Get off of my lawn, PLG punks!
What constitutes a sign of gentrification? A local coffeehouse? A sit-down restaurant? Rising rents? God forbid, a Starbucks? How about a skate shop?
Of course, that designation wouldn't seem to be at all fair to NYC Swag, "Brooklyn's freshest skate, sneaker and streetwear boutique" at 672 Flatbush. From what I can see out of my window, the shop isn't going to be catering to the gentrifiers but rather to the burgeoning skate culture among African- American kids. (A culture that I don't, needless to say, actually want off of my lawn. I want to watch the next Tony Hawk learn his craft.) I noticed a few kids skating last year but popularity appears have exploded this year.
Even though I've never successfully ridden a skateboard in my life, I feel like I am gentrifying the minds of the kids in the neighborhood without even trying. Enjoy the sushi, kids.
What's really wild are those new 2-wheeled skateboard things that flex in the middle -- pretty cool! Of course I've never even tried the old-fashioned kind and I'm too old to learn now!
Posted by: babs | June 19, 2008 at 02:32 PM
I think it is a sign of gentrification in its own way.
Posted by: Sara | June 19, 2008 at 10:26 PM
I grew up in California in the 60's when a skateboard was considered training wheels for surfing. I had a friend who could skateboard on his hands -- those were the days! (of course the sidewalks were really smooth and not 100 years old... or bluestone)
Posted by: FreeLee | June 19, 2008 at 10:46 PM
I have some nostalgia about skating too; my girlfriends and I were friends with the skaters in the 80's in high school. I hope this store's arrival is more about black kids taking up skateboarding, and not merely about gentrification. Skateboarding is challenging and takes a lot of focus and dedication, they get exercise, and it keeps kids from hanging out bored. Now we need a half-pipe in Prospect Park.
Posted by: Jeanne | June 21, 2008 at 10:55 AM
This piece from the NYT last year has a pretty interesting analysis of the trend.
They should put a skate park/roller rink as part of the redevelopment of the Prospect Park skate center.
Posted by: Matt Power | June 21, 2008 at 02:57 PM
genterfication happens olny in poor neiborhoods that become into middle class neiborhoods. flatbush has always been a middle class neiborhood. professional people has been living here for years. any inquires or questions and its motives on NYC SWAG, please feel free to visit the skateshop.
Posted by: Aaron | July 28, 2008 at 05:09 PM