Chongkho opens with Thai fusion + public art

Chongkho opened its doors last week bringing classic Thai cuisine with fusion options along with new public art to the neighborhood.

Chive dumplings served with a sweet soy sauce

The latest restaurant opening on Grand Street, Chongkho at 562, comes with a diverse Thai fusion menu and has already made its mark on the neighborhood. Before its opening, signs of life appeared at the former home of Desy’s Clam Bar when a new mural by JPO popped up on its gate. Chongkho and JPO connected through a family friendship, and he agreed to paint the gates to liven the new site while also contributing the 11th new mural on Grand Street in 2019.

Before that however, Chongkho got its start when Apichada, the chef + owner, was working in the hotel industry in Manhattan when she realized she wanted to open a restaurant. She took the L train into Brooklyn and decided to skip Bedford and get off at the Grand Street station looking for an open place. She landed at 562 and got to work opening the location with her daughter Orawan.

The result is a menu that consists of a mix of Thai, American + international cuisine. You can order every Thai classic from curry to pad thai, and everything from mussels to pasta to burgers as well. The eatery also has a unique selection of summery beverages like Thai iced tea and butterfly pea lemonade. Chongkho has the makings of the perfect destination when you’re seeking comfort food of any origin, and the perfect compromise when you and your SO or friend can’t agree on where to go. Either way, be sure to stop by and try a bit of everything. You can see the full menu here and you can follow them at @chongkho_bk.

The gate of Chongkho painted by JPO
Photo credit @walkinggirlnyc

Carneval opens at 507 Grand Street

The “carnival” themed bar + grill brings bright costumes and Latin food to the neighborhood

The Latin fusion restaurant opened this August

A new colorful and fun bar + grill, Carneval, opened its doors on Grand Street this month and is already shaping to be a neighborhood mainstay. Serving as both an ode to the Latin culture of carnivals and the Latin heritage of the Williamsburg neighborhood, Carnival was opened by Mike Cruz, who grew up in Williamsburg, for the local community on Grand Street.

Carneval states that their goal is to “bring great food, creative drinks, culture, and fun to the vibrant Williamsburg Brooklyn neighborhood” as a way of “showing love, pride and loyalty for the neighborhood that raised us.”

The restaurant combines its themes of Latin carnival culture and its Williamsburg roots seamlessly. It’s decorated thoroughly with masks + costumes hanging on the wall and a mural of a “carnival” taking place on the J train emerging from the Williamsburg bridge that acts as the eatery’s centerpiece.

The food menu shares flavors from various cultures, as it was inspired by Cruz’s own global travels, ranging from tacos to yuca to penne a la vodka. The cocktail menu offers the same variety and color at an affordable price of $10 and a daily drink special. Brunch is also available for a prix fixe cost of $40 with complimentary mimosas and sangria for 90 minutes.

Carneval requires no dress code, but it certainly offers every other theme to either make you nostalgic of Latin carnivals or eager to see one yourself. It’s ode to the Williamsburg community that it calls home is genuine to Cruz’s own local upbringing. Experience what the Infatuation calls a “perfect for a party that ends with you swinging by the next day to pick up your credit card,” or go any time for the great food and atmosphere.

Mural on the back wall connecting the bar + grill with Williamsburg’s Latin heritage

Introducing the Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative

A new campaign to bring our work closer to the community

A new logo + materials to help identify our work to the community

The Grand Street Business Improvement District (BID) is proud of our work keeping the East Williamsburg neighborhood clean and vibrant since 1985, but we still have a lot of work left in connecting to the residents whose everyday lives are affected by our numerous programs and services. We recognize that we’re in a changing neighborhood, and we want the BID to play a visible role in connecting all our local communities.

Our neighborhood is experiencing a dilemma common to many NYC communities. How do we create a commercial corridor that serves all residents, new and old? As a community-based organization, we also have the additional factor of determining how the BID fits into this question as a long-serving institution in the community.

We were awarded a grant from the NYC Department of Small Business Services to participate in the “Neighborhood Design Lab” program to reconcile this challenge and met with some stakeholders in the community to listen to feedback. The results of these meetings led us to determine that we needed to be more clear in our messaging, and do more to create the Grand Street BID as a space where all shoppers are welcome and invited to all businesses.

