awakening
The premise of this article–that there are pinpointable tipping points for each neighborhood–is a fun one. We can’t argue with the symbolic importance of the L Cafe in Williamsburg, though we suspect that some of you may have alternative suggestions for other nabes.

  • Williamsburg: The L Cafe
  • Dumbo: Arrival of Street Signs
  • Red Hook: Guys Holding Hands
  • Fort Greene: Vanishing Characters
  • Carroll Gardens: Appearance of Organic Stuff
  • Ditmas Park: Lattes
  • Bay Ridge: “We Speak English” Signs
  • Sunset Park: Mexican Cornona Stick
  • Canarsie: Firebombing
  • Windsor Terrace: Chicken Breasts
  • Bedford Stuyvesant: Unsolicited Offers
  • Prospect Heights: Mr. January
  • The Day When It Ended [NY Times]


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    1. the L and oznots, they had to be there cause artists had been there since at least 85? the real tipping point was meters on bedford avenue- that meant the city finally realised what the hell was going on there.

    2. it would be too self-aggrandizing for the Times to say it, but for my east williamsburg area one “tipping point” was when the bodega across the street started carrying the Times. That’s def. a gentrification marker.

    3. Having recently moved to Windsor Terrace, but having lived in the general area for the last 12 years, I don’t think it deserves a “tipping point” .. it doesn’t seem to have changed significantly. There are few newish ethic restaurants on PPW, but everyone still seems to go to the old school places. So people are buying chicken breast, is that a big deal ?

    4. The Outpost Cafe (not to be confused with the Habana Outpost in FG) is really nice, well done. Great coffee, fresh juices, doing light food fair too like pastries, bagels, nice sandwiches. Plus the decor is great and they are fixing up the garden.

      Another good Clinton Hill spot is Kush (French Pan-African) on Putnam (Fulton) between St. James and Grand. Great food, great prices. Much better quality than Bodegas (not to knock Bodegas). The owner Jacques is really nice. I encourage people to support him and his place. The back garden is open now too.

    5. a little off point but has anyone been to “Outpost” on fulton near classon? I walked by but didn’t have a chance to walk in- a nice looking place in the middle of nothing there on fulton.