It’s All About the Coffeehouses

                            

For some reason, the “opening and closing of coffeehouses stands as evidence of how different waves of gentrification have altered the neighborhood.” Originally, with the first wave of gentrification brings in “neo-bohemian” coffeehouses that attract the artists and hipsters that live there. Then when newcomers become less concerned with the gritty urban feel of the neighborhood and places like Starbucks (mainstream coffee houses) begin to open up, which cater to the young professionals that have recently moved in (Ross and Levine, 56).

The first Starbucks to open up in Williamsburg, opened up on July 21, 2014. Above the Starbucks is a brand new apartment complex, with apartments that are an “affordable luxury:” $2300 month for a studio apartments. Although some people are pleased with the opening of the Starbucks–most are not. The West, a coffeehouse down the block, altered their menu in order to make their “coffee menu a little tighter.” And because of these mainstream companies opening up stores everywhere,  institutional places that defined “hipster Williamsburg”, like The West, are disappearing, which is the “frightening part of the transition”    (http://gothamist.com/2014/07/16/williamsburgs_first_starbucks_opens.php).