We interviewed the manager of Hi Hello Wine and Liquor, who provided us with extensive background and firsthand experience regarding the gentrification of the area. A 13 year resident of the area, he called the gentrification of Bushwick “Unique”, because in comparison to an area such as Williamsburg, Bushwick is dominated by a “working poor” and the area hasn’t ever really experienced growth until a “wave from Williamsburg.” He also commented on another distinction of gentrification in this area: the artificial enhancement of the process, stating that gentrification in the area appeared to be progressing “very quickly, as if they’re trying to make it go faster than natural.” As a result of the combination of rapidly progressing, artificially enhanced gentrification, and an area dominated by a working poor, the manager stated that the people in the area’s perception of value in the neighborhood “hasn’t changed,” and they believe “things should be cheaper than they are.” However, in the current economy and in the rapid gentrification of the area, this is “not possible.” However, the manager has seen an uptick in customers as of late, although the demography has remained consistently mixed. He further stated that although there have been a fair amount of outside visitors, including tourists from Denmark and France while we were in there, the restaurant aims to be local, and for the most part, stays true to that aim.
Author: lwalsh2
Cobra Club Cafe-Starr Street to Jefferson
The Cobra Club Cafe is a significant example of gentrification in the Bushwick area, therefore, it is essential to the overall idea behind our project. The cafe boasts a bar area, performance space and stage, and recent additions of a morning pastry and coffee cafe, as well as a newly furnished yoga studio. These new additions are symbolic of the changing demographic and gentrification of the Bushwick area. By adding the cafe and yoga studio, the Cobra Club attempts to extend it’s horizons and appeal to a newer variety of consumers, younger residents who have recently moved to the area and prefer the cafe scene. When talking to the morning bartender/cafe barista, he acknowledged that the addition of the cafe and yoga studio had definitely brought in a new generation of customers, and considers instituting the cafe and yoga studio a move that has paid off handsomely for a club that sees more business now more than ever. The addition of these portions of the club combined with it’s location on a shopping strip full of cafe-style shops, as well as the overall increase of prices at the club and the surrounding stores make both the club and this strip prime examples of gentrification in the Bushwick area.
