A Guide to Gifting on Grand Street

Happy Holidays! Below is a guide to the businesses on Grand Street that offer gift cards, memberships or subscriptions available for purchase. Give the perfect gift this year by shopping small on Grand Street! Even after the holidays are over, you can use these offers to gift for any occasion.

Additionally, if you’re not able to make it to Grand Street in person check out our businesses with e-commerce! Click here for a full list and links to the online shops.

Eating and Drinking

Duck filled ravioli at Ammazzacaffe

Ammazzacaffe Treat someone you love to an amazing Italian meal! Call or purchase in-store.

BK Jani Purchase a BK Jani giftcard online today Who wouldn't want a savory burger from this neighborhood staple?

Dar 525 Call or purchase a gift card in store for that person who can't get enough of Dar 525's incredible Mediterranean cuisine.

Crystal Lake Give the gift of cocktails and good eats by direct messaging Crystal Lake or ordering a gift card in-store! They also have awesome gift baskets with special wines, liquors and other treats.

Mercadito by Eleva and Portenas A care package subscription offered by Eleva is the perfect gift this holiday season! They offer 3, 6 and 12 month plans which includes two deliveries of coffee each month. 10% of proceeds then go towards community building efforts in Nicaragua. Sign up on their website! E-gift cards are also available here!

Fresh baked goods from Mercadito!

Masa Empanadas A little goes a long way at Masa Empanadas. Treat someone to an abundance of empanadas by purchasing a gift-card in-store!

Desy's Clam Bar Call or purchase a gift-card in store at this cozy Italian restaurant.

Mad for Chicken Their name says it all! If someone you know is mad for Mad for Chicken, call or purchase a gift card in-store.

Bahia Stop by Bahia to purchase a gift card and treat someone to their amazing Salvadorian specialties.

Porto Rico We all love our coffee. Who wouldn't want a gift card to this cafe wonderland? Call or purchase in-store. Porto Rico not only has an extensive selection of coffees and teas, but the accessories and machinery to go with it!

Blue Angel Wine and Spirits Call or shop in-store to give the gift of fine wines and liquors this season! Blue angel also has a creative selection of pre-mixed cocktails.

The Big Whiskey Our neighborhood whiskey bar offers gift cards! Call, or email to inquire about purchase.

Self Care

Spa Ella II Spa Ella II offers gift cards! Purchase in-store to treat someone to some expert nail care.

Primp and Polish Primp and Polish has an online gift card program that can be used for a spa say or to purchase their line of nail-care products. You can find all their products and gift cards on their website.

Hair By Catherine Stop by or call Hair by Catherine to purchase a gift card for some of fabulous cuts and color. Cards will be e-mailed to the recipient.

Hour Rose Salon Shop online for an Hour Rose Gift card and give the gift of a gorgeous hair makeover today!

Clothing and Supplies

Fresh off the Press Is there a creative person in your life who wants to learn to screen print? or print their own designs on various pieces of apparel? Direct Message or ask in-store about a gift card from Fresh Off the Press!

Raggedy Threads Purchase an E- Gift Card or stop by this funky second hand store! A sustainable gift choice this season.

Brooklyn Brickhouse Vintage Grand Street's newest thrift store has awesome outfits for all occasions. Call or stop by the store to purchase a gift card from this unique second-hand shop!

King Kog Brooklynites are crazy for bikes! Get a gift card to King Kog to help your loved ones purchase a new bike or piece of eqiupment from this neighborhood institution. Call or purchase in-store. Online cards coming soon!

Fitness Memberships and Classes

Willyb Crossfit Purchase a membership for yourself or someone else at Willyb Crossfit! They have a selection of 5 different membership types to choose from, so you can stay fit in the way that fits your lifestyle.

Absolute Power Fitness Absolute Power Fitness is community-centric gym with extensive equipment and classes. A membership to this local fitness hub will make a perfect gift for the holidays!

Nieves Latin Dance Studio The gift of dance will bring cheer to this unpecendented holiday season! Nieves offers in-peron, private, and virtual dance classes for people of all ages. Purchase a class or set of classes today!

Grand Street BID Holiday Raffle

The Holiday Season is here! We know this year has been unusual in many ways, and that this holiday season is going to be a bit unconventional. To spread some love with our Grand Street community we are hosting a raffle for a magnificent prize basket filled with items purchased from our shops in the BID. Including, wine, coffee and tea, t-shirts, self care products, gift cards and more!

To enter, all you have to do is create an Instagram post of how you’re spending time on Grand Street! Tag @GrandStreetBID and use #LifeisGrand. 1 post = 1 Entry. It can be a photo of you and a friend eating or drinking at our bars and restaurants, our streetscape, a shop you really like, a neighbor, a walk through the BID or anything else! Get creative! We’re just excited to see how everyone is spending their time in the BID and to support local businesses with our prize basket.

