Despite Objections, CB3 Backs Bed Stuy Bar
Daphne Surpris, who has operated the impeccably designed coffee spot Ms. Dahlia’s Cafe at 449 Nostrand Ave since last year, recently decided that she would like to expand by opening a bar in an empty space next door. You might think such an entrepreneurial move by someone who’d proven her commitment to the neighborhood and…
Daphne Surpris, who has operated the impeccably designed coffee spot Ms. Dahlia’s Cafe at 449 Nostrand Ave since last year, recently decided that she would like to expand by opening a bar in an empty space next door. You might think such an entrepreneurial move by someone who’d proven her commitment to the neighborhood and her ability to create a tasteful establishment would be welcomed by Bed Stuy residents, but a Community Board 3 meeting on Monday night revealed widespread disagreement within the community about the bar in particular and the future of the neighborhood in general. Some of those in favor of the application said they were tired of going to Park Slope and Harlem to find “more sophisticated bars.” Other supporters argued that the community should be backing an African American woman wanting to open a business in the area. (“We should be supporting someone who looks like us,” said one person from the audience.) One of the arguments against the bar was that there are some schools nearby, though it was later pointed out that the closest one was an adult learning center. Others worried that adding alcohol to an already dangerous block (dangerous? really?) had the potential to increase violence in the area. A man in his late 20s, whose parents lived nearby, argued that he didn’t want them to worry about the same type of violence he felt growing up nearby. Despite the naysaying, the community board ended up supporting the application for the liquor license, so now it’s on to the State Liquor Authority for Surpris, who, ironically, plans to call the new spot Nobar. GMAP
Thank you, MM. it’s very hard when someone comes in bashing like gs3 and then won’t answer a simple question. i have little patience for that level of immaturity and childishness.
As for the “unholy quartet” I think we will be seeing more of that as we did along the lines of Rush Limbaugh and Elton John. That was provocateur speak.
benson, MM, dibs, biff
here here
That unholy quartet in some kind of agreement happens about as often as the planets lining up in a line. Look to your children, the end is near!
gs3, Dave is many things, but he is not a racist. He is also not polically correct. He is a provocateur, and loves tossing some verbal pepper in the pot to liven up a discussion. The reason why no one is cursing him out except you, is that the rest of us know he is not a racist, a term I reserve for really only a few people who contribute here. Please save your ire for the people who really deserve it. There are often enough of them to make your fingers cramp.
benson, MM, dibs, biff
here here
the early gentrifiers in clinton hill made out like bandits, my bldg went coop in 84, people brought a 2 bedroom for 40k and sold for 500K in 2006 amost a 13% annual return.
You act like an impetulent child, gs3. I’m done with you. I don’t have the patience to argue with someone so immature and so far below intellectually.
Go work on your art.
Have a good day.
Dave-
you made a racist joke.
“Will they have any caricatures of white people on the walls???”,Dave.
shame on you.
I think Ringo did hit on the one business that does seem to get pushed out of a changing neighborhood, the neighborhood laundromat. No one laments the new grocery store opening with fresh produce and better meats, etc or the loss of a nail salon or many of the unhealthy fast food joints. But i suspect the loss of a laundramat causes hardship. Many LLs do not offer facilities to tenants.
To add to what Biff and Etson said above: while gentrification, or “re-gentrification” has been going on in the Brownstone portions of Brooklyn, a different dynamic is at play in the southern portion of the borough. Many formerly middle-class areas have morphed into immigrant and working-class communities. The zip code I grew up in (11223, Gravesend) has the highest concentration of immigrants in Brooklyn. Many formerly single-family homes, just like the one featured in yesterday’s HOTD, have been sub-divided into three, or sometimes five, apartments for immigrants.
If neighborhood change is not your thing, New York is not your city.
I hear you, rf. Change has certainly come to our section of the woods. But I honestly believe that since change is inevitable, it is better to get on board, and be in the position to guide that change so that it can benefit the most people. Some people, like the unlamented What, think that attitude is selling out. I think it’s reality. Bed Stuy is changing….”they” are coming, liking what they see, and staying and opening businesses.
These are often businesses that almost EVERYONE wants, amenities that most neighborhoods have, but we seem to have lost in the chaos of the 1970’s-80’s, businesses that never came back. Mom and Pop diners and coffeeshops that USED to be here, all kinds of businesses owned and run by various nationalities, including African Americans. The take-out businesses that remained were able to survive because it’s much cheaper to not need the space and expense of a sitdown restaurant. The times and eating habits were different, too.
That said, these amenities that most neighborhoods take for granted were almost unknown here. We’ve all gotten used to them in our travels in other places, and we want and need them here. That’s not a gentrifier thing, that’s a 2010 thing that would appeal to a very large section of the new and old community. I think we should encourage anyone to open up a business in Bed Stuy (and I’m talking about Crown Heights North, as well. As I said to Rob, if their products are too expensive, not demographically appropriate, or whatever, the market will decide their fate. I think businesspeople would be surprised at what would happen. The first classic diner that opens around here will clean up.
Long story long, a successful business environment is good for everyone. It provides local jobs and keeps money in the community. That promotes more business, and yes, more new people. I think somewhere in there, community activists and local officials need to channel that success into positive change for those who are in danger of getting pushed out. It’s not an easy balance, and I work with my community groups to advocate for affordable housing, and jobs, so people can stay in their communities and be partake of the goodies we all want. I know that’s a nice sound bite, and not easy, but if we just stand in opposition to change, it will only run us over.