Well, that’s not exactly true, but the Times reported this weekend that Red Hook neighbors once vehemently opposed to the big box store have learned to appreciate it. They don’t love it for its economic development potential, but for its unexpected benefits: cheap hot dogs, free water taxi rides, the patch of grass they added along the waterfront. Those focused on the bigger picture still have some stuff to grumble about: overcrowded city buses, industrial space reserved for retail when we need more shipyards and silence on how many local residents have actually been hired there. At least we have the Swedish meatballs.
Brooklyn Neighbors Admit Big Box Isn’t All Bad [NY Times]
IKEA. Photo by Listen Missy!