In an article by the New York Observer, Dekalb Market made the cut for “The Best New Architecture of 2011”. We’ve worked hard to make it the best public space for everyone to enjoy. Cool design + cool vibe = Dekalb Market

It has not been a great year for buildings, but that does not mean this has been a bad year for architecture. In years past, the soaring condos and office towers of the building boom have dominated this list. Most of those are done, finally done, or never will be done. We still find room for two, but the vast majority are civic buildings and public spaces, perhaps what New York needs now more than ever as the city continues to fill up with more New Yorkers. It has been a good year to find room to breath, to see, to walk, to live.

DeKalb Market

Proving that it does not take much to constitute architecture, Dekalb Market transformed a vacant lot in Downtown Brooklyn into an open-air mall and gathering point, and all it took was some savvy shopkeepers, artisans and chefs and a few shipping containers and a blow torch.The brainchild of developer Young Woo and British designers Urban Space, this is a holdover until a real mall, City Point, can be built, which, no matter how nice the design, will probably never be as dynamic a place to visit as the Dekalb Market.

http://www.observer.com/2011/12/the-designer-dozen-the-best-new-york-architecture-of-2011/#slide10

Happy New Year to, and from, all at Dekalb Market!  Thanks for the memories, and we’ll see you again before you know it!  Please visit dekalbmarket.com to visit and shop from your favorite vendors while we plan our fabulous re-opening in early Spring 2012.  You’ll find them all listed on the right side of the page.  We miss everyone already!

The shops and restaurants will be be open every day through December 31st, so you can pick up some truly memorable gifts for yourself.  My finds last week included an early edition of the first Nancy Drew mystery, The Secret of the Old Clock, at Pip & Estella; Marrakech Hoop Earrings at KiraKira by Suzanne Somersall; and Hanno the Gorilla at Grumpy Bert.  I topped that off with some fab baked pasta from Pasticcio and the special drip of the day coffee at Joe. BBOX Radio is playing some great tunes, both at the Dekalb and through a stream on their site.  So come on out and relax, and enjoy the rest of the holiday season at Dekalb!

Shop, eat & experience the holiday magic until 4:30pm today!  Many, many thanks to all the wonderful merchants, makers, and chefs who make the markets “must-visit” destinations in which you can find gifts for everyone on your list (including yourself!) that are hard to find anywhere else.  Please be sure to visit these merchants again in their shops, restaurants, online stores, as well as at our future markets.  Happy Holidays Everyone!

The word is out – Columbus Circle Holiday Market is teeming with tasty treats. The Village Voice is featuring food and drink vendors at New York Holiday Markets in a series called Foodie Xmass, exploring all the best bets for on-the-go devouring and save-it-for-later gifts. Voice blogger Lauren Shockey couldn’t resist the deliciousness of LaSonrisa Empanadas, Mmm Enfes’s Turkish treats, and more. Check it out, and be sure to shop, eat, and tweet with Urban Space at all our markets this season.

After yesterday’s dud of an exploration, we didn’t have high hopes for the Columbus Circle Holiday Market. But the good thing about having low expectations is that you’re almost always pleasantly surprised. The Columbus Circle market is teeming with good eats, both in terms of gift-worthy bites and on-the-go snacking. Behold your four best bets.

Photo by Lauren Shockey

Gul Böreks from Mmm … Enfes (pictured above): In between picking up overpriced soaps for your nieces and deciding which decorative Christmas tree ornament would be better for your office Secret Santa, carboload at Mmm … Enfes, a Turkish food stand (also at Bryant Park) selling böreks and gözleme, a sort of stuffed, griddled flatbread. Our favorite is the giant, circular-shaped feta- and parsley-stuffed börek ($6). It’s a floppy, cheesy mess to eat, but the exceedingly generous portion tastes of pure Turkish comfort.

