Now Open: Perfect Look Salon

Name: Wine Tasting at Gnarly Vines
Start: 2026-06-26T17:30:00-04:00
End: 2026-06-26T19:30:00-04:00
Location: Gnarly Vines

Perfect Look Salon owner, Shehnez.

A new salon has opened in Clinton Hill, offering a unique menu of new services not yet seen in neighborhood. The new Perfect Look Salon offers Traditional services like waxing and facials are complimented by eyebrow threading and henna.

The new salon opened this week at 146 Waverly Avenue, just off of Myrtle Avenue next to Spice & Grill restaurant. In addition to standard pricing, three-month Membership Packages are also available for those looking to save on frequent visits. Their full slate of services is available to view below.

Salon owner, Shehnez, is looking forward to welcoming new clients to the salon, which accepts both appointments and walk-ins.

Perfect Look Salon, 146 Waverly Avenue, (347) 689-9865.

Fort Greene & Clinton Hill Artwalk

Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and the Fulton Area Business Alliance are thrilled to present the Fort Greene & Clinton Hill Artwalk.

Stroll the neighborhood to experience the works of more than 35 community artists on display in businesses, galleries and public spaces in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The Artwalk launched on Saturday, May 20 with all locations will hosting a one-time-only “Meet the Artist” event. Exhibitions continue through June 21.

Click image to download map.

If you’ve been in the neighborhood long, you should remember the beloved South of Navy Yard Artists (SONYA) Artwalks. Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and FAB Alliance recognize the cultural impact of this seminal arts collective’s decision to permanently cease its operations; MABP and FAB are hosting this new event to emphasize the importance of supporting the dynamic art community within the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill neighborhoods, and to honor the legacy of the SONYA Artwalks.

We’re honored to have the generous support of St. Joseph’s College to help bring you this Artwalk. Special thanks to the Artwalk curator, Ramona Candy.

Construction Projects Continue on Myrtle Avenue

Like much of Brooklyn, Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill is seeing many new buildings under construction. With almost a dozen construction projects underway or planned, it’s easy to loose track of what is being built where. To help keep it all straight, we’ve put together a recap of all the local projects.

Along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, there are 11 new construction projects currently under construction or planned. Combined, these projects will add 978 new housing units and 52,000 square feet of new ground-floor commercial space.

402 Myrtle Avenue

The site of a Chase Bank, at the corner of Myrtle and Vanderbilt Avenues, will see a four-story addition added above the branch. Plans filed in May 2017 call for 10 new housing units to sit above the bank, which plans to remain open during and after construction.

The project is designed by Isaac Stern Architects.

137 Carlton Avenue

Located just off of Myrtle Avenue, 137 Carlton Avenue currently houses a one-story building that was recently home to the deli Carlton Grocery. Plans filed in May 2017, still pending approval, call for a new five-story building, with six residential units.

The project is designed by Murat Mutlu Architect. A rendering of the new building has not yet been released.

341 Myrtle Avenue

Located between Carlton Avenue and Adelphi Street, 341 Myrtle Avenue is the long-time home of Worldwide Discount Store. The three-story building currently has two vacant floors above the discount store. New plans filed in April 2017 call for the demolition of the existing structure, with a new six-story building rising in its place. A 2,200 square foot commercial space would remain on the ground floor, with new eight housing units slated for above.

Plans submitted to the Department of Buildings are still pending approval.

504 Myrtle Avenue

Former site of the Pratt Station Post Office, between Grand Avenue and Ryerson Street, this new eight-story building will have 141 apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. 28 apartments are slated to be filled through an affordable housing lottery, which took place earlier in 2017.

The project is being developed by Madison Capital Realty and was designed by HTO Architects.

501 Myrtle Avenue

In November 2014, the owners of Sapolo restaurant filed plans to construction a new six-story building. The plans call for a 1,700 square foot commercial space on the ground floor, with ten units of housing above.

Sapolo Restaurant has closed to prepare for construction, with no plans announced as to whether or not the restaurant may return.

86 Fleet Place

The fourth and final Myrtle Avenue development by John Catsimatidis’ Red Apple Group will be a 32-story tower. The building will include 440 apartments, with 10,813 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Up to four storefronts are currently available to lease through Winick Retail Specialists.

