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10 posts tagged Flea Market
A small flea market located on the corner of Upshur and 13th street NW DC in a school’s front lawn. The best find was a gold jacket for $10.
A pack of 10 postcards featuring images from Hand Drawn Bazaar flea and farmers market visits, now for sale!
More info here.
The Antiques and Collectibles Market at Courthouse in Arlington, VA
Saturdays 8- 5 and located at North 15th street, next to the Courthouse.
Brooklyn is our home away from home. (For those who don’t know Elizabeth and I are originally from the District of Columbia!) We’ve spent the last couple of months scouring BK for flea market finds. Naturally, all signs pointed to the Brooklyn Flea. It’s the MECCA of FLEA MARKETS. And now, to our delight they’ve added the Smorgasburg and Flea Food Under the Archway. GAH! SO MUCH TO EAT and WRITE ABOUT!
Our online favs, Acqtaste, featured an awesome post on the food goodness that awaits you at Smorgasburg. Enjoy!
Travel Wish List
Flea Market Friends! SIGN THIS PETITION
Learn more:
Most of The Flea Market at Eastern Market will be eliminated under a development proposal for the site of Hine Junior High School that will go before the DC Zoning Board on June 14.
Developers Stanton-EastBanc and the DC Zoning Board have to find a home for The Flea Market at Eastern Market that will work for the exhibitors and their legions of customers.
The market provides up to 150 spaces for vendors and approximately 15,000 people visit the flea market on a typical weekend. Everything from antique furniture to maps, art, photography, clothing and textiles are sold. The Flea Market at Eastern Market has been a vibrant incubator space for small businesses as well as a treasured neighborhood meeting place. When the original Eastern Market building was gutted by fire in 2006 The Flea Market at Eastern Market carried on. It’s a neighborhood institution and a landmark in its own right.
Despite pledges of the developers to preserve the market, albeit at half the current size, the proposal actually cuts by two-thirds the space for vendors and customers, eliminating 38,000 square feet of market space from the current configuration. Water features, street furniture and plantings are continually being added to the design that will further reduce usable space.
A reconfigured design could accommodate the Flea Market. It is the responsibility of the developers and the DC Zoning Board to resolve these issues and secure a viable home for the market before the project is allowed to proceed.
9th and U Street Flea Market - Washington D.C.
This weekend I journeyed alone to the 9th and U Street flea market. Currently, Elizabeth is traveling in Europe with her beau, eating crepes and visiting the Waterlooplein flea market in Amsterdam. WE’RE GOING INTERNATIONAL IN 2012!
Okay, back to the review…
It was a warm spring day, and animated men selling batteries and teenagers loitering along the perimeter of the market fence greeted me. I entered the gate sheepishly and took in the sights.
1st observation: It was very loud. I felt slightly harried. A 90s boombox was blasting Bob Marley music and sellers seemed to be shouting for your attention. It could be me but I don’t like yelling.
2nd observation: You need to dig and dig and DIG. Trust me, the landscape required serious detective work. It’s cluttered with low priced electronics, garage sale-like items and an odd variety of foodstuff. You’ll find blankets lined with shoes, discarded pocketbooks in bins and mountains of ties waiting to be rummaged through. I scoured relentlessly before finding a pair of $3.00 shoes I loved.
3rd observation: Vendors are a tad aggressive & appear slightly off-kilter. I encountered a gentleman who insisted I purchase a vacuum cleaner. Needless to say, I did not need a vacuum cleaner.
4th observation: 75% of merchandise is questionable. Review potential purchases VERY carefully. Ask yourself vital “should I buy this?” questions.
- For electronics: Is this item still functioning? Is it worth the repair?
- For clothing: Will that stain come out? Will I sew a new button on this shirt?
- For shoes: Are the soles intact? Is the heel sturdy?
