Industry City: A day trip that doesn’t take all day–unless you want it to

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Welcome to Industry City. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

Welcome to Industry City. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

If you’ve ever browsed the Rooftop Films schedule during the summer months and avoided screenings at Industry City you’re not alone. It probably wasn’t just that you were unfamiliar with Sunset Park, but also that you were unfamiliar with the D train. Plus, you were definitely unsure whether or not you’d even make it to the screening on time, trekking from work. How long does it take to get down there, anyway? And how long is the walk once you get off the train?

The answers are: not as long as you think, and about 10 minutes. Basically, if you would meet a friend at Greenwood Park for a drink, it’s hardly any longer a journey to Industry City–under an hour from Williamsburg, under 30 minutes from Atlantic Terminal. And, with all the action brewing at Industry City these days, you might as well go ahead and get familiar with the 36th Street stop on the N. It’s also an ideal spot to explore, grab a snack and finish up any shopping you might have this weekend. (And check out its newest space, The Landing.)

Read on for a bit of Industry City history, as well as what to expect over the next decade or so, as it undergoes a billion dollar transformation. First though, Industry City beckoned us last Saturday afternoon, and here are the 14 coolest things we saw, in no particular order.

Before you head upstairs to the Flea, hand over your coat at coat check and try your hand at some old school games in the mini-arcade. Photo:

Before you head upstairs to the Flea, hand over your coat at coat check and try your hand at some old school games in the mini-arcade. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

Pablo Iriarte’s woven lounge chairs made out of multicolored thread, sold at Brooklyn Flea.

Pablo Iriarte’s woven lounge chairs made out of multicolored thread, sold at Brooklyn Flea. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

If you have a hard time making food-related choices, beware. The Smorgasburg spread at Industry City offers unreasonably tasty options like Fletcher’s, Tamarack, Alchemy Creamery, WOWfulls, and dozens more, including our personal favorite, Adobo Shack. (Get the chicken rice bowl with coconut milk and pickled jalapenos!) The spacious, sun drenched space also offers craft tables for kids, and a scattering of comfy couches, ideal for post-lunch naps for the adults. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

Design Within Reach just opened their first showroom in Brooklyn. Whether you’re in the market to furnish an office space or your own living room, chances are you’ll come across a sleek piece here that will fit your needs.

Design Within Reach just opened their first showroom in Brooklyn. Whether you’re in the market to furnish an office space or your own living room, chances are you’ll come across a sleek piece here that will fit your needs. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

Bizarre, vibrant murals with characters reminiscent of the work of Os Gemeos cover the walls through out Food Hall, in addition to black and white photographs of Industry City dockworkers in the early 1900’s.

Bizarre, vibrant murals with characters reminiscent of the work of Os Gemeos cover the walls throughout the food hall, in addition to black and white photographs of Industry City dockworkers in the early 1900’s. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

In the summer, Industry Alley, a planted courtyard that connects Buildings One and Two is home to Mister Sunday, a huge dance party that features sets from DJ’s Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin, as well as food trucks, locally brewed beers, and even fun for the kids.

In the summer, Industry Alley, a planted courtyard that connects Buildings One and Two, is home to Mister Sunday, a huge dance party that features sets from DJs Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin, as well as food trucks, locally brewed beers, and fun for the kids. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

Truly, you can spend hours at the McMillen and Boyce pop-up shop at Brooklyn Flea, browsing through an assortment of old lithographs, hardcover Proust’s, and vintage True Romance magazines from the 1950’s.

You can spend hours at the McMillen and Boyce pop-up shop at Brooklyn Flea, browsing through an assortment of old lithographs, hardcover novels, and vintage True Romance magazines from the 1950’s. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

Nestled deep in the Food Hall you’ll find the Industry City store, curated by WantedDesign. Sort through selections of peacock pillows, witty greeting cards, sleek kitchenware, and other home goods designs by companies like Hudson Made, Juniper Design, and Brooklyn Candle Studio.

Nestled deep in the food hall you’ll find the Industry City store, curated by WantedDesign. Sort through selections of peacock pillows, witty greeting cards, sleek kitchenware, and other home goods designs by companies like Hudson Made, Juniper Design, and Brooklyn Candle Studio. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

Something that can’t be unseen: a charming assortment of succulents careening out of bricks, designed by Little Gardens. You’ll want it, and your aunt will probably want it, and so will anyone wanting to spruce up a porch or balcony space. Get five of them.

Something that can’t be unseen: a charming assortment of succulents careening out of bricks, designed by Little Gardens. You’ll want it, and your aunt will probably want it, and so will anyone wanting to spruce up a porch or balcony space. Get five. Photo: Regina Mogilevskaya

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