Annex Markets

18/09/2021

Now closed, the Annex Markets, including, most recently, Chelsea Flea Market, The Garage, and Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, were part of a long legacy of the Annex antique and flea markets in New York City, stretching back to the first Annex market opened in 1976 in Chelsea as The Annex Antiques Fair & Flea Market.

The Annex markets' founder and New York City native, Alan L. Boss, was the undisputed Lord of the Fleas from 1976 through 2019 when he retired from the flea market business.

Equipped with a degree in Economics, entrepreneurial drive, and a strong dislike of run-of-the-mill office culture, Boss created a globally-recognized and weekends-only set of destination locations for discerning shoppers, fashion designers, prop masters, interior decorators, collectors, and others.

Collectively, the Annex Markets--including the Annex's only indoor market, The Garage, Inc.--proved to be a source of inspiration not only for notables including Andy Warhol, Annie Leibovitz, and a plethora of "secret shopper" fashion designers, but 100,000s of shoppers keen to hunt and haggle for the best of antiques, collectibles, ephemera, and more--from 19th-century, early-20th, and mid-century antiques and décor to vintage clothing, accessories, estate jewelry, historical artifacts, art, architectural decorative elements, militaria, vinyl records, and more.

The Annex Markets also served as the setting for various TV commercials, fashion shoots, travel articles, films, flea-related reality TV shows, a documentary, and--most importantly--an eclectic mix of dealers and customers who gathered every weekend, rain or shine (except for during very rare instances of blizzard or downpour conditions), and formed community in a unique way that would be impossible to closely replicate in New York City today.

While the outdoor parking lot locations of the Annex markets and the indoor parking garage of the Garage market are now obliterated by high-rise residential buildings and a hotel, (Hell's Kitchen Flea Market was arranged street-fair-style on West 39th Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues), the Annex legacy lives on not only in the memories of shoppers and dealers but in the thousands of cherished items from the markets that have homes today in residences, offices, and collections all over the world.

22/04/2019

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02/01/2019

Are you looking forward to fabulous finds from the famous Chelsea Flea Market the weekend, the first weekend of 2019? Post photos of your finds on our Instagram page () with the hashtag &/or send them to us on Facebook

02/01/2019

It's time to bid a fond farewell to Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. It's last weekend was December 29 & 30, 2018. It's consolidating with the legendary Chelsea Flea Market (est. 1976!) and you'll be able to find many of your favorite HKFM vendors there—29 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10011, between 6th Avenue and Broadway.

Hell's Kitchen Flea Market emerged in response to the Developing Strategies public symposium in 1999. Hosted at the Javits Center by the Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Association (HKNA), Design Trust for Public Space, and the firm Design + Urbanism, the symposium followed residents’ and local businesses’ call for more pedestrian-friendly commercial activity in Hell's Kitchen South. In 2001, Alan Boss, founder of the Annex Markets—operators of flea and antiques markets in New York City since 1976—finalized plans for a year-round weekend market mid-block on West 39th Street in a Port Authority lot, where bus ramps feeding the terminal soar overhead. But the Port Authority faced new security realities following 9/11, and was forced to veto the market location. Instead, in 2003, the market was permitted by the city to open directly on the street, creating a lively street market and pedestrian-safe zone in an area at the time plagued by drug use and vagrancy.

“The neighborhood was less gentrified then,” remarked Alan Boss, President of Hell's Kitchen Flea Market and Chelsea Flea Market. “Parking lots and rundown storefronts have given way to trendy brunch spots and boutique hotels. Hell's Kitchen Flea Market brought a lot of shoppers to that area for the first time, from all over the world, too. We’re proud to have played a significant role in improving that area for residents and local businesses.”

The flea market’s community sponsor, Hell's Kitchen Foundation, Inc., will continue to operate. The foundation, which awards grants to visual artists living in Hell's Kitchen, received the bulk of its funding from the flea market. “We’re in an excellent position to award grants for 2019,” said Inge Ivchenko, Chair of Hell's Kitchen Foundation, “and also to find alternate sources of funding for the future.” The foundation is accepting applications for 2019 grants through the close of business February 1, 2019.

Citing rising costs at Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, Boss decided to consolidate two markets’ operations into one. “Chelsea Flea Market offers a vast array of antiques, collectibles, the decorative arts, and other amazing inventory. Bringing the Hell's Kitchen vendors to Chelsea creates a real critical mass of merchandise that will enhance the buying experience for shoppers and the selling experience for vendors."

Chelsea Flea Market on West 25th Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway is open every Saturday and Sunday year-round, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $1 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and early-bird admission is $5 from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Chelsea Flea Market features up to 100+ vendors selling antiques, art, collectibles, jewelry, vintage clothing, architectural ornamentation, the decorative arts, ephemera, fine estate items, and more.

27/10/2018

It’s raining today, but tomorrow join us at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market for the Witchy PopUp Shoppe Masquerade Fest! Music, entertainment, enchantments! Rev. Starr RavenHawk HPs Elder

27/10/2018

With 100% chance of rain tomorrow, the Hell's Kitchen Flea will be closed on Sat, Oct 27. BUT all the festivities, Masquerade Fest, will be on Sunday, Oct 28 9-5 West 39th Street at Ninth Ave. Manhattan. Happy Halloween! Join us for Witchfest Sunday!!!

27/10/2018

With 100% chance of rain tomorrow, the Hell's Kitchen Flea will be closed on Sat, Oct 27. BUT all the festivities, Masquerade Fest, will be on Sunday, Oct 28 9-5 West 39th Street at Ninth Ave. Manhattan. Happy Halloween!

26/10/2018

With tomorro's wet forecast, the Hell's Kitchen Flea will be closed on Sat, Oct 27. BUT all the festivities, Masquerade Fest, will take place on Sunday, Oct 28 9-5. Join us -West 39th Street at Ninth Ave. Manhattan! Boo!

20/10/2018

Found in Hell's Kitchen at the Flea today?! !

20/10/2018

See you at the Flea in Hell's Kitchen!

20/10/2018

You never know what you'll find at the flea!

20/10/2018

how cool is that? See you at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market

20/10/2018

Fun at the flea! &

19/10/2018

We've got the bling at Chelsea Flea and Hell's Kitchen Flea--great shopping this weekend

19/10/2018

Love the old at the Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea Flea Markets!

19/10/2018

It's going to be chilly, but beautiful weather this weekend for shopping at the flea market in Hell's Kitchen. Come see us for an urban treasure hunt!

19/10/2018

Sunny and some clouds this weekend in . Just perfect for the flea and the . Best vendors in New York!

06/10/2018