 

Photo by Lauren Shockey

Empanadas from La Sonrisa: Two empanada sellers grace the Columbus Circle market, La Sonrisa and Sizzles. Go for La Sonrisa, which operates a food truck out of Jersey City. Their dough is crisper, the fillings are more flavorful and of seemingly higher quality, and they’re cheaper ($3 versus $3.50, or you can get two for $5). Made to order, the golden pockets are stuffed with either beef, pulled pork, roasted chicken, veggies, or, our fave, coconut curry chicken. Wash one down with a coffee con leche ($2) and you’re good for another hour of fighting off tourists.

 

Photo by Lauren Shockey

Sea Salt Caramels from Charley’s Organic Toffees: Salted caramel is basically edible crack. You can never get enough, and before you know it, you’ve eaten the whole package of sweets. For gourmet snacking (or stocking stuffing), head to the Charley’s Organic Toffeesstand and pick up a package of the sea-salt caramels ($8). Soft and sweet with a fine crunch of salt, these buttery bites are perfectly balanced and downright delicious.

 

Photo by Lauren Shockey

Sausages from Charlito’s Cocina: In addition to the sweet treats at the market, you’ll find some super-tasty pork products. Charlito’s Cocina sells all sorts of charcuterie favorites, from lardo to chorizo. One fave is the black-truffle salami ($15), which smacks of the musky fungi in the best way possible. Serve this as an hors d’oeuvre on Christmas. Or Hanukkah if you’re a New York Jew (meaning delicious pork products are totally kosher).

Hungry for more? Check back in tomorrow, when we pay a visit to Bryant Park as we continue the holiday-market-eats beat this week.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2011/12/columbus_circle_holiday_market_eats.php?page=2

At Urban Space we like to shop purposely for gifts and treats that aren’t only thoughtful and cute, but also have a meaning beyond its function. Now, what does that mean, “a meaning beyond function”? It means caring about what you buy for a whole myriad of reasons, political and personal. We ask ourselves, why buy any old cuff links when you can get beautiful handmade cuff links with original photography for the same price? Or, why buy a box of ring dings when you buy fresh homemade Macaroons? When you purchase a handmade or locally produced product, you’re no longer just buying a “thing” to eat or use in your home, you’re getting a piece of art, or history, or a look into the future all while supporting the Maker you just bought it from. We think that’s pretty awesome, and we take a bit of pride in knowing we make it easy for New Yorkers to be a conscious consumers at the Urban Space Holiday Markets, as we feature dozens of handmade, locally produced, vintage, recycled, re-purposed, or fair trade products. A perfect example of this is our newest Featured Etsy Vendor with 100% handmade re-purposed goodies, Nicola and the Newfoundlander, who combines New York sentiment with functionality in a way we’re really excited about.

Nicola and the Newfoundlander makes really cool, mod-looking picture frames, clocks, coasters and more out of re-purposed wood, exposed electronics and silkscreened prints. The prints are all silk-screened originals and the exposed clock parts are pretty cool, but it’s the re-purposed wood they use that make these pieces priceless. Made from wood harvested from New York City landmarks like the Coney Island boardwalk planks, fallen trees in central park, and old Brooklyn water towers, Nicola and the Newfoundlander’s products will bring the actual building blocks of New York’s History into your home. Not to gush, but we think that’s absurdly awesome, and we want to buy one for everyone we know.

Owl Clock, $65, Union Square Holiday Market

This little Owl called “I spotted you” Owl is an original print by Nicola Armster, who also does all the hand silk screening on Japanese Silk Fabric. The wood from this piece was originally flooring in a warehouse in the meatpacking district. This little hooter is one of her many prints – some nature themed, some city themed – that she does in her clock series. Nicola And The Newfoundlander will take special orders so you can choose the print and color combination for your clock through December 19^th, but they also have a nice variety to choose from every day at the Union Square Holiday Market.