The raffle is open to entries until New Years Day, and we will choose a winner on January 2nd. Start snapping away!

Celebrating Small Business Saturday on Grand Street

Grand Street BID is hitting the streets again this year to celebrate Small Business Saturday! With all the adversity this past year has brought to our communities, it is now more important than ever to support our small businesses.

We will be setting up a table this Saturday, November 28th outside of Mac & PC store and Alcatraz Flower Shop at 648 Grand Street from 12pm to 2pm. Stop by to check out Shop Small promotional materials such as stickers, buttons, pennant flags, tote bags, and more for passersby. The pop-up will also include a prize wheel with the opportunity to win merchandise from the BID.

Grand Street BID Executive Director Erin Piscopink says, “Grand Street is a unique commercial corridor in North Brooklyn that has retained it’s authentic neighborhood atmosphere, in large part because of the large presence of small businesses that have always found a home in our district. We are proud to celebrate the dedication that our merchants have for our community and the diversity of our 100+ small businesses that makes our street special.”

We are also hosting an Instagram raffle! To enter, post photos of how you are spending the holiday season on Grand Street. Tag @GrandStreetBID and use #lifeisgrand in your post. The Grand prize will be a gift bag full of goodies purchased from our shops in the BID! Items will include, wine, coffee, t-shirts, self-care products, gift cards and more! The raffle will be open from Thanksgiving day until New Year’s Day. One post = one raffle entry, and the winner will be announced on January 2nd, 2021!

Behind the Scenes at Blinky's

Blinky’s Bar is coming soon at 609 Grand Street! This new neighborhood hangout is taking over the location of Noorman’s Kil, a long-time Grand Street establishment. New owners, Rhoades Hughes and Jose Valenzuela, have transformed the space into a warm and inviting atmosphere, ready to welcome the Grand Street community through its doors. This behind the scenes, sneak peak of the time, work, and love these guys put in to their new space will get you excited to sip and snack with them at the upcoming opening!

Rhoades and Jose have been friends since 2004, and for a period of time both lived in the Grand Street neighborhood where they became regulars at Noorman’s Kil. They often expressed interest in one day buying the bar. Then, this past year amidst the pandemic, the time came and the two partners negotiated a transfer of ownership, upon which Blinky’s was born.

Booths and interior decor were hand crafted by Blinky’s owners and team, with repurposed materials from the old bar.

Backyard space is big and beautiful! The team is continuing to get it up and running before they open.

Blinky’s is a unique space. Designed and built by the owners with the help of friends and family, the interiors are constructed with wood and materials from the preceding bar. New upholstery was sourced from their neighbors at Estilo Upholstery across the street.

A collaborative effort, the team let the space dictate the design as they built it. They successfully achieved a simple and light setting, transforming the storefront to be more open and inviting. When you enter, the soft blue paneling and seating is warm and enticing, and is complimented by the wooden booths, bar top, and painted shelving. Impressive reuse of old materials on the interior is not only sustainable, but an exemplary practice of preservation and conservation in light of the 100+ year old building the bar resides in.

Blinky’s time capsule cleverly hidden within the bar’s infrastructure. Let them know what else they should add!

Clearly a special place, the team building process behind the creation of Blinky’s dictates the community oriented feel fostered by the new ownership. The new bar will offer a variety of drinks, some snacks, and good vibes. There is also a spacious backyard perfect for socially distanced gathering! Although the exact opening date is only tentatively in the beginning of December, due to the evolving regulations surrounding the pandemic, the team is there every day getting things ready. Stop by to say hello! The door is always open.

Who is Blinky you ask? She’s Rhoades’ cat.

PPP Loan Forgiveness for Small Businesses

PPP Loan Forgiveness is here!

While many businesses who received the loans will be eligible for 100% loan forgiveness, you must apply for loan forgiveness. If you need help navigating the process, you should check in with your lending institution and/or sign up for a free financial or legal consultation that the BID secured through our partners at Start Small Think Big.

Many local businesses received funds through the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program), a loan that was part of the CARES Act that provided up to 2.5 times your average monthly payroll costs in order to keep employees on the payroll.

These loans will be forgiven if they have been used for eligible expenses. There is a possibility for up to 100% loan forgiveness if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. (A particular portion must be used for payroll. That amount varies based on when the loan was made). In order for full forgiveness, the employer must maintain or rehire employees to retain employment level. The amount of the loan that is forgiven will be reduced proportionately by the reduction of number of employees and of wages.

Read the full explanation and FAQ from the SBA Here

To receive loan forgiveness you must fill out an application. To make the process easier, SBA recently released a simpler loan forgiveness application for PPP loans of $50,000 or less.

Each financial institution acting as a lender has their own PPP forgiveness processes, so make sure to check in with your specific financial institution.

