By Angelica Acevedo
The first-ever Queens Craft Brigade, a free-entry market that will showcase products created by local vendors, is set to take place Sunday in Astoria.
The event will feature a variety of 17 vendors that are based in Queens selling products from bilingual greeting cards (Widy Cat), to South American-inspired apparel (SUDA), to girly house decor (GRL Supply). It is set to start at noon and finish at 5 p.m. in the VFW Hall, located at 31-35 41 St.
“I started the Queens Craft Brigade because I wanted more opportunities for local makers to meet people in person and sell to the public,” Robert Duffy, the organizer of the event and local business-owner, said.
Hi-Fi Records, a record shop in Astoria, will be DJing, while The Queens Kickshaw, a restaurant also located in Astoria, will serve up a special menu during the event.
According to Duffy, organizers hope to host monthly markets in the same venue, as well as branch out to other places in Queens from September to December. Duffy and his wife, who own Unified Queens, an apparel company that makes designs inspired by the history of the borough, want to encourage the Queens community to support its local businesses.
“A lot of sales happen online, but there’s nothing better than meeting the local community,” Duffy said. “I’m hoping this helps connect the local maker community.”
One of the vendors at the event will be Queens Knits, owned by Christine Gibson. The Queens mother of two said she is looking forward to the Queens Craft Brigade because she believes the community vibe is what makes the market special.
“Markets like this are invaluable for local artisans because they give us exposure and connect us with our community,” Gibson said. “I shy away from the bigger markets because they often require a huge fee, and that’s just not plausible for me.
“I’m so excited about the fact that Hi-Fi Records is DJing the event because I love that record store. It’s located in Astoria and I shop there often, and Javi, the owner of Hi-Fi, is the nicest guy.”
David Orellana, the creator of SUDA, said he worked with Duffy to bring together a market that suits the Queens community in particular.
“We are very excited to show the Queens creative community,” Orellana said.
Sharing Gibson’s and Orellana’s enthusiasm for the event, Dovecote Collection’s creator, Ondine Crispin, said she was looking forward to selling her textiles and stationery along with the other vendors.
“We are hoping this is the first of many similar events highlighting the fabulousness of Queens,” Crispin said.
For more information about the event, visit www.queen