The building was designed by Goldstein, Hill & West Architects.

134 Vanderbilt Avenue

The former Gulf Gas Station at the corner of Myrtle and Vanderbilt Avenues, which closed in 2014, is slated to see a new eight story building. Plans call for 46 apartments and 8,050 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.

Though new building permits were issued in June 2015, construction work has not yet begun.

The property is being developed by All Year Management and was designed by ODA Architects.

Plaza Construction at Hall Street_April_ 2016 (6)

Myrtle Avenue Plaza

Final construction activities are underway to build the new Myrtle Avenue Plaza, which will span two blocks alongside Myrtle Avenue between Grand Avenue and Emerson Place. Click here to read more details about the new 25,000 SF pedestrian space. The opening of the completed plaza is expected for summer 2017.

531 Myrtle Avenue: Former site of White Castle, at the corner of Steuben Street.

COMPLETED PROJECT: 531 Myrtle Avenue

Former site of White Castle, at the corner of Steuben Street, this new five-story development has 6,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor with 27 apartments above. Two commercial tenants have been announced, including the European Wax Center and The Commissary Kitchen.

The project is being developed by Greystone Property Development and was designed by AB Architekten. Commercial space is currently available to lease through RKF.

525 Myrtle Avenue: Former site of Myrtle Car between Steuben and Grand Ave.

COMPLETED PROJECT: 525 Myrtle Avenue

Former site of Myrtle Car Service, between Grand Avenue and Steuben Street, now holds a seven-story building with 22 apartments on the upper floors and 2,650 square feet of commercial condo space available on the ground floor.

The project is being developed by FBS Realty and was designed by Gerald J. Caliendo.

491 Myrtle Avenue: Five story building planned, with commercial space on the ground floor and apartments above.

COMPLETED PROJECT: 491 Myrtle Avenue

This formerly vacant lot (which witnessed a building collapse in 2009), is home to a new five-story mixed-use building. The new building houses six new apartments and 1,220 square feet of commercial space, currently available to lease through Winick.

The project is being developed by MLR Holdings and was designed by Isaac Stern.

COMPLETED PROJECT: The Margo, 180 Myrtle Avenue

This fifteen-floor building holds 228 apartments on the upper-floors, with 10,603 square feet of commercial space and 500 square feet of community facility space on the ground floor. The building also houses a garage in the basement with 133 parking spaces. Up to ten groundfloor storefronts are currently available to lease, marketed by Winick Retail Specialists.

The property was ideveloped by Red Apple Development Group and was designed by Dattner Architects.

COMPLETED PROJECT: The Giovanni, 81 Fleet Place

This fifteen-floor building houses 205 apartments on the upper floors, with 11,773 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. The building also includes a 150-space commercial parking garage.

Up to five storefronts available to lease through Winick Retail Specialists. Three storefronts have already been leased to Wine Legend, a full-service wine shop, Gold Coast Bank (now open), and an independently-owned accountant.

The property was developed by Red Apple Development Group and was designed by Dattner Architects.

Room for Local Business Growth

The new buildings rising on Myrtle Avenue will bring many new storefronts and opportunities for the commercial district to serve the daily needs of local residents. In total, these 11 buildings will add up to 26 new storefronts, growing Myrtle Avenue’s commercial footprint by 13%.

“In conversations with property owners and brokers of these new spaces, we’ve advocated for businesses that are most in demand by local residents. Our recent consumer surveys and a district retail assessment found opportunity in sectors like specialty food shops (butchers and ice cream), family clothing, boutique retailers, and services like gyms and urgent care, so we’ve focused our business attraction efforts in these categories.”- Meredith Phillips Almeida, Executive Director, Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership

Click here to view a list of available retail spaces or to view the current business attraction brochure, It’s On Myrtle Avenue.

Share Your Ideas: Events in the Myrtle Avenue Plaza

Soon the Myrtle Avenue Plaza will be a space for neighborhood residents to enjoy lunch, gather with friends and neighbors, or simply sit and what the world go by. It’ll also be a space that’ll play host to local events and fun programs. Have an idea of an event that you’d like to see take place in the new plaza? Submit your idea by clicking here.

