May 8, 2003

Anyone who's ever visited the Annex Antiques Fair and Flea Market on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan knows how a stretch of parking lots between 24th and 26th streets is turned into a prime hunting ground for antiques and collectibles each weekend.

Now, antiques lovers have even more spaces to poke around, thanks to Alan Boss.

Boss, who founded the Chelsea market back in the 1970s, has just opened a second weekend destination. The Hell's Kitchen Flea Market made its debut Saturday, with 39th Street turned into a pedestrian mall between 9th and 10th avenues.

The site once hosted the thriving Paddy's Market, which was a Hell's Kitchen landmark from the 1870s to late 1930s, and the new market's first day showed clear signs that the venture could grow into something as enduring.

Some 70-plus vendors lined both sides of 39th, offering tempting farmer's market items of fruit, vegetables, flowers and fresh-baked goods. There was also a display of fine art photography, new merchandise and hand-crafted purses and decorative items.

But the antiques were there, too. Booths were filled with plenty of costume jewelry; vintage linens, purses and clothing; lamps and chandeliers; and kitchenware from Bakelite-handled utensils to chrome 1950s tables.

As late-morning shoppers strolled the length of the block, it seemed the elements were in place for the market to become another stop on the "antiques trail." And with the market's capacity said to be some 170 spaces, take advantage of the free admission and check back as more antiques dealers join the mix.

The Hell's Kitchen Flea Market is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, rain or shine. Call 212-242-1217 or visit www. hellskitchenmarket.com.