Queens Craft Brigade Celebrates 2nd Anniversary In Astoria

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Small, independent market Queens Craft Brigade is celebrating its second anniversary this weekend the way it knows best — with a carefully curated selection of two dozen Queens-based vendors offering handmade crafts and homemade food.

The monthly Astoria market, located at 31-35 41 St., has collaborated with more than 120 artisans from across the borough since it started in 2017, according to founder and Astoria resident Robert Duffy.

"To see people walking out of the market with their bags, their purchases, every one of them puts a smile on my face," Duffy told Patch.

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Duffy came up with the idea for the Queens Craft Brigade when he was selling handmade t-shirts at markets like Artists & Fleas in Brooklyn and Ridgewood Flea in Queens. Astoria, he thought, should have a market like that.

So he reached out to several vendors he'd met while selling his own wares and launched Queens Craft Brigade.

Every month, the market features 25 vendors based throughout Queens, though Duffy said many are in the Astoria area.

He's always looking for new vendors and welcomes anyone to apply, even those who have never sold their crafts commercially: "We're happy to be your first market," he said.

Duffy's day job is with the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan; he manages the crafts market after-hours with a team of volunteers who help with social media and making fliers. Even some of the vendors pitch in, he said.

"I consider it even more of a community than just a market," Duffy said.

Queens Craft Brigade's second anniversary market is Sunday, July 14 from noon to 5 p.m. at VFW Hall, located at 31-35 41 St. in Astoria. For more information, click here.