The (Makers) Market
Old American Can Factory, 232 3rd St., Brooklyn, NY 11215, 718-237-4335
Getting There: F to 4th Ave
The (Makers) Market

As the days get shorter, and a brisk chill fills the air, we must retreat indoors for most of our daytime activities here in the fair city. It would be near impossible for business owners to set up shop outside in harsh winter temperatures.  LocalBozo.com is here to help you to beat the winter blues by letting you in on some excellent indoor market places all around the five boroughs.

Brooklyn is home to several closed down and/or burnt out factories from its past. Luckily, due to many forward thinking and likeminded individuals, these relics of Brooklyn’s past have been reclaimed, rebuilt, and fitted with the latest in green technology to house a variety of events.

The Old American Can Factory at 232 3^rd Street in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn was the home to one of these events on Sunday November 21^st- (Su) Sugar at the Maker’s Market which is sponsored by The Park Slope Farmer’s Market.  This is a joint effort to inform the community, that once it gets too cold to be outside, the market they love will still be around during the winter, in a historic, and more importantly, heated location.

All of the booths at the market, feature unique goods that are both made locally and use local ingredients. We at LocalBozo.com wanted to spotlight three such business that we urge you to check out, as they are going above and beyond to set themselves apart from the pack in the wildly competitive New York food scene.

Petit Paris Patisserie

Oh the Parisian lifestyle. We all wish for it sometimes, while we live in the hustle and bustle of New York City living.  You may not be traveling to France anytime soon but at least you can have a taste of some of the best baked goods that make the city of love so famous.

Petit Paris Patisserie was founded by Carrie Zimmerman in 2008.  Ms. Zimmerman honed her culinary skills while attending Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and was trained by several Michelin-star rated pastry chefs. I would say that puts us in very good hands.

At Sunday’s (Makers) Market Carrie was making crepes from scratch with various delectable fillings. This was the first place I stopped, because I could literally smell it from outside.  There’s just something about crepes that make them a great comfort food any time of day.

P& H Soda and Syrup Inc.

In this day and age, many of us have never had the experience of sitting at a counter and ordering a homemade soda. P&H Soda and Syrup Inc, of, Brooklyn are looking to change that. We Americans are a soda drinking society, but much of what we consume is quite bad for our health and well being.  So why not have something that tastes great, and is good for you as well?

I have always been a fan of the classic Soda Fountain, and have even been lucky enough to sample it once. Needless to say I was thrilled when I saw P&H at the market. After speaking with owner, Anton Nocito about the business, it was time to try one of their specialty sodas. This list of flavors is quite impressive and unique. I can almost certainly guarantee that you have never had a Hibiscus soda. Obviously that is what I went for.

Before tasting the beverage I was able to see it made right in front of me. Hey, who doesn’t like a show, right? The water which is carbonated is combined with the syrup. It is then mixed together by muddling and poured into a tall glass with ice. The Hibiscus soda had so many flavors going on that I would have to try it again, partly because it was so good, and I may have missed some of the taste.

P&H sells their specialty syrups to locations all around Manhattan who are working to bring back the fountain styles of yesteryear. Some of the other syrup flavors available are ginger, cream, lime, and Concord grape. They will also sell them to you directly.

The Chocolate Swirl

Seriously, who doesn’t love Chocolate? The people at The Chocolate Swirl know this fact, and they are here to bring you some of the most delectable treats you have loved since you were a kid. For the matured palette they feature an array of delicious truffles.  The fun does not end there. The women at the Chocolate Swirl also feature some sugary delights that you may have never heard of before.

Ever heard of Brownie Pops? Well, it’s about time you did. This hybrid creation takes two beloved treats and makes them one. A rich chocolate brownie piece is played on a stick, then dipped generously into flavors such as; Mint, Peanut Butter, and S’more! It is truly a flavor rush.

Kids birthdays are The Chocolate Swirl’s specialty. No, this is not the simple cake and ice cream party you remember from your childhood- things have changed in a big way.  The people at the Chocolate Swirl will customize your child’s birthday down to the last detail.  From edible party favors to customized cakes featuring video game characters on it, the Chocolate Swirl has everything to make the little one’s special day, that more special.

Mark your calendar! The next (Maker’s) Market event, titled Fiber will be held on Sunday, November 28^th. This will be a great event for you to learn such skills as weaving and needlepoint and demonstrations will be on display throughout the day.  And like always, when you come out and support local business you get a product that has been made with fine craftsmanship and you help the economy thrive.

- Alan Smithee