Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: J. Josephs & Son
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
The funny thing about living in Greenpoint (and New York City for that matter) is how much you take for granted until it’s gone. In my case this would be J. Joseph’s Sons Company. This storefront (located at 1058 Manhattan Avenue) is among my very favorites in north Brooklyn. We learned last week that one former holding of the J. Joseph empire has become a rather tony art gallery but otherwise the rest of J. Josephs (or “J. Jo’s” as I like to call it) is more or less intact.
What’s more, they have recently put something incredibly nifty in their window…
a couple of shots of Manhattan Avenue from 1928! Just for fun I decided to recreate the above panorama.
I had to take a slightly different vantage point (only someone with a certifiable death wish would stand in the middle of Manhattan Avenue) but many of the elements are still there. The notable exception being the movie theater to the left. It was called the Midway.
This has since been demolished. It has since become the site of an(issued on-again, off again construction site. Judging from the permits its issued it will be a five story apartment building. Provided it gets completed anytime soon— which I seriously doubt.
To close on a bit of related trivia, many of you are no doubt aware that our Starbucks (located at 910 Manhattan Avenue) and the drug store located at 723 Manhattan Avenue were both movies houses at one time. They were the American Theater (later the Chopin Theater) and the Meserole Theater respectively. What you might not know is one more movie house in Greenpoint is still standing. It’s a little difficult to recognize at first glance but it’s there nonetheless. Anyone care to guess where it is?
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: XXX Street Seating
Now that my Internet service has been restored (thanks Verizon!) I can finish the day with some street seating of a very adult nature which hails from Green Street.
Those of you who have ever wondered why I, a woman with two art degrees, refuses to teach for a living listen up. You’re about to get your answer.
One day I would walk into the classroom and find something like this.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Think Again
Well, I’ve been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that’s the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones. You sure you got today’s codes?— Major T.J. “King” Kong.
I thought I did. Really. I’ve seen a lot of weird and perverted shit in my life but I never thought I’d see the day a property in Greenpoint, 11222 would be pimped on Bedford Avenue. 11211.
Hell has frozen over.
Meet “THE OAKLAND”
Our home is our joy at the end of the day, our deepest comfort, our refuge from the world. That world should be a place of inspiration and a source of comfort. That home should be made secure and safe. A place where craftsmanship is not a luxury. Where the same work and effort that you put lovingly put into making it a place of beauty is also same the standard expected from the developer.
We’ve passed through the dark ages of standard-less housing, welcome to the age of enlightenment. Welcome to The Oakland. A place where quality meets integrity. A place where satisfaction throughout your entire experience is our personal guarantee— from the sales team to the developer— starting today. We stand by our word and remain at your service.
The Oakland
Located on McGuinness Boulevard (formerly known as Oakland Street) and a beer bottle’s toss from the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. I’m very curious to know what the advertiser (and developer) define as a place of “comfort” and “inspiration”. Can you say “soon to be dumped into rental”?
Welcome to the dark age in north Brooklyn.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Happy Birthday Pa Heather!
To close the day on a personal note today is Pa Heather’s birthday. I spent much of it racking my brain as to what to give him. What does one give a man who has— or hates— damned near everything? To this end I decided to take and walk and think the matter over. It was at McCarren Park I finally found my answer: a slice of life not be found where he lives.
A very Greenpoint slice of life.
You might be getting older and losing your hair, Pa Heather, but as the above photographs clearly illustrate hair loss is not necessarily a bad thing. Happy birthday dad!
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Street Seating Du Jour: Luxe Living On Java Street
It’s been a while since I’ve hit you up with some street seating. I have to confess this has more to do with forgetfulness on my part than a dearth of good pickings. Luckily I was reminded of the error of my ways today as I walking down Java Street. Which is where I found the following blue chip ensemble.
All the essentials for a leisurely Monday afternoon in the Garden Spot of the Universe are present:
1. A comfy chair
2. A television set, albeit sans cable (it is a recession after all) and this piece of added value
3. A pair of 3-D glasses
All you need is a brewski (in the requisite paper bag, naturally) and perhaps a can of pickled herring and you’re set!
Miss Heather
Reader Contribution Du Jour: The Garden Spot Muffler Man
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
This weekend I posted an image of a rather impressive muffler man from Greenwood Heights. Not to be outdone I found an impressive specimen from our very own 11222 lurking in my inbox this morning. It comes courtesy of Thomas Bachman.
Those of you who wish to make this dapper chap’s* acquaintance can do so on Cherry Street which, as you can see, does not quite live up to the pastoral nature of its name nowadays— although a few weeds can be spied in the background. Great catch, Thomas!
Miss Heather
*Who appears to be wearing something resembling a diaper. Given the lack of public facilities in the area this is completely understandable.
New York Shitty Day Ender: Summer Fun
I cannot think of a better way to close this lovely weekend than with a few shots of my neighbors (which, yes, includes a sock monkey) having a little fun in the sun… north Brooklyn style!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: From Gowanus To Ditmas
Today’s slide show will take us on a venereal journey from the alpha:
The Gowanus Canal as seen above, replete in its septic, aromatic and Gonohorreaic glory, to Kensington, Ditmas Park, Flatbush (the shots of the old Loew’s Theatre are my favorites) and back again to Kensington for the omega:
S.T.D. Wines and Liquors at 89 Church Avenue.
Enjoy!
Miss Heather
P.S.: For more information about the fetid state of the Gowanus Canal watch this. And take note that our very own David Yassky— the ostensible chair of the Newtown Creek Monitoring Commitee— and frequent “no show” (he sends his P.R. hack Rami Metal instead) is against super-funding Gowanus. If Gowanus goes will Newtown Creek be next? I wouldn’t rule out the possibiliy. Ours is the best government developers can buy.
New York Shitty Day Ender: Waiting
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
From Manhattan Avenue.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: The Garden Spot
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Russell Street
Milton Street
Franklin Street
While I am on the subject of gardens, the Mister and I will be making a field trip to Flatbush today. Needless to say I am charging up the camera and you can look forward to seeing some pictures later!
Miss Heather
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