Bed-Stuy, a Harbor in the Tempest?
Just as it did a month ago, The New York Times took a stab at classifying Bedford-Stuyvesant, this time as an exception to the ubiquitous economic tumult. Even though real estate prices are dropping faster in Bed-Stuy than in Park Slope, the article argues, the area is ripe for entrepreneurship: commercial rents are lower, attracting…
Just as it did a month ago, The New York Times took a stab at classifying Bedford-Stuyvesant, this time as an exception to the ubiquitous economic tumult. Even though real estate prices are dropping faster in Bed-Stuy than in Park Slope, the article argues, the area is ripe for entrepreneurship: commercial rents are lower, attracting new shops such as Therapy Wine Bar or Creative Blossoms. Some of these new businesses are struggling themselves, but the Times points to some optimistic statistics: a 2008 study showing that locals spend $30 million at bars and restaurants outside of the neighborhood (i.e., there is a demand for local venues) and an NYU professor who claims that since residents of Bed-Stuy aren’t as dependent on unstable Wall Street salaries and bonuses as, say, residents of Brooklyn Heights, their spending habits are also more stable. The article does plenty of comparison: Bed-Stuy to Fort Greene, Bed-Stuy to the Upper East Side, Bed-Stuy to Brooklyn Heights. What did you think of it?
Amid a Citywide Slump, a Local Expansion [NY Times]
History, with Hipper Retailing in Bed-Stuy [NY Times]
Photo by Clay Williams
dearth of Wall Street D-bags.
That is definitely a plus.
Seriously though. Just ONE store that sells some cheese other than Velveeta would be nice.
One decent market. One. That’s all I want.
Not one or more average per block. Just one single semi-upscale food market smack dab in the center of this neighborhood of 400,000 residents.
Okay no. 2 things: an apartment with a bathtub AND one decent market.
I personally liked the NY Times article. I recently moved to Stuyvesant Heights with my partner and we fell in love with the area. The restaurants are great and the neighbors are very friendly. I don’t mind the fact that the area is highly residential. This is what adds to its appeal. Most importantly, it intrigues us that our diverse neighbors (KEYWORDS: Diverse–meaning racial make-up) are working artists, professors, architects, designers, writers, and small business entrepreneurs and NOT the stiff-neck, white collar workers (aka the wall street junkies).
Additionally, I revel in the calm of the neighborhood. I step off the train and I feel like I’m home in a different world where the dissonant sounds of Manhattan are at bay. I love that there are hardly any commercial areas around besides Fulton Street; because if that were the case, the neighborhood would lose its appeal. This is not Park Slope. And besides, Saraghina, Peaches and Breadstuy are great places to dine and hangout….if I want anything else, I love my beautiful brownstone apartment enough to stay at home and cook a nice meal with my partner.
Nicole
Stuyvesant Heights went from zero to 2 good restaurants in about a year. (Saraghina… Peaches)
In other (desirable) neighborhoods, if they dropped down to this level everyone there would think The Apocalypse was raining down upon them.
Forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but when you’re already at bottom there is nowhere to go but up.
No wait… Food 4 Thought has been there for a while. I like that place.
More4Less- I emailed you
Even if it’s not exactly a glowing article at least it’s not bad press about “scary” Bed-Stuy. Nice, in a way, that they’re giving all this recent coverage to the neighborhood because there IS plenty of opportunity and demand here. Businesses are needed in all forms (and uh apparently those catering to the stay-at-home-mom crowd who seem to feel the need to travel to other ‘hoods for kid-friendly amenities…), though I’d dispute that we’re “starving” for them. If something opens near me that I want to patronize then great, but if it’s doesn’t I’ll live. I didn’t move to Bed-Stuy because I wanted amenities or even necessarily wanted it to change.
That said, most people would prefer to walk out their door than having to jump in the car or subway to get a decent breakfast. I think it’s just a matter of time before people start figuring out just how much opportunity there is in Bed-Stuy. It took about quite a long time for DeKalb to come into its own, from the days of Cino’s (RIP). And the Williamsburg section of Bedford Ave was still a bit of a wasteland a mere 15 years ago.
Anyway, I’m going to make an effort to patronize the new wine bar on Lewis even though it’s a bit out the way because I respect and really admire that someone took such a big risk to realize a dream and make a contribution to the ‘nabe. That’s the kind of business that I hope will define the future of Bed-Stuy, meaning local entrepreneurs/people who are already somehow invested in the neighborhood.
It depresses me that most of the people I know who live in Bed Stuy I’ve met in Fort Greene playgrounds… honestly, if I lived there, I’d be at the playground nearest to my house. Fort Greene/Clinton Hill has 4 (at least) wine shoppes, all within a half mile of each other. The ratio in Williamsburg was even more insane. While I love Olivino, (the closest one to me), I do think this is excessive.
Very good point, orestes.
You do have a point, orestes. “Wall Street” is more than brokers. The people in the vast support industries were hit harder, and have less to tide themselves over with until things approach normal again.
As to the Times slant – I don’t think they really are capable of doing any different. All of their city writing is skewed towards a Manhattan-centric, liberal, white, college educated, 35-60, white collar readership. I’m rarely surprised at their take on my communities. But, even with that, I’d rather be covered than ignored.
This is typical Times- write a story about Bed Stuy and focus on white people. The comparison to the upper east side and brooklyn heights says it all. And as I believe someone above pointed out, just because investment bankers may not live in Bed Stuy does not mean that the neighborhood is not affected by wall street. That is simply absurd- car service companies, restaturants/cafes/etc., messengers, staff, etc. may just live in Bed Stuy. Ah, but the Times isn’t concerned about them; its focus is the influx of former investment bankers and other affluent residents.
I think it’s encouraging that people are opening new businesses. Those of us in the neighborhood should patronize them, no one survives on an island. I wish everyone great success.
I’m glad the Times article called BS working class. That’s a big step up from the usual descriptions of the recent past – ghetto, slum, crime ridden, depressed, and my fave, beleaguered.