, so it seemed like a bad idea.
You’ve also got a variety of food vendors; lobster booth, pizza booth, Indian booth, Blue Marble ice cream cart, someone shearing chunks of pork off a large hunk of meat right before your eyes, and Dough has a stand there too, plus others I can’t recall. We’d just eaten, so I didn’t try anything, but a lot of the food looked tasty.
The t-​shirts were probably what caught my attention most. I bought one emblazoned with a chicken holding a machine gun (the sight was shaped like a heart. A CHICKEN KILLING YOU WITH LOVE!)(maybe just threatening you with love?)(maybe the sight is ironic and the chicken actually hates you and wants to blow your head off. Look, I didn’t draw the image) from art/​lit zine Carrier Pigeon, and I found a booth or two with really cool and/​or cute t-​shirts for $ 20 – 25 each. You want to wear your Brooklyn residency with pride? They’ve got that! Even onesies for your baby or a friend’s baby.
I’d say if you’re looking for fun food or wardrobe additions to wear with jeans, the Flea is your place (and admission is free). It’s also a nice way to spend some time on the weekend. If you’re looking for some serious shopping, this may not be your place.

I thought they would have more of a selection and variety of items for sale. There were about 15 food vendors today when i was there. Lots of wood chairs and tables, mirrors, and clothes. Nicely laid out on a track field behind a high school.

It seems as though they’re trying too hard. I was BLOWN AWAY by the prices. Since when is ANYTHING at a flea market over $ 50, max? Things were selling for such high prices, I don’t know how anyone brings enough cash. Yes many of the items are unique and individual, but if you’re looking to channel your inner hipster, find a small boutique somewhere or cool thrift store. You’re more likely to find things less mass-​produced and more affordable.
One lady specifically was selling rings. It appeared as though she purchased them en mase from Michael’s perhaps and simply glued stuff on to them. When I say stuff I mean dice, small toys, a poker chip, tiny teacups, etc etc etc. Rather than creating something unique that will last, she stuck with flimsy mass-​produced rings. I’m sure they were not something made to last long, but the price didn’t reflect that.
Overall, great view, interesting food choices, trying wayyyy too hard. Professionals looking for a great bargain on unique items need not apply. Find a real flea market somewhere else.

This isn’t going to end well, I think. I’m crazy about this girl. I’m crazy about her and she has a boyfriend. Well, there’s nothing for it. It can’t be helped. It’s your own damned fool fault, after all.
«How’s the cider?» I ask.
«Mmmm, it’s good,» she replies.
She takes a sip from the paper cup, then leans down to inspect one of the many trinkets on display. She smiles and picks up a ring. She brings it up for me to inspect. It’s a typewriter key which has found new life as a piece of jewelry. There is an «A» emblazoned on it. «A» for her name, though the other meaning isn’t lost to me.
«I like it,» I say.
She holds up another.
«Do you think it looks better in black or white?»
«Hmmm, that’s a tough call. They both look good.»
It’s sad really, the death of the typewriter. The act of writing was different on one. It was transmuted into more than can be achieved with a computer and word processor. The physical nature of it; the sound of the keys, the need to reset the ribbon at the end of a line, the accompanying ding from that reset. Pavlov’s bell conditioning you to reach the end, again and again. They had such great names too – Smith Corona, Remington, Imperial. They’re all gone now. An entire product lost to Father Time’s callous step onward.
Maybe I’m wrong, maybe I’m just nostalgic for an object I never had a need for. That was already obsolete by my time. God knows I have a penchant for things lost and past their prime. Nostalgia is a dangerous thing, though it’s the primary commodity of these people gathered here.
Earlier, we stumbled upon a booth crammed with the toys of my youth. A myriad of Luke Skywalkers and Ninja Turtles stuffed onto racks and into bins. I was reminded of summers long past visiting my grandparents in England. They kept a large, tan suitcase full of all sorts of toys in their attic and it was always a special moment when my grandfather would go to the effort of getting it out and unzipping it for my amusement. These too were in an attic, and now they’re here as the discarded and monetized remnants of some other man’s childhood.
In a way, the repurposing of this typewriter key is like the building we’ve found it in; this one-​time cathedral of commerce that was home to the Williamsburgh Savings Bank. It, too, outlived its original intent long ago and has found new life as a group of luxury condos with a grand event space in its former banking hall.
In these winter months, the hall houses the Brooklyn Flea with a myriad of sellers peddling whose-​its and whats-​its galore. The friezes of thrift and commerce – squirrels collecting their nuts, bees harvesting their pollen – take on a new meaning in this ephemeral market. Mercury’s bust still remains, mutely presiding over the proceedings. I stare at him, but can’t get a read.
«It’s too expensive,» she says, breaking my reverie.
«Ah, well,» I reply.
I file it away as a gift idea, though I’m not sure why. I know I’ll never have the need.
We start to wander away and she takes my hand. I look up at the vaulted ceiling with its mosaicked canopy of stars and whistle. It’s an impressive sight.
«Let’s check out downstairs.»
«Okay.»
In the basement, in and around the vault, are more vendors. The giant, steel doors still remain. They hang open revealing their intricate gears. The artisanship of the device is as stunning as ever. I stand transfixed, snapping photos of the art-​deco doorway with the light pouring out. She walks into frame, poised between this room and the next. Her back is to me but I can see the corner of her face as she gazes up to inspect the ornate arch. My shutter snaps.
«Are you hungry?» She turns and asks.
«Not really, I could split a sandwich if you are though.»
«Well, there was this one thing that looked pretty good.»
I smile.
«Okay, let’s go grab it.»
She’s right, it does look good. It’s got some strange name – Porchetta, I think. Slow-​roasted pork stuffed into a ciabatta roll and seasoned with garlic, rosemary, sage, and wild fennel pollen. It tastes even better than it looks with the mix of loin and belly marrying to create a perfect ratio of succulence and tenderness and the bits of cracklin’ offering a lovely juxtaposition of crunch. Hungry or not, I could go for another.
We sit at a bench in silence, enjoying the food and one another’s company. She smiles and I smile back. Her smile makes me think of a song, it always does. It probably always will.
Later, when all this is over; after it’s exploded or soured or simply run its course, I’ll look back and remember a cold winter’s day where I took a beautiful girl that I never truly had and we went for cider and thrifting and shared a messy sandwich in an old converted bank browsing wares living on past their time. When all that’s left is this memory, I’ll smile again and know it was enough.

