Bushwick Weekly (Inactive)

🍔 Food & Restaurants

Raise Your Glass to St. Patrick's Day: Top Cocktail Picks in Bushwick and Beyond

Get into the Irish spirit with these St. Patrick's Day cocktails, from the Lucky You at Shift Kitchen & Cocktails to the Peppermint Patty at Bushwick Country Club. Other options include the Irish Old Fashioned at Bar Louie and the Walk of Seamus at Raised in Chicago.

Exploring the Art of Edibles in Bushwick: EATGOODNYC and Saint Michel Cafe and Bakery's Creative Confections for Pop Culture and Beyond

Carolina Wang and Benny Emeri, owners of EATGOODNYC and Saint Michel Cafe and Bakery in Bushwick, are creating custom edible art inspired by pop culture and current events. Their talent for turning people's lives and brands into art has attracted A-list clients, including Beyoncé and Gigi Hadid, and their cafe doubles as a gallery and community space where the couple hopes to inspire the next generation of creatives.

Bushwick Co-Owners Open New Pizza Joint as Former Fat Choy Chef Takes Over Virginia's Kitchen

Former Fat Choy owner Justin Lee will be the head chef at the newly reopened Virginia's in the East Village, with a menu including dishes like trout roe dip and crab cake remoulade. Meanwhile, Bushwick's latest pizzeria, Decades Pizza, has opened, co-owned by Zach Hughes of Roberta's and Paul Cacici of Chino Grande and Carmenta's.

Bushwick Bites: A Week in the Food Diary of Delia Cai, Amid Heartbreak and Pandemic Loss

Delia Cai, author of Central Places, shares her food diary for a week, including meals from neighborhood cafes and grocery trips to Food Emporium. She expresses her love for New York's food scene but notes the cutthroat competition for tables, all while dealing with the aftermath of a breakup and the loss of her grandmother to COVID.

🏠 Real Estate

Unseen Loss: Bushwick's Gentrification Leads to Sharp Drop in Rent-Stabilized Apartments in Ridgewood, Queens

The number of rent-stabilized apartments in Ridgewood, Queens, has dropped over 65% from 2019 to 2021, compared to a citywide decline of around 10%, with "substantial rehabilitation" being used as a loophole for landlords to remove entire buildings from regulation and sharply increase rents. As the area undergoes sustained, rapid gentrification and violent displacement, newcomers are moving in unaware of their building's rent-stabilized status, and nearly all of the 4,000 missing rent-stabilized apartments in Ridgewood are from buildings that did not report any regulated units at all in 2021.

Bushwick's Linden Street: Proposed as First Historic District

The Landmarks Preservation Commission is proposing to designate a section of Linden Street in Bushwick as the neighborhood's first historic district, which would include 32 brick and brownstone row houses built between 1885 and 1901. Local advocates and residents largely support the proposal, citing the historic significance and cohesive streetscape of the row houses.

Retrofitting Century-Old Apartments in Bushwick: RiseBoro's Eco-Friendly Exoskeleton Paves the Way for Climate Targets

Nine century-old apartment buildings in the Bushwick neighbourhood of Brooklyn have been retrofitted with an eco-friendly exoskeleton in an effort to reduce energy consumption by 60%. Developed by affordable housing organisation RiseBoro, the project could serve as a model for building retrofits to meet climate targets.

Bushwick Community Targeted in New NYC Bills to Monitor Drinking Water Supply and Combat Air Pollution

New York City lawmakers are proposing three new bills to monitor the city's drinking water supply, including routine testing for microplastics, expanding COVID-19 wastewater testing, and alerting community leaders of any operations that could affect tap water quality. Lead sponsor on the microplastics monitoring bill, Councilmember Sandy Nurse, states that the aim is to ensure residents have the information they need to trust that their tap water is safe to drink, as microplastics are ubiquitous in the city's waterways and have unknown health consequences on humans. In a separate proposal, Council Member Alexa Avilés and co-sponsors have introduced three bills targeting the proliferation of last-mile warehouses, which disproportionately affects low-income communities of color, such as Bushwick, in terms of air and noise pollution resulting from truck traffic. The proposed bills require the Department of Transportation to study the impact of last-mile facilities and delivery vehicle traffic on communities and infrastructure, study street design to limit or reduce the use of residential streets by commercial vehicles, and make special permits mandatory for last-mile warehouses in certain districts.

