Nestled between the high-rise brick buildings of the Bushwick Houses is a chlorine oasis: Bushwick’s own public pool, aptly named Bushwick Pool. I was unaware of a pool in the area until my roommate, who works for the Parks Department, informed me of one’s existence. So, on Tuesday, I headed over to the projects on Bushwick and Flushing to go check it out.
It’s been a long time coming, but Bushwick’s first proper wine shop has finally opened. It’s actually been open for some two weeks now, and is fully stocked with all varieties of wine from every major growing region. Vinos en Wyckoff also sells what seems like hundreds of brands of liquors. I visited with owner Tony Acosta to talk to him about the shop:
For those of you staying local like me (fireworks from Bushwick rooftops = divine), there’s plenty of hott culture action happening this holiday weekend. No work tomorrow so get the weekend started stat: tonight, Bushwick band Columbia (local stars Ryan & Jett) will be performing @ Supreme Trading with Asa Ransom (formerly Death of Fashion) and Nik Xedro. Friday before you wine & dine (read: beer & grill) your way through the fireworks, check out Bodega on Broadway — they’re hosting a benefit show for the American Cancer Society & Common Ground featuring Japanther, Bravo Spector and The Book Slave, to name a few. Saturday night is a full lineup (starting early!) at Silent Barn including: Blues Control, Psychedelic Horseshit, and Michael Troutman of Awesome Color. Sunday why not venture out into other neighborhoods (perhaps on a bike) and check out the waterfalls — so far I’ve seen the one at the Brooklyn Bridge — really spectacular. Have a great holiday and (as always) report back on what you see and hear!
As reported here in April, 228-230 Troutman is slated to be a 14-unit condominium. The twin vacant lots have been plywooded and foundation work has begun. Based on DOB records, it will be five stories and I’m guessing the units will average about 1000sqft. No clue yet what it might look like, but the folks building 225 Troutman should probably keep a raised eyebrow trained at the site.
403 Grove is a cute little white brick house just off Wyckoff Avenue in what some people still seem to call Wyckoff Heights, after a short-lived attempt in the 80s to “hold the line” against Bushwick’s decay. Either it worked, or there never was much danger — these streets to this day are still mostly well-kept and attractive. Not that you can tell from this Google street view image I yoinked, which is actually better than the nasty one taken by the agent. The interior photos make it seem like the same old lady has lived there for 30 years — which is not a bad thing. It looks like there are a few old details here and there, including beams in the dining room. This could be moved right into with some minor cosmetic work. It’s on a convenient stretch of Wyckoff for buying basics, and some food up on Myrtle, not to mention the Myrtle-Wyckoff L-M hub a couple of short blocks away.
403 Grove Street | $559,869
2160sqft | 20ft-wide | 2-family, 6br/2ba | brick
DeKalb L
$1848 — 2br loft: Is McKibbin growing up? I normally would ignore this building but come on, that apartment is fabulous. And how many buildings have yoga, karate, a cafe, and a speakeasy in them?
PETS OK | McKibbin and White | Morgan/Montrose L
$1250 — 2br: A rowdy, central block of Bushwick, overlooking our awesome María Hernández Park. Close to everything great in Bushwick, period. Cheap as hell and probably stabilized. Jump on it. Starr and Irving | street view | Jefferson L
$1450 — 2br: Looks like a high floor apartment in what I think is that blonde brick buildings on top of Alfie’s Deli, which probably means a real, original two-bedroom, not a railroad. Needs a paint job, but it’s close to the train and cheap.
PETS OK | DeKalb and Myrtle | street view | Myrtle JMZ
Technically this is vinyl tile, but I call all such coverings “linoleum.” There are so many sizes and patterns of this stuff in the yard, I could probably cover a whole apartment floor with them in a full rainbow. This particular pattern is not the most offensive of the stuff I have pulled up, but it’s still pretty nasty.
Earlier Sharon Van Etten show at Zebulon back in December by Arincrumley.
“Music just pours out of some people.” That’s what I remember someone telling me about Bushwick-based singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten. Oliver and I biked to see her perform at Zebulon in Williamsburg last Wednesday with Twi the Humble Feather and Ivana XL.
You might have noticed the new module at the bottom of the “latest” column — that’s Ear to the Street, a database of quotes overheard in Bushwick. You know you have heard the most ridiculous hipster say the most idiotic thing. You’ve seen mothers use “fuck” 5 different ways in one sentence directed at their 5-year-old kids. Anything funny, crazy, stupid, silly, or ironic that you’ve heard in the hood, you can add to the database and it will be randomly served to the field below right.
