Astoria Hosts Its First Ever Tween & Teen Makers Market on 31st Avenue Open Streets
- Projekt NYC
- Sep 16
- 3 min read
Astoria, NY – September 15, 2025 – This past weekend, Astoria celebrated its first-ever Tween & Teen Makers Market, presented by Projekt NYC and hosted on 31st Avenue Open Streets. Creativity, entrepreneurship, and community spirit were on full display as young entrepreneurs—ranging in age from just 8 to 17 filled the street with color, innovation, and inspiration, proving that the spirit of small business and creativity is alive and thriving among Astoria’s youth.
More than 20 tween and teen vendors participated, each with a story as unique as the products they offered. The Shrubbery, a pop-up mocktail stand created by 12-year-old Elek Jordan, a student from IS 429Q, quickly became the talk of the market with a menu that was as playful as it was sophisticated. Drinks like “Divorce”—a bold mix of charred lemon zest, coconut water, lime juice, mango juice, and a splash of Tabasco, brought smiles as the young mixologist served up beverages with excitement.
Romina Kilgore, a middle school student from IS 126Q, showcased her thriving bracelet business, Beads by Romi, which she launched at just 8 years old. Local IS 141Q sisters Emma and Riley Lau also brought their businesses to the market. Emma has been handcrafting resin earrings since the 5th grade and has already built a following at Astoria pop-ups, while Riley added her own creative contributions.
Other standout kidpreneurs included Kris’s Cool Candles, a line of scented creations designed to brighten any room, Craft Crochet by Matt, featuring colorful crochet accessories, and Monster Jousting, a music project by Evander Torres, who brought CD’s to sell of his original music.
“This market wasn’t just about selling, it was about giving kids a chance to step into the role of entrepreneur, to express themselves creatively, and to gain real world experience in running a business,” said Ted Psahos, Executive Director of Projekt NYC. “Astoria has such a vibrant culture of small business, and it’s important that our kids feel empowered to see themselves as part of that tradition.”
Projekt NYC teen volunteers played a key role in the event’s success, assisting vendors with setup and breakdown, greeting families, and even documenting the day on social media by interviewing participants and capturing photos. Volunteers represented local Queens high schools and brought their own enthusiasm to support the younger makers.
“One of the kids made the cutest little clay animals, she was only nine,” said Alice Klingman, a volunteer from the Baccalaureate School for Global Education. “I wouldn’t say I had a favorite vendor, but I did end up buying a pair of earrings and a handmade scrunchie before the end of the event.”
The market also received crucial community support, including generous contributions from La Bomboniera Marylu, which provided tables for the young entrepreneurs to showcase their work and 31st Avenue Open Streets, which supported the market in their community space.
Projekt NYC, an Astoria-based nonprofit, is dedicated to empowering middle and high school students through creative expression, civic engagement, volunteerism, and college readiness. The Tween & Teen Makers Market is the latest example of the organization’s mission to provide meaningful opportunities for youth leadership and community connection outside of the classroom.
For more information about Projekt NYC and upcoming events, please visit www.projektnyc.org, follow on social media at @Projekt_NYC, or email info@projektnyc.org.
The Tween & Teen Makers Market was hosted on the 31st Avenue Open Street in Astoria, part of New York City’s Open Streets program, which transforms streets into public spaces open to all. These transformations allow for a range of activities that promote economic development, support schools, and provide new ways for New Yorkers to enjoy cultural programming and build community. NYC DOT works with community-based organizations, educational institutions, and groups of businesses to execute Open Streets citywide. In Astoria, the 31st Avenue Open Street is one of the few across the city that is completely volunteer-run by local residents.
More information about the program is available at nyc.gov/openstreets. Those interested in supporting the 31st Avenue Open Street can follow the initiative on Instagram at @31stAveOpenStreet for updates on future programming.