The New York City Department of Design & Construction is currently wrapping up Myrtle Avenue Plaza final construction work, with an opening planned for summer 2017.

Apply Now for Local Summer Job Program

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership’s annual Young Entrepreneur Mentorship Program (YEMP) has released applications for the 2017 summer cohort. The six-week program offers paid positions to high schoolers who live or attend school in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. In addition to working with a local business, participants will also attend weekly workshops that will expose them to careers in the fields of tech, design, and manufacturing, and provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning and job readiness.

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 26. The program runs from July 10 through August 18, 2017. Those students who will be high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or college freshman in the fall of 2017 and live or attend school in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill are eligible to apply.

YEMP is a program of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership with partners from the Pratt Center for Community Development and Emmanuel Baptist Church’s Teens That Mean Business Program. Support is provided by the Brooklyn Community Foundation, Con Edison, and the Deutsche Bank Foundation.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Sign-Up for a Historic Walking Tour

Reservations are now being accepted for our popular summer historic walking tour series! Visit our Events Calendar to find a date and to reserve a ticket.

The Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC (MARP), in collaboration with the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, will be hosting a FREE neighborhood walking tour series this summer. Two guided tours will be available each month, one exploring Fort Greene Park and the other the historic Wallabout neighborhood north of Myrtle Avenue.

The Wallabout Historic Walking Tour will discuss the neighborhood’s 400 years of history, from a rural farming community to a 20^th century urban neighborhood and industrial center. This tour is held the third Saturday of each month, May through October.

The Fort Greene Park Walking Tour discusses the park history, with focus on the storied life of Walt Whitman, a leading advocate for the neighborhood park. This tour is held the second Saturday of each month, from May through August.

Each of the tours last approximately 90 minutes and begin at 11am at the Fort Greene Park Visitor Center. All tours are FREE and open to all.

RSVPs are required and can be made by clicking here or by calling (718) 230-1689 ext 6#.

Information on Walt Whitman, along with the reciting of some of his and other’s works during the tours, is provided by the Walt Whitman Project and the American Opera Projects.

Now Open: U-gu Sushi Restaurant

Clinton Hill has a new sushi bar starting today, with the opening of U-gu on Myrtle Avenue. The spot serves up classic and signature rolls, but offers up something unique with their “create your own” sushi bowls. Click here to view their full menu. The restaurant is now open at 541B Myrtle Avenue, between Steuben and Emerson.

Lunch specials for under $10 are also available.

U-gu, 541B Myrtle Avenue, (718) 857-0222.

June 6th Celebration & Benefit to Honor Dr. Schutte

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership Board of Directors & the Host Committee invite you to celebrate Thomas F. Schutte. After more than two decades as President of Pratt Institute, Dr. Schutte will retire this June. Join us to honor his vision and service to our community on Tuesday, June 6th, 5:30pm-8pm.

Come enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres & entertainment.
BUY TICKETS HERE.

All proceeds from ticket sales & silent auction will benefit Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project & the newly established Tess & Tom Schutte Community Arts & Culture Fund. The Fund will bring public sculpture, cultural events, and exhibitions to the public spaces and storefronts of Myrtle Avenue, leveraging our neighborhood’s creative capital to create opportunities for local artists and increase access to art for community members. When you purchase tickets, you can also make a donation directly to this fund to honor and continue Dr. Schutte’s commitment to the arts in our community.

Host Committee:

Michael Blaise Backer, Seth Edwards, Bernell K. Grier, Gary Hattem, Rob Walsh, Antonia Yuille, New York City Public Advocate Letitia “Tish” James, New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, New York State Assembly Member Joseph R. Lentol, New York State Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley, New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, New York City Council Member Brad Lander

A limited number of discount community tickets are available. Email rebeca@myrtleavenue.org for information.

Generous support for this event is provided by:

Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, TD Bank, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn Sweet Spot, Cardiff Giant, Gnarly Vines, Jill Lindsey, St. Joseph’s College.

