QNS Urban MKT to occupy 6,000 sq ft on the first floor
July 16, By Bill Parry,
Long Island City, NY: Yet another food craft market is about to open in Long Island City.
This one will be located inside a large Northern Blvd factory and the organizers hope it will draw curiosity seekers throughout Western Queens.
The market, to be called QNS Urban MKT, is expected to open in late August and will feature up to 40 local vendors who will offer a range of items — from ethnically diverse foods to vintage photography.
The market will take place on the first floor of the historic Standard Motor Parts Building (38-17 Northern Blvd.), which is also the home of The Brooklyn Grange, a 2.5 acre rooftop organic farm, with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.
Jie Whoon Kang, the market’s founder, said that he wants to turn the building into a destination point—and believes that “a small, well-crafted market” will help do it.
He said the market will work well with The Brooklyn Grange, an attraction in its own right.
“Many people come to see the farm on weekends,” Kang said. “The market will give visitors something else to do while they’re here.”
Jenny Yi, the marketing coordinator for QNS Urban MKT, said the market will be different from the LIC Flea that opened in Hunters Point last month. To begin with, it will be indoors and will operate all year round.
“We also are air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter,” Yi said. “We feature free wifi and we have bathrooms.”
QNS Urban MKT will operate on Saturdays from 11am to 6pm. The building is one block from the M and R subway station and four blocks from the N and Q.
