Bohemian Hall
Sept. 16, 2014 By Michael Florio
The organizer of a well-known Astoria flea market has her sights set on a new territory.
Diane Modric, who established the Astoria Market in 2010, is opening a new flea market in the Court Square section of Long Island City this Saturday.
The expansion follows the growth of her Astoria flea market, where artists and designers have been flocking to sell their wares to a growing number of shoppers at the Bohemian Hall most Sundays.
Modric, who used to sell her own handmade jewelry, started the Astoria Market after being frustrated that there were no local venues to sell her products. Modric, an Astoria resident, said she used to have to travel to flea markets in Manhattan and Brooklyn to sell her items.
“I felt that I couldn’t be the only one [from Astoria] who had to travel elsewhere to sell,” she said.
Modric started Astoria Market as a place for people to eat, drink and shop. She picked Bohemian Hall as her venue, since it is an Astoria icon and provides the space needed to host a flea market.
Since she started the Astoria Market, she has been looking to open one in Long Island City. However, she said she has found it difficult to find a location that was the right size.
But she made a connection with the Teamsters, who operate out of a building at 22-43 Jackson Ave, across the street from MoMA PS1. The property has a large parking lot.
“Once I saw this lot I thought it would be a great location,” she said. “I reached out to the Teamsters and they were very welcoming.”
This Saturday she will be opening the Court Square Flea in the parking lot and is expecting about 30 vendors to participate–selling items such as clothing, accessories, art, jewelry, antiques, house ware and gourmet food.
Modric said some of the better-known vendors include Mel’s Melting Pot, Lezzetli Ice Cream, New Yawk Baking Crew, and Rachel Carbonell Art.
The flea market will be open just two Saturdays this season—Sept. 20 and Sept. 27, and it will operate from 12 pm until 6 pm.
Modric said she hopes to make it a monthly event.
For more information, please visit www.CourtSquareFlea.com.
Location of Court Square Flea
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