Mother’s Day: A How-To Guide

Mother’s Day is just around the corner…again! According to our sources, local mothers find it surprising how often their children, spouses or significant others forget to show appreciation on the annual holiday. “What happened?” they ask. Fear not, we’ve created a step-by-step action plan for those of you who need help in celebrating the mothers in your lives.

STEP 1: MAKE BRUNCH RESERVATIONS

Perhaps the nicest and most classic way to celebrate mom is with a relaxing Sunday brunch. Lots of great options on Myrtle Avenue, but all of them with limited seating, so hurry and make your reservation ASAP. A few suggestions: SoCo, Putnam’s Pub & Cooker, Larina, Bar Bolinas, Gentleman Farmer, Myrtle + Gold, Da Ciro, and the list goes on.

You can always keep it casual with a lovely picnic in Fort Greene Park. Grab some carry-out from Myrtle Bagel, Peck’s, or Bergen Bagel and be on your way. Don’t forget to bring a blanket.

Gift options abound at 21 Tara, 388 Myrtle Ave.

STEP 2: BUY A GIFT

When it comes to buying a gift, the options can be overwhelming. Try to see life through the eyes of a mom. If you’re shopping for a…

Stylish mom, get great apparel or home goods options available at local boutique shops.
Fit and Active mom, ask about classes or supplies from these yoga studios and bike shops.
Pampered mom, get a treatment or gift card to one of these salons or spas.
Foodie mom, a nice bottle of wine or specialty food is generally always a safe bet.

Greeting card from Green in BKLYN (432 Myrtle Ave)

STEP 3: (IT’S NOT HARD) BUY A CARD

Local pharmacies (see the full list here) carry a full selection of cards at just about every price point. But if you’re looking for something with an extra special touch, we recommend a visit to Green in Bklyn or Jill Lindsey.

STEP 4: BUY FLOWERS

Plenty of local shops carry fresh-cut flowers – including Greeneville Garden and Khim’s Millenium Market, – but for a full selection of floral arrangements pay a visit Julio at Bella Rosa Flowers and Gifts.

STEP 5: LEAVE

Image courtesy of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”

Moms need a little peace and quiet too sometimes. Grab the kids and give the lady an hour or two for herself. Meanwhile, enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.

Now Open: Sacred Yoga on Myrtle

Sacred Yoga is now open at 334 Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene.

Fort Greene yogis have a new studio in the neighborhood where they can stretch, breath and meditate. Sacred Yoga officially opens its doors today at their second studio location at 334 Myrtle Avenue, between Carlton Avenue and Washington Park.

Sacred Yoga – whose original location is in Clinton Hill on Clifton Place near Bedford Avenue – offers a full schedule of yoga, dance, and fitness classes.

New visitors can easily, and affordably, test out the new studio with a $20 offer for two weeks of unlimited classes. The studio also offers a number of weekly classes for free or at a sliding scale.

Sacred Yoga, 334 Myrtle Avenue. (347) 715-4112.

Four Stories to Rise Above Chase Bank

402 Myrtle Avenue, at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue, in Clinton Hill.

New housing is slated for Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill, according to permits filed with the NYC Department of Buildings.

Plans submitted by the property owner call for a five-story building to occupy the corner site, with a mix of residential and commercial space. The ground floor, currently home to a Chase Bank branch, will retain the existing 3,884 square feet of commercial space as 10 new housing units spread across 8,627 square feet rise on the upper floors, increasing the building height to 60 feet, about 12 feet higher than 406 Myrtle Avenue, the four-story building next door.

According to the branch manager at Chase, the bank will remain in place and continue to operate through the construction.

The architect on file for the project is Isaac Stern Architects, the same firm that provided designs for the recently completed five-story building at 491 Myrtle Avenue, between Hall and Ryerson streets.

Preliminary plans for the addition were filed with the NYC Department of Buildings on April 28th and are still awaiting approval.

For our full round up of construction projects taking place along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, click here.

MARP Monthly Bike Rides

Now Open: Gold Coast Bank

Image Source: Gold Coast Bank.

Gold Coast bank made their New York City debut this week with their official opening of the new branch in Fort Greene. The Long Island-based bank opened their seventh branch with a big celebration this week at 176 Myrtle Avenue.