Click Here for SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness Application in Spanish

Mac & PC Store Comes to Grand Street

MacPC Store recently opened at 648 Grand Street. Owner, Juvensio Castillo, has been repairing computers and phones for 21 years. He opened the original MacPC store ten years ago in Ridgewood, Queens, and is excited to open the second location of the computer repair store on Grand Street! Juvencio realized that many of his customers were traveling to Ridgewood from East Williamsburg for repair services. Upon finding out that the storefront at 648 Grand was up for rent, he decided to jump on the opportunity.

Computer repair is becoming a more vital service, as the pandemic caused an enormous surge in people working from home. The past few months months have been critical for Juvencio’s clients. As people rely more heavily on personal computers and electronic devices for their livelihood, crashes and malfunctions are more detrimental than ever. A lot of people came to MacPC store with computer damages that made it difficult for children doing remote learning, and for people working from home. A main challenge for many customers during this time is affording repairs. So, Juvencio thought about how to help them.

Owner of MacPC Store, Juvencio Castillo

To address the problem of affordability, Juvencio is working above and beyond to help his customers, and lend a helping hand to the neighborhood. He started the fundraiser #everyonecanrepairdevices. Through a GoFundMe, MacPC Store hopes to generate a goal of $10,000 which will be used to provide free repairs for those who are unemployed or have limited income. For now, repair priority will be for smartphones and laptops. MacPc Store, with your support, will be able to collect and buy supplies, and provide free labor to assist people in need. Consider donating today to help MacPC Store in their mission to help the community!

MacPC specializes in Mac and PC repair and maintenance, but also provides detailed interior work including soldering for computer panels and other electronics. They have a long standing relationship with Mac and additionally sell their products such as iPads, certain laptop models, chargers, phone cases and other accessories. Stop by MacPC on Grand Street today!

Eleva and Porteñas Partner to Open Mercadito

Eleva Coffee teamed up with Porteñas to open two Mercaditos! Located at 557 Lorimer, and the original Eleva Coffee location at 649 Grand Street, these small markets will offer Eleva’s direct trade coffee along with Porteñas one-of-a-kind gormet empanadas.

Brought together during the COVID crisis, the collaboration between Eleva and Porteñas is now bringing a variety of community minded, and ethically sourced drinks and treats to East Williamsburg. “Customers can stop by for a cup of freshly brewed coffee, while watching the hypnotizing rhythm of the empanada maker.”

Eleva Coffee, Yerba Mate Teas, and pantry items To-Go

Emilio Baltodano and co-owner Raffaello Van Couten’s well established Eleva Coffee, has several location in NYC and is distributed nationwide. Additionally, Eleva has raised $60K in funding and facilitated three infrastructure improvement projects in the coffee-farming communities of Peñas Blancas, Nicaragua, and Santa Palencia, Guatemala.

Founded in 2019 by three Argentinian women, Porteñas has built a devoted following. Their mission is to grow and support the diverse local community. During the peak of COVID-19 in NY, the founders worked with World Central Kitchen, founded by chef José Andrés, to serve meals for health care workers. And, after only 16 months of operations, Porteñas has been awarded the prestigious Red Backpack grant by Sara Blakely, along with grants by Facebook, NYC Small Business Solution, and the US Chamber of Small Businesses.

Stop by either location to check out this dream team! They’re offering items to bring home or to eat on the go. For your fridge, you can purchase from a variety of coffee products, frozen empanadas and Alfajores made from scratch, along with Yerba Mate teas and Fuego Mate. On the go? Have a fresh baked empanada, croissant, churro and anything from the espresso bar!

New Mural Brings Messages of Positivity to Grand Street

Grand Street got it’s newest mural last weekend! Commissioned by the Nieves Latin Dance School, the striking piece by artist, Andres Medina is located at 670 Grand Street on the side of Nieves’ storefront. For a while, owner of the dance studio, Wil Nieves, had been seeking a solution to the graffiti that had overtaken a previous mural. After receiving multiple proposals from several artists, Nieves commissioned local artist and friend, Andres Medina, for the placemaking project.

Bright and dynamic, the painting is calligrapher and illustrator, Andres Medina’s first ever large scale mural. Mr. Nieves was hoping to commission a piece that is not only dance oriented, but also community oriented in response to current events including the pandemic, police brutality, racial inequity and resulting social unrest. The calligraphic style of the piece is a trademark of Medina’s artwork. Central imagery of shaking hands within the medallion and the surrounding words are meant to evoke a “universal, positive and inspiring sentiment.”

The mural’s intent to represent hope for the future is clearly captured through Medina’s design. This eye-catching piece is a stunning addition to the streetscape and demonstrates the strength of the Grand Street community. Andres Medina is a long time friend of the Nieves Latin Dance Studio and used to teach classes there. His creativity spans multiple mediums and as he is now mostly focusing on visual art, the timing of Mr. Nieve’s commission was serendipitous, enabling the creation of the mural.