This leads to our new campaign, the Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative, our effort to better demonstrate and articulate the BID’s role as a positive force in the neighborhood and to show how the BID creates a vibrant place for everyone to live, work, and play. We’ve updated our visual identity and messaging to be more clear about our role as an organization working to care for the Grand Street community, and developed postcards + other materials designed to clearly identify what we do.

The goal of this initiative is to create a more defined neighborhood where residents and stakeholders all belong to one larger community, and we are excited to do this work. Let us know who you are and what you think about us and our neighborhood, we have unique surveys open for residents, businesses, and property owners. You are an important part of this process, and we want to hear from you.

Unique postcards available for residents, businesses, and property owners.

It was a Grand summer in Williamsburg--Let's recap what happened

Grand Street has changed a lot since May, here’s what you may have missed.

Artist Don Rimx with neighborhood students

7 new murals celebrating our community

The summer kicked off with the painting of Olor a Azucenas, el perfume del barrio at 609 Grand Street by Don Rimx. Simultaniously, Chris Jehly painted Internal View on the gates at 98 Bushwick Ave. Rimx drew influence from the small business community on Grand Street and the Puerto Rican heritage of the neighborhood to produce his work as an ode to the community. Jehly used his style of “in the moment” creativity to create surrealist works reflective of the vibrant and colorful commercial corridor. This project was funded by Council Member Stephen Levin and managed by the Grand Street BID. The BID hired a local curation business Owley to record and produce videos to document the process, which you can see here.

Artist Chris Jehly painting the gates at Grand Seafood

These murals were followed up quickly by the BID partnering with the Lisa Project and Pride NYC to paint 4 Pride inspired murals at 723 Grand Street. Artists Damon Johnson, Paid MSD, Paul Richard, SINNED + Ria Burns-Wilder visited the neighborhood in June to bring each of their unique styles to create an original work to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. You can see their work below. Read our full article here.

Left to right: Paid MSD + SINNED

Damon Johnson returned to the district again in July to complement the BiscoSmith work “SET THE PACE” by painting hummingbirds and flowers on the Western facing wall of Key Food with his style of bright colors contrasting the stark work to its left. Read the story here.

Original work by Damon Johnson

Summer Restaurant Week Triumphs

14 restaurants on Grand Street took part in this year’s iteration of the annual summer foodie event. With prices from $12 to $35, the event offered an alternative to diners in BK who didn’t want to have to travel to Manhattan to enjoy a Restaurant Week. The event drew attention everywhere from national press like the Wall Street Journal to local blogs like Bushwick Daily. With a complete guide to every participating restaurants’ specials, locals were able to find deals at their favorite spots and try something new at a discount. See the guide and full list of menus here.

DOT parking regulations change the roadway

Shot of the new south side bike lane on Grand Street

To accompany the two new protected bike lanes on Grand Street, the DOT has placed new parking regulations designed to finalize the comprehensive plan for the roadway. Here’s what has changed:

Commercial Only Loading Zones have been added mid-block on the North side of Grand Street and at some side street intersections, enforced from 7am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. The loading zones convert to regular 1 hour metered parking from 4pm to 10pm.

Metered parking has changed on Grand Street from 2 hour to 1 hour and is enforced from 8:30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday.

Meters have been added to the cross streets of Grand at Union, Lorimer, Manhattan, Humboldt, and Bushwick avenues. Side street meters will be 2 hours and enforced from 8 or 8:30am (depending on the block) to 7pm Monday to Saturday.

We’ve also seen increased enforcement on parking in commercial loading zones and bike lanes. To see the fees associated with each violation, click here.

New plantings + tree guards decorate the streetscape

The Hort planting perennials on Grand Street

With funding support from Council Member Reynoso, the BID oversaw the installation of 22 additional tree guards in the district from Bushwick to Leonard along Grand Street. Additionally, the Hort, with funding from the Council Member, planted additional Brooklyn native plants in tree pits throughout the district.

While the summer may be wrapping up, you can still look forward to more neighborhood improvements from the BID. With fall and winter months ahead, you can look forward to expansion of our savings/ discount programming as well as holiday decorations + events in the neighborhood.

Celebrate National Night Out with the 90th precinct

The community event combines food, activites, and safety information.

