Law & Order SVU Taping at the Market

Law & Order SVU to Film at Moore Street -- We hope!!

Waiting to hear back from the location manager for TV show Law & Order -- Special Victims Unit (SVU) -- they have been looking at the market as location shoot for one of their upcoming episodes.

If all goes well, they'll shoot a few scenes at the market on October 7th! Keep your fingers crossed -- great publicity for the market.

Also want to report that we have a few new vendors joining us in a few weeks:

• WOW!, a candy store owned by two neighborhood residents (stall 27, conveniently located right across the street from PS 257!)
• Eden's Organic Juices -- Stall 28, for fresh-squeezed juices and healthy smoothies, also owned by a neighborhood resident and his wife
• The Pottery Café -- Stall 9. This store was in Park Slope for a number of years, but owner Evelyn Perez is coming back to the neighborhood she grew up in to offer pottery classes and hand-thrown pottery

We also welcome Haydee Cortes, who took over Latin American Barber Shop (Stall 17) and has already given it his personal touch, with bright new paint and mirrors.

We bid farewell to Luis Ocasio, whose wooden plaques and trinkets have been a staple in the market for the many years. Mr. Ocasio, who is also a minister, will concentrate his time on building his ministry.

And please don't forget to visit Torie's Treasures, Arturo Rivera's gift shop in Stall 16, and also The Rose Thrift Shop, owned by Noelia Vargas, in Stall 29. Noelia had a store on Varet Street for several years until the building was sold and she had to close, so we are pleased that she found a new home with us!

The Public Plaza project is rolling along -- hope to see some real progress over the next few weeks.

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Great Article in Sunday, 9/1 NY Daily News

Reporter Rachel Wharton did a wonderful piece on the Moore Street Market in her recurring NY Daily News food series, "Eating Along The M Line." It features three of the food vendors in the Market -- American Coffee Shop, Delicias Tainas, and Ramonita's Restaurant.

The article has already brought some new shoppers into the market -- the three vendors reported new customers telling them that they came specifically because of the article! The other vendors also saw an uptick in business.

So many thanks to Rachel for highlighting Moore Street! The link to the full article is below.


http://fw.to/2DkD4Ii

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Humboldt Plaza Progress!

When the heavy machinery moves in, you know that progress is being made! This work, being done across the street, will relocate water and gas lines so they don't lie under the new plaza. Hopefully, we'll see some aesthetic changes in a few weeks!

I'll keep you posted!

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

PS -- Farmer's market this Sunday on the Moore Street Farm -- basil is booming!

Vendors get the Fix-Up Bug!!

AC Tropical added a tropical flair with thier vibrant green paint job!

Botanica Esperanza went for a bright cheery yellow theme

La Union Grocery, a new tenant, chose a brilliant peacock blue for their space

Artuto Rivera in his new store, Torie's Treasure (Stall 16)

American Coffee Shop is in the middle of a complete makeover, top to bottom

The Moore Street Farm is Open for Business!

Yemi and Jon have done a  miraculous job, turning a rubble-strewn vacant lot into a thriving farm! It's been amazing how quickly the vegetables and herbs have grown, and the tilapia are already being harvested. It's a phenomenal turn-around! See pictures posted below.



Yemi harvesting voluminous amounts of basil

Some selections from the farm

A customer!

Tomatoes are growing!

A kid enjoying the garden



Sorry I've been out of touch for some time -- had a little thing to take care of -- namely my wedding in late July! But I'm back at full schedule so hope to be posting some more good stuff soon!

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

New Tenants and other updates!

Please join me in welcoming La Union Market at Moore Street Market in Stalls 20 & 21! La Union will be run by Diana and Ramona Rodriguez and will feature high quality fruits and vegetables. You may recognize the name -- Diana and Ramona are daughters of Virgilio Rodriguez, a long-term merchant at Moore Street Market. Glad that his daughters are carrying on the entrepreneurial spirit. This store replaces Abby's Food, which left the market in May.

We also welcome ReConnect Bakery, in Stall 13. Run by the youth who work with Father Jim O'Shea, the bakery will provision the new café that ReConnect is opening on Vernon Avenue in Bed Stuy, but will also serve the general public with artisan breads and other baked goods.  The group has been baking in local convents and monasteries for over a year and really wanted a permanent home at the market. Look for an August launch!