Controversy Brews in Bushwick Over Satmar Matzah Bakery's Chimney: Residents Complain of Poor Air Quality and Alleged Violations

Residents of Bushwick, Brooklyn, are complaining about the newly built chimney of the Satmar Matzah Bakery which has reportedly ruined the air quality in their neighbourhood. Despite complaints and visits from officials, the odour and campfire smell remain pervasive, causing residents to fear for their health and accuse the bakery of working without necessary permits.

Horizon Group's Jefferson Hancock Brings Luxury Condos to Bushwick, Brooklyn

The Horizon Group, led by David Marom, has launched sales for their latest real estate development in Bushwick, Brooklyn, called Jefferson Hancock. The condominium offers 18 residences with a variety of floor plans and amenities, including private terraces, a fitness center, and easy access to public transportation.

🗳️ Politics

State Senator and CEO urge NY Governor to fully fund Homeowner Protection Program amidst rising deed theft and scams in Bushwick

State Senator Zellnor Myrie and CEO Christie Peale are urging New York Governor Kathy Hochul to fully fund the Homeowner Protection Program, which provides services against deed theft, scam and foreclosure prevention, citing the devastating impact on the city's Black and Hispanic households, many of whom have owned their properties for decades. They note that these groups are disproportionately impacted by these issues and call for stronger defense mechanisms to protect some of New York City's longest-term residents, referencing the recent conviction of a man for forging a power of attorney to steal an elderly woman's home in Bushwick.

Bushwick Representatives Support Year-round Outdoor Dining Program Despite Small Business Concerns

New York City restaurant and cafe owners have warned that their businesses will be negatively impacted if the city council introduces a seasonal program for outdoor dining, with smaller operations likely to be most affected. Council Member Chi Ossé has called for a study to be conducted, arguing that the labor required to remove structures every season will severely impact small businesses, whilst Bushwick representatives Jennifer Gutiérrez and Tiffany Cabán have come out in favour of continuing the year-round program.

Controversy Erupts Over $52 Billion Plan to Protect NYC Coastline - Local Community Concerned for Bushwick Inlet Park

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a $52 billion plan to help protect New York City's coastal neighborhoods from future storms, which includes the construction of sea walls, flood gates, levees and more. However, local communities are expressing concerns about the impact on Superfund sites, the walling off of parks, and unprotected areas such as Bushwick Inlet Park.

🌲 Random

• Bushwick Public Art Exhibit Explores Themes of Culture and Politics, while City Council Addresses Appearance-Based Discrimination
• STEM Grants Win for Bushwick Teachers, While NYPD Skips Council Hearing
• Alleged Subway Shooter and Bushwick Resident Comedian Marcos Cofresi Wanted by NYPD
• Bushwick's Irving Square Park to feature new public bathrooms in NYC Parks and Rec pilot program

🖼️ Art

Bushwick Dancer Sara Pizzi Tackles Misogyny in Latest Choreographic Work 'Double Bind'

Bushwick-based dancer and choreographer Sara Pizzi is known for her unique and socially conscious works that aim to spark people's imaginations and question life. Pizzi's latest piece "Double Bind" integrates spoken word and hair art to discuss misogyny and double standards of gender stereotypes.

👩‍🎓 Education

Top Charter Schools in the Bronx (And beyond!): Including the Latest Addition in Bushwick

Looking for the best charter schools in New York in 2023? Check out this guide for schools in the Bronx, including AECI, American Dream, Brilla Public Charter, Capital Preparatory Bronx, Cardinal McCloskey Community Charter, The Charter School for Law and Social Justice, and Family Life Academy. Don't forget to also consider KIPP NYC, which operates 18 public charter schools throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx, including their new Bushwick location.

🎭 Performing Arts

PSYCHO GYNO: A Spooky Musical Takes Over Bushwick's Purgatory Bar for One Night Only

Next month, a one-night-only staged reading of the new comedy/horror musical PSYCHO GYNO will take place at queer bar Purgatory in Bushwick, with tickets available for $14. The play, centering around a gynecologist and her patient, is helmed by three talented up-and-coming female and nonbinary creatives.