Mark your calendar for August 6th to join your local precinct’s block party. The 90th precinct is hosting their own National Night Out event at two locations: Brooklyn Arbor School Yard, 325 South 3rd Street and Bushwick Houses, 24 Humboldt Street, Humboldt Street & Flushing Avenue (PSA 3).

You can look forward to a family friendly event with BBQ, face painting, bouncy castles, and performances from Nieves Latin Dance Studio, a karate school, and a DJ.

If you don’t have a ride, the precinct is also offering rides for individuals who come to the precinct office (211 Union Ave), and large groups who can request to be picked up at 718-963-5309 with prior notification.

While you enjoy the event, thank your local officers, and look out for your NCOs (Neighborhood Coordination Officers) Officer Tizzio and Officer Melendez to say hello. Post your pictures, tag @grandstreetbid, and #NationalNightOut.

JPO paints gate at 562 Grand Street

The piece was commissioned by the incoming Thai restaurant Chongkho

The work contains elements signature to JPO pieces

Grand Street received yet another original work from a well-respected street artist last week when artist JPO (John Paul O’Grodnick) painted the gate of the former site of Desy’s Clam Bar.

JPO is a NYC based artist whose art appears across the city, in galleries, and even in clothing lines. His paintings can be easily recognized by the abstract puzzle-like shapes of people depicted in vibrant color. His art has been used by the Governor’s Ball music festival and GAP, and his work can be found in DUMBO, Little Italy, and various NYC locations.

The incoming Thai restaurant Chongkho commissioned the work, bringing the district its 11th new mural this year. See other notable works by JPO here and follow him @JPOart. Follow us @grandstreetbid for the most up to date news on our arts initiatives.

Your guide to Restaurant Week on Grand Street

From fine dining to quick meals, your guide to all the prix fixe highlights August 12th – 25th

Thompson Brooke’s catch of the day + oysters draw foodies from every corner of Brooklyn

Williamsburg’s food scene has exploded in the past decade, and Restaurant Week on Grand Street is the perfect opportunity to explore new cuisines, or patron your favorite spot at a discount. With 14 restaurants on six blocks, sorting through all the menus may seem daunting, but we’re here to guide you through. Click here for the complete list of restaurants, prices, and menus August 12th-25th. Restaurant Week is a celebration of all the chefs, small business owners, and foodies in Brooklyn, so we’re here to keep it simple for you.

The classics:

Bahia Restaurant

Salvadoran pupusas may be the best comfort food you’ve never had. Although it has been on Grand Street for nearly 20 years, the already welcoming atmosphere of Bahia stepped up its game further with complete indoor and exterior renovations. We recommend the combo of 2 pupusas for appetizers, talapia, and flan for dessert with sangria included with your meal for $24.

Mussels from Le Barricou

Le Barricou

Since 2006, the French restaurant has elevated Grand Street’s restaurant scene, becoming a destination for visitors in Williamsburg and even being named one of the top 100 brunches in the country by Yelp. For the ultimate french dining experiences, we recommend the escargot, moules frites, and gelato for $35.

Grand Morelos*

The 24/7 Mexican diner + bakery offers one of the best steals of Restaurant Week, and has some of the best prices for the amount of food you get in all of Williamsburg. Guacamole to start, fajitas for the entree, and tres leches cake from the bakery for $20.

Los Primos

Los Primos is another Grand Street mainstay that you must visit if you live in the neighborhood. Serving traditional dishes in an atmosphere that feels like your meal is home cooked, Primos never fails to deliver with flavor. Try the nachos, fried pork chop, and homemade flan for $25.

The new:

Thompson Brooke

While Thompson Brooke opened its doors only a year ago, it’s already built a solid reputation with its New England style cuisine and those delectable oysters. Come at happy hour to split an $18 bottle of rose along with your $35 feast. You cannot go wrong with their famous oysters, shrimp and grits, and french toast doughnut.

Mad for Chicken

The latest restaurant to open on Grand Street, Mad for Chicken provides a casual scene to hang out, eat chicken wings, and drink beer. Basically, if you like fried chicken, this is the place to go with your friends. Order the grilled corn, 10 piece wings, and ice cream for dessert for $20.

