Small Town NYC

Earlier tonight I was walking on the Upper East Side. I only had to walk five blocks total- from my bus stop to my destination. In those five blocks I ran into two people I know. You'd think that in a city as big as New York this wouldn't happen. Maybe lots of NYC neighborhoods are really just small towns.

One place with a small town feel could definitely be my new neighborhood of Williamsburg. While I don't fit in (at ALL) with my neighbors, I do think I am beginning to appreciate certain aspects of the neighborhood. Besides from a Subway and Tasti-D, Williamsburg has no chain stores. And although it was before my time, I believe the opening of those chains (at least the Subway) was quite controversial. The restaurants in my neighborhood are absolutely fabulous. We've found better food here than the UES (although I do miss some favorites- omg, I want a Nicks Pizza). Any NYC foodie knows Williamsburg has an unbelievable reputation when it comes to restaurants. And I've found cute boutiques (surprisingly with some non-hipster clothing) along Bedford Ave. Everything here is "mom and pop", right here in the middle of NYC.

Hottest news in town is that Starbucks is opening right at the corner of N. 3rd and Bedford. Practically my corner. I will probably smell the coffee when I open my kitchen window. Also, a Duane Reade is going in across the street from there as well (there is a Duane Reade in the bottom of one of the new condos on the waterfront, but the walk there annoys me). I'm thrilled about the Duane Reade. I bet they'll carry Sprite and Swedish Fish (two things lacking in the hipster bodega's). And if you know me, you'd think I'd be BUGGING OUT about Starbucks coming. Even if you've read my other blog entries, you'll know I'm a Starbucks junkie. Well, it happens to be that this Starbucks will be replacing my favorite mom and pop place of all- The Bagel Store. The best bagels I've had in my life. Everyone flips out over these bagels. Was walking in Manhattan last week and actually heard two guys discussing how The Bagel Store makesthe best bagels in the city. I love it there, and judging by the line on the weekends, so does everyone else. So now my heart is torn. While the rest of the neighborhood is in an uproar about the big bad chain coffee shop coming to town, you'd think I'd be rejoicing. Leave hipsters- let me drink my $5 coffee in peace! But now I see where they are coming from. RIP The Bagel Store.

Apparently the whole "Starbucks is coming to town" rumor happens quite frequently here in Williamsburg. So I'm not taking this too seriously yet. But I'm just surprised with myself and my possible change of heart. Could I be starting to like Brooklyn?