Brooklyn crafts, Smorgasburg, and more

By Meredith Deliso 

A big outdoor market premieres under the DUMBO Archway, a “smorgasburg” of food vendors makes its way to the Williamsburg waterfront, and a quirky store pulls out in this week’s Market Watch:

Brooklyn Craft Central Spring Market

This is not your run-of-the-mill street fair. On May 21, the Belgian blocks under the DUMBO Archway will become home to Etsy-type crafters, music and tasty food vendors as Brooklyn Craft Central throws its annual Spring Market. Have your pick of subway-inspired pillows by Uptown Artworks, environmentally friendly totes by Survive Design, jewelry by Tamaura Designs, and treats from The Chocolate Swirl. Local bands and musicians will also set up shop at the entryway for acoustic sets, and Poloppo will man a corner for kids where they can make their own arts and crafts.

Brooklyn Craft Central Spring Market at the Archway [Pearl Street at Anchorage Place in DUMBO, (718) 237-8700], May 21 from 11 am-6 pm, rain or shine. For info, visit brooklyncraftcentral.com.

Smorgasburg

This one’s for the foodies. On May 21, the operators behind the Brooklyn Flea antiques and crafts markets turn their attention to organic farmers and Brooklyn-made foodstuffs with the debut of Smorgasburg, a gastro-centric marketplace opening on the Williamsburg waterfront. There, you’ll find more than 100 food vendors, selling packaged, cooked, baked and raw goods, including cold sesame noodles from Shorty Tang & Sons, gazpacho from La Buena, and chocolate-covered bananas from Nana’s (complete list of vendors here). The Brooklyn Kitchen will sell kitchenwares, and Kickstarter, the capital-raising website, will have a booth featuring goods from local project creators. A greenmarket will also feature more than a dozen farmers and special chef demos. It’s enough to get you started on your own artisanal food endeavor.

Smorgasburg (East River between N. Sixth and N. Seventh streets in Williamsburg, no phone), Saturdays, 9 am-5 pm, starting May 21. For info, visit www.smorgasburg.com.

Fred Flare flames out

You’ll have to rely on its website once again for Fred Flare’s quirky cute goods.  According to Racked, its Greenpoint location closed last week after two-and-a-half years. It appears the Meserole Avenue location was a bit too remote for fans of Rubik’s cube clocks and babushkups nesting glasses.