Enjoy outdoor seating at Tacos Project

Tacos Project

Take advantage of the summer weather and relax for a bite outside. The backyard is filled with greenery and has umbrellas to shade the lawn chair + bistro seating. With a few menu options available, we recommend the arepas to start, pabellón for dinner, and horchata to drink all for $18.

The chic:

AmmazzaCaffe

A surefire hit for a special night out or family dinner, AmmazzaCaffe is Italian dining at its best. Enjoy outside in the backyard or book your reservation for Sunday night from 7-9 pm to listen to live jazz music while you eat. $35 goes a long way when you order tartare crostino (sea trout), reginette (pork shoulder in pasta), and pannacotta for dinner.

Los Tacos McOndo*

A block away from the new G and L entrance on Union Ave, Los Tacos has both the food and convenience. The stylish taqueria and bar make for a nice combo for date nights, casual meetings, and nights out. Queso fundido, quesadillas, and churros with fruit are a great way to go for $26.

(pictured right) Crispy fish tacos from Los Tacos

Indian Kitchen

Indian Kitchen wants you to share your dishes for Restaurant Week. Bring a friend or two and the price goes down to $11 per person. The menu is extremely flexible as well: you get a vegetable appetizer, 2 entrees of your choice, naan, and rice pudding for $22.

The impromptu:

Thip Osha*

The casual thai restaurant has the most options of any restaurant on the list, so if you like to leave a lot of room to decide what you want, then this is your place. For $19 we recommend the dumpling appetizer, the duck noodle soup (because just look at it), and the coconut custard for dessert.

Roasted duck soup from Thip Osha

Sandwich Shop*

Gourmet sandwiches galore. The Sandwich Shop offers a steal with $17.75 for a bag of chips, any sandwich, wrap, or bowl, and a can of beer. Our favorite sandwich is the el penzini, with prosciutto and pear for just the right complement of sweetness.

Lobster fries from Ryujin

Ryujin*

If you’re craving umami, then ramen from Ryujin should be your destination. Their lobster ramen and fries have gone viral for good reason, as its hard to find anywhere else that actually serves you a full lobster in your dish. We recommend the fries, spicy tan tan men, and a cup of sake for $25.

Crystal Lake

Teaming up with Tacos Lokos 4ever, Crystal Lake is jumping into Restaurant Week providing the relaxed bar feel with delicious snacks to go along. You can get a rice & beans app, two tacos, and a Coco Loko (coconut vodka & pineapple) all for $20.

New Damon Johnson mural brings color to Key Food

Damon returned to the neighborhood for his second piece on Grand Street

The mural can be seen at 575 Grand Street

Damon Johnson returned to Grand Street for the second time in a month’s span to paint his signature graffiti art flowers + hummingbirds. The artist who was once a Grand Street neighborhood resident is now based out of Portland, and completed the work while visiting.

Working closely with Damon and Key Food, the BID facilitated the effort to make the space available for the mural to be painted. The art now brings color and vibrancy to a wall often tagged with graffiti.

This piece is now the 10th new mural on Grand Street in 2019, creating a street art collection that more faithfully reflects the large community of artists the neighborhood has fostered for decades. With the growing collection of murals, Grand Street will likely see continued attention from future artists looking to admire or break into the NYC street art world.

The mural now sits next to the installation from fellow New York artist BiscoSmith, and complements Damon’s other work at 723 Grand Street, bookending the central part of the district.

You can find the work on the eastern facing wall of 575 Grand Street in Williamsburg. Tag pictures of the mural with @damonnyc and @grandstreetbid.

Grand Street Restaurant Week: 5th Annual Summer Event

14 Williamsburg restaurants offer can’t miss prix fixe deals

Pollo from AmmazzaCaffe

The Annual Summer Restaurant Week on Grand Street offers North Brooklyn residents fine dining and quick eats for bargain prix fixe prices. Book your reservation at any of participating location to get in on discount dining offers exclusive to Grand Street and only during Restaurant Week. Read through our guide to find the spot for you and see our recommendations. And find the full list below.

Snap a picture of you, your meal, or your friends on your night dining out with the #DineOnGrand for the opportunity to win $50 to a Grand Street BID restaurant of your choice!

