NAVY YARD — At the height of its productivity as a functioning naval repair and shipbuilding facility, as many as 5,000 employees walked into the Brooklyn Navy Yard daily. Today, functioning as a job incubator and entrepreneurial center, the Navy Yard attracts thousands of visitors as consumers. Pop-up markets have become a mainstay and have developed a devoted following.
“The Wallabout Wonderland Market has become a beloved tradition that we’ve proudly hosted for the past six years,” said Lindsay Greene, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC). “It has grown into a cornerstone of our community, highlighting the creativity and spirit of local artisans and entrepreneurs, especially minority and women-owned (MWBE) start-ups. It’s a privilege to celebrate the season with our neighbors and welcome returning and new visitors to the market.”
Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo courtesy of BNYDC
The BNYDC is hosting its seventh annual Wallabout Winter Wonderland, a holiday pop-up marketing featuring over 200 local vendors who offer clothing, accessories, home decor, health and beauty products, food and drinks and more. The market will take place at Navy Yard’s Brooklyn Storehouse on Dec. 7 and 8 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“As one of Brooklyn’s newest event venues, we’re excited to partner with community organizations and leverage our space and network to provide a platform for culture in all its forms to grow and evolve. It’s at the core of who we are and what we do,” said the Brooklyn Storehouse team.
Brooklyn Navy Yard’s 2023 Holiday Market. Photo courtesy of BNYDC
The holiday market will offer more than just shopping. Wallabout Winter Wonderland will have a Family Corner presented by Brooklyn Bridge Parents offering complimentary cookie decorating, holiday card making, LEGO adventures and book giveaways, while supplies last. Guests can get a professional family portrait starting at $25, and the Sports and Wellness Center will host yoga sessions with refreshments.
“As AYO Labs continues to scale, it is our absolute pleasure to partner with the Brooklyn Navy Yard in supporting its seventh annual holiday market,” said Francilia Wilkins Rahim, president and CEO of R.F. Wilkins Consultants and AYO Labs, one of Navy Yard’s newest tenants. “It’s through community-oriented events like this that we are able to reach diverse health and beauty brands while providing access to our state-of-the-art manufacturing capacities and giving consumers a sneak peek into leading industry trends.”
Brooklyn Navy Yard’s 2023 Holiday Market. Photo courtesy of BNYDC
The holiday market will highlight an array of vendors from different backgrounds and support MWBE businesses, including Navy Yard tenants. Navy Yard is partnering with The Lay Out, a Brooklyn-based community organization that promotes minority- and women-owned businesses. The Next Generation vendor section features young entrepreneurs, and the Brooklyn Natural Hair Fest will offer hair solutions, products and inclusive beauty routines.
“Our partnership began in 2022 with 30 of our Black-owned businesses being included in the market, and this year we are proud to provide 100 of these businesses the opportunity to get in front of holiday shoppers, making it NYC’s largest selection of Black-owned businesses at one holiday market,” said Emily Anadu, founder and CEO of the Lay Out.
Brooklyn Navy Yard. Photo courtesy of BNYDC
The market will feature interactive shopping experiences including hands-on gift crafting, signature scent creation and cocktail-making sessions. A wide selection of food and beverage vendors will offer a range of cultural cuisine including Caribbean, soul food, seafood and more, accompanied with festive music. See a full list of the over 200 vendors here.
The Brooklyn Storehouse is accessible through the Clymer Street Gate or through Building 77. Parking is available for $15 and a free shuttle bus service is available between the market to the Fulton St. and Lafayette Ave. intersection. Buses will run every 15 minutes from 11:45 a.m. until the end of the event.
The event is open to the public free of charge, but visitors are encouraged to RSVP here.
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