Are We Home Yet? | Contemporary Flea

I didn’t know what to expect while on the double river crossing from Brooklyn to Jersey City to check out a car meet/flea market. It was a worthwhile trip and reminder that Manhattan to Jersey City is a sub 10 minute train ride yet mentally seems a vast distance away.

A Contemporary Flea is an updated take on the classic vintage vendor market. Organized by furniture dealers Abbi and Marie, the venue was an expansive ground floor within the freshly renovated Harborside mixed-use complex adjacent to the waterfront. Included was a mix of art galleries, collectible design, fashion and accessories. Instead of overflowing stalls, the layout was open and minimal. A few familiar local designers including Brendan Timmins and Tang Thousand had pieces on view. With most collectible design transacting through galleries, this is a unique format to test sales directly to customers. And it moves beyond the fair format to an open-to-the-public opportunity.

Supporting the opening was a small car meet organized by Porsche Stimmung, also responsible for the Porsche meet earlier in the summer at Industry City, Brooklyn. This pairing of a curbside car event and popup/local business is becoming a popular thing in the city. We lack the vast acres of suburban parking lots so I guess it’s just a way of making the best of what’s available.

Photos and Text: Dave Pinter