It’s been a long time coming, but Bushwick’s first proper wine shop has finally opened. It’s actually been open for some two weeks now, and is fully stocked with all varieties of wine from every major growing region. Vinos en Wyckoff also sells what seems like hundreds of brands of liquors. I visited with owner Tony Acosta to talk to him about the shop:

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Martin the Tailor from Ed David on Vimeo.

Only a Holocaust survivor has the chutzpah to tell the US president, no, you can’t dress like a schlub — my reputation is at stake. (I’m sure you don’t need to be told that it was Bill Clinton.) Martin Greenfield came to New York in 1947 and put his talents from his, uh, apprenticeship to work at a clothing factory on Varet Street. He now owns the company. Ed David’s cinematography is noiry and haunting — the film is a wonderful snapshot of entrepreneurship and community stewardship by a shrewd businessman and a true mensch. It is, unfortunately, also propaganda “presented by” EWVIDCO, the City’s pathetic last-gasp attempt to keep parts of Brooklyn a sweatshop warren.

Hat tip to Racked.

Miriah and Erik with cat Molly and clients’ dogs (L to R) Lawyer, Trixie , and Lucy.

I met with Miriah and Erik of Happy Dog Walking Company last week to talk to them about their business. With clients all over Manhattan and now Brooklyn, they are quickly expanding their Bushwick-based company’s reach. In addition to their dog walking services, they also provide doggy daycare in their beautiful apartment on Melrose complete with a huge back yard suitable for all kinds of dog activities from romping and wrestling to naps in the sun.

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Anthony Pelosi of Pelosi Basses.

Deidre Schoo continues her series on entrepreneurs in Bushwick with Anthony Pelosi of Pelosi Basses:

Describe your business.
Probably best described as monkey business, my business involves the creation of handmade musical instruments. Most of my sales, at this point in time, are through word of mouth and consignment in shops.

How and when did your business start?
My business officially started in 2003. I want people to appreciate a product that starts with love and ends with love. Just ignore the kicking and screaming that goes on in the process!

When did you move your business to Bushwick?
My business moved to Bushwick in 2006.

And what brought you out here?
The smell of the waste management plant on Thames Street…just kidding! Really…the space was good for me and I was ready to pursue my business further.

Do you have any funny, quirky or weird stories about the neighborhood?
Well, there’s lots of them. Some probably aren’t appropriate for most people. I like to recall the man pissing behind a car on Porter — in fact, that was just today — or the dog vomit strewn throughout the stairwell of my building. There’s also the paranoid guy that was talking to the TV in a local diner. I told him that he should leave and was thanked by the owner. At the same place I also heard the owner tell someone “Oh you couldn’t do nothing” after hearing that a patron of the diner was locked up in Rikers for 3 years. The list goes on and on.

If you have a new business in Bushwick and would like to be a part of this project please email Deidre.

The fine folks at BRAVE SPACE DESIGN.
Sam Kragiel, Nikki Frazier, Jesse James Arnold, Derek Bruno

Introducing Entrepreneurs in Bushwick, by photographer Deidre Schoo, which will be featured once a week on BushwickBK.com. Deidre lives here in Bushwick and is currently working on a project about people who moved to the neighborhood to start or expand their businesses, seeking cheap rent — and ultimately found community. –Jeremy

Describe your business.
Brave Space Design is a Brooklyn-based furniture company producing modern high-end furnishings that are durable and environmentally sustainable.

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