Just as the mural emphasizes cooperation and collaboration, the dance school creates a similar atmosphere within the community. Nieves specializes in Salsa Dance for all ages and also offers courses in Bachata and Cha Cha Cha. This Latin studio has been bringing people together through dance for years at their locations on Grand Street and in the Bronx. In light of the pandemic, the studio also offers online courses.

We’re so excited about the newest addition to our public art scene! Make sure to stop by and check out the mural, and maybe sign up for some salsa lessons while you’re there.

Hair By Catherine Opens at 584 Grand Street

Grand Street welcomes our newest business, Hair by Catherine! Owner, Catherine Como, is a Williamsburg native with an extensive background in hair care and treatment. After working in the hair industry for almost 20 years, she decided to open her own storefront in the neighborhood she was raised in. Upon deciding it was time to open a salon, Catherine was thrilled to find out that the space at 584 Grand was available!

After beauty school, Catherine worked under several stylists before starting her own practice about three years ago. Hair by Catherine has a loyal client base who has followed her throughout her career and comes with glowing reviews of Catherine’s services. She specializes in color, color correction and chemical treatments such as highlights, color for gray coverage and keratin treatments. Committed to healthy hair, her products include organic haircolor and even a non toxic keratin treatment, carrying three different brands of organic hair care in the salon!

Catherine’s clear passion for her craft and dedication to her clients manifests in the care and time she put into her new storefront. She is excited about the location on Grand Street and to build her business as she continues to get the salon up and running. Not only does she love the great new space with big windows and tons of natural light, she’s also close to home. Support local businesses and make your next hair appointment with Catherine today!

Film Festival Winner: Grand Street BID’s “Olor a Azucenas, El Perfume Del Barrio”

This past week, Olor a Azucenas, El Perfume Del Barrio (The Scent of Lillies, the Perfume of the Neighborhood) received the “Best Spirit of Puerto Rico” Award at the Rincon International Film Festival in Puerto Rico! The short film was commissioned and curated by the BID, produced by OWLEY, and documents the the installation of the community mural at 609 Grand Street completed by Don Rimx and for which the film is named. This placemaking project encompasses the mural’s prominence as a symbol of Puerto Rican heritage and entrepreneurship in the Williamsburg neighborhood and Brooklyn at large.

RIFF is the largest film festival in Puerto Rico, and Olor a Azucenas, El Perfume Del Barrio was chosen the winner out of over 200 other shorts films. With categories ranging from Documentary to Comedy to Drama, the Spirit of Puerto Rico is a niche section of the program highlighting films that embody the essence of life on the Island. The film was also accepted into the ENFOQUE Film Festival in Puerto Rico and Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, in Brooklyn, NY.

The colorful mural on Grand Street was painted by Puerto Rican street artist, illustrator, and muralist Edwin Sepulveda "Don Rimx" Cruz. Don's style of painting is conducted "The Puerto Rico way" and illustrates a flower vendor famous to San Juan, Puerto Rico who is holding a large arrangement of beautiful azucenas—white lilies—the image of the vendor represents the hardworking small business owners of Grand Street who come from different cultures and places to pursue their goals and dreams. As the vendor walks through the city, he calls out “azucenas” and the distinct scent of the flowers radiates around him. A known figure in the community, people can hear and smell him as he arrives.

The figure is interwoven with ancient beads in tandem with a rounded wooden frame as a tribute to the ancestors who were here before us. The vibrant colors, variously angled bricks, and window elements represent the uniqueness of the surrounding Grand Street neighborhood - a representation of each person's own vibrancy and hue they give off from the life they build. Together, these elements symbolize the community, perseverance, unity, sharing, and love of the Grand Street community and how so many cultures come together to thrive in the same place they call home.

Throughout the installation of the mural, Don Rimx and Owley’s process became a community affair. Many gathered in the parking lot where the artists were set up to hang out, share stories, dance, and watch the painting come to life. This community-centric process emphasizes the mural’s symbolization as "a cultural bridge". As stated in the film, “Once you start seeing the process, that’s when you make the real connections.”

We are honored to have worked with OWLEY, Don Rimx, and all our of our neighbors in the generation of both the mural and the film. We are also grateful for project funding from Council Member Levin, without which the installation would not have been possible. If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to watch this award-winning film that beautifully shows the intersection of culture, art, and community on Grand Street.

GRAND STREET BID OUTDOOR DINING GUIDE

New York City is still enjoying the outdoor dining scene! Most of the bars and restaurants in the Grand Street BID are lucky enough to have backyard space ideal for warm Summer days. While others were able set up sidewalk and street seating. Our outdoor dining guide highlights all the available outdoor seating and is updated regularly to reflect available seating at our local restaurants and watering holes. Stop by to enjoy the perks of outdoor dining on Grand Street!

