Some nice new munchies are on their way to the Flea in the next few weeks. Figured we'd let you know about 'em on a slow week.

Brooklyn Brew Shop is Stephen and Erica's new beer homebrew-kit biz, which they're in essence launching at the Flea this Sunday under the Bridge (booth I1). They served up some tasty suds at the Madewell/Flea bash last week, with style and panache to boot. Looking for a well-designed, simple, compact way to brew your own beer at home in NYC (Brooklyn preferably of course)? Voila.

This Sunday also marks the Flea debut of the Green Pirate Community Juice Truck (right), which runs on biodiesel, serves up dee-lish fresh fruit and vegi juices, and generally has good vibes. Deborah and crew will be parked at Water + New Dock Street to greet you upon entering ze Flea--slurp.

Next Saturday (July 11) in Fort Greene you'll find Gerald's Jerky in our food pod (the ricotta/chocolate/cupcake/cheese zone) for the first time. Already noticed by the Times dining blog at the Unfancy Food Show last week, cutie Rachel gets her beef from maestro Pat La Frieda (as does Luger's), dries it, and adds her own peppery blend to create morsel of dried yumminess. Artisanal beef jerky--who knew?

Then next Sunday (July 12) under the Bridge we continue our seaside food theme, adding Forrest's beer-battered fish tacos to the lobster roll-ice cream-popsicle-Choice Market equation. By our calculations, homemade guacamole + fresh-ground corn tortillas + sustainably fished cod = a nice addition to your Sunday shopping stroll. (We just checked our math, and we're correct!)

See you at the Flea you spoiled foodie.

Posted by demby at 3:39 PM | Comments (0)
Categories: blog

Our vendors are wacky, in the best way possible--that's Flea Allure 101.

Our pal Susan Walker ("sparklysusan" by email) is one such kook. She first did the Flea at the Dumbo Winter Pop-Up, and it stuck, as she's become a regular with one of the best mish-mashes of stuff--furniture, lamps, objects, jewelry, clothes, a bit of everything. New York magazine even took notice in their urban-hippie round-up this week, although they mentioned some other market she does sometimes. (The writeup does include equally worthy Flea staple Val's Kings County Salvage, to be fair.)

So Susan wanted to take us behind the scenes of a typical week in the life of a vendor. That stuff they setup for you doesn't just appear at the Flea every weekend; each vendor scours our Independent Nation day in-day out in search of things they love that they know you'll love too. It's an addiction for most of them, a huge bonus for Fleasters. Quite simple really.

Here's a visual tour through one of Susan's recent treasure hunts, at a church sale in Rhode Island (where she's also a Roller Derby gal), with the end result at the Flea. For those keeping score at home, she sold the printing trays, the white shelf, the needlepoints, the bed, and 5 pairs of lace curtains. Still got the drying rack, unicycle, small white chest, and pink nightstand. The ram horns, apparently, are not for sale.

Susan is under the Bridge pretty much every Sunday, including this weekend, normally in I10. You can also check out her eBay site.

Posted by demby at 12:23 PM | Comments (0)
Categories: blog

If there is one thing we've learned from the Flea, it's that we've got a set of real creative go-getters on our hands. And that's just the type of thing to make me wanna eat a dog. Asia Dog, that is.

Steve (left brain) and Melanie (right brain) make up what we know as Asia Dog. AD unintentionally started when Steve and Mel hosted a BBQ at their friend's bar (Trophy Bar) in Williamsburg. Turns out the BBQ was so delicious that they were asked back to do another. And the people came and they ate and they drank and they had a merry old time and now, they've done it every Tuesday since. Thee end. But not. Cause now we have them at the Flea.

When Steve isn't doing freelance visual production and display and when Melanie isn't doing kids fashion stuff, they're busy making their delicious toppings in preparation for the next day's Asia Dog extravaganza. The Friday night before the Flea, you can catch them up as late as 5 putting the finishing touches on their kimchi apples, Japanese curry, or Thai-style mango relish. Put these golden morsels on your choice of organic meat or veggie dogs. Mmm.

The last Tuesday in July, Asia Dog will celebrate their one-year anniversary at their inaugural joint at Trophy Bar. Go check them 'cause Steve will be unveiling some new recipes he has been working on. I would like to tell you it's our little secret and you will find out there, but Steve wouldn't tell me, so I guess WE will find out there. And hopefully that following Saturday at their usual spot in Fort Greene. (You can also get them to cater a party as Conde Nast is having them do. La Di Da.) Check it.