Le Barricou – $35 – menu

Thompson Brooke – $35 – menu

AmmazzaCaffe – $35 – menu

Bahia Restaurant – $24 – menu

Ryujin – $25 – menu

Mad for Chicken – $20 – menu

The Sandwich Shop -$17.75 – menu

Thip Osha – $19 – menu

Indian Kitchen – $12 – menu

Los Tacos McOndo – $26 – menu

Grand Morelos – $20 – menu

Tacos Project – $18 – menu

Los Primos – $25 – menu

Crystal Lake – $20 – menu

Grand Street BID Announces 5th Summer Restaurant Week

The annual event will take place from August 12th to 26th.

Taste mussels from Le Barricou with soup + gelato dessert for $35

Foodies look out. The Annual Summer Restaurant Week on Grand Street is set to take place again this August, offering fine dining and quick eats for bargain prix fixe prices. Acclaimed destinations Le Barricou, Thompson Brooke, and AmmazzaCaffe will participate again offering 3 course dinners for $35. Neighborhood favorites Bahia Restaurant, Grand Morelos + Sandwich Shop will once again offer steals from $18 for 3 courses.

Our complete lineup will be announced soon, but you can expect many familiar faces in the program, as a sign that the Grand Street Restaurant Week is attracting visitors to patron our thriving restaurant scene and providing opportunity for locals to explore new dining options.

Additionally, our social media contest will again award $50 to a lucky diner who shares their night out with pictures of their dinner, friends or family at one of our participating restaurants with the hashtag #DineOnGrand.

Follow us @grandstreetbid to stay up to date with all of the deals, and its never too early to book your reservation for the 2 week summer event.

DOT street changes take effect

Parking + loading zone changes to be enforced in the coming week.

Beginning next week, DOT will begin making additional changes to parking regulations on Grand Street. Look for new traffic signs + paint for direction as the following notable changes take effect on Grand Street:

Commercial Loading Zones will be added mid-block on the North side of Grand Street and at some side street intersections, enforced from 7am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. The loading zones will convert to regular 1 hour metered parking from 4pm to 10pm.

Metered parking will change on Grand Street from 2 hour to 1 hour and be enforced from 8:30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday.

Meters will be added to the cross streets of Grand at Union, Lorimer, Manhattan, Humboldt, and Bushwick avenues. Side street meters will be 2 hours and enforced from 8 or 8:30am to 7pm Monday to Saturday.

Note: Parking in a bicycle lane in NYC is illegal and will result in a $115 ticket.

Plan to make adjustments ahead of time for deliveries, loading times, and parking to avoid fines.

Grand Street celebrates 34th Annual Meeting

The BID brought the community together to look back on the year.

Pictured: Cynthia Rogers of Williamsburg Animal Clinic with BID Executive Director Erin Piscopink.

The BID celebrated another year of accomplishments on June 20th at the 34th Annual Meeting. Keeping the neighborhood clean, sharing our community’s stories, planting trees, hosting events, and bringing art to the district, the BID was hard at work keeping Grand Street a premier Brooklyn destination to live, work, and play.

The community also awarded select individuals and businesses who made extraordinary contributions to the district or demonstrated notable commitment to the neighborhood.

The winners are listed here:

Williamsburg Animal Clinic for exemplary advocacy on behalf of small businesses.

Bahia Restaurant for impressive storefront improvements

Spa Ella for showing commendable commitment to the neighborhood by opening a second storefront in district

Find the full annual report here.

Artists paint Pride inspired murals at 723 Grand Street

The BID worked with the Lisa Project to bring art to the neighborhood.

Mural by Damon Johnson

The Grand Street BID celebrated Pride month by bringing more public art to the district. Working with the Lisa Project and their 50 murals for 50 years initiative, the BID invited the group to include Grand Street in the project.

The Lisa Project brought artists Damon Johnson, Paul Richard, PaidMSD, SINNED & Ria Burns-Wilder. This is in addition to the murals commissioned by the BID which brought Don Rimx & Chris Jehly to the neighborhood.

The works take another step in solidifying Grand Street as a home to diversity and inclusion. Coupled with the Puerto Rican inspired mural by Don Rimx, the BID has sought to bring art to the neighborhood representative of our welcoming community.

See the new works on the western facing wall of Farmer Deli at the intersection of Graham Ave & Grand Street.