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Sidewalk seating isn’t for everyone! If you’re looking to enjoy a meal away from the hustle and bustle, escape the busy streets by relaxing in one of our two notable backyard dining areas

Outdoor Dining at Ammazzacaffe

Both Ammazzacaffe and BK Jani were listed by The Infatuation as some of the best spots to dine outside in Williamsburg.

Ammazzacaffe Ammazzacaffe is using their revered backyard space to continue serving excellent Italian specialties along with live music on select evenings. Take a break from the street and enjoy the ambiance of their secluded outdoor dining area. Reservations available!

BK Jani Stop by for an award winning burger from BK Jani in their recently opened backyard! They transformed the space to create a cozy dining experience. Ranked at the top of backyard dining in Williamsburg, this spot is a must.

Taco Edition Taco Edition recently opened their beautiful backyard! Behind the small storefront is a bright and comfortable setting perfect for enjoying their awesome mexican food.

Koko's Koko's is serving up Nikkei cuisine, Peruvian and Japanese fusion, in their colorful interior and gorgeous backyard. Enjoy there unique cocktails and seafood centric menu including an awesome sushi bar at a cozy outdoor table.

Cozy Backyard at Taco Edition!

A number of our bars have backyard seating as well as sidewalk service! Check out any of them for some tasty drinks and snacks.

Crystal Lake Grab a table out front at Crystal Lake. This neighborhood staple is continuing to offer their happy hour drink specials from 5-8pm with new pop-up BiTcHn KiTcHn serving up cofort food classic with a modern twist!

Redd's Tavern Redd’s Tavern is serving up specials in their backyard and small front patio. With a rotating food menu and daily cocktails designed by the bartenders, this local watering hole is well worth a visit.

Grab a drink and relax in Blinky’s backyard oasis

Blinky's Blinky's is now well established on Grand Street with a big and lush backyard setup, perfect for hot summer evenings. Stop bya, try one of their famous spicy margaritas, and say hello!

Lady Jay's Lady Jay's backyard is open for business and serving up rotating snacks to accompany their drinks. They’re also currently working on spicing up the outdoor setup by doing mural projects on the seating partitions. Stay tuned for pictures!

Haven The newest bar on Grand Street has a swanky interior and a small backyard to welcome everyone for the summer months. Play a game of pool and then take a seat out back to enjoy your drinks.

The Clonard This irish pub has sidewalk seating for the warmer months! Grab a beer and a burger or stop by for weekend brunch. This lively pub is the place to be.

Brand new backyard setup at The Clonard

Be a part of the Action! Many of our restaurants have comfortable and cozy sidewalk setups, take a seat and dig in!

Link Thai One of Grand Street’s newest Thai restaurant has a few tables set up outside their storefront to enjoy their classic Thai dishes and comforting noodle soups.

Thip Osha This bright façade is enhanced by three outdoor tables complete with large umbrella for a shady experience. Enjoy elevated Thai dishes at one of their cozy seats.

Chongkho Along with their takeout and delivery services, Chongkho has limited sidewalk seating available for lunch and dinner. Stop by for fantastic Thai staples and a friendly face at this family owned restaurant.

Grand Morelos The cheery sidewalk tables at Grand Morelos are occupied at all hours of the day by customers enjoying classic Mexican dishes and drinks beneath the shade of their awnings and umbrellas. This spot is a hidden gem for breakfast!

Brooklyn Standard Deli Brooklyn Standard is a neighborhood staple with fresh sandwiches, wraps, and much more from the grill. Grab a coffee and grub and enjoy outside at one of their stylish sidewalk tables or in the backyard.

Alita Cafe Enjoy a coffee and an egg and cheese biscuit outdide on Grand Street. Alits cafe is serving up delicious drinks and homemade baked goods. Stay and sip at one of their few sidewalk tables and enjoy the neighborhood!

Carneval This lively Latin American bar and restaurant has a bounty of backyard patio seating. Upbeat music and warm tables and cocktails makes this the place to stop for good food and good vibes.

La Taqueria This corner joint has several tables lined up alongside their storefront, serving classic mexican fare and tasty cocktails.

Mcondo Los Tacos Located on the busy corner of Grand Street and Union Ave, outdoor tables at Los Tacos wrap around the block. Between the tacos, frozen drinks and shady tapestries seating fills up quickly!

Mama Pho Mama Pho recently has a small sidewalk dining area in front of their shop, offering Vietnamese classics.

Dar 525 Dar 525’s unique storefront has a built in wood clad patio complete with a roof which frames the main entrance. This seating area is perfect spot to shield yourself from the elements while chowing down on delicious Mediterranean cuisine.

