Vines & Voices 022: Are the Businesses DOT Spoke With About the Bike Lane in the Room With Us Now?
Plus, Colonie’s closure, Monday’s BMT Forum and the man who swims in the Red Hook channel every day.
Welcome to Vines & Voices, your weekly look at life across West Brooklyn. Curated by CSJ, this free newsletter brings together the local news and goings-on shaping our neighborhoods, plus a few extras worth knowing. Have a tip, a story idea or something you think deserves attention? Write to us. Your voice helps shape the story.
What Paid Subscribers Got This Week
Readers have been asking what’s next for East One Coffee Roasters ever since our report on its closure several months ago. After an unsuccessful attempt to take over the shop’s lease, former employee Selina Ullrich has pivoted to a fresh, but familiar concept: High Beam, a Red Hook roastery opening later this month, with a Court Street café to come.
The Weekly Edit
At a Community Board 6 meeting last month, locals expressed concern over a lack of communication about the Court Street bike lane. Hardware store owner Matt Mazzone claimed none of the 40 businesses he spoke to were surveyed or knew anyone who was.
On Atlantic Avenue, the $3 billion jail built to look like a luxury condo building is behind schedule, while the $4 billion plan to rebuild the BQE is effectively on pause.
Popina opened orders for Thanksgiving pies and sides this week.
Brooklyn Heights’ Colonie and Dumbo’s Hildur are closing on Nov. 30 and Nov. 15, respectively, The Strong Buzz reports.
Brooklyn Law School graduate Grace Bonilla, who is also the president and CEO of United Way of New York City, has been appointed to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team.
Emma Straub, author and Books Are Magic founder, went live with Jenna Bush Hager on Substack this week.
Goings On
Collier West will feature artists’ reinterpretations of NYC photography today, Nov. 14, from 6pm to 8pm.
Lindquist Object, which makes vegetable-tanned and naturally dyed leather goods, opens a storefront on Atlantic Avenue today. The brand was recently worn by Beyoncé and featured in Vogue.
Liz’s Book Bar is having a sample sale and food pop-up on Sunday, Nov. 16.
The next community forum discussing plans for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal will be Monday, Nov. 17.
Insa is hosting two Vietnamese family-style dinner seatings on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Japanese superstore Hashi Market is opening on Atlantic Avenue on Tuesday, Nov. 18. There will be grand opening day deals.
Bolo Bolo is teaming up with Money Whispers to encourage women to discuss money on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Sheryl Crow, Maggie Rogers, St. Vincent and others will perform at an ACLU benefit next Saturday, Nov. 22. The concert is being organized by Ben & Jerry’s, Gabriela Hearst and YOLA Mezcal, with tickets starting at $205.
One Last Thing
One man finds swimming in the Red Hook channel every day calming. “I have my best ideas when I swim,” Sante Scardillo told NYPost.