And in Stall 16, where All Stars Cuts closed, we will be welcoming Torie's Treasures, a store run by our flea market maven Arturo Colon -- the store will have jewelry and clothing and other gift items. Look for an August opening.

And we are excited to be talking to two potential tenants -- Lone Star Tacos and Tiberio Custom Meats. Both vendors have sold at New Amsterdam Market and we so hope they come and join us at the market -- if you see them, tell them you want them to come to Moore Street!

We congratulate Body & Soul Bakery, the vegan bakery that joined the market last summer. Deb Gavito tells me that they are now selling at 11 farmers markets in NYC, including Union Square and Grand Army Plaza. Stop by one of her stalls and tell her you're glad she's cooking at Moore Street Market! When she's in full production mode, the market smells great!

Pablo Rivera from Delicias Tainas had heart surgery last week, so we wish him a speedy recovery so that he can get back to selling his delicious Puerto Rican Specialties in Stall 26. Pablo has been  struggling to get FDNY permits for his stall, which has really set back a full opening, but we're going to work with him to see that his stall is properly vented so he can begin making those unique empenadas stuffed with octopus that his customers buy by the dozen!

The Flea Market continues to thrive -- selling out the tables every weekend.

AND THE PUBLIC PLAZA PROJECT IS FINALLY UNDERWAY AFTER 3 YEARS! NYC DOT/NYC DDC have chosen Chelmsford Contracting to do the project and they began preliminary work last week. Hopefully, it will be physically built and ready for planting before the late fall/winter seasons starts. The Plaza will have room for 6 seasonal vendors, so next spring and summer should open up some opportunities for neighborhood entrepreneurs.

The Moore Street Aquaponics Farm has hundreds of tilapia fish incubating in their tank and greens are starting to grow on their floating pods. Thanks to Apple Foundation for their (pending) donation and also to NY Restoration Project for providing in-kind supplies. The concept of urban farms as real producers of local food is growing and we're happy to be a part of that trend.

Hoped to have some pictures to illustrate this posting, but my camera battery died -- next time!

On a personal note, I will be taking time off starting next week, to celebrate my July 27th wedding to Brooklyn Assemblyman Jim Brennan. Jim has had a lifelong commitment to making Brooklyn a better place, and I 'm happy to have found a good man as well as a  soul-mate.

Have a happy summer everyone -- if it gets too hot for you, the Market is beautifully air-conditioned. Come by, eat some good food and cool off!

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Greenpoint Gazette article about PS 147 Art Show

http://www.greenpointnews.com/news/5482/nurturing-art-where-it-s-most-needed

This is a great story! We were proud to be a part of this program.

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Mural Launch Event June 1st

The day was hot, but the enthusiasm was high during the barbecue debut of the Moore Street Farm mural project during Bushwick Open Studios weekend! Add some tables, chairs and umbrellas, some hot dogs and lemonade and what could be more emblematic of a summer weekend?! Plus, many of the neighborhood residents ventured in to learn more about the farm -- a great start to making it a community gathering place.

A million thanks to Arts in Bushwick for their great collaboration on this project and for bringing in Home Depot, which generously donated AND planted flowers and plants. Libby from Home Depot was there to share the celebration and she tells us she'll be back to plant a fruit tree with the kids.

And thanks too to the owners of Crown Fried Chicken at 106 Moore Street, who have been so nice to the farmers and volunteers, with food and cool drinks.

Libby from Home Depot, with Yemi Amu

The completed mural

Enjoying the rewards after a project well done

Nursery Beds

The pool is all ready for floating plant beds -- it sure looked inviting on a hot Saturday!

 

All in all, a great weekend. Thanks to Lauren Smith from Arts in Bushwick and all the AIB volunteers who helped out on Saturday.

 

 

Joan Bartolomeo

Moore Street Market

Mural Project to Debut this Weekend

Here's a "sneak peek" of the wonderful mural behind our farm!

Our little artists



Mural, with the tilapia pond in the foreground. Yes, they're swimming around in there!




The kids also painted the fence.



This paint job looks better than the actual market!

Bushwick Open Studios This Coming Weekend!

