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A New Flea Market Is Making Its Way To Brooklyn Next Month

Who are we to resist an afternoon of thrifting? Fortunately, the BQ Flea is gearing up for an October debut, so we have roughly two weeks to craft a wish list.

Whether you’re in search of eclectic jewelry, home trinkets, or antique accessories, you’ll likely find a few gems at this new flea market from the creators of The Brooklyn Flea. At this time, “vintage and second-hand items, local artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and everyone in between” are invited to submit their applications for vendor status.

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Though the debut is still a few weeks away and matters are being finalized, it seems as though there will be plenty to peruse at this Williamsburg outpost. We’re totally ready to do a deep dive.

All about the BQ Flea

From 10am to 5pm on Sundays in October, interested shoppers can make their way under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) on Meeker Avenue between Union Avenue and Lorimer Street to scope out the selection of treasures.

As more information is revealed about the vendor list and the food selections that are Brooklyn-bound, we’ll be sure to keep you in the loop. Visitors can also expect weekly activations and local programming.

And there’s more good news: though the flea market is only slated for an October 2024 run at this time, should things go well, it will return on a weekly basis in 2025. We’re crossing our fingers!

So, what’s on your list? Personally, we’re never one to resist a few antiques for our apartment. We’ll see you there — don’t forget to bring a few empty totes.

📍 Under the BQE on Meeker Ave. between Union Ave. and Lorimer St.

🗓 Sundays in October, 10am-5pm

For more information, or to learn how to apply as a vendor, visit the Brooklyn Flea website.

The post A New Flea Market Is Making Its Way To Brooklyn Next Month appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

5 Secret Tips To Win An NYC Housing Lottery — Straight From The Pros

New Yorkers dream of a few things: a loyal bodega man (with a resident cat manager), catching the subway doors just in time, and affordable housing. Though we can’t speak on the ability of your bodega man to remember your order, or the reliability of the MTA, we can spill a few secrets that we’ve learned from Housing Preservation & Development NYC on how to win an NYC housing lottery.

Under NYC Housing Connect, the affordable housing lottery program is a governmental effort to create inclusive opportunities for NYC residents across all five boroughs to have access to affordable housing. This, in addition to the building of 33,000 new apartments, is crucial to combatting NYC’s housing crisis at a time when housing is getting less and less affordable for young people with NYC’s expensive neighborhoods.

Bushwick open lottery
NYC Housing Connect

How to apply for an NYC affordable housing lottery

It’s important to note that applications for an affordable housing lottery are accepted via mail or online. We will be further detailing how to apply online.

  1. Complete your profile on Housing Connect
  2. Click on “Open Lotteries” & ensure your household size and income meet the requirement
  3. Submit your application prior to the deadline

5 tips to winning an NYC housing lottery

Though the entire process is completely randomized, there are a few tips and tricks unknown to many that could give you a bit of an edge over other applicants or additional opportunities to get your hands on affordable housing.

NYC Housing Connect Greenpoint Lottery
NYC Housing Connect

1. Have all of your documents ready in advance

If your log number is pulled, you will immediately be asked for your documents:

  • ID for you and everyone you will live with
  • Tax forms
  • Recent pay stubs for proof of income
  • Old lease/utility bill

Having them prepared in advance in an accessible place will prevent you from scrambling for them at the last minute.

2. Keep an eye out for re-rentals

Affordable units can sometimes become available again, and in those cases, the competition is much less extreme. That’s because many New Yorkers don’t know they can opt-in for re-rental notifications on their profile.

Hudson Yards affordable housing lottery
NYC Housing Connect

You can find it on your profile under the “housing choices” section and all you need to do is select “YES” to be notified about re-rentals. If you choose to opt-in, be sure to watch your inbox as that’s where you will be notified of any re-rental opportunities.

3. Ensure your profile includes an accurate & up-to-date gross income

Qualification depends on your gross income (before taxes). Therefore, it’s very important you enter it accurately so as to not interfere with your chances of qualifying for a certain lottery.

4. Don’t risk missing your acceptance notification

Be diligent in checking your emails for any status updates. That being said, some applicants may never hear back, even if they qualify. However, if you do happen to be the selected applicant, you will need to promptly express your continued interest in order for the unit to become yours. Move in dates can be as soon as a week from your acceptance date, so be prepared for a quick turn around.

5. Explore boroughs beyond your first choice

Though your heart may be set on a certain borough, expanding which boroughs you’re willing to consider can improve your chances. According to HPS NYC, “some of the most successful lottery winners apply in boroughs they hadn’t originally considered.”

Room in Queens open housing lottery
NYC Housing Connect

What are the chances of winning an NYC affordable housing lottery?

The chances of winning an NYC affordable housing lottery are about 1 in 590. So though it’s not easy, it’s definitely not impossible. And hopefully with these tips, you’ll feel more confident in your application and the opportunity to win.

The post 5 Secret Tips To Win An NYC Housing Lottery — Straight From The Pros appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Viral bookstore Climax just opened its first New York outpost downtown

Viral bookstore Climax just opened its first New York outpost downtown

New York’s bookstore scene just welcomed a new player: Climax Books, a purveyor of hard-to-find tomes on art, photography and culture that was established by one Isabella Burley during the pandemic in 2020 and has since then earned viral status.

Burley, the former editor-in-chief of Dazed and current marketing officer at Acne Studios, has already collaborated with big names in the industry and run a pop-up in London that led to a move to a permanent space out there in 2023. 

Located at 56 East 4th Street by the Bowery in the East Village, Climax Books feels like a repository of Burley’s cultural pursuits: in addition to books, shoppers will get to browse through VHS tapes, art and photography pieces, special-edition merchandise, vintage erotica and more.

As central to the business as the latest brick and mortar space is, Climax Books remains a force in the digital world as well, a fact that isn’t lost on Burley.

“I love the idea of them both coexisting: we spent so much time on the design and the visual language of the website and the way that we photographed each book or piece of ephemera as a kind of cultural artifact,” the founder said to Vogue. “It’s [also] just really nice to have people come in or kids that want to spend hours looking through the books—this sense that they’re interested in the point of view of Climax and what we have to offer.”

The physical space will also serve as a community meeting point. Burley is planning on regularly hosting events on site, from book signings to talks and more. Clearly, the destination is much more than a traditional bookstore—and we’re here for it.

* This article was originally published here