Crown Heights: Economy
From Decoding New York
| Introduction |
| Brighton Beach |
| * Evolution |
| * What's Real |
| * Here v. There |
| * Economy |
| Crown Heights |
| * Evolution |
| * What's Real |
| * Here v. There |
| * Economy |
| Comparison |
| * Photo Gallery |
| * Sources |
Living in Crown Heights has become increasingly desirable in recent years, both for its convenience by subway and its affordability compared to other nearby gentrified neighborhoods in Brooklyn and areas in Manhattan. According to the New York Times, Crown Heights “is attracting attention as a hidden jewel" because it is “diverse, vibrant, and still affordable.” There are myriad small businesses and services, including grocery stores, numerous laundromats, dry cleaners, banks, a handful of local hospitals, and several gyms but many of the businesses are culture specific. Along Eastern Parkway on the Afro-Carribean side, there are beauty salons, restaurants, and even such chains as McDonalds and Subways which cater to the Afro-Caribbean population. The Hasidic sector of Crown Heights contains stores that are not found in the Afro-Caribbean sector and the reverse can be said.
Along Albany Avenue, kosher eateries such as pizzerias, bagel stores, bakeries, and delis can be found. In the local grocery store, Glatt House, specifically galtt kosher poultry can be found as well as Israeli products such as pickles, hummus, candy by the company Paskz, and much more.
All the products sold in grocery stores and eateries are kosher. You will not find a McDonald’s since it does not serve kosher foods and it would not patronized by Hasidic residents of the area. In general, the Hasidic section of Crown Heights does not seem to be as Americanized as the Afro-Caribbean section since many American chain food stores are not kosher. Furthermore, while eating at the local pizzeria, there are advertisements for other stores and products in Hebrew as well as in English. Many Jews from various neighborhoods come to Crown Heights to purchase various kosher foods. Crown Heights also has stores religious goods such as biblical works of art and silver products like candles sticks for Shabbat on Friday nights. There are also stores that sell torahs, yarmulkas, key chains with one's Hebrew name much more. Many men in the Hasidic community work outisde the area, with a large number in the jewelry trade in Manhattan. Most of the married women do not work outside the home but care for their large families.
Like the Hasidic community, the Afro-Caribbean section of Crown Heights contains stores to meet its residents' needs. There are many hair salons offering vaiorus hairstyles to Afro-Caribbean and beauty products for such customers. In the food stores there are natural herbs and teas from the Caribbean that many enjoy using and drinking. Local eateries contain Caribbean delicacies such as d curried chicken, goat roti, and lamb stews. In addition to food related stores along Utica Avenue, there are also may jewelry stores, with at least one on each block.
