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Operators of the LIC Flea look to open another market in Astoria

Chappetto Square

Sept. 14, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan

The operators of the LIC Flea and Food Market are looking to open a new market in Astoria next summer.

Josh Schneps, who runs the flea and food enterprise, spoke to Community Board 1’s Parks and Recreation committee meeting about opening up shop next summer in Chappetto Square, on the corner of Hoyt Avenue and 21st Street.

Schneps pointed to his past successful markets in Long Island City and at Kaufman Astoria Studios, as well as his own personal business interests, as encouraging reasons to explore a more regular market in Astoria.

He said that with the cost of land increasing and availability decreasing, moving to an underutilized park made sense, and allowed the opportunity to bring a major attraction to the neighborhood. “Everything we do is under the focus of being able to do something positive for the community,” he said.

Speaking on the success of LIC Flea and Food, which he started four years ago, Schneps explained that it has become a “major attraction for the local community and a destination for those outside.” He added that it allows local entrepreneurs space to sell their goods if they cannot afford storefronts.

The Community Board committee members expressed concerns about the proposed for-profit market taking away public space, though Schneps said that Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski suggested Chappetto Square because it is underutilized.

That particular point was debated, as several community board members noted that the park is often used for pick-up volleyball games and other uses, and the proposed market would run during prime park hours, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

In speaking to the Parks Department, Schneps said that he would file for a temporary use permit and community board members were clear that they would want to reevaluate the market each time he had to reapply for the permit to ensure it was good for the community.

“I can’t speak for the whole board, but my personal feeling is that we need to reach out to the community before voting and making a decision,” said CB1 Parks committee chair Richard Khuzami.

Schneps said he was still testing the waters in Astoria and figuring out his business plan for next year. When the Community Board asked him if he would be running the markets in LIC, Astoria, and at Kaufman Studios all at once, he said that while no plans are finalized, the Astoria market could “potentially” replace the LIC market.

The Community Board ended the discussion on an open ended note, asking that Schneps return with a revised plan outlining exactly what he would do to benefit the community in return for hosting the market.

The board said it would like to see him take active steps to improve the park, with plantings, benches, and tables, while also hosting free community events, and exploring the possibility of offering discounted booths to local businesses.

The Board also spoke of leafleting around the community to see if residents want the market, and possibly running a trial period for the market next summer.

“I don’t want to be in the position where the community doesn’t want me,” Schneps said, and explained that the LIC community has embraced the Flea and Food market, and he hopes the Astoria community will do the same, and he plans to make the effort to give back to the community.

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8 Comments

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Fred

Just throwing this out there as an honest question. I live around the corner and pass that “park” most days of the week. It is almost always empty. On rare occasions I do remember seeing volleyball nets set up. But I don’t think I have actually ever seen anyone playing. Given that it is technically a public space, is it so crazy that it is used for both flee markets and volleyball games? Don’t most parks in the city require some kind of permit for ” organized” events ?

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angela

YES! get rid of those loud soccer and volleyball players that leave that area dirty and filthy every weekend! We need a Flea market!

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Tony Rodriguez

underutilized? He needs to do more research. This area is loaded in the summer with volleyball players and immigrant families looking for recreational space. The last thing the area needs is more traffic and thats what will be attracted. The Park is already a destination point as we are starting to see tour groups move in for walking tours..Not needed !! Whats needed is more input from the residents who have to bear the brunt of the influx of visitors.

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Kp

Are you kidding? Astoria already is lacking sufficient park space. The cheese box is used , has been used for generations for roller hockey, volleyball, soccer etc…Where is this guy getting his info from.

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Anonymous

Used to be a good place to play hockey, unfortunately the city doesn’t maintain this park space(cheese box) there’s cracks in the ground and the surface is not the best to skate on, as there is many twigs, dog feces, and other objects you have to avoid.

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Antonio

That park is packed on the weekend with volleyball and soccer games. Family’s go there and enjoy the outdoors and have fun. Why take that away from them ? Horrible idea. So many other neglected parks that they can host this type event.

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Alexis K

I lived on 23rd Street and Hoyt Ave N for six years, directly across the street from Chapetto Square, aka “the Cheesebox” (for the older crowd!). That park is certainly not “underutilized” as Ms. Lewandowski suggests. There are well organized volleyball teams and pick up soccer matches constantly. If they want to find some underutilized open space, take a look at the ironically named Sitting Area on Hoyt Ave N between 21st and 19th Streets.

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