Category: INTERVIEWS AND COMMENTARIES

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.

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.