Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market » Markets of New York

2011 New York Holiday Markets Guide (Updated 12/22)

NEWSFLASH! Now you’re really down to the wire! Buy all your last minute gifts in the Markets of New York City! You’ll be glad you did!

Check out Markets of New York City on NY1: Navigating the Holiday Markets! (List of the designers and markets mentioned.)

I am very excited to publish the 2011 New York Holiday Markets Guide!

The guide links to over 40 events throughout the boroughs, and we will be adding more as they are announced. Again this year, there are both traditional holiday markets that span the entire season and special one or two day events. From jewelry to perfume and soap, objets d’art to clothing and everything in between, New Yorkers and visitors to our fair city can find wonderful gifts for everyone on your list in the markets of New York City! I look forward to seeing you in the markets, and I will be posting as many of our finds as we can during the season.

Send me your event to add to the Markets Guide!! And remember:

Weekend Market Picks, October 8-9, 2011 and Metropolis Soap Company on Kickstarter!

This weekend weather is going to be gorgeous, which is lucky because there are many wonderful fall events going on in the city’s artisan, farmer, food and flea markets!

And let’s support our awesome friends at Metropolis Soap Company! They only have a couple more days to meet their goals for their Kickstarter Project! I love their vegan soaps because they smell wonderful, they come in such a great variety of scents, and my skin loves them. And I love this project because it a true market-based story. Not only do the markets of New York and around the world offer a wealth of experiences and products for us shoppers, they are are also tremendous incubators for new businesses. Metropolis is raising funds to cover the fees for the world-renowned New York Gift Fair early next year, which could really take their business to the next level. It is an important project and an inspiration to other aspiring artisan businesses! So please make a contribution share the link, and show some soapy love!

Saturday and Sunday, October 8-9, 2011

ID Pop Shop: As I’ve said before, this group of independent designers have come together for a full week at Chelsea Market to offer their fine work to smart pre-holiday shoppers! Come for design, come for gifts, come for inspiration. You’ll be glad you did! The market runs through Monday, October 11.

Park Slope Flea Market at PS 321: Enhance your visit to 7th Ave. and the Greenmarket by popping over to this quiet, lovely flea market between 1st and 2nd Streets. It is a long-established market, so if you are neighbor passing by every weekend, take some time to stop in and browse the tables. I’ve found some great clothing, vintage laces, old books and ephemera, and so much more!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket: I love this market because it is so full of energy, community, families, and nice dogs. And awesome famers too! And today, the Edible Brooklyn editors will be at the info tent signing copies of their gorgeous new Edible Brooklyn: The Cookbook, featuring recipes from local restaurants and a delicious food demo.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Astoria Market: The Astoria Market is well into its second year, featuring emerging artisans and designers from Queens. I always meet inspiring people making amazing things at this market. It also has a relaxed vibe, which is great for looking carefully at the items on each table. This Sunday is Oktoberfest at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden too! Crafts and Beer? Yes, please!

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market Food Truck: Fleas and Food! Now we’re talking! Sunday is the October Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea (on 39th St. at 9th Ave.) These food truck gatherings are great for trying some of New York’s most innovative food on wheels, all in one place! This weekend’s event features Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, Kimchi Taco Truck, Gorilla Cheese Truck, Two Pitas in a Pod, and Kelvin Natural Slush.

Brooklyn Night Bazaar: A night market comes to NYC! Finally! The Brooklyn Night Bazaar will take place at the Dekalb Market on Sunday from 5PM till midnight. It will feature over 70 independent merchants and food vendors, music, art, a beer garden, and even petanque (the French love child of bowling, shuffleboard, and horse shoes). The weather is supposed to be great, so bring a big sweater and a cozy friend, and step into the Night Bazaar!

Weekend Market Picks: July 9-10, 2011 + Cherries!!!

It is going to be a fantastic weekend to spend outdoors in New York City. If you are second homeless and therefore staying in town all summer, then come hang out with me at the markets. And if you are visiting New York City, definitely check out the fantastic food and buy all your souvenirs directly from New York’s finest artisans!

And stop by any Greenmarket to pick up plump, juicy cherries, like the ones in the photo from the Cheerful Cherry Farm!

Saturday & Sunday

Brooklyn Flea: I’m definitely feeling the need to visit the Brooklyn Flea, as it’s been a few weeks. Looking forward to seeing my usual favorites and checking out what’s new in food, artisans, and fleas! Saturday in the Ft. Green location and Sunday in Williamsburg.

