Once upon a time in Williamsburg, if there was any hint of a corporate entity nabbing North Brooklyn real estate the citizenry would grab their metaphorical pitchforks and torches. I recall the day when Reverend Billy gave an entertaining anti-corporation sermon in front of an empty storefront spurred on by the rumor Starbucks was moving in there. Fabiane’s Café & Pastry is what would occupy that spot. In addition, North Brooklyn was Starbucks-free for five years post-sermon until one location took up residence in what was already a long-established corporate franchise corner (on Manhattan Avenue by Greenpoint Avenue).
There will be those who long for the days of yore, but the longer one is around the more one sees that change is constant. Some change has its perks. It was a sad thought that Whole Foods would be settling in Williamsburg without a Trader Joe’s nearby to hang out with. So joy of joys when the news came that Trader Joe’s would be going into the corner of Kent Avenue and North 3rd Street right down the block from the Whole Foods that will open on North 4th and Bedford Avenue.
Word of two more new neighbors has hit the streets. Her royal frozen treat highness Dairy Queen will be opening a third location in NYC on 27 Graham Avenue, and hold on to your horses: it will be a drive-thru. Then there is Joe’s Pizza, which will soon be settled in at its third location (Bedford Avenue and North 5th Street).
The Greenline 