Purchased some wall art of the Brooklyn Bridge at the flea. So many cute pieces of jewelery, art, vintage clothing, etc. Reminds me of a mix of Melrose Trading Post and vendors on Abbot Kinney. Felt like I was back in LA. Very hipster.

Was playing tour guide this weekend to my girlfriend who was visiting and I knew she would love vintage finds, so thought of taking her to the Brooklyn Flea. I’ve been wanting to check out this place since last year but a trek to Brooklyn always scared me. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Winter Brooklyn Flea Market is just right outside of the Q train stop at Atlantic! So easy and only took us 20 min from Union Square.
The venue: Williamsburg Savings Bank, with over 100 years of history has a gorgeous interior with a beautiful ceiling. Perfect setting for a flea market with vintage finds. My girlfriend found some cute pieces of jewelry.
Didn’t get a chance to try the food vendors on the bottom floor.
Tip: 2^nd floor has a great photo op! (Posted Picture)

I work some Saturdays proctoring exams. By proctoring I mean sitting in a room pretending to monitor while I read books, get paper work done and play with my iPhone. After that I usually hit up Brooklyn Flea. It has charming aspects which make you appreciate so many things from your past while you stuff your face.
Lets discuss the food first. If you are a foodie you will fall for Brooklyn Flea. Mmmm Lobster Rolls and Lobster Mac n Cheese from Red Hook Lobster Pound. Asia Dog is a great unique tasty take on hot dogs. Porchetta make great pork sandwiches. Then you can satisfy your sweet tooth with numerous treats such a Dough’s doughnuts. Prices will be expensive but hey these transplants need to pay Brooklyn’s expensive rent and I want them to stay making me some great food.
What you might find in Brooklyn Flea may have you scratch your head at times. Why would anyone want, old T.V. guides, broken parking meters, turtle shells, vintage typewriters, dusty tools, school supplies no one uses anymore, view masters, mason jars (I just steal those from restaurants), antlers or used baby sneakers. Seriously no one needs that junk. I’m not gonna waste my money on that stuff! I bought an outdated globe. Because you never know when you want to look how big the USSR was. I also bought a pack of 1988 baseball cards with gum inside. If you pigged out early at Brooklyn Flea, nothing helps bulimia like a piece of 25 year old gum.
I’m considering coming down with old shit I have in my mother’s apartment. I see tons of the same shit there that I have stored away in my old room.
My favorite activity is teaming up with someone and completely improving how we are seriously interested in purchasing some expensive item. «Oh your mother would love this but I don’t think it would be good for the baby.» The sad faces on those vendors when we walk away are great.
In the end, Brooklyn Flea is a fun activity to check out some weird shit, eat some great food and take in Brooklyn culture.

