Weekend Market Picks October 18 – 20, 2013: East Side Community School Flea

Help These Students Raise Funds For Their Art History Study Trip

This weekend is perfect for being in the city, and also for a lovely day trip up the Hudson River (see my Guest Market on Sunday below). If ever there was a weekend to spend in the markets, it’s this one!

I do want to bring one event in particular to your attention. I always support events that benefit schools. This weekend’s East Side Community School Flea Market is not only a very good flea market, but it has been organized to help a group of amazing art students (see above!) raise funds for a study trip in Europe.

I chatted with these students last weekend, who were working hard selling cupcakes, getting people to come into the schoolyard to shop and covering the neighborhood with sidewalk chalk signs. They are so excited about the trip in the spring. Travel opens minds to all the possibilities in the world. I cannot wait to see them go and hear about all they learned when they get back!

Weekend Market Picks:

Friday, October 18, 2013

Autumn Greenmarket Night Market: The city’s flagship farmers market stays open late once again on Friday night. We are all invited for food tastings from 5 great local restaurants, have a glass of locally made hard cider to kick off Cider Week, and do our regular market shopping from our favorite farmers. There will also be live music and a pumpkin patch! 4PM – 8PM, North End of Union Square Park, Manhattan (map)

NEW! QNS Urban MKT: This is it! I’ve been looking forward to the opening of this new market in the Standard Motor Parts Building in Queens. It feels like it’s going to be a wonderful destination. It features artisan and food vendors, as well as the Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm. They are open Friday evenings and Saturdays during the day. 5PM-9PM Friday and 11AM-6PM Saturday, 37-18 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, Queens (map)

Saturday, October 19, 2013

East Side Community High School Flea Market: See above! Proceeds from this flea market are going to send a group of students on an art history study trip, and I loved that the students were right there, This may be the last event, although they’re hoping to extend. 11AM – 6PM, in the Schoolyard, 420 East 12th Street, Manhattan (map)

NEW! QNS Urban MKT: See above!

Vegan Shop Up: It’s all pumpkin, all day at this month’s Vegan Shop Up. (It’s monthly now!) Pop over to the Pine Box Rock Shop for vegan treats, vegan products, and drinks for everyone from the bar. It’s a seriously great time. 12PM – 6PM, 12 Grattan Street near the Morgan St. exit from the L Train, Brooklyn (map)

Saturday & Sunday, October 19 & 20, 2013

Crafts on Columbus: This is the third and final weekend for the Fall Crafts on Columbus! Definitely go for a stroll because this craft market always has a great collection of artisans from New York and other parts of the country. Sadly, this may be the last time this event takes place, but hopefully there’s something we can do to save it. I’ll keep you posted. 10AM – 5:30PM, Columbus Avenue from 77th to 81st Street, Manhattan

NEW! Factory Floor Makers Market: I am so excited for this market! The idea is to provide a meeting space where consumers who value wonderful design can meet with incredibly talented local makers of furniture and interior decor products. Just check out this list of furniture makers! Runs October 18 – 27, 10AM – 6PM, 241 37th Street,Brooklyn (map)

ID Pop Shop: If you haven’t stopped by this latest independent designer pop-up in Chelsea Market, don’t miss it. They have perfected the art of pulling together a diverse and talented array designers in fashion, accessories, body products and home decor into a beautiful, coherent shopping experience. 11AM – 7:30 PM, 75 Ninth Avenue inside Chelsea Market, Manhattan (map)

Sunday, October, October 20, 2013

Grub Street Food Festival: I wish this incredible food event happened more than once a year! But it’s only this once, so cancel all your plans and don’t eat anything after midnight the night before. You are going to want to get there early and go hungry. Make sure you keep your ears open in the crowd to hear what different things people are eating and talking about. My best advice, as ever, is to go where there’s no line. In my experience, you really can’t go wrong with any of the food at this awesome event, brought to us by the Hester Street Fair and NY Magazine. 10AM – 5PM, Corner of Hester and Essex, Manhattan (map)

Guest Market – Hastings Flea: If you ever needed a reason to take a day trip, here’s all the reason you need! This market takes place in Hastings-on-Hudson, a town along the river. The Metro North train ride is beautiful in and of itself, and then you arrive at this lovely market with local artisans, food, vintage treasures and music! Did I mention leaf peeping all along the way? Opens at 9AM, South Side Avenue (directly across from the Metro North Station, Hastings-On-Hudton, NY

Enjoy the weekend in the markets!

~Karen Seiger, Markets of New York City