Chain Stores in Williamsburg

More harm to the neighborhood's charm if you ask me, though the demographic shift and profit motive of big business makes it inevitable. I'd say Starbucks is acceptable. Not so sure about DR and CVS.

To me, Starbucks seems to be the epitome of gentrification. I could probably better justify the arrival of 24 hour pharmacies, which the local drug stores may not offer. But where I live, there is a Duane Reade and Starbucks on every other block so convenience rules the day. Charm is reserved only for the avenues like East End Avenue and West End Avenue.

Williamsburg has loads of charm. The chain stores will add convenience without affecting the general low rise character.

Just hope the chain stores go easy on WB. I can see a Shake Shack fitting in quite well (instead of McDonalds a la EV 9th St./3rd ave). A KFC would be uncalled for, and a Popeye's would be instant death to WB as we know it.

Williamsburg is ugly for the most part, it's convenient, hip, cool and entertaining but certainly not charming.
The stretch of high rise buildings on Kent ave is definitely the most ugly of all...

Charming or not, it does currently have a unique "indie" character. The piece talked about it becoming the next EV. That's still better than it becoming indistinguishable from LIC, replete with a Bank of America and a Dunkin' Donuts like that WB condo buyer is wishing for. Being a stop from Manhattan and the average buyer profile of NSP/EDGE, that's where it looks to be headed. But I guess there's always Bushwick.

PMG, what do you think of WB waterfront unit as a rental investment vs a unit in washington heights?

"To me, Starbucks seems to be the epitome of gentrification. I could probably better justify the arrival of 24 hour pharmacies, which the local drug stores may not offer."

That's a popular meme, but not one I fully accept. It's just a small coffee shop, after all, not a full on assault like a department store or hotel would be (the latter of which is definitely coming to the area, but also much needed). It's also a complete rumor that Starbucks is coming - I've seen no actual evidence of it.

"That's still better than it becoming indistinguishable from LIC, replete with a Bank of America and a Dunkin' Donuts like that WB condo buyer is wishing for."

Agreed (though I could use of a B of A, to be honest) - thankfully, that awful sounding person they interviewed in the article does not appear to be a buyer. Here's hoping she makes it back to the UWS or wherever.

if SB does come, I hope it does not replace that bagel store-- sometime a guy with no ridiculous facial hair such as myself just wants some normal food.
I'm surprised that NYT piece did not comment on what to me seems to be the oddest thing about that duane reed-- a full selection of beers on tap dispensed in 64 oz containers-wtf?. has any one else been in there and seen this?

kiz, I haven't been to actually see it, but the Whole Foods on Bowery has refillable growlers, which were a pretty nice thing to have on occasion back when I lived there. Not a necessity by any means, but I won't say no.

BTW, the woman in the NYT article who asked for a DD and Food Emporium, etc., apparently seems to have been misquoted (the reporter isn't much for sarcasm, maybe?): http://catbirdnyc.blogspot.com/2010/11/shari-lind-called.html

yes it is that growler thing, it just seemed a little gimmicky, i guess i was also turned off by the awful appearance of the entire first floor food section-- it looks like a 7-11, i think they really could have done a better job.