It may finally be time to retire the “Murder Avenue” moniker. Myrtle Avenue is now in the market for a cheese shop.
The Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project has called for a cheese shop — and a butcher, a bakery, a bookstore, an organic food store, a florist and an ice cream shop.
MARP Executive Director Michael Blaise Backer said that the list of “wanted” shops was generated by shopping surveys.
What has become of the crime-ridden avenue of yore? Well, that depends on whom you ask.
“The avenue’s spending power has changed,” said Rob Perris, the district manager for Community Board 2. “The neighborhood is more affluent in general, and people are spending more money on Myrtle.”
But not everyone is ready for a local fromagerie and organic grocer (such people obviously don’t covet fresh brescianella!).
“Organic — that’s nonsense!” said Devon Howell, who was doing laundry on Myrtle the other day. “It’s not needed. A cheese shop isn’t needed either.”
It wasn’t that Howell was nostalgic for the avenue’s rundown past. It’s just that he didn’t want poorer members of the community to be forgotten in the frenzy of development.
“You are forcing on people not what they want, but what you want,” said Howell.
His alternative to the cheese monger?
“A boys and girls club would help kids and their parents prosper,” said Howell. “That’s a thing I had growing up that doesn’t exist anymore, and that’s a shame.”
Amber Cooper, just a couple of washing-machine rows down, didn’t pooh-pooh the organic grocery, but she, too, worried about the economic pressures that go hand-in-brie.
“I don’t think people living here should be pushed out because of development,” she said.
But that’s already happening.
“People are being pushed out,” proclaimed Jerib Carson, a second-generation Pratt alumnus who’s lived on-and-off in the neighborhood for more than 30 years.
Even worse, Carson thinks all of the hype that’s pushing prices up and forcing people out is premature.
“I think a lot more needs to take place before this avenue can be classified as gentrified,” said Carson, pointing to the sorry state of the sidewalks, the trees, and the uncovered bus-stops. “You’ll need more than a few new stores and a few condos.”
Armando Rente, a Cuban immigrant (and former journalist) who lives in the Farragut Houses, liked the avenue’s upswing, but he, too, had more prosaic concerns.
The avenue doesn’t need a fromagerie. Said Rente, “it needs more police protection.”
The Kitchen Sink
The cool kids at RePOP, the vintage furnishings gallery, have started hosting their own First Fridays. Last week, the exhibition was “Royal Prey,” featuring mixed media works by Def Jam and Playboy designer Jorden Haley. Perhaps more important: the wine was free. For information on the next First Friday visit www.repopny.com. …
Starbucks has just renovated the library of PS 56, on Gates Avenue between Irving Place and Downing Street. This is the 13th library the coffee kahuna has renovated or created in New York City. …
Do you get scared walking home from the G train after midnight? Well, maybe you should. Tillie’s is hosting “A Night of Noir” on Feb. 6, featuring readings from the spine-chilling anthology, Brooklyn Noir published by the local Akashic Books. …
The readings at the DeKalb and Vanderbilt avenue watering hole begin after dark (of course). …
It might be time to finally stop hiding our money in our mattress. A brand-new Bank of America at Myrtle and Waverly avenues held its official opening on Tuesday, joining the other two banking residents — Emigrant and Citibank. …
It might not be on the shores of the Red Sea, but Zaytoons restaurant — which serves some of the best zaatar bread and lentil soup — just opened a hookah lounge. The Middle-Eastern eatery, on Myrtle Avenue near Hall Street, also offers wireless Internet and its old-fashioned predecessor, belly-dancing.
