The universe was in Bay Ridge — Miss Universe, that is — to help cut the ribbon on the neighborhood’s newest business last Wednesday.
Ximena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010, joined a beauty from closer to home, Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010, as well as a bevy of elected officials and local civic leaders to celebrate the opening of Bay Ridge Ford on 86th Street near Dahlgren Place.
“We’re very excited to be in Brooklyn,” said owner Gary Flom, whose other dealership is across the East River in a place called Manhattan. “I think it’s a great area to open up a new business in Bay Ridge. I look forward to doing well in here for a very long time.”
Opening a new car dealership as some Brooklynites are still struggle economically. may be a leap of faith, but it’s one Flom seems comfortable with.
“I put a lot of money in the project,” he said. “I believe the economy will be coming back next year.”
The new business will bring with it at least 50 new jobs, said Flom — one reason, that the dealership and its 7,500-square-foot showroom has been warmly welcomed in the neighborhood.
Another reason could be the $10,000 contribution the dealership made to Camp Brooklyn, the charity founded by Borough President Markowitz to help send underprivileged kids who live in the borough to summer camp.
“I think as a new member of the community, especial in these days when the economy is still tough, it’s good to be able to do this,” Flom said.
Bay Ridge Ford [612 86th St. between Dahlgren Place and Battery Avenue in Bay Ridge/Fort Hamilton (866) 255-7591]