Branch Manager LaVasia Peterson and her team are excited to welcome community members who are looking for a new, and locally based, banking option. Visit Gold Coast Bank online to learn more about their various banking products, including personal and business checking and savings accounts.

Gold Coast Bank, 176 Myrtle Avenue, (929) 295-8104.

Myrtle Avenue Plaza Begins to Take Shape

We are pleased to say that the construction of Myrtle Avenue Plaza is winding down. A significant amount of seating, including benches, tables, and platform seating has been installed and is already proving popular with the local lunch crowd.

Additional seating and plaza amenities will continue to arrive as construction continues. Below is a recap what’s already in place and what’s still to come in the Plaza:

What’s Completed

Benches installed
Planted areas formed
Tree pits created
Game tables installed
New trash and recycling bins arrived
Sidewalk pouring complete
All underground utilities in place

What’s Still to Come

Public art installation
B54 bus stop at Grand & Myrtle with new bus shelter
Moveable chairs and tables with umbrellas
34 new bike racks
Pedestrian-level lighting
Trees and plantings
New emergency NYPD/FDNY call boxes

We’re looking forward to having a completed Plaza that’ll be home to countless lunch breaks, evening hangouts, community events, and more.

To get up to the minute updates on all things Myrtle Ave. follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Now Open: JJ Kitchen

Clinton Hill gained a new eatery today with the opening of JJ Kitchen on Myrtle Avenue. The restaurant looks to become a popular lunch spot with their menu of Chinese classic dishes.

For main courses it’s strictly noodles – egg, wonton, rice, or udon – all dressed up in your own personal choice. A full slate of smaller eats, including dumplings, wontons, buns, and spring rolls, are also available. View the full menu below.

JJ Kitchen, 473B Myrtle Avenue, (718) 636-0468.

11 New Myrtle Ave. Merchants Opening this Spring

With each visit down Myrtle Avenue, it appears there's yet another storefront preparing for a new business to open its doors. The commercial strip in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill is currently seeing a boom of commercial activity, with 11 new shops and restaurants on the way. Below is a round-up of new businesses planning an opening in the upcoming months:

The Commissary Kitchen
Offering up classic Greek dishes in a modern setting, The Commissary Kitchen (pictured above) will be a 32-seat restaurant at the corner of Myrtle and Steuben in Clinton Hill.

Pipsqueak Children's Shoppe
This popular Bed-Stuy children's boutique is expanding from Bedford Avenue and opening a second location at 469 Myrtle Avenue. In addition to offering a full stock of children's goods - including clothes and toys - the shop will also offer children's haircuts. Pipsqueak's owners are planning on opening in May.

Depanneur
Borrowing its name from the French-Canadian word for bodega, Depanneur puts a thoughtful spin on the omnipresent corner store. Opening this spring at 519 Myrtle Avenue (the corner of Myrtle and Grand Avenues) the store will offer a curated selection coffee, pastries, prepared sandwiches, and shelves stocked with goodies from the pantry and home. Grab a preview of what's to come by visiting their original location at 242 Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg.

Image Credit: Masterson Architecture & Design

Hudson Jane
Operating as an all-day cafe, Hudson Jane will be a go-to place in Fort Greene from morning to night. Around the clock visits could include grabbing coffee and breakfast snacks in the morning, enjoying midday lunch, picking up freshly prepared dinners after work, or spending an evening at the wine bar. A late spring opening is planned for this new eatery at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Adelphi Street.

Locals
Finding quality meats locally is about to get a whole lot easier. Locals will offer a butcher counter, focused on organically and locally raised meats, in addition to prepared foods that can be taken home for dinner. Throughout the day, customers can enjoy coffee, fresh baked pastries, and lunch at the cozy Fort Greene shop. The opening is slated for late May at 332 Myrtle Avenue, between Washington Park and Carlton Avenue.

Uguyt
This new sushi bar is planning on opening in May 2017, offering Clinton Hill a full menu of both classic and signature sushi.

MetroPCS
Opening soon at 329 Myrtle, near the corner of Washington Park, is an independently-owned and authorized MetroPCS store.

