Two months ago, 74 Hanson Place near Flatbush Avenue was just an empty lot, and the Downtown Flea Market was just a dream for venue developer Marat Shvartsman. He told FleaMarketZone.com then that he wanted to create an alternative market that offered good traffic and affordable rates. Now the storied Brooklyn Flea has a thriving new neighbor nearby — the Downtown Flea is open for business in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Shvartsman is busy managing it.
After a Valentine’s Day preview and a grand opening this past weekend, the outdoor market has launched with new signage, a Web site, and a presence on both Twitter and Facebook. Shvartsman also uses an active e-mail list to keep in touch with market friends and vendors.
Managers at both the Brooklyn Flea and the Downtown Flea say that there is plenty of room in the area for two markets. “We’re just complementing them, we’re not going to make a dent in the Brooklyn Flea,” Shvartsman tells the Fort Greene Patch. “But you always have a Burger King next to a McDonald’s. It’s that type of thing.”
The market has room for 50 vendors, at a rate of $50 per day. For more information about the Downtown Flea Market, call (646) 730-6395 or e-mail downtownflea@aol.com.
Photo credits, with thanks: Downtown Flea Market, Fort Greene Patch.