Burg Wants Cinema and Pharmacy—Not Galleries, Clubs
Greenstone Realty did a survey of 200 people roaming the streets of Williamsburg and published the results in its marketing brochure for The Edge’s retail space. The following is a sample of their retail wish list, in descending order: 177 respondents said they want a cinema, 140 want a pharmacy, slightly fewer want more clothing…
Greenstone Realty did a survey of 200 people roaming the streets of Williamsburg and published the results in its marketing brochure for The Edge’s retail space. The following is a sample of their retail wish list, in descending order: 177 respondents said they want a cinema, 140 want a pharmacy, slightly fewer want more clothing stores (129 described themselves as fashion freaks), and 129 want more food and gourmet markets. Clubs came in last, with only 29 respondents saying the neighborhood needs more places to get drunk and boogie. Second to last was (surprise!) galleries—39 people said they want more places to view and buy art. Other interesting tidbits: 82 people said they dislike the warehouses and manufacturing, and 101 said they dislike the neighborhood’s gentrification. Almost everyone felt there needs to be more retail. While 181 people said Williamsburg is “the coolest place in Brooklyn,” only 101 said it’s cooler than Manhattan. See the full results after the jump…
Burg Throwdown! The Edge vs. Northside Piers [Brownstoner]
Photo by everyplace.
No diversity?
OK, Williamsburg is a big place (its really a collection of neighborhoods, not one neighborhood – and getting bigger all the time, if you believe real estate agents), so I’m sure part of this is blind man and the elephant syndrome, but get off Bedford Avenue and take a closer look.
In terms of ethnicity, Williamsburg is incredibly diverse. There is a huge Hispanic population in the Southside (and further east in Bushwick), Hasidim in South Williamsburg, Italians east of the BQE, Poles and Italians west of the BQE and more Poles to the north in Greenpoint. Economically, its also incredibly diverse, with a large working class population and sizable portion of its population in the very lowest income ranges citywide (median income in CB1 is less than half that of the Metro area). Large parts of the area are given over to public housing.
Yes, there has been a huge influx of young, predominantly white people (lets call them “hipsters”), but that is simply one more layer on top what is probably one of the more diverse areas of the city.
It sure has its faults (believe me, I know), but lack of diversity is not one of them.
7:44- your exactly right. williamsburg is boston in NYC. an area with no diversity at all
I used to live in Williamsburg and reluctantly moved in with my girlfriend in Park Slope two years ago.
I really thought I was going to dislike it, but honestly…I like it so much more than I ever thought I would…I’d almost say I love it now.
I rarely have an interest in going back to Williamsburg anymore. It’s kinda like a transitional area where you move right out of college and then move on when you grow up and realize that there is more to life than trying to fit in.
I loved Williamsburg for years. I was one of the neighborhood’s biggest fans — but walking through the construction zone of death everyday going to the park — while also watching every quirky, humble but beautuful thing about it vanish into yet another glass-walled condo has made me reconsider that love.
Still, when the economy collapses and all of these “creative” stylists, interior designers, photographers, and bar owners lose their jobs and have fire sales, we may come back.
I admit, I am pleasantly surprised by how much nicer brownstone Brooklyn actually is.
Except for the coffee. There’s no decent coffee.
williamsburg…”Your own slice of Boston here in New York City”
williamsburg falls
williamsburgville
williamsburgland
williamsburg rock
williamsburg ‘r us
why would anyone want to live in williamsburg. this is NYC the most diverse city in the world. gee let’s live in a completely white and obnoxious neighborhood.
Williamsburg was not named one of the top 10 neighborhoods in the country (like Park Slope).
Don’t think it’ll be on the list anytime soon, either…
And no, I don’t live in Park Slope…I live in Ft. Greene…
My dislike of Wburg has a lot to do with the fact that I really do like trees.
I love the hate all the Brownstoners have for Williamsburg.
I wouldn’t expect you to get it, being you’re all so OLD!!
Wow! People LOVE to hate on Williamsburgers! (munch munch) So you call them posers… but who are they posing as? Other Burgers? What makes them different than any other ‘group’ that bands together?