Chelsea Flea is Wait and See

On December 30, 2019, the New York Times reported that the “Flea Market Where Andy Warhol Shopped Has Sold Its Last Collectible.” Well, turns out that’s not exactly the case. It is, however, under new management and delayed due to Covid-19.

Manhattan’s Chelsea Flea Market officially closed after the final December weekend in 2019, after four decades of business. The long-standing lease with Alan and Helene Boss for the lot at 29 West 25th Street, between Sixth Avenue and Broadway, was not renewed. A new lease was signed with the organizers of the Brooklyn Flea in January, 2020.

As relatively new vendors of vintage, we did some research of the NYC area flea markets in early 2019. The Chelsea market vendors had a lot to say about Brooklyn Flea. They poo-pooed it, telling us it was “fine if you wanted to get something to eat.” Others said “they make you fill out a bunch of forms and get insurance.” Not exactly a stellar review.

But, to us, the Chelsea Flea looked tired and half-empty. Aside from a select handful, the vendors seemed over it. Maybe it was just because it was Sunday afternoon, or maybe because it was time for a change.

Brooklyn Flea was more lively. It had a mix of vendor types and products, and was full of customers. Yes, Smorgasburg was a gastronomic food truck explosion, but it was a couple blocks away, and, if anything, it brought crowds. We decided to give it a try. Over the summer we had mixed success at our sporadic outdoor appearances, but found our niche in the indoor Winter Market.

On January 23, 2020 we received an e-mail from the organizers of Brooklyn Flea explaining they were taking over Chelsea Flea Market, and inviting us to apply to be a vendor. We had a choice to make – we can’t sell in Brooklyn and Chelsea at the same time.

Eric Demby and Jonathan Butler, co-founders of the Brooklyn Flea, say their goal is to help the Chelsea Flea market grow and thrive as a place vendors and shoppers love for generations to come. They pose that Brooklyn Flea has nearly 15 years of experience running successful markets nationally and internationally, which proves that flea markets can survive in the modern retail environment.

They also say they intend to use this knowledge to elevate the profile of the Chelsea Flea. According to their e-mail, they plan big upgrades in social media presence, careful curation of the selection of antique and vintage vendors, and outside partnerships to attract new customers. According to an article in Gothamist, Demby says they are planning to incorporate a handful of food vendors. He stressed, however, that food would not be the focus.

But the Chelsea Flea has a forty year history, and there are concerns about the change. Jeremiah Moss, the author of the book Vanishing New York, told the New York Times that the “…closing of the Annex markets is another example of a loss of the qualities that made the city unique… what I’ve witnessed, is that all of these idiosyncratic spaces, when they’re destroyed they’re invariably replaced by something very uniform and sanitized.”

Moss has a point. I don’t think Andy Warhol, a frequent shopper at the Chelsea Flea Market, would enjoy Artists & Fleas Williamsburg. I don’t mean to criticize, but instead to point out a difference. There seems to be a blurring between artisan makers markets and antique flea markets that is confusing to flea market shoppers. Add the eco-friendly vintage trend, and you have a sort of a free-for-all. Finding the right balance will be the challenge for Demby and the Brooklyn Flea team.

Despite the uncertainty, we made our choice. We chose the Chelsea Flea and committed to opening weekend, April 4. Less than two weeks later, we received word that we had four days pack-up and vacate the Brooklyn Flea Winter Market because of the spread of the novel coronavirus.

When will the Chelsea Flea have it’s reopening re-boot? Will it usher in a successful new era in flea markets where old and new flea-goers can find common ground? We have no idea. But, we’ll be there.

For updates, check the official Chelsea Flea website.