A new summer retail pop-up featuring products from Black-, Indigenous- and people of color-owned brands has opened at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as part of a program designed to support small businesses.
Open Market's Summer Atelier opened June 4 at the Yard Opportunity Shop, a retail incubator storefront in Building 92. The marketplace will remain open through Aug. 22, offering products from 15 brands in categories including wellness, beauty, home decor and accessories.
The Yard Opportunity Shop, launched by the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation in February, provides minority- and women-owned businesses with access to a temporary brick-and-mortar retail space on a rotating three-month basis. The initiative is intended to help small businesses reach new customers while strengthening Brooklyn's local business ecosystem.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Open Market to the Yard Opportunity Shop. Their mission to uplift small business owners and celebrate the diverse cultures of entrepreneurs across the country strongly aligns with Navy Yard’s vision,” said Lindsay Greene, president and CEO of the BNYDC. “It’s a privilege to support innovative and inclusive businesses like Open Market and introduce them to the Brooklyn community.”
Open Market is the second business to participate in the program. The first tenant, Monshe, a health-focused specialty bakery, completed its residency earlier this year and has since expanded with a summer pop-up at Orchard Beach in the Bronx.
Founded in 2020 by Imani Schechtman, Open Market began as a virtual marketplace focused on elevating emerging BIPOC entrepreneurs and the cultural influences behind their work. The platform has since expanded its efforts to support underrepresented business owners through retail opportunities, educational resources and community-building initiatives.
In addition to showcasing products throughout the summer, Open Market plans to host a series of community-focused events beginning July 25.
The marketplace is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am to 7:00pm, Fridays from noon to 7:00pm, Saturdays from 10:00am to 7:00pm and Sundays from 10:00am to 6:00pm. The storefront is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
“I built Open Market to elevate BIPOC creators and help their brands thrive. Having a brick-and-mortar space to bring people together has always been a goal of mine and I’m thrilled to embark on this experience at the Brooklyn Navy Yard,” said Schechtman. “The Summer Atelier at the Yard Opportunity Shop is a beautiful celebration of culture and creativity and I can’t wait to share the works of these amazing emerging brands with the broader Brooklyn community.”
Open Market's broader mission focuses on helping underrepresented entrepreneurs grow sustainable businesses through access to tools, resources and visibility.
The organization also hosts events that connect consumers with BIPOC- and POC-owned brands while expanding opportunities for founders to reach new audiences.