Haab One of the only storefronts in the BID without a storefront along Grand Street, Haab has the luxury of creating a small curbside oasis around the corner on Leonard Street. The colorful setup provides ample outdoor seating for customers to enjoy the extensive Mexican menu.

Map out your next visit to Grand Street for outdoor dining!

Grand Street Gets Banners Inspired by Streetscape

They’re here! Over the weekend 27 new banners were installed in the BID as a part of our ongoing Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative: Arts. Designed by local artist, Morgan Winter, the colorful floral motifs are inspired by our tree pit greening initiative and reflect the floral growth seen in the pits. Each banner features two versions of the design, one on the front and the other on the back, creating visual diversity along the corridor.

Our tree pits are filled with native plantings to the area and are meant to thrive in the urban chaos and roadside location on Grand Street. Plants vary between flowers, grasses and leafy tendrils including species such as: Veronica, Heuchera ‘Autumn Bride’, Panicum virgatum ‘purple tears’ and Asclepias Tuberosa ‘butterfly weed’. These beauties tend to bloom in the late summer, so it’s the perfect time to go out and see some of them start to pop up along the street. The bright colors and use of watercolor on the banners emulate the eclectic mix of plants and allows this placemaking strategy to bring vibrance to the streetscape.

If you get the chance, come take a walk down Grand Street between Union and Bushwick Avenues to check out the newest additions to the street!

Support Local Business and Treat Yourself with Primp and Polish

Primp and Polish nail salon is celebrating their ten year anniversary! In recognition of the anniversary, they want to give back to the community and support their employees in light of the current challenges businesses face due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As nail salons were some of the last services to reopen, the owners of Primp and Polish are using this opportunity to simultaneously celebrate their staff and the surrounding community.

Primp and Polish recently came out with their own line of products

Specializing in nail art, Primp and Polish also sells their own line of nail and hand care products. Proceeds from sales of retail products will be used to purchase gift cards at local businesses and those gift cards will be given to employees to thank them for their hard work. This effort will also support and celebrate the local small business economy.  

Primp and Polish has five locations throughout North Brooklyn. We’re, of course, partial to the location within the BID at 586 Grand Street. While this is the newest of their locations the space had previously been the home to Artistic Nails, owned and operated by Lauren’s family for about 15 years before converting to Primp and Polish in 2015. The legacy of the storefront demonstrates the family’s roots in the neighborhood and, like this new gift card initiative, shows their commitment to our small business community.

You can celebrate Primp and Polish employees and support local businesses by treating yourself at any of their locations! You can also order their products online. Proceeds will be converted to gift cards and shared with staff until at least March of 2021.

Grand Street BID Welcomes New Team Member

Kathie Brill is the newest addition to the Grand Street Team as the Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator. A Brooklyn native, Kathie is excited to contribute to the BID’s ongoing community building and to work with local business and property owners as well as residents.

Kathie recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design with a Masters in Historic Preservation, concentrating in Preservation Planning, policy and community development. Growing up in New York City fostered a passion for urban spaces and an interest in architecture and planning. Throughout an early career in architectural administration and graduate school, Kathie became increasingly aware of the power of cultural resources and the intersection between the built and social environments. With experience in municipal government, non-profit programming, and events she is joining the Grand Street BID with conviction to connect with district members, partners, and volunteers to propel the BID’s mission of improving the quality of life in the community.

Kathie can’t wait to meet all of you in the Grand Street BID, and will be making her way to all the businesses on the corridor in the coming weeks.

Alcatraz Flower Shop Opens at 648 Grand Street

Grand Street’s latest business opening adds fresh blooms the neighborhood.

Designing flowers has been Sarit Rueda’s dream since childhood, so when the opportunity arose she took it. After years working in the industry, she opened Alcatraz Flower Shop earlier this month as the actualization of her dream. The shop advertises itself as providing “flowers for all occasions, weddings, and events”, and even while events and weddings have taken a back seat, Alcatraz has been busy out of the gate brightening neighborhood apartments with fresh flowers. The store has bouquets, air plants, succulents, and various arrangements.

Sarit comes in with 20 years of experience working with flower businesses—most recently at Belle Fleur New York in Flatiron. However, this is Sarit’s first time owning her own business, so she went looking for a cozy space on a merchant friendly block to open shop. Alcatraz found exactly that in her space at 648 Grand Street, nestled among a few community active businesses like The Sandwich Shop and Empire Lock. She looks forward to joining this community and remaining for the foreseeable future.

Brownstone doorway design from @alcatrazgrandst.

Consider Alcatraz to be an all-in-one decorator for your apartment now, and your events in the future. Alcatraz is available for delivery by calling (347) 698-2881 follow them @alcatrazgrandst.

Red Table Underground Opens with Ice cream, Boozy Shakes + Burgers

The catering business that also managed Thompson Brooke, opened its front windows for curbside pickup.

