Watch CBS News

Brooklyn Flea Market Pulls Out Of Philadelphia Because Of Lack Of Customers

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - What's in a name?

Apparently a lot to Philadelphians. The Brooklyn Flea market, which was taking place every Sunday for the past four and a half months in Northern Liberties, has pulled out of the City of Brotherly Love.

The Brooklyn Flea started in New York in 2008 and was brought to Philly this past June to the Piazza at Schmidt's in Northern Liberties. Seventy vendors rented space on opening day.

There were just 22 this past Sunday, and the event was poorly attended by the public.

Brooklyn Flea Market

"It wasn't working," says the co-founder of the Brooklyn Flea, Jonathan Butler. He adds that there was little support by locals because of the market's name.

"It's kind of funny reading these blog posts, people saying, 'I would never go to that market, it has Brooklyn in the name.' It all sounds pretty silly to me. Do people not eat at Boston Market because it has Boston in the name?"

Butler says that ironically, most of the vendors were from the Philadelphia area, "who were all small business, who I'm sure would have been appreciative to be supported more."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.