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market and Sunday Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar: The Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is one of the largest and best traditional fleas in the city, and they have invited members of the {NewNew} Etsy Artisan Group to add to the variety. The first Sunday of every month, they also host the Food Truck Bazaar, featuring some of the city’s fabulous food on wheels!

Saturday

Hester Street Fair: Gotta send you to the Hester Street Fair this Saturday! In addition to the well-selected vintage, flea, and handmade sellers there, they sent out the list of featured food vendors. Appetizers, main course, main course, dessert, dessert, dessert. Take notes and let me know what you ate!

St. George Greenmarket: This is a good weekend to hop on the Staten Island Ferry and visit the St. George Greenmarket. It overlooks the harbor and the New York City skyline, and it features premier Greenmarket sellers of fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, seafood, and more. This borough features amazing vistas, architecture, and even wildlife – more than 117 species of birds!

Sunday

Astoria Market: Yes! The Astoria Market is back this weekend. Handmade and vintage goods at this artisan market in the Main Hall of the Bohemian Hall — you know, the one with the Beer Garden! Check out some of the very cool products you’ll find there this weekend on the Astoria Market Blog!

New Amsterdam Market: The New Amsterdam Market is back this Sunday after a July 4th hiatus. This weekend’s food market lineup includes breads, meats, mead, lobster rolls, artisanal sodas, sweets, imported tea, and many more edible luxuries.

Take pictures and let us know your favorite finds and tastiest treats! Someone is making me a cherry pie on Sunday! If you have a great recipe, please share!

Openings and Special Events This Weekend at the Markets (May 7-8)

Another beautiful weekend is in store for us regardless of the fickle spring weather, full of great market events and openings! Here’s what’s going on:

Spring Handmade Cavalcade: So much crafty talent in one place! Don’t miss this event from The {NewNew} Etsy Artisans Group! (This Saturday Only) ♦

Hester Street: Opening Day Saturday May 7! Can’t wait to see what’s new this year! I’ve heard there’s going to be even more food! (Saturday & Sunday) ♦

Madison Square Market Eats: Urban Space NYC is putting on a great food market featuring our favorite restaurants, food purveyors, food trucks, and handmade products. Went there Friday for lunch – amazing selection, beautiful location! (Open daily through June 3)

Crafts on Columbus: This is one of the longest running street craft markets in the city! Great place to stroll with Mom after brunch on Sunday, and it’s right across the street from the ever treasure-filled Greenflea on Sunday. (Saturday and Sunday, May 7, 8, 14, 15. ♦

Hell’s Kitchen Flea – New York Food Truck Bazaar: Another Sunday filled with fabulous fleas, beautiful handmade crafts, and food trucks! Word has it that Luke’s Lobster is launching their truck at the Bazaar this weekend! (Sunday)

Of course I’ll try to make it everywhere, and the little diamond ♦ indicates where I’m definitely showing up! Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Foursquare and let me know where you are, what you found, and what you’re eating!

Artisans, Food Trucks and Fleas – Oh My!

The Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market has been doing some exciting things up in Midtown. Known for its classic flea market vendors selling vintage clothing, antique furniture, and other fascinating objects, the flea market is now home to the periodic Food Truck Bazaar. The food is delicious, and who doesn’t love to eat food from a truck? And now you don’t have to track down your favorite trucks all over town. You can go the Bazaar and find many of them in one spot. The food trucks that participated in the most recent event included:

And now the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market also features fantastic local handmade Etsy artisans! The {NewNew} Artisans Group opened up their tents at the flea market in early April. Frankly, I was a curious as to how well the handmade products would mesh with the vintage and antique products at this well-established market. I’m happy to report that the artisans add a lovely new dimension to the shopping experience. Some fine examples of the variety of handmade products on their debut weekend included:

Saskia Devries, handmade Jewelry
Hanky Blanky, delicate baby blankets, clothing and toys made from vintage handkerchiefs
New York Clocks, featuring clocks made from any variety of nostalgic tins and boxes.
Lovely Day Designs by LuCraft, selling handmade light switch plates, glass paperweights, magnets, and more

So head over to the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market on West 39 St. between 10th & 11th Avenue Saturdays and Sundays to check out all the amazing treasures there. The next Food Truck Bazaar is scheduled for Sunday, May 8th! Do we really have to wait that long?

