Ikea is Everyday People
The Times’ “Critical Shopper” columnist has concluded that it’s time to “make lemonade” when it comes to how Ikea’s presence in Red Hook is viewed: Sure, it furthers Red Hook’s transformation into the Paramus Park shopping mall in New Jersey. Yes, it may bring traffic and inauthenticity to the area. But walking through the maze…
The Times’ “Critical Shopper” columnist has concluded that it’s time to “make lemonade” when it comes to how Ikea’s presence in Red Hook is viewed:
Sure, it furthers Red Hook’s transformation into the Paramus Park shopping mall in New Jersey. Yes, it may bring traffic and inauthenticity to the area. But walking through the maze of home furnishings, I saw what I love about Brooklyn: everyone. A middle-aged woman was buying bathroom slippers; a gay couple was deciding on a kitchen countertop; two Muslim women in beautifully printed silk head-scarves were inspecting the sliding walls of a bedroom closet; a Latino family was deciding on bunk beds for their excited daughters. This store is for everyday Brooklynites needing something cheap and relatively well designed, even if the stuff is of dicey quality and doesn’t last forever. When you see Ikea furniture on curbs around town, at least you’ll know that these everyday Brooklynites can still afford to live in Brooklyn.
How does the columnist know the gay couple, Muslim duo and Latino family are all Brooklynites? Eh, let’s not sour the lemonade—think he’s got a decent point?
A Diverse Brooklyn, With Meatballs [NY Times]
Photo by madaes
Does Ikea sell bleu cheese smashed potatoes? Not MASHED potatoes, but SMASHED potatoes?
I disagree;
I did read the article, and I think some of your points are off. I agreed with your point about the hysteria of the “slippery slope” agument. I generally like Ikea, and believe it is a fine addition to Red Hook (BTW, I was born and spent my early childhood in Red Hook, a stone’s throw away from where Fairway is located).
My diagreement with you is on the NYT’s article. As I noted in my previous post, it is typical of the Times’ elitism and rigid view of the world. For example, I note that he classified all of the folks into the standard Times’ categories (gay couples, Latino’s, etc.), which they translate into “diversity”. In the modern day world, however, isn’t life more complex than these shopworn categories? Did he actually talk to these everyday people he supposedly loves, and as a good reporter would, and really get a glimpse into their full background and what draws them to the store? I note that there is not a single quote from these people. Rather, he simply identifies them by their visual, coded, stereotypes. This is elitism.
Benson
I was talking to a cashier at Lowe’s a while back, and she was commenting about how many of her coworkers were leaving to take a job at the Red Hook Ikea because it was a good opportunity for them.
What I really don’t understand is why many of you seem to define us Brooklynites’ characters and spirits by where we eat (Say no to Olive Garden on Fourth Ave!) and where we shop (Death to corporate chains!). That is quite some shallow, pathetic BS.
Granted I dislike those stores myself but I object the notion that their mere existence would destroy our unique identity and culture. If the “fabric” (what a pretentious word that all you arm chair critics love to use) of our neighborhood was this easy to be broken and erased, then we had a much larger problem than some chain stores.
What is so great about Red Hook that an IKEA outlet would mess it up?
I did find the attitude of the article to be a bit on the obnoxious side but that said, Ikea brought jobs to the neighborhood and they have a number of corporate policies I have to admire. the jobs may not be high paying but they do have benefits and that is a huge plus. And frankly, I’d rather have the sales tax come here than to NJ. we need it.
But what heather says is really the case. I love mom and pop stores and think they should get all the support a community can give them, but we can’t exist on only mom and pop stores. I can go to Ikea and furnish my whole work studio whereas I can get just one bookcase at my local furniture place, or Pottery Barn or Barrel and Crate. But the local mom and pops get my money because they are part of my community. who says we can’t have both (er..having our cake and eating it too?)
To everyone who cries “snobbish” and “elitist” wolves: A little self-reflection would be great for your soul. How dare you chastise people for where they choose to shop? That is downright condescending and, yes, elitist.
And it’s truly snobby of you to look down on the “not high-paying jobs.” If these hundreds of Ikea workers could find better paying positions somewhere else, don’t you think they would’ve taken those instead? And can all these hundreds of people all become owners of “local stores?”
And where are those mythical “small stores which have comparable prices and better service?” Ikea sells a pair of dishwashing brushes for 99 cents (and somewhat designed). Please tell me where else to get a deal like this. I’ve been looking high and low.
oh, indeed, can WalMart be far behind? as if Ikea is at the top of the slippery slope that leads inexorably to WalMart, as opposed to sitting somewhere on the road next to, say, Target, PC Richards, Costco, Home Depot, Lowes, and lord knows how many others? Or is it just that you’re offended that this particular big box store is in precious little Red Hook, instead of some neighborhood whose grungy quality isn’t as hip or interesting or “edgy” as you find Red Hook’s to be?
it’s completely clear that some of you didn’t even read the article. or if you did, don’t actually know what the word “elitist” means. and even if you did and do, you’re reading your own elitist and paternalistic views into the written words, which could hardly be less controversial. i mean, Ikea is affordable, the economy sucks, Brooklyn is diverse, I like Brooklyn and “Still, [Ikea] is here now, and I suppose we have to make lemonade” is hardly a clarion call for corporate gentrification and – what – a movement to convince “poor people” to buy bookcases against their social interest?
The guy has about five paragraphs about stuff he or his friends bought from Ikea and making it clear that he considers himself one of these mysterious unknowable creatures called “everyday Brooklynites” you all seem so mystified and incensed by. Does it just bug you all that someone of modest means and access to the press can possibly see things other than in black and white?
and by the way, 10:49 has it right. how many weeks of that ridiculous “bird” boutique blog do we have to read to know that “everyday brooklynites” can’t afford that stuff? let them eat cake, indeed.
“sure, it creates jobs, but not many high-paying ones, and sure, it creates sales taxes for our coffers, but it’s not the same as setting up and supporting successful stores -owned by locals- that sell merchandise created by locals using local suppliers and skilled labor that live here.”
Like those local stores that overprice cheap furniture with financing terms and make their profits on the financing. Is that better?
What’s more, show me the local mom and pop, show the local boutique even, that can afford to pay its employees health insurance? Go ahead, show me.
Seriously, I might apply for a part-time job there if their dental plan beats my husband’s work.
I thought the article, although smug, was probably pretty accurate.