JJ Kitchen - NOW OPEN
Taking over the former Crepe House space, JJ Kitchen will open this spring with a lunch-focused menu of sandwiches, wraps, juices and teas.

Gold Coast Bank- NOW OPEN
This Long Island-based bank will make their NYC debut with their new branch at 176 Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene. Gold Coast Bank plans on opening their doors in the next few weeks.

European Wax Center
This international chain offers a full menu of waxing for both men and women will bring their popular services to Clinton Hill this spring when they open at 531 Myrtle Avenue, between Grand Avenue and Steuben Street.

Wine Legend
This full wine store will no doubt become a popular spot in Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene once it opens at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Fleet Place. The shop is also slated to feature a wine bar.

Stay up to date on when these businesses open and other local news by following Myrtle Avenue on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Now Open: Pollitos Cafe

Clinton Hill's newest eatery offers up quick and inexpensive options for diners on the go. Pollitos Cafe opened their doors today at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Ryerson Street, next door to their sister restaurant and long-time neighborhood favorite, Los Pollitos III. Their brief menu features traditional Mexican street food, all made in house. Morning hour offerings include coffee and breakfast tortas, while lunch and dinner menus also feature chalupas, empanadas, and gorditas. Pollitos Cafe, 419-Rear Myrtle Avenue, (718) 636-6125.

New Building Planned for 341 Myrtle Avenue

341 Myrtle Avenue, home to Worldwide Discount Store, will soon be replaced with a new six-story mixed-use building.

Plans were filed with the NYC Department of Buildings last week to erect a new six-story building on Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene. The current three-story building at 341 Myrtle Avenue, between Carlton and Adelphi, is one of the neighborhood's last buildings with boarded-up upper floors. The new building application shows plans eight apartments on the building's upper floors, and a 2,200 square foot retail space on the ground floor. The six-story building will reach a height of 60 feet. The property has been home to the local 99 cent store, Worldwide Discount, for decades. The business owner intends to move the discount store to another location nearby.

341 Myrtle Avenue, as seen in 1999.

We've requested renderings from the development firm. To keep up to date with more developments happening on Myrtle Avenue, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Fort Greene Park Easter Egg Hunt

Children will be hunting for 2,000 eggs in Fort Greene Park on Saturday, April 15 from 11am-2pm.

The Easter Bunny will be extra busy this year, preparing for a massive egg hunt in Fort Greene Park. The free egg hunt will take place on Saturday, April 15 from 11am-2pm with a full slate of fun activities for local children. Before the egg hunt kicks off at 12:30pm, families can enjoy story time with the Brooklyn Public Library, collect balloon animals, play games, and spend time with the Easter Bunny himself. All activities will take place in the park, near the entrance of N. Portland and Myrtle Avenue. The event is presented in partnership by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Councilmember Laurie A. Cumbo, the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, BAM, Bklyn Public Library, and MetroPlus. Click here to view full event details.

Samantha Johnson, Community Activist and Fort Greene Resident

Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership Executive Director, Meredith Phillips Almeida, sat down with Samantha Johnson, Director of Community Integration at the Ingersoll Community Center – just one of the many hats she wears as an activist, educator and leader in the Fort Greene community. If you spend just a moment with her, you’ll quickly be drawn in by her positivity and warmth. Armed with an endless supply of energy and a huge heart, she’s on a mission to use them to lift up young people as they transition to adulthood. MPA: Director of Community Integration at Ingersoll Center, Afterschool Director at City Growers, Community Board 2 member … and I know there are many more organizations where you devote your time. SJ: Well, I'm a supporter and member of the Close Rikers Campaign with Just Leadership USA, I’m also an NAACP member, and a chapter leader with Million Hoodies for Justice. I'm also a part of the Downtown Brooklyn Task Force to assist with local schools.

"We all remember that one person who did something to empower us. It only takes one person."