5th observation: It’s cheap & dirty. I don’t expect flea markets to be pristine but I do encourage the use of sanitizer. If you look long enough, you can certainly find a $2 - $10 clothing/shoe bargain. Or you can buy a cordless phone or old-school television. Again, I found a pair of $3.00 – perfectly intact leather slingbacks. That said, the market is worth visit. Just mentally prepare yourself for the obstacles above.
Happy Shopping!
Elizabeth and Glory
9th St NW and U St NW
Washington DC 20001
Public Transportation:
Shaw Metro Station
U Street Metro Station
People who visit Eastern Market tend to be welcoming Washington D.C. locals. They appreciate open-air markets, farm grown produce and hot espresso on early Sunday mornings. Typically these individuals are accompanied by adorable children and futuristic-looking strollers. Elizabeth and I do not have a real-life child, however, our lovely friend Deborah does. We borrowed her toddler, Zoë, for the occasion. Fully prepared with a cute kid, notebook and drawing materials we explored the large marketplace on a beautiful, sunny day. Immediately, we noticed the location teeming with vendors and bustling with hectic shopping activity. Everything from fragrant handmade soaps to artists selling Rothko inspired art was in reach.
Upon arrival you’re moved to walk a dog, push a baby stroller and start buying stuff…what exactly?
Well, anything. Handmade scarves. Stoneware pottery. Food. Lots and lots of food. You can’t find fresher nor more reasonably priced fruit and vegetables anywhere in the area, and the array of choices vendor to vendor is quite impressive.
It’s alluring appeal stems from the market’s rich history & engaging residents. It’s one beautiful orchestration of people enjoying their neighborhood. The beloved market is a community hub located in Capitol Hill and is the city’s oldest public market.
Again, you’re bound to find everything you want at this market. We wandered around creating a wish list of things to purchase:
- 2 vintage bicycles
- A bushel of apples
- A deep-crimson Persian rug
- Handmade lavender candles
- Letterpressed stationary
- One 20 oz hanger steak
- Vintage jewelry & clothing from the ‘60s
- An endless amount of handcrafted furniture & antiques
With each turn our list grew longer and LONGER. And our temporary child grew hungry. Obligated to feed Zoë, we shifted our focus to food and went to visit Eastern Market’s South Hall. The 13 indoor merchants (listed below!) offer an amazing selection of meat, fish and poultry. You’ll also find vendors selling homegrown plants and floral arrangements. Unlike the outdoor market, a majority of these vendors are open Monday – Sunday.
Blue Iris Flowers
Bowers Fancy Dairy Products
Calomiris Fruits & Vegetables
Canales Delicatessen
Canales Quality Meats
Capitol Hill Poultry
Capitol Hill Produce
Eastern Market Grocery
Fine Sweet Shop
Market Lunch
Market Poultry
Southern Maryland Seafood
Union Meat Company, LLC
For lunch, we stopped at the Fine Sweet Shop, treating ourselves to bagels and lox.
Note: Zoë doesn’t care for lox and happily enjoyed her peanut butter & jelly sandwich for lunch.
We also sampled their German chocolate cupcakes.
One more note: The 3-year old was a harsh chocolate critic., however, she loved every bite.
Overall, Eastern Market is an eclectic mix of food vendors, quality sellers and arguably one of the best places to people-watch in the District. Here are some shopping tips:
1.) Expect lots of people and prized canines during your visit. It will be crowded. There will be dozens of children present. We found the environment pleasant & family-oriented. If you don’t like kids or dogs keep your visit brief.
2.) Take the metro. Parking can sometimes be a challenge. Avoid the frustration and use public transportation. The Eastern Market metro stop is on the blue and orange lines and is a short distance away from the market. (Click here for the metro map)
3.) Perfect location for antiques, vintage goods or collectibles. The flea market has a great selection of handmade furniture & unique decorative pieces. You will continually find affordable and well-made items for your home. Delivery is often available.
4.) Bring a dog or a child. It’s the hip thing to do.
Eastern Market
225 7th Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
http://www.easternmarket-dc.org/
Happy Shopping!
Elizabeth & Glory
