Just a five-minute walk from the L and G train’s Lorimer stop, the Brooklyn-Queens (BQ) Flea Market sits beneath the notorious Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) — one of New York City’s most disliked highways. Despite the BQE’s reputation for noise and pollution, the Sunday pop-up reinvents the space for more than just a freeway underpass. In fact, it’s part of a larger vision to transform the areas around the BQE, according to the Department of Transportation. Here’s how to spend a Sunday afternoon at this Williamsburg Flea.
The BQ Flea opens at 10 a.m.; before reaching the market, grab a coffee or stop by one of the dozen local cafes that line the exit of the Lorimer Street subway station. A and C Super, a small outpost off Leonard Street and Lorimer, offers a variety of seasonal pastries and artisanal sandwiches. The store is filled with families, pets and regulars; indulge in one of their fall specials for October. Notable menu items I tried include the caramel apple latte and the Delicata squash bagel sandwich. Directly to the shop’s left is a well-lit patio, reminiscent of a welcoming backyard.
Start at the top of the flea on Lorimier Street, and work your way down towards Union Street. Here, there are over 50 unique vendors and local artists to explore. Begin by browsing through the home goods area, filled with booths selling artisan-crafted blankets and hand-painted plant pots. The middle section hosts a diverse selection of vintage clothes, patchwork jackets and antique jewelry sellers. An Arizona-based pop-up sells an assortment of vintage knickknacks and well-curated vintage deadstock outside of their van. I snagged a ’70s electric blue baby tee as well as an assortment of $1 funky pins. Well-versed in the scene, the owner made the trip from the southwestern state to test out the flea market scene in NYC. He explained that “the market could transform into a permanent set-up,” but it is still in the works with the city. According to NYC Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, the BQ Flea is part of the DOT’s Corridor Visit: BQE North and South, strengthening and connecting communities across the BQE through “enhanced streetscapes and public spaces.”
As you walk through the market, watch for the freeway’s support beams lined with wheat-pasted art; they are part of the BQE Gallery. At her booth, I spoke with Kali, the founder of the underground art gallery. “When you are under the BQE, you want to pass right through it,” she explained. She saw potential in the space: “Now that the space is activated, there are more eyes on the art.” Through hosting an array of community art across the structure below the highway, she said the space has more light. With the addition of the flea market, “people are reclaiming the space; people will never go under the BQE and see it as just a highway again.”
After soaking up the art and concluding your visit to the BQ Flea, make sure to grab a treat at the south end of the market. Check out the Brooklyn Kolache stand, where they feature classic flavors like cherry sweet cheese or jalapeño sausage cheddar. This popular, local spot brings a taste of Texas to Brooklyn, a delicious way to wrap up your market experience. Finish off your day by checking out the surrounding areas around the neighborhood, such as McCarren Park or downtown Williamsburg.
The BQ Flea Market brings together a diverse selection of artists, food vendors, music and culture, redefining community in an unexpected urban space. Despite its unconventional location under the freeway, it’s a worthwhile Sunday trip. The flea market runs until Oct. 28 at the intersection of Meeker Street and Union Street, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The BQ Flea is easily accessible via the Lorimer G/L train stop or on foot. Learn more about the market and its partners by visiting https://brooklynflea.com/.