MPA: You give to our community in so many ways. What inspires you to continue? SJ: I know that the work is never done, but the families that I work with are my neighbors. We are connected and are constantly growing together. It's the challenges, laughter and tears that we share that gives me strength. I know I need them and we need each other to build love and empowerment in this beautiful evolving community of Fort Greene to which we call home. MPA: You commit yourself to many things, but I know you have a special place in your heart for helping and mentoring youth. SJ: I do, I understand that a youth’s positive or negative upbringing and environmental factors can create adults who are to be the next leaders of our community. It is essential to start early with the building blocks of compassion and education. I hear and see the challenges that they face and do my best to support, but most importantly to meet them where they are. I rarely call myself a mentor, I just want to be a impactful human being whose love and determination motivates. We all remember that one person who did something to empower us. It only takes one person. MPA: And who was that for you, both in the past and in the present? SJ: My mother. For being such a compassionate determined individual and being able to tackle obstacles with grace and poise and respect. I also admire Melissa Harris-Perry and Maxine Waters for being such a strong force in a male-dominated field, and being able to continue their determination for education, liberation and truth. MPA: If you could snap your fingers and bring about one change in our community for youth, what would that be? SJ: I would create a Young Love Committee. As youth get older they seek independence. The family that they create is a model of what they're primarily seeking attention in. Too many times I hear from youth that "no one cares". This is not just from a family perspective, but from those whom they admire. The Young Love Committee doesn't have to be formal, but just intentional. A simple selfless community commitment to share a positive word to a young person. We just need to bring adults and youth together to build trust to create a community in which we grow and win together – and not against each other. For more information about Samantha's work with the Ingersoll Community Center follow the organization on Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/Ingersoll.Community.Center.

Mother. Neighbor. Business Owner: Karin Torres

Karin Torres opened Corkscrew Wines Brooklyn 5 years ago in homage to her parents, particularly her father, who originally taught her about wine and retail and fueled her dream of opening her own wine boutique. From national to local media, her business has gained press and attention for the range and depth of the shop’s wine offerings and small curated selection of wine accessories. But Karin has also gained attention because of her philosophy around the wines she selects and sells at her shop (family and women-produced vintners, farmers using sustainable methods + a large selection of quality wines available at $25 and under at the store) as well as her care and commitment to our greater Fort Greene and Clinton Hill community (“we are strongly committed to our community and to customer service”). Corkscrew offers weekly wine tastings and wine discounts in the neighborhood. Since Corkscrew has opened, Karin has been an active Myrtle Avenue merchant, participating in many BID-sponsored initiatives, including: mentoring and offering work experience to a local teen for 7-weeks during a summer teen work program; offering space at Corkscrew monthly for produce pick-up for the local Farm Fresh Box CSA (community supported agriculture initiative); offering discounts weekly to neighborhood senior citizens and holding special senior-focused wine tasting events; donated a dollar from the purchase of select bottle of wine to T.E.A.L. Month organizers for ovarian cancer research. Karin participates in Black Artstory Month every February, where businesses make available a portion of their store walls or windows to artists to hang artwork during Black History Month. As Karin says: I am a neighbor. I am a mother. It only makes sense and feels right that I run a business with community and wanting to be a good neighbor at its core. I have to model for my little boy what I say I believe in and what’s important. Stay up to date with Corkscrew wines on Karin's very active Facebook page or sign up for their email list at the bottom from their website, www.corkscrewbrooklyn.com.

Myrtle Avenue Honors the Women of Our Community

This March Myrtle Avenue is celebrating Women’s History Month by honoring the women that help make our community great. Every day, these women strengthen the bonds within our community. Whether they’re collecting information for fellow community members or providing a gathering space for the community to come together. Their actions add up to something bigger. These women, and many more, are the community in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill. We are so proud to honor them during this special month.

Stay tuned to this space as we release new features each week.

Now Open: Champion’s Taekwondo

Lead Instructor Q at Champion's Taekwondo, 434 Myrtle Avenue.

Those looking to add a new workout regiment into their routine have a new and exciting option in Clinton Hill with the opening of Champion's Taekwondo. The new studio at 434 Myrtle Avenue offers a slate of classes that focus both on taekwondo and kickboxing. Taekwondo classes are offered for those as young as three years old, through the Little Tigers class, and all the way up to those 65 and older through a special weekly seniors' class. A full calendar of classes for children, youth, adults, and seniors can be found at championstkd.com. Stop in or call to hear about their opening specials and discounts. Champion's Taekwondo, 434 Myrtle Avenue, (718) 522-5425.