More like 3.5 stars. The building itself is fantastic and really beautiful inside. A lot of unique vendors. Tons of jewelry, maps/​posters, handmade purses + shirts, old keys, fur trim for coats, food downstairs, some furniture… you name it and it was probably there. I especially loved one vendor with nearly ever action figure/​late 1980s McDonalds toy known to man. I think this is a great place to go walk around on a wintery NY morning — and if you go right when it opens, you can stay an hour or two and still have the whole afternoon.
What I bought:
–maple bacon cupcake from Butter Scotch ($ 2.50)
–cookie from S’mores Bakery ($ 3)
–1950s coloring book page of my home state ($ 7) [note that I later found the entire coloring book on Etsy for $ 10. doh.]
I will say that this is definitely not a flea market in the sense that ‘stuff is cheap’ or you’re going to ‘find a good deal’. Sure the handmade leather clogs I saw were nice looking, but $ 200? I’d go to Macys if I wanted to drop that much on shoes on a Sunday morning. There was also a stand where the vendor was selling plastic sunglasses (like you would find at a Walgreens) for $ 20-​$ 40. They were cute, but there is no way any pair cost him more than $ 5.
That said, many of the vendors were truly artists, and all were super friendly — especially the food vendors on the lower floor. As it is an indoor venue, things were a tad cramped, but I didn’t mind because that’s what I expect at a flea market. One thing they were advertising is the Smorgasburg in Williamsburg come spring/​summer which I am DEFINITELY coming back for. A version of Brooklyn Flea that is solely food vendors? My. version. of. Heaven.

The building is beautiful. The atmosphere reminded me of walking into the lobby of my elementary school when there were craft fairs or a concert going on. But this is way more family and hipster-​ish. The market is alright, good for browsing, it’s a little cramped since it’s indoors for the winter, with a few interesting vendors (eyeglasses, collaged cards & wall decorations, minimal leather bags, army jackets, smooth wooden minimal furniture, rugs & pillows stood out the most over the usual used clothing/​tchochke vendors). But there wasn’t anything I saw that I felt «I must have!» Or maybe it’s because I don’t have the space for random items in my apartment.
But the FOOD, food is digestible! Yes, prices are a little overpriced, but the quality of the ingredients and care the vendors showed in making their delicious goods, were worth it.
This is what we ate:
–Butter & Scotch (1^st floor): Sticky Toffee Trifle ($ 5), a bourbon soaked cake with butterscotch bits, maple pudding, and homemade whipped cream, and pecans.
The Food Court (in the basement, behind the Vault) — go straight there, just go! Go early before they run out of certain dishes! The Food Court was shockingly quiet and mellow for being a place with a lot of activity– probably because everyone is enjoying their tasty food. Tables were full– about 30 seats, don’t count on getting a seat. Just stand near the back columns and eat.
–Dough: blood orange with candied orange peel doughnut ($ 2.50)
–Yuji Ramen: Yuji serves a mazemen, a type of ramen without broth, and has everything laid out on the table, less like a cooking demo, more like an art performance. He seemed to really enjoy what he was making, and put a lot of care into it. We got the bacon, egg, and cheese ramen ($ 9). He flambeed the large chunks of bacon on a wire rack at the table, cracked a soft-​boiled egg on top, and finely grated a large chunk of cheesse over everything. I didn’t know if I would like this strange combination and the extremely soft yolk over cold noodles, but I would trek back to the Flea JUST for this dish. It was savory, creamy, and none of the flavors were overpowering, they all worked well together. The texture of the wavy noodles were the perfect base. Apparently the noodles are from LA.
–AsiaDog: We got the Organic Beef with MASH: Spicy ketchup + jalapeño
mustard + crushed salt and pepper potato chips ($ 5). The bun was a little burnt, the dog was thick and hearty, the sauces were a little too spicy for me. The potato chips provided a nice crunch, but I didn’t think this food stand was anything too special.
–Red Hook Lobster Pound: the lobster rolls ($ 18) had already ran out by 2:30pm/Sunday! But what we really wanted was the Lobster Mac & Cheese ($ 10). And it was decadent and crazy. Why didn’t someone think of this combination sooner?! I think there must have been at least 2 or 3 different cheeses in the sauce also. The cup is very small for the price, but I’m okay with that.
How they made this deliciousness: scooped up pasta and placed in a water bath to heat it up, pour the noodles into a plastic container, added the bechamel, put the lid on and shook it like Tom Cruise in Cocktail, poured it into the serving cups, added 2 juicy claws that were simmering in butter on their hot plate, sprinkled some various thick-​cut cheeses over it, AND torched it, for a nice cheesy finish.
–a Maine Root Beer ($ 3) finished off the Food Court tour nicely. Food Coma Heaven.
Other stalls that I didn’t get to try: homemade pickles, macarons, brooklyn chocolate, bubble tea, japanese miso & rice balls, mexican cemitas & lemonade, solar pupusas, porchetta sandwiches, mac & cheese, tacos, oyster bar.

