It’s a tale of two new Brooklyn flea markets – one chic, the other just cheap.
In DUMBO, tourists and local hipsters are now spending their Sundays at the Brooklyn Flea soaking up the scenic views of the Manhattan skyline under the Brooklyn Bridge while perusing 120-plus vendors peddling vintage clothes, jewelry, furniture and Zagat-rated food.
Meanwhile, the other new, much-hyped, outdoor Flea by the Sea market on the Coney Island boardwalk has been a huge flop. Averaging about 100 vendors who mostly sell cheap T-shirts, costume jewelry and plastic sunglasses, its biggest draw is a booth selling hunting knifes and so-called “Samurai” swords marked “Made in China.”
“I would never be caught wearing any of the crap they sell in this place,” sniffed Ron Ranaonos, 32, as he walked through Flea by the Sea along Stillwell Avenue on his way to the beach.
Some Coney Island vendors blame this summer’s steady rains for bad business — but the poor weather hasn’t affected Brooklyn Flea in DUMBO.
“I love everything about this place — the people, the location,” said Maya Coppola, whose popular, handmade jewelry runs $25 to $65 at Brooklyn Flea. “It’s not your Bloomie’s crowd. It’s more of an earthy, artsy atmosphere.”
Erin Noonan, 26, of Greenwich Village said she was “blown away and fell in love with Brooklyn” after recently visiting the market. She was one of more than 100 people eagerly waiting on an hour-long line just to buy a $13 lobster roll.
“A good lobster roll shouldn’t cost $30,” said Susan Povich of the Red Hook Lobster Pound, who has since taken steps to shorten the lines despite the high demand.
The DUMBO flea market — an offshoot of the popular Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene — is being held each Sunday through the end of October.
And it’s already a foodie favorite. Besides the lobster rolls, other big draws include food by the popular “Red Hook” taco vendors — who have also set up shop in Coney Island — gourmet coffee by Stumptown Coffee Roasters and organic, gourmet Blue Marble Ice Cream.
The flea market specializes in vintage items and antiques. It recently offered such goodies as 1950s to 1990s dresses for $26 to $45, a farm table for $375 and classic sunglasses for $75 to $100 a pop.
At the Coney Island site, which operates Fridays through Sundays, most sunglasses on sale were plastic and going for $3 for $12. Other items included President Obama T-shirts for $2 and $4.99 DVDs.
But the biggest crowds gathered to buy hunting knifes for $20 to $25 and swords for $35 to $40.
“I thought [sales] would be a lot better; there’s a lot of foot traffic, but not a lot of people buying,” said Helen Sadouris of Astoria, who planned to shut her cheap-costume-jewelry stand after just a single day.
Flea By The Sea
Location: Coney Island boardwalk
Operator: Developer Joe Sitt
Hours: Friday to Sunday, noon to sundown
Biggest draw: Hunting knives and knockoff Samurai swords
Other features: Beachfront views and dirt-cheap T-shirts, plastic sunglasses, mark-down sneakers and costume jewelry
Brooklyn Flea
Location: DUMBO under Brooklyn Bridge
Operator: Jonathan Butler (brownstoner.com founder) and Eric Demby
Hours: Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Biggest draw: Lobster rolls by Red Hook Lobster Pound
Other features: Spectacular views of Manhattan skyline, A-list food and vintage 1950s to 1990s clothes, furniture and jewelry.