Moore Street Market is a Hub Site for Bushwick Open Studios this weekend. Come in, pick up a program, have a cold drink -- enjoy the air conditioning (it's going to be a hot one this weekend!).



P.S. 147 Art Gallery at Moore Street Market!

Please join us at the Market for a great art exhibit!

We are always delighted to partner with local schools on art projects. Thanks to Molly O'Brien from NurtureArt for bringing this exhibit to us!

Joan Bartolomeo

Moore Street Market

Flea Markets, Music and Father's Day

Lots going on at the Market!

• Free music this Saturday from 12-3. Bring your dancing shoes!
• Flea Market this Saturday and Sunday 10-4. The flea market is catching hold. Set up is first come, first served until the tables run out. $10/table/day.
• Bushwick Open Studios -- June 1st and 2nd.
• Father's Day celebration sponsored by HealthFirst, Saturday June 8th. Free food and music, plus health screenings.

Work continues on the Farm! The tilapia fish are swimming around, the seedlings are growing and the mulch is down. The BOS Mural is 99% complete and is a wonderful collaboration with the local Beacon School kids painting the mural as well as the farm fence.

The Humboldt Street Public Plaza is underway, although right now it is all about moving water and gas lines and getting the street ready for "re-alignment." Hopefully some of the more creative stuff will start soon.

Hope to see you at the Market --


Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Moore Street Market to be a Hub for Bushwick Open Studios!

I hope that everyone will come out for the fabulous 2013 Bushwick Open Studios Tour June 1st and 2nd!

Moore Street Market is once again a Hub site this year, so we will be distributing maps to BOS participants and offering them a place to get off their feet and have some food or refreshments.

We have outfitted Stall 8 as our BOS Hospitality Suite, where we will distribute the maps and offer some relaxation time.

Stall 7 is serving as a "pop up" art gallery for student art work from PS 147, one of our neighboring schools. Featuring fantastic paper mache' sculptures and mobiles of creatures of the sea, the exhibit (curated by Molly O'Brien of non-profit Nurture Art and artist Laura Frantz) showcases the enormous creative talents and imaginations of neighborhood kids. Please come by and take a look!

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

April 20th -- First Day of AIB/Moore Street Mural Project

The kids started the mural project at the farm on Saturday. Thanks to merchant Manny Rivera for giving the kids the history of the market and a tour! Hope they also enjoyed lunch at Ramonita's Restaurant.

See the link below for photos.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.527590880621087.1073741825.162442273802618&type=1&l=6b43991e06

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Mural article in Bushwick Daily

Thanks to reporter Britanny Natale of Bushwick Daily for writing this wonderful article about the mural project we are undertaking with Bushwick Open Studios!


Bushwick Daily blog post:  http://bushwickdaily.com/2013/04/local-kids-will-paint-a-mural-with-arts-in-bushwick-moore-street-market/


The kids are starting the project this weekend, so come by between 10 and 2 and give them your support!

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Catching up

Hi folks, a long time since I last posted. Lots going on.

The Humboldt Public Plaza project is finally starting! Amen and Hallelujah! It won't look like much of anything for a few months as they do the underground water and gas line work, but hopefully we'll see the outline of the plaza by the beginning of the summer.

The streets around the Market have been tied up with the filming of the TV show Bluebloods, which made everyone crazy -- they bring their own food from the craft trucks and then they take away all the parking spots! Still trying to figure out how all this TV and movie production is an economic boost to the city when they seem to spend $0 dollars locally.

Lots of progress on the Farm site -- the pit is dug for the fish pond and it's starting to look a like a work in progress.

And the mural project on the back wall of the market begins on April 20th, so the farm should be looking great by the middle of the summer! Thanks to Arts In Bushwick for their great partnership with the Market -- this mural project is being sponsored and supervised by a great team led by Lauren Smith. It will be painted by local kids, who worked with the artist to design it.

The Market is a ticket stop for Bushwick Open studios in May, so please stop by.

And please lend your support to "A Taste of Moore Street Market" fundraiser, which is being held on Thursday, April 25th from 6-9 pm at The Green Building on Union Street between Nevins and Bond Streets. There will be great food and music. Ticket price is $250, for a great cause! We are also honoring Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and Councilwoman Diana Reyna for all their support with the Market.

Got shell shock from a construction estimate for the commercial kitchen construction -- over $300,000!!! So it's back to the drawing board for bids. This is taking way too long!

