West Village hosts annual flea market with affordable prices and unique items

WEST VILLAGE, Manhattan (PIX11) -- New Yorkers can find a bargain and a good story at an annual event this weekend in the West Village. 

Neighbors are setting up a big market with everything from housewares and furniture to clothes and art. 

It's in the basement of Westbeth Artists Housing on Bethune and West Streets. 

They collect donations and set up the market. Most of the items, including original art, are from the residents.  

Since 1984, around election day and the following weekend, they open the doors. 

"We want to save things that are beautiful and recycle and reuse. We keep prices low," said Christina Maile. 

There’s room to negotiate and ask if it comes with a story. 

Westbeth Artists Housing is one of the original affordable housing developments founded in 1970.  People who live here work in the performing arts. 

Proceeds from the market are reinvested in the building and programs. 

Parviz Mohassel curates the art department. 

He lives at WestBeth and lets his friends and fellow artists know their work can live on. 

The market is open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 11 a.m.