Works (left to right) by PaidMSD, SINNED & Ria Burns-Wilder.

Chris Jehly paints murals at Grand Seafood

The Brooklyn local artist is painting the gates at 98 Bushwick Ave

Street artists are continuing to come to Grand Street, this time painting the gates around the L station at 98 Bushwick Avenue. The Grand Street BID has commissioned Chris Jehly through the Grand Street based curation company Owley to paint the gates with a series of 3 murals, the first one is shown above.

Jehly is known for his works that are inspired by his immediate surroundings as he paints. On Grand Street, Jehly says that he would like to capture the beat of the neighborhood, and his first work has reflected that with its vibrance and bright colors.

The artist will continue to work on the gates during the weekends throughout the remainder of the month, bringing new elements with each new mural.

In tandem with the new mural by Don Rimx at 609 Grand Street and the Ellie Balk piece at 772 Grand, the BID has made it a priority to bring world class public art to the neighborhood. Watch Chris paint this weekend, and follow us @grandstreetbid and @ow.ley for live updates on the work.

Happy 14th Birthday Bushwick Country Club

The neighborhood watering hole is celebrating on Wednesday, June 19th

The event will have free oysters + barbecue along with a champagne toast.
photo courtesy of DrinkedIn

As many descriptions of Bushwick Country Club note, it’s neither in Bushwick or a country club, but this staple bar has been on Grand Street for 14 years this Wednesday.

You can still celebrate in summer country club fashion however with free oysters, barbecue and mini golf on a 6 hole course in the backyard. The spot has a photo booth and arcade games as well, but beyond the extras the main draw has seemingly always been the sense of home Bushwick Country Club provides the neighborhood. The bar goes extra miles to create a sense of belonging, even creating country club “membership” cards for regulars.

BCC has also made a name for itself over the years, inventing the now well-known “pickleback” shot in 2006. So celebrate everything Bushwick Country Club has brought to the neighborhood over the past 14 years with a champagne toast and a shot with pickle juice for the chaser.

Where to dine al fresco on Grand Street

Warm weather is here, make the most of it with these Williamsburg open air eats.

Escape to the garden at Huckleberry Bar for a drink
Courtesy of @huckleberrybar

Huckleberry Bar

This chic bar with seasonally driven craft cocktails + small plates has a garden in the backyard and is perfect for any date night.

Los Tacos McOndo

On the intersection of Grand Street & Union Ave, this conveniently
located and stylish Mexican restaurant + bar offers sidewalk bistro seating adjacent
to public art murals.

Street art facing the outdoor seating at Los Tacos McOndo

Willburg Café

One of only a handful of Grand Street restaurants to offer
sidewalk seating, this diner + café spot offers breakfast all day + bargain
lunch combos.

Dar 525

Mediterranean cuisine sitting in the shaded front patio is perfect for any warm summer day.

Shaded seating at Dar 525

Noorman’s Kil

The whiskey and grilled cheese bar has an open backyard suitable for its regular whiskey tastings and $2 deluxe grilled cheese specials every Tuesday.

Le Barricou

This spot known for its national top 100 brunch, also provides some limited seating tables out front for lucky diners on a first come first basis. Arrive early for not only the fresh air, but for their famous oven
baked pancakes.

Seating for 2 outside Le Barricou

AmmazzaCaffe

The backyard seating at this fine Italian restaurant
provides the perfect atmosphere for a special night out

Family style dining at AmmazzaCaffe
Courtesy of @ammazzacaffe

Haab

The Mexican restaurant offers plenty of vegan options and is
just off of Grand Street on Leonard for a more peaceful lunch affair

Flower plantings + bistro seating at haab

World class art comes to Grand Street

The BID has commissioned artist Don Rimx to paint a mural at 609 Grand Street

Don Rimx has public works in NYC, Puerto Rico + more
Photo credit: @donrimx

Grand Street is about to become a lot more artsy. That is because the BID has commissioned a public art mural to be painted by well-known Puerto Rican artist with Brooklyn roots artist Don Rimx. Using Grand Street building walls as canvasses, the BID has made public art a priority in the past by partnering with Ellie Balk on several “Math Driven Art” pieces.

