What: Grand Opening of Bedford Avenue Flea Market
Where: The border of Clinton Hill and Bedford Stuyvesant
When: Saturday, November 22nd, 10am-6pm (and every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through February 2009)
Why: It’s time to flea Manhattan for the greater goods. Hop on the subway to Bedford and behold how far flea markets have come since the days of Marché aux puces in 17th century Paris, where vagabonds once peddled their findings instead of self-made merchandise. Today, Brooklyn is brimming with unearthed talent that’s ripe for the rummaging. Vintage furniture, designer jewelry, original clothing and artwork adds up to an indie movement of dazzling new heights.
“Out of a reactive desire to open up a venue for creative expression—understand it’s more than selling funky earrings or a cool t-shirt—I wanted to make an outlet for small business owners and artists,” says Christine Pettway, the founder and organizer of the Bedford Flea Market. “What started as a grassroots outreach in Brooklyn neighborhoods has become a full-fledged long-term showcase of vendors in a 3,000-square-foot old collision shop.” With a room filled with crafty folks, cupcakes, Caribbean food, and live entertainment, it’s at least a fine excuse to get out in winter. “In a very transitional area where the demographic is changing along with what people want,” says Pettway, “I’m just trying to keep the creative juices flowing.”
How to get there: Take the 7 train to 45 Road-Courthouse Square, transfer to the G train and stop at Bedford-Nostrand Avenues. Exit near the intersection of Lafayette Ave and Bedford Ave. (Bedford Flea Market, 999 Bedford Ave., at Lafayette Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, events@bedfordfleamarket.com, bedfordfleamarket.com)
Photos: Courtesy Quetarshe.
The co-founder and editor-at-large at offMetro, Lauren is a sustainable travel specialist and freelance journalist with frequent bylines in National Geographic, Bicycling Magazine and Shape. Follow Lauren’s adventures at @laurenmati.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
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Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram