Thousands of Bay Ridge residents gathered on Third Avenue on July 21 for the first weekend of the annual Summer Stroll along the neighborhood’s thriving commercial corridor.
Merchants of Third Avenue, an advocacy group that supports small businesses in Bay Ridge and hosts the event, welcomed dozens of local vendors to greet the attendees, offer tasty treats and entertain stroll-goers.
Dan Texeira, president of the nonprofit, said the event was a hit, and the streets were jam-packed with local friends and family members. Adults danced to live music while kiddos stopped by the photo booth or enjoyed some arts and crafts.
“It was just a great night out for the neighborhood,” Texeria told Brooklyn Paper.“A lot of the restaurants and stores are a little quiet in the summer so this type of thing brings people out to them and kind of generates good business for the neighborhood.”
Bay Ridgeites paused to taste some food from Third Avenue eateries, listen to music by local bands, and watch performances from nearby dance studios.
Texeira said the event has grown in popularity and attendance since the pandemic, and gives local shops a chance to boost their business with locals and visitors.
“The goal is to support our merchants and our neighborhood and I think we accomplish both with the stroll,” he said.
Summer Stroll on Third Avenue is a part of New York City’s Department of Transportation’s Open Streets program which invites Brooklynites to eat, walk, and dance in public spaces.
The event will return July 28 and August 11 between 83 Street and Marine Avenue, and on and August 4 between 68 Street and 83 Street from 6 – 10 p.m.
