Streetlevel: Traif Bike Gesheft
[nggallery id=”35492″ template=galleryview] The chickens at Traif Bike Gesheft obviously don’t fix the bikes; they’re just there to keep Joe Diamond company. Joe opened his bike shop (which translates from Yiddish to “Non-kosher Bike Shop”) a few months ago in a space behind the Time’s Up bicycle organization in Williamsburg, where he repairs and sells…
[nggallery id=”35492″ template=galleryview]
The chickens at Traif Bike Gesheft obviously don’t fix the bikes; they’re just there to keep Joe Diamond company. Joe opened his bike shop (which translates from Yiddish to “Non-kosher Bike Shop”) a few months ago in a space behind the Time’s Up bicycle organization in Williamsburg, where he repairs and sells used bicycles, and raises chickens. It’s easy to miss. The entrance is a set of swinging saloon doors painted bright yellow that lead to a narrow alley to the right of the building. We stopped by the other day for some bicycle advice, and Joe mentioned that he has received 500 new used bikes, so if you’re looking for a reliable and well-loved steed—and, if you’re lucky, a freshly laid egg—check out his shop at 99 South Sixth Street between Berry and Bedford, or call (347) 245-8759 for opening hours. GMAP
Even though I don’t agree, Back to Concrete is hilarious. And Gallstoner, that’s one great story.
For the BTC folks, you need to also weigh the alternative. Giant Agribusiness is ruining the heartland–in Iowa and other big farm states, chemicals and pesticides are in the groundwater to such an extent that it’s becoming dangerous (you know, like skyrocketing cancer rates) for the folks who live there–not just the farmers. And that crap is in our food as well.
So I will grow food in my backyard or in pots, use good dirt, and take my chances–I can wash my vegetables and use organic fertilizer. But to assume that veggies from many farm areas are safer just isn’t true. Veg eaters beware! 🙂
> the whole lead poisoning issue.
Plant your edibles in containers.
Problem solved.
One main thing that is wrong with them is the soil you’re growing them in is like, majorly full of lead. There’s a reason people paved over those backyards, you realize?
By the way, one of my dearest friends has chickens in her backyard in Park Slope. I just… you know, I am a child of the seventies. I’ve seen this back to nature urban thing before. West Philly was a hotbed. 99% (okay that’s an imaginary percentage) of it is absurd and not economically sustainable. Not to mention the whole lead poisoning issue.
Seriously. Must we all have crown molding and wooden shutters and just use our yards as a staging ground for our clever repartee at dinner parties? What is wrong with chickens or tomatoes or strawberries or bees or whatever?
did i miss the memo about ‘haters tuesday’?
ps- zebras make some freaky noises.
Eels and brassieres…that officially beats my own personal-best American-Dream Retailing Mix: the Bangla store on Church Avenue that sells “electronics, dried fish, luggages.”
And, for the record: Eel-and-Brassiere Lady = “weird stuff that makes Brooklyn unique.” Hipsters with Free-Range Hens = kinda, but not so much.
I love the whole back to earth n’ concrete thing. It used to be a common hing years ago, and I think the farming/gardening/beehiving (as long as its not hair)/ animal thing is great. True- some people are doing it because they think it makes them cool- but for a lot of folk its very fulfilling. gosh rob, even non-white people do it.
Now there’s a combo!
Hmmm. . .and to think it’s the gesheft area that’s most prone to injury if one stops short on a bike. . .well then: There’s your irony!
If you think chickens & bikes are a strange combo, I believe I have a topper:
Several years ago, while coming down the steps of the Brighton line Avenue U station, the crowds were treated to the sight of a tiny, very old Asian woman, sitting on a milkcrate.
She was skinning & selling eels to her left-with brassieres for sale to her right. She carried on like it was the most normal thing in the world. I didn’t stay long enough to see if anyone bought either product, & never saw her again.
I am NOT making this up, & still can’t help but wonder what connection, if any, there could possibly be between these two very different commodities.
YES! i loved those maury episodes!!!! i remember the lady who was DEATHLY afraid of PICKLES!!! im sure i could get over my fear of peacocks with proper exposure therapy, but i really have no desire to considering that as long as i stay out of the parks i wont see any. i did see someone with a peacock tshirt recently but i just walked away as quickly as i could without causing a scene.
*rob*