"I See You" Fox Sweatshirt, $34, Union Square Holiday Market

In addition to their re-purposed wood pieces, Nicola and the Newfoundlander does an apparel series featuring more original prints in an organic cotton recycled poly rayon blend. This foxy sweatshirt is called “clever me” and comes in wheat (pictured), charcoal, bluish gray, and Violet, in sizes small through extra-large. This sweatshirt has a raw hem, kangaroo pockets, a widely sought after dancer neckline so you won’t feel stuffy with it on under a coat, and is awesomely soft to the touch.

Nicola And The Newfoundlander will be at the Union Sq Holiday Market through the 24^th of December, but if you’re too busy playing reindeer games, you can find them online on the website or at their Etsy Shop. You’ll find more featured Etsy Vendors like Nicola, and other awesome shop local treats, at Urban Space’s Union Square, Columbus Circle, and Dekalb Holiday Markets. By shopping from many of our vendors with recycled, re-purposed, handmade, vintage, locally produced or fair trade products, you too can be a conscious consumer and buy gifts that have meaning beyond their function. We encourage you this holiday season not only to shop with us, but to shop with your local community, and the earth, in mind.

Having unique handmade art in your home makes your place special. It isn’t just having something pretty to look at; art encourages the viewer’s imagination and creativity and tells a unique story. The way you interpret original art – how it makes you feel or a memory it stirs up – is different than every other human being in the world. It’s such a special feeling that doesn’t have to come at a high price with Kudu-lah’s affordable original artwork, showcasing cartoon critters invading our city and homes. Each piece is lovingly handmade, named, signed and dated by artist Kenneth Kudulis, and not only will they bring a smile to your face, but they’ll inspire fantastical childlike imagination.

All of Kudu-lah’s critters are based on people and pets you see on the streets and subways of New York every day. If you have ever been out and about in the wee hours of a New York morning, you know all too well all the strange and mysterious things that Kudu-lah’s Kenneth Kudulis draws from. His portrait of 3 Eye’d Guy is a familiar sight to any New Yorker – running for the train as the doors are about to close – because we’ve all been there making a similar face, but with one less eye. It’s fun to know this little guy also doesn’t obey the MTA’s “stand clear the closing doors” warning, but you got to wonder – is he as squishy as he looks? This unique print is 9’’ x 5’’ and is mounted on a ½’’ handmade cradled frame. There’s a limited edition of 250, and all prints are signed and numbered.

3 Eye'd Guy, $30, Union Square & Dekalb Holiday Market

Kudu-lah does a silly and charming set Mason jar series of prints that will stir a lighthearted smile in anyone’s office or kitchen. This little critter, Skitch, has been running amuck in the city for too long, and has been caught for your viewing pleasure. This print makes us reminisce about days spent catching fireflies and frogs as a kid, but a little monster like Skitch is what we were really looking for. These prints are 3.5’’x4.5’’ and mounted on a ¾ piece of wood, pre-drilled and ready to hang.  At $12 they are awesomely reasonable, and with 16 prints in the series you’re sure to find yourself the perfect little monster.

Skitch, $12, Union Square & Dekalb Holiday Market

You can catch these critters and more at Kudu-Lah’s booths in Union Square and Dekalb Holiday Markets. Many of Kudu-lah’s prints are limited editions, so get them before they creep away. If you can’t make it out to the markets, you can find Kudu-lah Critters on their website, or at their Etsy Shop. You’ll find more of our featured Etsy Vendors, and other awesome local handmade treats, at Urban Space’s Columbus Circle and Union Square Holiday Market through December 24^th, and at the Dekalb Holiday Market through December 31st. We invite you to shop, eat, and tweet all your fun finds with us this holiday season.

NBC New York is featuring The Union Square Holiday Market in a taxi near you with this really cool video feature and accompanying guide at their site. Now would be a good time to tell the driver to pull over.

