Shopping

A major aspect of gentrification, is the investment of nonresidential into the core of the city with the opening of luxury shopping galleria or new multiplex cinema (Ross and Levine, 54). As compared to the past when Williamsburg sported locally owned cultural shops and restaurants, Williamsburg has evolved today into a highly gentrified area, with new places to shop and eat almost every week along Bedford Avenue, Driggs and other such streets, the neighborhood has boomed with out-of-towners looking for a cool date place, interesting stop or even new gentrified locals out for their daily shopping and grocery shopping. BrooklynNow advertises Williamsburg’s stores under categories like “Pamper Your Pets,” “Salons/Spas” and “Gourmet Foods.” These categories would have been unimaginable prior to gentrification in the area because residents simply could not afford such expensive stores, boutiques and thrift shops. Grocery stores like Whole Foods have taken up the majority of the space in Williamsburg grocery department which puts strain on the lower economic people still living mostly on the Southside of the neighborhood. And Williamsburg has become known for its shopping and cute little stores, attracting people from all over New York and other areas into the stores, contributing to Williamsburg’s overall economic growth but also putting smaller businesses and local well known spots out of business. (http://larespuestamedia.com/) Staples in the community go out of business all the time due to the well knnwn and more expensive stores popping up and taking the customers and changing face of Williamsburg into their doors over those who had lived there years before.