Sunday, June 1, 2014

The Real NYC Part 5 - IS 44 Greenflea

Before there was Brooklyn Flea there was Green Flea at IS 44. Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan (see map) this market started as a fund raiser for the PTA of the local middle school. Today it is an amazing collection vendors. Over the past 25+ years it has become a Sunday tradition.

This is not a neighborhood "tag sale." These are serious vendors. The range of products go from inexpensive knick-knacks like hand and candy to vintage books and magazines, costume jewelry, and fantastic furniture.

Under one of the tables at Green flea
 Some vendors sell the relics from our collective past - magazines, signs, kitchenware.

Buttons reflecting past political movements

More political buttons

Others sell cultural collectibles - pins, postcards,
sports cards.










There are also vendors who sell their own creations. One vendor whom The Amazing Ms. D  and I loved was Cheetahrama. These fashion accessories have been created by Deborah Gregory, who has taken the name from her experience writing the Cheetah Girls books. What she does now is to make some beautiful accessories. She makes card holders, and make-up cases:

She uses classic pictures of movie greats (Pam Grier, Eartha Kitt, Audrey Hepburn), African American culture (Josephine Baker, 1920's French advertisements) and other cultural references.













I loved the Eartha Kitt - Catwoman case, so I snapped that up. She also makes pendants, Hair bands and other wonderful things.











Another vendor that we loved was Susan Bellinson who designs and sells her wares under the name of  Sucaro. Sucaro produces a new must have for travelers - The Freedom Sling. This update to the fanny pack is both stylish and serviceable.

The Amazing Ms. D wearing a Freedom Sling

 The Freedom Sling has 3 front pockets with individual clasps and top and bottom zippered pockets. It can be worn cross shoulder or at your waist. We both bought one for our upcoming summer trips.













Operating year round, with indoor and outdoor vendors, GreenFlea is a great place to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday.



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2 comments:

  1. mamacheetahsJune 2, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    Furbulous. thank you! Will circulate! Deborah

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  2. UnknownJune 3, 2014 at 8:48 AM

    I have always LOVED this market. It's the kind of thing that out-of-towners don't see, a community supporting itself and each other. Half the fun was talking to folks and listening to what was on their minds. No stress just taking our time and chilling out. Always find little things that grab my attention, if not my wallet. Thank you for sharing a beautiful Sunday in the sunshine. AMD

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