First came word that the Brooklyn Flea would be moving to Williamsburg on Sundays starting in April. Then we learned that a new DeKalb Market, filled with vendors in retooled shipping containers, would come to Flatbush and Willoughby by early summer (applications are still being accepted for a free spot for six months!). And now, so long as it reaches its meager Kickstarter goal, a night market will take over 125,000 square feet along the Greenpoint waterfront Friday and Saturday nights from May to September.
It’s called Brooklyn Night Bazaar, and it promises bands, DJs, a beer and wine garden, 30 food vendors and 150 sellers of arts, crafts, fashion, furniture and other wares. A Prospect Heights resident, Aaron Broudo, is the brains behind it. The night markets in South East Asia, where he traveled before becoming a lawyer, were the inspiration. To help him pull it off, Broudo has amassed a production crew that “has been behind some of the largest and most well-loved outdoor events in New York.” A few of those include the Governor’s Island Concert Series, the New York City Marathon, and the Big Apple BBQ.
In an email, he explained: “A handful of amazing Brooklyn Flea vendors have signed up with us–food and non-food. That said, we are not trying to mimic the great Brooklyn institution that the Flea has become. We’re more of a nighttime destination–live music, locally made beers and wines with art installations, lanterns and an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline.”
Broudo and his team have been actively scouring markets, retailers, small restaurants and food fairs throughout NYC for vendors. “A lot of thought has gone into curating and we are extremely excited about the type of vendors taking part. In particular, the food choices will be awesome.” (We’re inclined to think this will involve some fancy BBQ given the work history of the production crew.)
The outdoor site in mind is 27 West Street, just seven blocks from where the new ferry will stop at India Street, starting in June. Broudo has four days to come up with the remaining $1600 on his Kickstarter campaign to help offset the startup costs. We’re pretty sure he’ll find the backers.