“Everyone is opening with curbside alcoholic drinks, but no one is selling for families or kids”, noticed Red Table Underground’s owner Brooke Costello. That was before he decided to throw open the front windows of his catering business and event space, Red Table Catering, and offer a solution himself. With a small adjustment to the name and facade along with a trip to Battenkill Valley Creamery to pick up 7 flavors of ice cream fresh from Upstate, Red Table Underground was set to open.

In addition to ice cream, Red Table offers everything you could ask for from a summer food stand: Burgers, tacos, elote, cookies, boozy milkshakes, cocktails, sangria, and the list goes on. Similar to most businesses in the current environment, and especially as an event catering business, Red Table has found a way to pivot from their traditional service, and this so happens to be to great benefit for Williamsburg patrons. As executive chef, Brooke Costello built Red Table into one of NYC’s best catering businesses in the back of his space on Grand Street, while also venturing into dining in the front with Thompson Brooke, and now Red Table Underground.

That means high quality catering meals are now available for a rare and discounted pick-up opportunity. If that alone isn’t enough reason, you can get your boozy shake flavors in black raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, maple walnut, mint chocolate chip, and salted caramel.

You can find Red Table at 631 Grand Street and follow along at @redtableunderground. Right about now, you deserve a treat.

Join the Grand Street BID Team

The BID is looking for applicants for the position of Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator.

Position Title: Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator 

Reporting To: Executive Director 

Starting date: July 2020 

About the Grand Street Business Improvement District: The mission of the Grand Street Business Improvement District (BID), a nonprofit (501)(c)3 economic development organization, is to create a vibrant commercial district and improve the quality of life for the community. The Grand Street BID is a six block neighborhood commercial corridor along Grand Street from Union to Bushwick Avenues in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 

The Grand Street BID provides the following services: supplemental sidewalk cleaning and graffiti removal; district marketing and special events aimed at attracting residents and visitors; placemaking; business attraction and retention; and district beautification with the goal of creating a welcoming district that is well programmed, inviting, and visible. 

The BID is seeking to hire a Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator. 

Overview: The Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator is responsible for managing and implementing programs and initiatives. The focus areas will be: marketing and communications, programming, data collection and analysis, and special projects. 

The Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator will also assist the Executive Director with general office and organizational management as well as other projects and programs as necessary. 

Work Performed: 

• Assist with the implementation and management of marketing initiatives including social media, website, electronic newsletters, and special announcements/invitations. 

• Interface with business and property owners as well as neighborhood residents and stakeholders. 

• Assist in the management of BID programming and events and other initiatives aimed at promoting the district, assisting businesses, and fostering a sense of community among BID members. 

• Keep records and prepare reports in accordance with grants and contracts. 

• Gather economic data and other information on commercial, retail, and residential markets for the purposes of publishing reports and data to highlight the district and specific trends. 

• Help maintain filing systems and BID databases, prepare documents and meeting minutes, schedule meetings, prepare agendas and meeting materials, etc. 

• Help manage all aspects of office administration. 

Preferred Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred with additional preference for concentrations in public administration, public policy, urban planning, or similar. 

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working in one or more of the following areas: government, public policy, politics, organizing, event planning, social media, real estate, economic development, business assistance, non-profit, or urban planning. 

Qualifications: 

• The ideal candidate will have an interest in urban planning and economic development. 

• The candidate should also be highly organized, a self-starter, and deeply comfortable building relationships with stakeholders and community members. 

• The BID is a small office of two staff members and the role is well-suited to a candidate who possesses a “can-do attitude”, resiliency, the ability to balance a myriad of tasks both large and small, and be highly collaborative. 

• Must be capable of participating as a productive and thoughtful member of a team while also being able to manage certain tasks and responsibilities in an independent manner. 

• Knowledge of social media, familiarity with web design, graphic design, mapping, and data collection skills would also be desired. 

How to Apply: Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to the attention of Erin Piscopink Executive Director, at episcopink@grandstreetbk.org with “Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator” in the subject line.

Adopt-a-Tree on Grand Street

Help keep our neighborhood green this summer

Walker’s Low Catmints between Graham Ave and Humboldt Street.

It’s not easy being green for the trees and flowering plants on Grand Street. That’s why the BID, through partnerships with The Horticultural Society of New York and Council Member Antonio Reynoso, works to bring new greenery to the corridor and care for our budding plants. However, given all the uncertainty we currently face in tandem with many of our neighbors expressing interest in taking part in a community project, we’re introducing our Adopt-a-Tree program. Our goal is to ensure that even if we were to face funding challenges in the near future, our growing greenery will stay green.

Our Adopt-a-Tree program is simply an ask that you water the tree pit in front of your building whenever possible. To participate, fill out this form so we can match you with a tree pit that will be yours to water. We’ll pencil you in to care for your assigned tree pit and you’ll be responsible for watering the tree and flowers. Anybody who likes to can participate—whether you are a business, a building owner, a resident, or you work in the area.