Posted by JessicaBK at 9:59 PM | Comments (0)
Categories: blog

It's like I'm walking in the African grasslands and I spot a herd of beautiful zebra grazing nearby. And then my reverie is over and I realize it's just two hot chicks wearing the same dress at the Flea. As I was about to snap a shot of my prey, one turns around, armed with a taco, as if to say, "I know, right??!" It was the verbiage that got me. That and the dress. OK, and the taco. Meet Alexandra.

So, what do you do?
I'm an environmental attorney. God that sounds lame.

What do you wish you could say?
Actually? I don't think I could really be doing anything cooler.

If you were a vendor at the Flea, what would you sell?
Organic sex toys. Or compost heaps. One of the two.

What did you do this morning?
I woke up at 8 to go to work.

What are you doing later?
I'd really like to crash the MJ party someone was just talking about but I'm going to Floyd for beer and bocce.

What is your fondest memory of Michael Jackson?
What is that MJ record that when you unfolded the three panels, he was there laying down with like, a puma or a tiger, or something? When I was little, I would open it up in my bedroom and lie next to it and pretend he was my boyfriend. Sometimes we would make out a little bit. [Um, that was "Thriller!" --ed.]

Finish this sentence. Brooklyn is...
Brooklyn is better than yours.

Damn Alexandra. But thanks!

Posted by JessicaBK at 10:11 PM | Comments (1)
Categories: blog

Perfect scavenging weather at the Fleas, and the Hunt didn't last long (when does it anymore?). Earlybirds catch the Fleas!

Clockwise from upper left:
In a moment of clarity, Abby and Eric (right) from Crown Heights found the Boodles British Gin mirror at Sydney's Baxter's Bazaar booth in Fort Greene, where he unveils his treasure-seeking finds of the week. Sometimes it's giant metal cash registers, sometimes piles of century-old newspapers, sometimes vintage drinking tcotchkes. Eric and Abby "are gonna put it up," though they were slurring their words so it's hard to say really.

Reid and Karen (left) sauntered down to the Bridge from the East Village and promptly discovered the groovy lightbulb money clip in the always pretty Bonbon Oiseau booth. Deb (not pictured) makes gorgeous jewelry, money clips like this one, and hair adornments that fly out of her weekly FG and Bridge booths. C'est si bon!

Our Dumbo pal Rebecca (center) of Moontree Letterpress has branched out from her stationery base into these cute moss terrariums, which folks found Saturday and Sunday. She was a last-minute Hunt addition, so if you know the names of her winners feel free to pass 'em along.

Check back Friday at Noon for this week's items.

Posted by demby at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)

Just a stunning suite of Fleas this weekend--the way they were meant to be really. Thanks for comin' out!

Posted by demby at 11:15 AM | Comments (0)
Categories: blog

One for Saturday, two for Sunday (last-minute straggler wanted to join the fun).

When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.

Happy hunting!

From left:
1. 1970s Boodles British Gin bar mirror. Vintage (Fort Greene/Saturday)

2. Money clip with lightbulb (cash not included!). New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)

3. Moss terrarium with letterpressed care instructions. New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)

Posted by demby at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)

Fashion bible Women's Wear Daily picked up the Flea+Madewell collaboration, cutely describing our hookup as a "summer share" in Soho and East Hampton. Thanks Rosemary! (Subscribers only on their website fyi.)

Frankly, the credit for this project goes to our smashing vintage-clothing vendors, who collect with reckless abandon every week just to clothe you in the coolest, most affordable duds. These folks literally criss-cross the country searching for the best stuff, which is the real reason why the Flea has become Fashion Central every weekend.

The list goes on and on: Jellyroll, White Dove, Used+Abused, Rough+Tumble, Papushka, Cherry Vintage, Rue St. Denis, Vintagepimps, Dulcinee, Joan Van Hees, Hairy Mary's, Angels+Warriors, Anodyne, Go Bang!, 3Free Design, Gentleman's Outfitters, Funky Fanny's, Estate of Art, Martine's Dream, Collecther, Marilyn Hitchcock, Kelsi Ammon...

Posted by demby at 11:25 AM | Comments (0)