Big Deals

There are so many significant events to talk about! Where to begin? Big show in Brimfield coming up, last weekend’s weather, I’m actually going to work in Brooklyn this weekend, the days are numbered for the historical Garage Flea Market (last of the even more historical 26th St Flea Market collective in Manhattan), and I have a collection of really big things to sell. You saw that already though. Everyone watches the slide show. And the most awesome people read the text under it.

OK, I only went to Brooklyn Flea myself once in the month of August, but I’ve been shopping nonstop. Translation: I have a big collection of big things. And a lot of smaller things. I have a lot of things, and it’s time to get serious about selling them. Basically I’m packed for Brimfield now, but Brimfield is getting Brooklyn’s sloppy seconds. That’s how you manage 4 days of selling within 8 days.

About Brimfield: I’ll be in J and J, C7, Friday and Saturday, September 9 and 10. This will finally be a permanent spot for me. And, I’m teaming up with Kings County Salvage! My darling Bk Flea bud, Val, is going to split my spot with me. She drives a shark van. Gotta love girls who drive vans. And paint them to look like sharks. Val deals in wholesale rustic storage and industrial. She’s an inspiration to most of us at the Flea. I think Brimfield will be psyched too.

How about that Irene? Well, my basement didn’t flood, I only lost power for 36 hours, and there was a bona fide shipwreck on the beach in front of my house to provide a full 2 days of entertainment. It appears some people really got nailed, and my heart goes out to them. I honestly shouldn’t have stayed here on the beach, as it’s really a flood zone. I wanted to be here to save the inventory in the basement if necessary. I was having visions of my whole street paved in the costume jewelry that flooded out of my basement. Thankfully, there was only a shipwreck, and no undersea treasures. I hope you enjoy the photos of the crane putting the boat back in the water. We sure did.

Last weekend’s Brooklyn Flea cancellation should be regarded as historic. It was the first time the flea was officially cancelled in 4 seasons. Big deal? Everything was cancelled? Well as late as Thursday, all the vendors were notified that they were NOT to cancel based on the forecast. Crazy, right? Well, here’s why I bring it up. It’s one of the things that makes the Brooklyn Flea awesome. The management puts a lot of pressure on the vendors to keep showing up consistently every weekend. It drives us nuts. I hired help to keep up with the grind. But here’s what it means for you: successful vendors who have a successful product at a tried and true price point are at the market every weekend. Flea markets struggle with consistency, especially new markets. That’s why the fold so often. The Brooklyn Flea vendors have been showing up and improving their game for 4 seasons now. You get to shop from people who know what they’re doing. It’s a SALE, not a SHOW. The Brooklyn Flea is for real, and that’s why its fame is spreading and people keep coming back.

Now, that I’ve talked up the Brooklyn Flea, I’m going to insist that you shop at the Garage in Manhattan before they close. Their lease is being extended 1 week at a time now. It’s the last of the historic Chelsea Flea Markets, and its days are numbered. Heather Karlie blogs about it here. I learned the business at the Garage. I set up in Chelsea from 2001-2008, both indoor and outdoor. This is getting to be a jumbo blog post, so I'm going to put off blogging about trying to back a full size cargo van up a garage ramp, with modern sharks shining flashlights into the windows, everybody shouting at me and fine art and antiques set up 8” away from either side of my tires. Next time!