Perennials newly planted by the Hort in May 2019.

There are over 85 tree pits in our district (on just 6 blocks!)—and the process of planting perennials has been years in the making. It started two years ago when the BID received funding from Borough President Eric Adams to place tree guards in our previously unprotected tree pits. With each new tree guard installed, the BID is able to team with The Hort to plant perennials native to Brooklyn. Over the past two years, with additional funding support from Council Member Reynoso, the BID has been able to install over 60 tree guards—with plans to protect all of our trees in the near future.

Our collection of Brooklyn-native perennials includes “Purple Tears” switchgrass and “Wood’s Blue” asters. These choices were intentional to bring Brooklyn wildflowers back to our streetscape, but even as native flowers it can be difficult to survive the city summer. Sidewalk heat, pollution, litter, and our beloved neighborhood dogs misusing the pits can inhibit growth and require plantings to be tended with extra care.

Our trees do tremendous work in combating some of the above factors—the trees within the Grand Street BID district alone save the City over $5000 a year draining water, removing smog, and conserving energy. Pin Oaks, Japanese Zelkovas, Kentucky Coffeetrees, and Swamp White Oaks all find a home on Grand Street—and many of our trees are young and newly planted. Similar to our perennials, it can be difficult for a young tree to make it on a city commercial corridor.

So we’re asking for your help. Fill out this quick form—and we’ll reach out via email some more detailed instructions for your assigned tree pit. We’re asking for nothing more than a weekly watering that will make a substantial difference. Share this form with anyone you know who may be interested—we’re looking for the help of our entire community.

For questions, please reach out to info@grandstreetbk.org and follow @grandstreetbid for updates.

Grand Street Businesses Giving Back

Grand Street restaurants and North Brooklyn non-profits who stepped up during a pandemic.

Hospital staff at Brooklyn Methodist with food supplied by Masa Empanadas.

The COVID pandemic has hit small businesses in NYC especially hard, closing all “non-essentials” and creating enormous obstacles for small businesses to make ends meet.

That’s why we’re shining a light our businesses that have gone above and beyond to watch out for others during this especially challenging time. Almost as soon as the pandemic began, many of our businesses began working overtime to feed hospital workers, even when it’s been a struggle to keep their own doors open.

After only opening in January, Rome to Brooklyn kicked off the good will immediately with pizza donations to ICU workers at New York Presbyterian Lower-Manhattan Hospital. The Sandwich Shop followed shortly with a donation of over 300 sandwich meals to SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Dar 525, Masa Empanadas, Red Table Catering, and Taco Edition have since joined in providing ongoing meals to various hospital workers free of charge.

Our local not for profits have also stepped up in enormous ways. North Brooklyn Angels has additionally been providing hospitals with food donations and was recently provided a $25,000 after Mario Salerno of Salerno Autobody Shop (451 Lorimer St) appeared on The Ellen Show.

While acknowledging the generosity of these businesses, there are many others that haven’t been able to keep their doors open, but would also quickly help if able—which is why it’s so important to keep neighborhood businesses alive right now so we can have our community intact once this is over. You can support them by purchasing gift cards, supporting GoFundMe, and ordering takeout if they are open.

We’d like to thank all of our local businesses, workers, community members and organizations who have stayed in this fight and kept our neighborhood as strong as ever. See how you can support your favorite Grand Street business here and see a list of businesses open currently.

Free Legal Guidance for Businesses Taking Loans

Start Small Think Big is a 501(c)(3) non-profit linking small businesses with pro-bono lawyers

The federal government is days away from passing new funding for PPP and EIDL. In order to put themselves in the best position possible, business owners should prepare all of the necessary documents ahead of time in order to be early in line when the new loans + grants are available.

The Grand Street BID is partnering with Start Small Think Big, a registered non-profit, to offer significant free legal and financial assistance to Grand Street businesses in light of COVID-19. This is essential because many of the small businesses who were denied PPP money had incomplete applications. Large companies had an advantage by having a lawyer or accountant already on staff.

Small business owners whose businesses are suffering due to COVID-19 and shutdowns can request specific legal, financial, and loan/grant related assistance through a simple Request for Assistance Form. All of our businesses are invited to apply.

The advice will come from attorneys or bankers volunteering working pro-bono hours to help small businesses. You can get help with the following questions:

• Guidance in applying for federal aid.

• Advice in deciding which programs are right for your business.

• Assistance filling out applications.

• Answering legal questions related to COVID such as:

  • Employment law

  • Commercial leasing

  • Debt negotiation

  • Corporate governance

Take a look at services available from Start Small Think Big and fill out this form to apply for free consultation. We also have a resource page for businesses with updating regulations, grant opportunities, and helpful educational links.