Six New Artists Announced for Public Theater's Devised Theater Working Group, Including Bushwick Starr's Critic's Pick

The Public Theater has announced the six new artists for the 2023-24 cohort of the Devised Theater Working Group, which includes Amara Janae Brady, Dahlak Brathwaite, Jaime Cepero, Clarissa Marie Ligon, Eli Nixon, and One Whale's Tale. Among the artists is Amara Janae Brady, whose recent credits include Jillian Walker's SKiNFoLK, a New York Times' Critic's Pick at The Bushwick Starr.

Bushwick's Francie Nolan Empowers Women in Long-Awaited Stage Premiere

Betty Smith's long-overdue world premiere of Becomes a Woman at New York City Center - Stage II is an astonishingly modern feminist work that was clearly ahead of its time, featuring Francie Nolan as the protagonist, a timid and cautious Irish Catholic brought up by her strict parents in Bushwick. The play, set in the oppressively conservative, male-dominated society of the 1920s, highlights the issues that continue to affect women today and reminds us that America and its attitudes toward women haven't changed as much as we'd like to think.

Exploring Bushwick's Roots in Lorraine Hansberry's The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window

Lorraine Hansberry's The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window returns to New York at the BAM Harvey Theater, offering a talented cast and a panorama of early 1960s West Village bohemia, which provides many opportunities for comic timing, but fails to overcome the play's flaws entirely. Set in the West Village but embodying the essence of early Bushwick, the social issues within the play remain familiar today.

🍺 Nightlife

Bushwick's Yankee-tonk: A Taste of Nashville's Culinary Culture or Just a Cheap Escape?

Nashville-themed bars, or "Yankee-tonks," have been popping up all over the US since Nashville became a popular destination, but these establishments do not necessarily honor the actual culinary traditions of Middle Tennessee, instead offering an affordable escape hatch into a geographically murky paradise without concern for authenticity. Examples of these include the low-key Dolly's Swing & Dive in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood and Belle's Nashville Kitchen in Scottsdale, Arizona.

🎸 Music & Concerts

Revamped Wendy's Subway Library in Bushwick Offers Accessible Programming for All

Wendy's Subway, an independent library and collaborative event space in Bushwick, recently reopened with a redesigned space and a new collection of books. The nonprofit offers various programming, including writing workshops and reading groups, and operates on a sliding scale to ensure accessibility to all members of the community.

Jack White Rocks Bushwick at Brooklyn Steel Concert Before SNL Gig

Jack White brought thunderous energy to the 1,800-capacity Brooklyn Steel in Bushwick with a set that balanced newer material with hits and favorites. The intimate gig was a one-off before performing on Saturday Night Live a few days later.

🚔 Public Safety

Suspected Robbers Linked to Multiple Heists in Brooklyn and Queens, Including Near Bushwick Avenue

Police are on the lookout for a group of robbers who have been linked to at least seven robberies in Brooklyn and Queens, with the first taking place near Meserole Street and Bushwick Avenue. The suspects are believed to have held up different businesses across the two boroughs and were seen driving away in a grey Kia Optima after the robbery.

Police Investigate Shooting, Armed Robbery Spree in Bushwick and Surrounding Areas

Police in Brooklyn are investigating a shooting in which a 35-year-old man was struck in the arm while driving along Myrtle Avenue in Bushwick; detectives are asking the public to assist in identifying the suspect. Meanwhile, a group of four armed robbers are being sought after a string of seven robberies in Brooklyn and Queens, stealing over 20k in cash, cellphones and cigarettes; no injuries were reported, and police have released surveillance footage of the suspects.

Moped Rider Injured in School Bus Collision in Bushwick, Brooklyn

A man on a moped was injured after being struck by a school bus in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

📰 In Other News

Bushwick's Bread Brothers perseveres as Williamsburg restaurants rally for earthquake victims

Dar 525 in Williamsburg held a fundraiser for victims of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria, while Super Burrito opened a new location in the area and Kru provided a recipe for locals to try. Meanwhile, although Bread Brothers closed its Greenpoint and Williamsburg locations, the Bushwick location remains open.