Alley Markets and Urban Oases

A post about this weekend - but better late than never, right?

This weekend I had a chance to swing by the opening of the Grove Alley Nite Market in Downtown Brooklyn. The small alley - touted in the ads as being one of the worst streets in Brooklyn, once upon a time - has been cleverly repurposed into a pedestrian plaza, with lighting strung across and vendors selling food, drink, and clothing. It also makes for a rather intimate concert space, nestled as it is between the alley walls with the lights overhead. 

Looking into Grove Alley. All photos from the author's Instagram.

Events like these add a level of vitality to Downtown that doesn't currently exist (our walk back to Boerum Place along Fulton was about as dead as it gets until we reached Shake Shack). A 24 hour neighborhood is safer and better for business than one that closes down at 8 or 9pm. And judging by the crowd braving Friday's rain, there are plenty of people dying for more things to do Downtown. I'm sure we'll see that number grow, too, as the neighborhood's long list of new residential towers is completed.

And adding to the excitement of Friday's night market, I had the pleasure of working my required shift at the Carroll Gardens CSA. Plenty of fresh kale, zucchini, and cucumbers all around, and all in the beautiful setting of the Transit Garden.

Setting up at the Carroll Gardens CSA

Berries growing in the Transit Garden

If you've never been, take a look the next time you're near 2nd and Smith. It's amazing what has been done to this MTA property (it's located on the empty lot next to the Smith St. Substation). What might have been a barren spot next to the subway is instead a little oasis, thanks to the community members who have made a point of improving the neighborhood. Sometimes, it's the little things that make our city a great place to live.