Kimmchi has cool, classy, comfortable clothing that your closet is practically begging for you to buy. KimmChi’s fitted tees with popping colors and chic patterns allows you to work-it with one outfit all day long – in a casual office setting during the day, then out and about with the girlfriends at night. Plus you’ll get extra satisfaction as you strut your stuff knowing these clothes are designed, hand silkscreened, and sold to you at the Union Square Holiday Market all by one local DIYer. After all, it’s fun to have clothes in your closet designed by a Brooklynite with fashion and functionality in mind, who knows hip chicks don’t shy away from crisp colors and bold patterns. Your closet is hungry for clothes that easily transform from office to play – especially clothes as comfy and subtly sexy as KimmChi’s.

This handmade Chevron cowl neck was made with wool fabric silkscreened with a bright red Chevron motif. It’s made in a white and black wool with a super soft fleece lining that keep your neck nice and cozy without the bulk of a scarf. It has an urban elegance to it, an upscale Americana look without breaking the bank at 35$. The print is abstract and eye catching, and the bold colors will surely pop against your winter coat.

 Handmade Chevron Cowel, $35, at the Union Sq Holiday Market.

Everyone knows when you pack up your seasonal wardrobe, you cry a little stowing away a favorite sweater or dress knowing won’t see it again for another 6 months. Everyone does it. This ¾ sleeve gray Pinwheel shirt will easily makes the cut for your year-round wardrobe – looking smart with a brightly colored cardigan in January or shorts in June. The striking pinwheel pattern is inspired by a Japanese circle star burst kimono pattern, and gracefully overlaps and cascades down the left side of the Tee. In addition to being clean and crisply styled, the boat neckline is sophisticated then your average fitted tee, making it appropriate for both work and play.

Pinwheel 3/4 Sleeve Gray Women’s shirt, $32, Union Sq Holiday Market.

You can find awesome KimmChi fashion at the Union Square Holiday Market this Holiday season alongside other talented Etsy and local artists. If the weather outside’s too frightful, you can buy these Kimmchi goodies and more at her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimmchi. Last but not least, don’t forget to shop, eat and tweet about all your favorite shop-local finds at Urban Space’s Union Square, Columbus Circle, and Dekalb Holiday Markets.

We were already featured in Time Out’s Best Holiday Markets In New York City early last month, but Time Out can’t stop themselves from talking about the awesome, unique and affordable shopping going on in our markets. Check out Union Square and Columbus Circle Holiday Market’s listing in Time Out’s New Stores section for the upcoming week, alongside some other awesome recently opened shops.  As always, don’t forget to Shop, Eat, and Tweet with us at #UnionSqHolidayMarket, and #ColumbusCircleHolidayMarket.

Union Square Holiday Market
Now in its 18th season, this European-style winter market boasts 125 local and national vendors hawking an impressive selection of handcrafted gifts, ranging from jewelry and accessories to leather goods and artwork. Nestled beneath red-and-white-striped tented booths, the bustling downtown bazaar offers a unique holiday-shopping alternative to the overcrowded big-name retail stores. Scoop up Vanessa Amalia elephant charm bracelets ($32–$40), Kudu-lah Mason-jar critter prints mounted on wood ($12) and Kings County Jerky Co. recycled-cotton totes ($25). 14th St to 17th St between Broadway and Park Ave South (212-529-9262, urbanspacenyc.com). Mon–Fri 11am–8pm, Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 11am–7pm. Through Dec 24.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Featuring 100 artisans and food vendors, the uptown counterpart of the Union Square Holiday Market has returned for its seventh year, providing shoppers with a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Adjacent to Central Park, the more intimate bazaar is an eye-popping smorgasbord of handmade crafts and delicious, locally made treats. Pick up unusual and affordable holiday gifts, such as Lineposters’s contemporary New York City screen prints ($28), Brooklyn Charm envelope pendant necklaces ($28), and Wafels & Dinges gingerbread and cinnamon cookie spreads ($7). Foodies will also love sampling comestibles from the Eataly, Sigmund Pretzel Shop and Raaka Chocolate booths. Central Park South at Central Park West (212-529-9262, urbanspacenyc.com). Mon–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 10am–7pm. Through Dec 24.

http://newyork.timeout.com/shopping-style/shopping/2287735/new-stores-december-8%E2%80%9314-2011