This Saturday is planned to be one of the busiest days of the year at Park Slope’s Fifth Avenue. Two events, Taste of Park Slope and Brooklyn Pop-Up Artisans Market will take on the street simultaneously.
The afternoon will have plenty of chances to eat, drink and support local businesses. Artists and entrepreneurs, including the creators of BklynBarSoap, Cards by Dé, Nary and Breukelen Rub Spice Co. will be there to present their products and meet the neighbors between noon and 7pm. Chefs and mixologists from BK9, Negril BK, MexiAna and more will join in from 2 to 6 pm.
“When you are supporting a businesses like ours you are supporting a dream, an artist, a community, a mamma, a student,” said Sadé Swift, lead artist and co-owner of Cards by Dé, a Black Queer worker-owned stationery cooperative based in New York. “Because we don’t have a physical store, this is an opportunity to see or meet our online customers in person and finally connect.”
Cards by Dé’s bestselling product, a pouch filled with self-care products from different local businesses such as a scented candle, soap, cleansing stone, soak and affirmation greeting cards will be available at the fair.
The events were organized by Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), is a non-profit that strides to support the businesses, property owners, residents and institutions of Park Slope.
“We want people to participate in games and connect with their neighbors and others who come from outside our community,” said Joanna Tallantire, executive director of the BID.
Profits from the event will go to Seeds in the Middle’s programs to erase a central Brooklyn food desert by teaching students in schools to create farm markets, edible gardens and healthy cooking cafes. Tickets for four tastes and on start at $35.
“An open street is not just about dining,” said Tallantire. “We are very lucky to have all this public space and we have to enjoy it before developments in Gowanus take over.”