Sometimes my life fells like a swirling, sickening, spinning teacup. I need my friends in the cup with me to cry, scream and laugh with but i also need someone outside the cup to see the reality of how happy my life is.
Dedicated to my therapist.
This picture of a Borough Park newspaper stand took me all day long to shoot because the owner and his wife went back and forth several times about letting me take the photograph. When I first went in to ask permission to shoot the owner said yes but after I set up the tripod out front, he came out and said I could not shoot. I followed him inside to ask why. He said, “I’m sorry it’s my wife, she’s not comfortable. “ I told him about my project photographing Brooklyn neighborhoods and he went over to his wife to try again.
I sat at the tiny four-seat counter, which probably looked the same as it did forty years ago, piled high with the current newspapers, while they argued in loud whispers as if I could not hear. As she raised her hand to brush hair back from her face I saw the numbers tattooed on her arm and understood. My father, who was from Europe, kept the fact that his family was Jewish hidden until right before his parent’s death so I understood her sensitivity to exposure.
At some point I offered to shoot only the exterior and make sure neither she or her husband were not in any of the shots. This seemed to comfort her. It took a lot of convincing to let her know I meant no harm.
I set up my camera across the street but while I was shooting the man’s wife got upset and said I could not shoot it after all and the whole thing started over. By the end of the day, we were old friends and her back can be seen in the door.
NOTE: This charming newspaper stand closed this summer and is now a 99cent store.
When we bought a garage to renovate as a home in the Crow Hill section of Crown Heights we had one problem after the other during construction.
We did not know if a white Lesbian couple would be welcomed into the Carribean African Muslim neighborhood but it did not take long to find out. Immediately people began to stop by to see what was happening, invite us to community meetings and wish us well.
One day we were both in despair and our neighbor Shabazz who is a “walking church” offered counsel. We told him of the foundation shown in the building department’s plans that did not exist, the walls collapsing and the plumber who disappeared when his brother was arrested for fraud. He said, “You got a bad spirit, man. He got to go.” He gave us the number of a Yourba Priestess who would come to get rid of it.
When she came, she walked around, prayed, burned stuff and had us mop with lavender and Reckitt’s blue water. She left a marked coconut for Alegua near the door for protection. Within the week, the foundation was poured, the plumber returned and we found a specialist to fix the walls.
NOTE: When I shot this image last year, they were tearing down the building and only this wall remained. Luckily, our house is still standing.
When I brought a framed print of Benny’s Barber into the shop I was told Benny was in Puerto Rico but I stayed for a while for a cut and to listen to the animated conversations in Spanish. Not all were here for a cut. There were only two chairs, century old beauties made of chrome and red leather. Friends dropped in to say hello and argue over women, coffee and sports.
I once took my two-year-old grandson Elijah to Benny’s Barber. It was crowded and loud and he was petrified. There was no fire engine chair or Shrek video for him, like Lulu’s in Park Slope. When it was his turn he tried to run out the door. Benny put an old leather-covered board across the arms of his 1908 Barber chair and hoisted him onto the top of it. He was about to cry when Benny gave him a giant, multi-colored lollipop and the world was beautiful again.
The last time I went, a shabby-looking young man in a trench coat with bulging pockets came in – sneakily whispering to each person who was waiting his turn for a cut.
I thought, “Things have really changed. Benny would never let a drug dealer in here”.
He came over to me and as he began to pull out his wares, I gave him a dirty look and said, “No, thanks.” He pulled bottles of Vitamin B and C out of his deep pockets and said, “You sure? These are the best vitamins you can buy, all natural, and I got good prices man.”
NOTE: Soon after my visit I returned to Benny’s and the old sign was covered by a vinyl awning announcing The Director’s Cut. The antique chairs were replaced by new ones. Benny sold the place to his nephew who renovated. He left the chairs on the street not knowing the value.
You and your friends will love this colorful sunset photograph of the Parachute Jump ride at Coney Island amusement park on the beach in Brooklyn. Coney Island, a long time NYC cult icon, is destined to become a part of Brooklyn history when the park is renovated next year. Colorful and masterfully shot, the image features carnival type. T-shirts and tote bags make great gift ideas see them in the 718STORE.
I spent the weekend in coney Island shooting the last big weekend of the season. We’re all hoping Coney Island will be open for one more year. See more new Coney Island Photos in the gallery.
FROM ROSIE
“For 74 years, College Bakery in Cobble Hill was the place to go in Brooklyn for old-style party cakes, gingerbread cookies and apple turnovers. Local families flocked to the family-run bakery and when they moved, they traveled back to Court Street shop just to pick up its signature – and famously inexpensive – all-American baked goods.”
My daughter used to go to this bakery every week for treats and whenever I sell prints in the area I hear a new story like this one from Rosie in Prospect Heights.
The Bouquet
Rosie waited for her birthday every year thinking not of gifts but of the big pink rose covered butter cream cake from College Bakery her mom always got.
On the morning of her 13th birthday she felt older, more mature, an adult. (Well, almost) She didn’t tell her mom she wanted something new and special to celebrate her entry into her teen age years and she tried to act like the cake was not big deal but when her mom put the big box with the string handle on the table she could hardly contain her excitement.
Her mother carefully and much too slowly untied the box and turned it toward her. With trembling fingers she gingerly opened the lid. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the box did not contain the usual pale pink buds but a multicolored bright bouquet of flowers from peonies to poppies, daisies to daffodils.
Cobble Hill in Brooklyn is a sweet place for baked goods. Even though College Bakery and Valencia are now gone, there are still plenty of sweet shops and cafés on Court and Smith Streets. See the Cobble Hill Section of the 718 Store for new photos or visit Kit Kaplan’s Brooklyn Gallery.
718 BROOKLYN’s “Made in Brooklyn” One Piece Infant Creeper is a perfect gift for newborns. This one-of-a-kind design by Kit Kaplan features the Brooklyn Bridge with a beautiful sunset over the Manhattan skyline.
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College Bakery in Cobble Hill was once Brooklyn’s favorite place for a birthday cake and has been sadly missed by all since it closed suddenly in September of 2005. The bakery took its name from St. Francis College, which was formerly on nearby Butler St.
Keep your memories of College Bakery fresh with this Commemorative Mousepad available in the 718BROOKLYN Store.
Do you have stories about College Bakery? Add them to the comment box.
This beautiful Stationery & Cigars newspaper stand and luncheonette was recently replaced by a 99cent store.
I spent almost three hours photographing this store. I went in and was catapulted into the past. The small 4-seat counter looked the same as it did forty years ago, piled high with the current newspapers. I asked the gentleman at the counter if I could photograph the store and he said yes so I set up my camera across the street. While I was shooting the man’s wife got upset and said I could not shoot it and it took a lot of convincing to let her know I meant no harm.
At some point I saw the numbers on the wife’s arm that explained her reticence to be photographed and offered not to shoot the interior and make sure she was not in any of the shots. This seemed to work out.
The store was located on New Utrect Avenue near 49th Street and 12th Avenue. The original classic Coca-Cola sign can be seen under the new yellow vinyl awning.
