When Yoselin and I were working on our Shopping Street assignment, our first interviewee was the owner of Tony’s Pizzeria, a “mom and pop shop,” as the owner called it, that has been on its feet for over 45 years. Unfortunately, he shared that his business is becoming difficult to maintain, for bigger businesses are rapidly moving into the area (for example, the frozen yogurt chain “Fruitti Yummi” had recently moved into a vacant storefront across the street from the restaurant). Gentrification, he mentioned, has been pushing his customers away, for the customers whom he used to serve are moving back to the Caribbean, deeper into Brooklyn, and even to Ohio. Although his loyal customers are leaving town, the owner of Tony’s shed a positive light on gentrification, claiming that gentrifiers are “cleaning up the area” by pushing away the gangs and the prostitutes that existed just five years ago. With a familial motivation to keep Tony’s Pizzeria thriving, the owner hopes that more families–typically, those who can afford to eat at his restaurant–also move into the blossoming Brooklyn neighborhood to help his business out. In addition, he urges the local government to assist struggling businesses and families amidst a new wave of wealth.