More active than most, Ms. Anne Everett

With sadness, we share the news that Ms. Everette passed away on March 9, 2018. Below is an interview that Ms. Everette shared with us in March 2017, discussing her activism in our community. We were fortunate enough to experience her light and that we have a wealth of wonderful interactions and experiences by which to remember her. Thank you, Ms. Everette for all of your many valuable contributions to our programs, the neighborhood and beyond.

Our Women's History Month feature this week is Ms. Anne Everette. A long time community member and social worker, Ms. Everette offers a boundless source of inspiration. Retired is just one of Ms. Everett's many affiliations. She is the Chair of the Willoughby Walk Cooperative Apartments Inc. Finance Committee and serves on the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project Senior Advisory Council. She is an active member of the NAACP and the 88^th Precinct Community and Youth Council. Her community meeting itinerary makes it look like she's running for city council, but she's not. Ms. Everette just likes to be informed and to be able to pass that information on to those who are either too busy or too fragile to make it. In other words. Ms. Everette goes to workshops, seminars, and conventions all over the city, sometimes to other states, collecting and spreading information. She is fit, in good spirits and sharp as a tack. We sat down with Ms. Everette on a warm weekday morning at Connecticut Muffin. During our conversation, she reminisced about a time when Myrtle Avenue was filled with independent groceries, a delicatessen, and a tailor who didn't appreciate people trying to tell him how to do his job. She noted that when Myrtle Avenue sees a new restaurant, it's important to remember that there is no trade off without a sacrifice. Our conversation was another reminder of the mixed bag of impacts when it comes to our city's constant evolution.

You can't raise a family in a studio

Ms. Everett noted that Willoughby Walk (at the corner of Willoughby Ave and Hall Street) was originally built as a middle income housing project in 1958, and she was part of the community group that fought to convert the development into the cooperative model it is today. She described generations of Pratt students who made pretty good neighbors. They were mostly quiet and stayed in the same unit for four years or more. "But housing in America has always been a problem," she said, remembering the professor at Rutgers who warned that the main social issues in America were housing and homelessness. And that it was only going to get worse. We can certainly say housing is still the crisis of our time. Ms. Everett describes what a lot of us sense when we browse through the For Rent sections of any daily paper. That a $2,000 studio is not affordable by most standards. "You can't raise a family in a studio," she says. "And we need housing for all people." We're thankful to have neighbors like Ms. Everett in our community. As the old saying goes, you can't grow if you rip out your roots. It's seniors like Ms. Everett who give our community its roots.

Josephine Premice: A trail blazer on and off the stage

A talent on the Broadway stage, in the recording studio, and on television, Clinton Hill local Josephine Premice deserves the spotlight this Women's History Month. Born in Clinton Hill in 1926 to parents who recently emigrated from Haiti, Josephine was raised in a home that rewarded excellence. As a child, her musical and acting talents were strongly encouraged by her parents and at the young age of 14, she made her professional debut by choreographing a Harlem Theater performance. From there, she continued to grow as a dancer and soon performed at the sold-out First African Dance Festival at Carnegie Hall in 1943. In 1945, Josephine made her Broadway debut in Blue Holiday at the Belasco Theater. From there, she would go on to star in five Broadway shows, appearing alongside other stage legends, including Lena Horne, James Earl Jones, and Cicely Tyson. Her Broadway career garnered her two Tony award nominations. Her stage acting eventual led her on to television roles, where she appeared in the television movie The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman in 1974, and on hit shows, including The Jeffersons in 1979 and A Different World from 1991-1993. Josephine passed away in 2001 at her home in Manhattan at the age of 74. As part of an ongoing project to highlight the legacy of Clinton Hill artists, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership created a series of decorative tree guards inspired by the biographies of local artists. Ms. Premice is featured in one of these designs, entitled Boa Alive. The title references a theater review from The New York Times which claimed that her energy on stage "can almost make a feather boa come alive."

Myrtle Avenue tree guard panel design, entitled Boa Alive, inspired by Clinton Hill resident Josephine Premice. The installed art piece can be found at 497 Myrtle Avenue, near Ryerson Street.

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