This place is a vintage collector’s heaven. For me, I just tread downstairs and look for the food, where the vendors are hidden.
I’m a fan of the mini food court at the Brooklyn Flea. They’ve got fancy chocolate, a great bakery, Japanese ramen and homemade sushi, scrumptious pork sandwiches, unique taco fillings, amazing mac & cheese, and awesome Asian-​inspired hot dogs (kimchi hot dogs, curry hot dogs, etc.). The delicacies these vendors offer are delicious and unique, but the prices are a little steep for the small portions.
Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised I had something to do while the fiancée explored her eye candy.

OMG this review is so long. Sorry!
So…
1. this place is hipster HEAVENNNNNN (–_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​-​)
As a native NYer, I hate hipsters. Period. (…but at least the ones here don’t have that entitled, annoying air most hipsters have.)
Secondly, IF YOU ARE CHEAP («frugal»…it’s a much… friendlier word), this is NOT THE PLACE for you. You will not be finding an awesome shirt, piece of art, or chair for a «steal» of $ 5 — $ 25. Don’t get me wrong — I would splurge for the right item, but nothing here seemed worth it.
Did I mention that pretty much everything here is non-​spectacular? Let me mention that one more time lol.
As you have already read, I was not very impressed. The sellers all kind of melded into a pot of people selling non-​fascinating items, and everything seemed to melt in a world of gray. More realistically, I came there expecting to find furniture pieces for sale and really, it’s 95% clothing, most of which is only Hipster chic (aka oversized, dirty looking, old, and ugly).
There are lots of random things for sale — creepy old dolls with flaking paint, «vintage» tin cups (doesn’t that cause cancer???), soaps, necklaces, picture frames — random things, but honestly, nothing interesting enough to put in my apartment.
Oh!!! EVEN WITH haggling, EVERYTHING WAS OVERPRICED.
Let me repeat: EVERY SINGLE THING HERE IS OVERPRICED. (see examples below)
Examples: one seller, wonderful as she was, had charm bracelets for sale, with random old keys (not the antique, skeleton key kind) and buttons on it… and was selling it for $ 100 — $ 50 («post Xmas price»). Yeah OKAYYYYYYYYYYY lady. :insert eye roll:
Mind you, making that myself would cost me a MAX of $ 15.
Other sellers sold the same sunglasses the bootleggin Chinese sell on Canal, but sold them for like $ 20-​$ 30. Each. There’s just… no justification for that.
OH!!! This ONE guy was selling «vintage posters» which were actually just images off of postcards blown up and glued on cardboard — for $ 40 dollars. FORTY DOLLARS!!! For a blown up postcard image on CARDBOARD which cost you $ 1.95 to print???
Are you smoking crack? No, no, no, you must be on some new, SPECIAL kind of drug, sir, if you think I’m paying THAT much for that nonsense. It SHOULD have been priced at $ 5 – 10, maybe $ 15 cuz hey, ya gotta make a profit… but that’s just unreasonable. I defintitely had the, «you ain’t foolin’ me» face on whilst browsing his wares.
But I guess hipsters dole out serious money for ordinary things. #kanyeshrug
I just feel like, nothing seemed worth the price.
I will be sticking with my vintage stores. This was disappointing.