Photo of the Day – August 24, 2010: Debbie Wilburn at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market

Prada Shoes in Excellent Condition: $25 from Debbie Wilburn at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market

As I wrote in Markets of New York City, the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is where fabulous shoes go to find a new and worthy home. It’s as if Carrie Bradshaw emptied her closet every weekend and brought her gently worn shoes to the flea market. Jimmy Choos? Ferragamo? Prada? I regularly catch up with all of these dear friends on the tables of Debbie Wilburn at the Flea. In addition to fabulous shoes, Ms. Wilburn has racks filled with designer clothes. She recently had a blowout sale of Escada skirts and jackets.

Here’s a story for you: I stopped by to see what Ms. Wilburn had three weekends ago. I noticed a pair of handmade black suede loafers by John Lobb. I was simply drawn to the obvious craftsmanship of these shoes and the fact that they fit me like a glove. They also have a handwritten serial number and the name “Cherry,” which lead me to believe that they had been custom made for my shoe twin somewhere out there. John Lobb, Bootmaker was founded in 1849 in London and became part of Hermes in 1976. The company holds Royal Warrants to His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Other clients have included Enrico Caruso, and James Bond. According to Departures Magazine, bespoke shoes start at $4000. Mine set me back $20, and I didn’t have to wait a year to get them.

Even the Heat Can’t Dampen the Fun at the Union Square Market

Yesterday’s heat advisory dampened t-shirts all over town, but it certainly did not dampen the energy at the Union Square’s Saturday Greenmarket! The fruits, vegetables, seafood, bread, honey, jam and so much more remained cool and fresh under the tents. James and I were out on our Summer Markets Book Tour, spending the day with the Greenmarkets/GrowNYC team and meeting market shoppers from across New York City and the world – Australia, England, Spain, and Mexico!

I’ve posted 10 of my favorite photos of the day, taken by James, featuring the energy and colors of the markets. We even enjoyed an extended visit from a butterfly, who landed on one of the chefs from the Natural Gourmet Institute as they prepared a food demo of blueberry cornmeal pancakes. I guess even a butterfly can’t resist a home made pancake.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi, especially my friends Chris and Lucinda, Joseph and Miss Molly the Min Pin (pictured), Lauren and Lauren, and Jen! And a huge thank you to Market Manager Tara and her team, and to GrowNYC for your hospitality yesterday and for your wonderful service to the city! Follow Union Square Greenmarket on Twitter (@unsqgreenmarket).

And now I’m off to the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market for the afternoon! It’s going to be another wonderful day at the Markets of New York City!

How Great Was The Hell’s Kitchen Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar?

Guest photographer James Wesolowski was on hand last weekend, while I was at the Brooklyn Lyceum Market, to brave the heat and the crowds and head up to the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market’s Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar. I love the newly brightly painted trucks selling their delicious foods all over town. I follow them on Twitter and Facebook just so that I can know where they are at all times; I never know when I might need a quick waffle or a dumpling, or maybe a Bea Arthur ice cream cone from the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck.

James said that the Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar was fantastic. The sheer variety of food on wheels was remarkable. The list included Calexico Carne Asada, Rickshaw Dumplings, Go Burger, and Cinnamon Snail, which serves organic vegan food. Stopping at the Treats Truck feels to me like coming into my mom’s kitchen for an after school brownie treat. The Krave Truck, a New Jersey fixture, served up Korean BBQ in Manhattan for the first time that weekend. And, of course, the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck was there serving up soft serve to the overheated market-goers.

The combination of fun food and excellent flea market vendors brought out a nice cross-section of people. James thinks this event is an excellent alternative to the big anonymous street fairs that block the city’s avenues all spring and summer long. The Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is an outstanding market in and of itself, not to mention a neighborhood attraction, and the food trucks are unique small businesses with their own faithful following. Together, they made for a great day of shopping and noshing on the West Side. I’ll definitely be at the next one!

(All photos by James Wesolowski)

Photo of the Day – March, 29, 2010

hells-kitchen-flea-bad-boys-of-39th-street

For a fascinating and eclectic collection of historic artifacts and antiques, go see the Bad Boys of 39th Street at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market. From Victrolas, old candlestick phones, and early televisions to sterling silver cigarette cases, skeleton keys, and swizzle sticks, the Bad Boys have some remarkable things on their tables every weekend. Just don’t ask why they’re known as the Bad Boys.