The final two pushcarts are being delivered today, thanks to Andrew from Turnstile Tours, who is picking them up for us!

SO we have Stalls to rent -- and we need you to spread the word that there is great affordable space for any aspiring entrepreneur who sells or makes an "agricultural" product. I am ready to do some good deals! Photos to follow later.

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

A Taste of Moore Street Market Fundraiser -- April 25th

“A Taste of Moore Street Market” – La Marqueta de Williamsburg

Brooklyn Economic Development Fundraiser to be held on April 25, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Lauren Chiarello 718-368-6782
Email: atasteofmoorestreetmarket@bedc.org
website: www.atasteofmoorestreetmarket.com

BROOKLYN, NY – April 16, 2013. Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) will host “A Taste of Moore Street Market”, showcasing the tastes and sounds of “La Marqueta de Williamsburg”, with food and salsa music. The event will celebrate the rich history of Moore Street Retail Market, Brooklyn’s last Public Market. It will be held at The Green Building, located at 452 Union Street, Brooklyn NY 11231, from 6 – 9 pm.

Among BEDC’s many programs to promote neighborhoods and entrepreneurs, the most vibrant example of its recent work is Moore Street Market, La Marqueta de Williamsburg, which BEDC has managed since 2008. This event will raise funds to continue BEDC’s ongoing work at the Market as well as its entrepreneur programs.

The honorees include:
• Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez, 7th District, for her dedication and support of Moore Street Market
• NYC Councilwoman Diana Reyna, 34th District, for her steadfast support of BEDC and the vendors of Moore Street Market
• Joan Bartolomeo, President, BEDC, for her 29 years of service to BEDC and the Brooklyn Small Business Community
• Stuart P. Leffler, BEDC Board Member, for over 20 years of service on BEDC’s board of directors and his commitment to Economic Development in Brooklyn

Virgilio Rodriguez, President of the Moore Street Market Merchants Association stated, “Our businesses depend on the Moore Street Market. Through the market we have been able to provide for our families even through these tough economic times.” Of BEDC’s President and honoree he continued “Joan has helped to make this a business place that is also a community center; a place where people can connect and share our culture.”

Cindy VandenBosch, owner of Turnstile Tours regularly shares the culinary traditions, foods, music, and cultural life of the Moore Street Market with visitors. “The honorees have helped develop businesses that support the livelihoods of immigrants and migrants in the community, even for the smallest of businesses. There are pushcarts that could be rented for people who can’t afford a stall and will soon be an urban farm, commercial kitchen, and outdoor seasonal plaza at the market.”

Tickets are $250 and sponsorship ranges from $1,000 – 5,000. For information, registration or sponsorship visit www.atasteofmoorestreetmarket.com

ABOUT BEDC
Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation seeks to create and expand economic opportunity throughout Brooklyn by implementing business and neighborhood development and planning activities to support and create sustainable jobs, industries and communities.

Whether it was stimulating economic growth and neighborhood stability after the 1977 blackout, providing targeted financial support or bringing economic development agencies together to share ideas and best practices, BEDC has stayed committed to identifying each entrepreneur’s unique characteristics and skills and working alongside them to nurture those into business sustenance and opportunity; the kind that reaches deep into the community.

Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. All contributions above the fair market value of goods and services received are tax-deductible.

# # #

Successful Farm Cleanup!

Thanks to all of you who participated in the farm cleanup last Saturday! Thanks to your efforts, we were able to clear not only 104 Moore Street, but also the backyard behind 106 Moore Street. The owner gave us permission to haul out years worth of trash, and we hope that she will also agree to let us farm the backyard as well, adding several hundred square feet to our farm.

106 Moore Street is also getting a new retail tenant -- a fried chicken place. And while it may not be the healthiest food on the planet, the renovated space will add some vitality and light to the block, especially in the evening, and that's good thing.

Thanks to Community Board 1 for working with us to coordinate a trash pick-up by the Sanitation Department (fingers crossed)!

watch for a ribbon-cutting in April!

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Fundraising Event -- A Taste of Moore Street Market -- Thursday April 25, 2013

Please join us for an event to raise money to support BEDC's efforts at Moore Street Market!