This place makes a fabulous day trip. They have a little bit of everything. Vintage toys, clothes, jewelry, furniture, kooky bottles and housewares, paintings… You name it. They also have awesome food stands on the bottom floor. Places that I have been meaning to try– all there in one spot! Come hungry.
I tried the tofu tacos and the passion fruit doughnut from Dough. Don’t remember the name of the taco place, sorry! You’ll just have to go there, try it– and update this review accordingly. And trust me when I say that both are worth trying.
FYI: don’t come here planning to stay together with a big group because… well that just simply won’t happen. The aisles between the booths are enough space for one person to walk through and the booths themselves aren’t much bigger. Go solo or plan to separate into pairs/​trios to maximize your maneuverability.

This place makes a great opportunity for photos and window shopping – that being because it is extremely pricey for vintage goods. They probably scout goodwill and then overprice it over there. For example, vintage sweater = $ 85 bucks.
Needless to say they do have fun things to take a gander at. There is a nice variety of shirts, wool sweaters, coats, rugs, sunglasses, vintage purses — you name it.
Every rooms seems like it turns into another room which makes it super fun.
Downstairs they have the «smorgasburg» area with tons of different foods. We had just eaten at the Halal cart so we didn’t get a chance to try anything. I was happy to see the variety of food there. There was ramen, «porchetta» — the pork sandwiches, lobster rolls, and coffee/​tea.
Being a tourist the only things I left with are the flea market tote bag $ 10 and a mug $ 5. — still, I’m extremely happy with my purchases :)

Brooklyn Flea in the One Hansen Place building is something to have on a bucket list. If you have a lazy Sunday available for adventuring this would be an activity I strongly suggest.
The building has been around for years and the flea market is spread out on what seems like 3 different floors with everything from holiday chatchkes to vintage turkish rugs — they even have the food vendors downstairs too! I came in a few weeks ago to check out the scene and grab a bite to eat. That being said in the upcoming weeks there is definitely more exploring to be had!
On another note — the offshoots in the lot in Williamsburg and the market truly devoted to food (Schmorgasburg) both in Williamsburg and DUMBO are amazinnnnnnnnnggggggggggg.

Worth checking out if you have an open Saturday.
Most of the items are overpriced and intended for the hipster, stay at home mommy and ex-​manhattanite crowd. Some vendors are really nice and talk to you about their craft and products, while others simply wander themselves or wait for you to ask questions. There are so many people every weekend that it’s understandable why they put very little into selling their wares.
I did meet a cool gentleman who sold me a leather keychain for $ 15, which I considered a steal. Also, the food here is super legit, get some asiadog and then get Dough and be satisfied.

***Spoiler alert**** They don’t actually sell fleas! How disappointed was my masochistic dog? Very.
However, if you want cool vintage clothing, maps, old toys, typewriters, art., etc. then do me a personal favor and come here.
First, it is in the spectacularly beautiful W’burgh Bank Building (the mosiac tile alone is worth seeing). Second, the vendors are great. Third, they have food (in the lower level).
It’s very cool to see the old vault downstairs.
Great way to kill some time on a Saturday. Just do it… take the family, go on a date, go alone. I don’t care how you get there, just get there if you can.

The winter nest of the Brooklyn Flea is worth a visit if for no other reason than the building itself, which Wikipedia describes as a «Romanesque Beaux Arts Bank Hall and Art Deco Vault.» In layman’s terms, this translates to «trust us, new immigrants, with your life savings because we’re the Trump Taj Majal of the 1920s.»
The second reason is the vault itself, which has steel doors that could survive Terminator Judgement Day (which especially useful if your last name is Conner).
And in that vault you’ll find all manner of grub, from giant donuts to Asia Dogs to smoked meat/​pulled pork. I suppose this would be doubly good if you had to lock yourself in the vault while the rest of humanity is destroyed by Skynet.
So even if you don’t care to visit «fleas» there are other attributes that make this journey-​worthy (not the band).
As for shopping, I got a «Welcome Back Kotter» folder, 4 hardback novels, a retro trench coat and a 1969 Esquire magazine on my last visit. There are few other places on Earth where you can pull in that type of haul, eat a pork sandwich, and potentially ride out Armageddon.