The work produced by the artist will be inspired by his impression of the neighborhood and informed by a documentary the BID has concurrently produced with Owley by interviewing small business owners + residents on their views of the community. The video will also document the painting process and be released after the completion of the mural.

Don Rimx, who is a former Grand Street area resident, plans to represent the small business community while tying in bright colors + themes of the neighborhood’s own Puerto Rican heritage. The wall will face west towards the Key Food at 609 Grand Street (Noorman’s Kil), replacing a graffiti coated surface.

In tandem with Owley producing a documentary on the community + painting process, the Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative hopes to substantially improve the beauty of the neighborhood, while linking the art with a sense of belonging in a cohesive manner.  

The Grand Street BID coordinated the public mural + video with funding from Council Member Levin.

See press coverage of the mural:

Greenpoint Star

Greenline

News 12

Don Rimx’s artistic influence extends across NYC, as seen in this work in East Harlem

Meet the Grand Street BID: Win prizes

The Grand Street BID is partnering with local businesses to talk to shoppers on the street

The BID spoke with families while passing out free coffee + treats.

Look out for the logo to stop and chat with one of our neighborhood staff about the community while enjoying free treats. On a sunny Saturday this past month, the BID took the streets to share Eleva Coffee, Nick + Sons croissants, and spin a prize wheel for raffles + tote bags.

As part of the Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative, the BID wants to expand our reach to have conversations directly with shoppers and residents of the corridor. We collected feedback through community surveys to see what Grand Street patrons wanted to see next.

Shoppers who completed the survey or signed up for our newsletter spun a prize wheel for tote bags, sweets, or raffles of $50 to a Grand Street restaurant + 2lbs of Eleva coffee beans. Seen below, our winners, Ramona ($50 to Le Barricou) and Tiffany (Eleva coffee) are both residents of the Grand Street community.

Follow @grandstreetbid to find out where + when the next pop-up will be. The BID will continue to partner with our businesses this summer to chat + listen to you.

Winners of $50 to Le Barricou from our pop-up raffle

Trash, Trains + alTernate side parking: Memorial Day city service changes

Just like every day, NYC is the best place to spend Memorial Day, here’s the info you need to know.

If you’re not leaving the city, note these changes.
Photo courtesy of Timeout.

Sanitation collection: Suspended. Hold your trash on Sunday night, DSNY will not be collecting on Monday. Be a good neighbor and avoid fines.

L train service: Delayed. L Project work will be taking place on Monday. When planning your trips treat the day like any weekend.

Alternate side parking: Suspended. Save the exhaust and enjoy the day.

Grand Street business owners share their stories in lead up to street murals

The BID spoke with businesses as part of the Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative

The Sandwich Shop owners Clarisa + Ricardo

Why do businesses decide to open on Grand Street? What makes this neighborhood special as opposed to the limitless commercial corridors in NYC? The Grand Street BID serves to beautify the neighborhood + improve quality of life for businesses and shoppers, and as part of that effort we are commissioning street art murals at some of our intersections this June.

As part of that project, we wanted to use the opportunity to get to the heart of what makes this neighborhood worth taking care of in the first place. So we sat down with business owners on Grand Street to talk about the community in anticipation of the streetscape improvements. We asked questions such as “What’s your favorite memory on Grand Street?”, “Why did you open a business here?”, and “Where are you from originally?” to get a clearer picture of Grand Street’s rich diversity and attractiveness to entrepreneurs.

We talked to a variety of businesses, from old timers Bahia Restaurant & Café + Empire Lock, established businesses The Sandwich Shop + Noorman’s Kil, and newcomers Eleva Coffee + King Kog. We also interviewed some residents and property owners for their perspective on the neighborhood. The interviews will be pieced together with documentation of the painting to be released with the completion of the murals as part of the Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative.

Shawn + Anna Maria (King Kog) discussed how they bring infrastructure to NYC streets. Raffaello + Emilio (Eleva) shared their personal connection living in the neighborhood. Luis (Bahia) explained how he’s seen the neighborhood change and how his business has adapted. Melinda (resident) spoke about her move to Grand Street 20+ years ago. There are so many stories to be told by the tenants of Grand Street, and through this documentary, the BID is proud to give those voices a platform.

Stay tuned for the documentary this summer and look out for art popping up throughout Grand Street in the coming months.