On Thursday, April 25th, from 6-9 pm, we will be holding "A Taste of Moore Street Market -- La Marqueta de Williamsburg."

The event will be held, not at the market, but at The Green Building, located at the corner of Union and Bond Streets in Gowanus. This is a great old manufacturing mill building on the Gowanus Canal with soaring ceilings and great light.

Why not Moore Street as the location? It simply can't hold over 100 people without violating NYC Fire Department codes.

Expect food from our vendors, beer and sangria, a salsa band, and a lot of fun, all for $200/person.

Honorees include yours truly, BEDC board member Stuart Leffler and Congresswoman Velazquez and Councilwoman Reyna. We will also acknowledge all the great partners in the community who have helped make the revitalization of the market possible.

Keep watching this blog, BEDC blog (blog.bedc.com) and the Facebook pages for both BEDC and Moore Street Market for more information.

Hope you can join us!

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

The Green Building

 

Interior of Green Building

Aquaponics Rules!!!

OKO Farms Aquaponics pilot project in the market is thriving! Yemi added a lot more tilapia last week and they are all getting along swimmingly (sorry- I couldn't resist)! A few karp made it in there for show. And a few of the tilapia look big enough for the dinner plate.

The kale, basil and mint are growing like weeds. Hopefully, in a few weeks, this all moves outdoors to the aquaponics farm at 104 Moore Street, where there will be a 500-gallon fish tank.

 

 

A Sunny Friday at the Market!

Arturo's Weekend Jewelry Sales -- Check out the Pushcarts!!

Arturo Rivera is here weekly, selling jewelry to suit every taste.

Woodhull Hospital conducts it semi-weekly breast cancer awareness program.

Norma of Las Gemelas making embroidered garment for the Feast of Candelaria

It's a bright, sunny, busy day at Moore Street. Come visit!

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Another FUN Arts In Bushwick event at Moore Street

Please join us on Staurday, February 23rd for an event for the entire family!

Moore Street Facebook Page

Just an invitation to visit the Moore Street Market (La Marqueta de Williamsburg) page on Facebook.

The website was way too static, so all Moore Street updates will be posted to the Facebook page and/or this blog site.

Up and Coming Events

Moore Street Market is once again partnering with HealthFirst to bring several events to the Market. We have scheduled events for the following occasions and dates:

• Easter -- maybe the Easter Bunny will be here! Saturday, March 30th
• Mother's Day -- Saturday, May 11th
• Father's Day -- Saturday, June 8th
• 4th of July -- Saturday, July 6th -- maybe  a barbecue on the farm?
• Back to School -- Saturday, August 23rd
• Halloween -- to be coordinated with PS 257 Parade
• Thanksgiving -- Saturday, November 23rd
• Christmas -- Saturday, December 21st

Many of these events will be coordinated with community health screenings, so you get to have fun while keeping up your health needs!

Keep watching for more details! As always, we thank HealthFirst for their commitment to Moore Street!

AND, weather permitting, the farm clean-up will take place this Friday starting at 12 pm. Watch for the Parks Department logo for Project green Thumb to be posted! Thanks to Park Avenue Building Supply for helping us secure the initial building materials!

Sorry I've been out of touch for so long -- hope to share some good news about the commercial kitchen soon.

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Turnstile Tours -- a Thank You!!

Turnstile Tours has been giving tours of the Market to international visitors the last few weeks! We've had visitors from Australia and Europe just within the past two weeks. So thanks to Cindy VandenBosch of Turnstile Tours for keeping Moore Street Market on the tourism map!

Visit Turnstile Tours' website for more information about the NYC tours they offer.


Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Sneak Peek at Moore Street Farm

The Farm is Coming!!!

Here is a rendering of the Moore Street Farm -- we are so ready to get behind that fence and get some dirt under our fingernails! Over 30 local folks have signed on as "members."

The farm will have some ducks (they don't make any noise) for egg production, tanks for growing tilapia, some raised planting beds and a koi pond.

I'm also hoping that we can start diverting some of the food waste from the market vendors from the dumpster to the farm's composting bins (rodent proof of course).

When you add in the mural that will be going up in late Spring, the effect is going to be wonderful for Moore Street.

We'll keep you posted. And if you want to help out on the designated clean-out day, or offer to volunteer in general, just stop by the market and let us know.

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market