On a recent walk past the corner of 17th Street and 6th Avenue, I discovered a new-looking fence around the parking lot that held the Chelsea Antique & Collectible Flea Market.
The fence has no gate, and the sign rather aggressively states "Private Property." I made a phone call to the number on the vanished flea market sign and was told that the flea closed this month and won't be returning "any time soon."
old sign, photo: Javier at Yelp
According to the blog Here Be Old Things, the parking lot is owned by a Catholic institution, the New York Foundling Hospital, located across the street. Two years ago, when Chelsea's Antiques Garage was rumored to close, a dealer at the little 17th Street market told the blogger, "If the Archdiocese kicked us out, I'd march right down and talk to the Cardinal about it."
Recent news in Chelsea Now tells us the Garage is staying put. But what happened to its smaller neighbor down the street? Was it shut down by the Foundling Hospital--and what does the Cardinal have to say about it?
9 comments:
so sad. i almost bought an old camera there a couple years ago.
bye bye personality.
that was a junky, if reliable flea market. been going there since I hit town in 1987, up the street from Drummers Collective where I once studied. Surprise..
Oh no, I loved that little flea and it was just the right size, not too big, not too small. They had good t-shirts there.
That's just depressing.
If the Church owns the property that means they pay no property tax. Said tax is thus picked up by the taxpayer, no?
We have been seeing some similar unpleasant activity by St. Vincent's Hospital in the area, trying to evict people. So much for these "charitable institutions", "Arch" diocese and all....
Another element of the "Old New York" gone.
There is something that makes one feel liberated, shopping at a flea market as opposed to a huge franchise chain. There is something more personal and flavorful.
The Chelsea Flea area has shrunken down so considerably, it's sad. I once bought a full bedroom set, Art Deco, solid wood, in PRISTINE condition for $400.
My mom introduced me to flea market shopping--my parents are pros at it--and it's an art, really. Shame that the variety and true availability of "everything" in this City is disappearing. Where am I supposed to go now? IKEA!?
Is it possible the vendors moved to one of the other flea markets in town? There was a guy who sold inexpensive CDs and had a great selection. I'm trying to figure out where he went.
Several years back bought an old photo for about $3 that I later sold for $1500. Payed for a trip europe and more, god bless you dearly departed 17th street Chelsea Flea!
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