Having been unemployed for six months now (six months and a week, but who’s counting), sometimes it takes thinking about the little strivings not to get discouraged. For example, I have to keep telling myself that once I get the job that I’ve been told is out there for me, I can get my own place again. And decorate it. However the heck I want!
And, as an added bonus, I’ll have the money to rent a large car (because I’ll then be a baller, obviously), drive it to Brooklyn, and buy all of my decorations (and, maybe, furniture) at «the flea.»
Yeah, the New Yorkers I know love this place so much that if you say, «the flea,» there’s only on market it refers to. This one. And with good reason. This is such an eclectic shopping experience that everyone from the most annoying hipster to the most annoying yuppie can find something to their taste (and normal people inbetween as well). It does skew toward the «girlfriend’s jeans» crowd with some of the vendor’s kitsch and a skew toward vintage clothing; but buyer beware if they dismiss it because of the two locations (the Sunday one is in Hipsterburg, the Saturday one in Fort Green (e) Vegan).
For example, avoiding the people selling ironic used disco records, I was able to find a vendor selling old, sturdy shipping crates that would serve as perfect end tables in any household setting. And I found a set of regulation bowling pins that could be bought individually or as a full ten (I didn’t ask how the person got them). As all of the sellers are independent operators, prices and values vary.
But for one of a kind finds, this place can’t be beat. And since I was looking for only trinkets, the prices didn’t shock me.
Just a warning in closing. The Fort Greene outdoor market takes place on a blacktop playground (a.k.a. convection oven for people). With the huge crowds, it can get pretty darn hot. Plan accordingly. Especially if you go with me next time. You’ll be helping me carry a lot of items out in the heat.

E’erything in Brooklyn is cool, even the «flea» markets.
Ya see, back yonder where I growed up in Northern MIchigan… flea markets and garage sales were a form of glee and entertainment. A veritable treasure trove of vintage (before we even thought to think of vintage) delights. Our grandmother gave us $ 5, and we were entertained for an entire day while she picked and pondered and furnished her elaborate and beautiful 4-​story Victorian mansion from scratch with 3-​legged tables, clawfoot tubs covered in 6″ of dust and grime, musty quilts and unelectrified lamps. It was a sight to be seen, and a true talent indeed. I’ve learned from the best. She was also lucky to have 5 sons and a husband around to fix that shit up, but I digress.
At Brooklyn Flea, you’d be able to get a Bubble Tea for $ 5. Which, is awesome! We didn’t have Bubble Tea in Michigan back in the day. In fact, I’m fairly sure it’s not there now. Grandma would’ve liked it. Along with Lobster rolls, wraps, bakery items, wonderful coffee, cupcakes, etc… all from local vendors. Now, that’s pretty special for a «flea» market, because those things aren’t at flea markets!
You know what would be though? An empty, glass-​less frame. Please, for the love of all that’s thrifting, do not buy a reject frame at a place like this for $ 40. It’s criminal. My grandmother would slap you.
Vendors include: Art, vintage fashion, regular fashion, enough boots to equip a small hipster army, accessories, food (entire food court), drinks, vintage wares.
But OK, I get it this is Brooklyn Flea. A class all of its own… so here are my tips to having an enjoyable experience.
1. Bring wads of cash. Almost all vendors will be cash only. Some will take cards, but few and far between. I did hit up an ATM, and it was all fine and good, with only a $ 2.25 fee.
2. If you are shopping with folks, give yourself the freedom roam and meetup later. It’s cramped and crowded and tagging with another will lead to hostility. This does not apply to babies, as they are not to be left to wander alone. Obviously, there were a lot of them there.
3. Don’t forget the vault and mezzanine. Though, they are moving from 1 Hanson Place in the next few weeks, so that brings me to my next suggestion: GO BEFORE IT MOVES. It’s a really incredible building. Really, the perfect setting.
4. Be kind and considerate. It goes a long way. It starts with each of us. I should put this in all of my reviews, but feel especially compelled with this one. IF you are running a shop, be nice to your customers. If you’re shopping, be nice to everyone around you. Seems simple? It is.
What did I end up with?
*2 beautifully springy tops/​dresses from a vintage collector out of Providence who had driven 5 hours to sell her wares. Perfect condition, perfect fit (though you can’t try them on, so best have a good eye!). $ 75.
*1 light gray cord blazer with impeccable shoulder patches. Originally $ 40, on sale for $ 20. Cha ching, and I look smart, too.
*A general feeling of needing to up the ante on my wardrobe choices. Sigh, I’m Midwestern, it’ll take some time to acclimate.
Will definitely visit again, stuffed with cash, friends/​family in tow. It’s really fairly unique if you live outside of NYC for this to occur on a weekly basis. Treasure it.