When I started this paper back in 2010, I would have been surprised to know that it would still be going strong today. What’s kept this paper going has been the contributions of our talented crew of writers, our advertisers, the local merchants who allow us to distribute the paper at their locations, and finally and equally as important, the interest of you, the reader.
The advertiser is the unsung hero. In a different era, print advertising was a very important way for businesses to get their message out. NYC papers used to have pages and pages of ads from all sorts of merchants, including department storesand car dealers. Not to mention classifieds. The Sunday Times almost required a wheelbarrow to bring home from the newstand, with ten or more large sections.
Even in those days community papers had some trouble competing with the daily papers, not to mention local shopping magazines. Not a small portion of the ads were taken by local businesses who felt that their community paper was not only a means to reach customers, but were performing a public service for the community, and worth supporting.
Today is a whole new world, the dailies have their own problems, and a huge portion of advertising dollars are spent online. People don’t have to buy a paper or even watch TV, they just have to look on their phone for personalized messages from businesses.
While we do believe that advertising in our pages is a good business decision, as we are in fact a local paper with a local audience, we understand that businesses can easily reach their neighbors with paid and even free promotions on the local Facebook and Instagram pages.
Yet we have a nice group of community minded local businesses who do help support us, and while we don’t often say it, we really appreciate it! And we would love for you to complete the circle and when appropriate, patronize our sponsors.
Movers, Not Shakers!
I’ve had some interesting conversations with Mark Ehrhardt, especially one after an meeting at the South Brooklyn HS discussing the possibility of leaving dredged Gowanus Canal soil in Red Hook. Another time he sat in on drums at my band gig at Bait and Tackle on his birthday, playing a spirited version of Gloria. If I remember correctly, he’s played with Billy Joel as well. In any case, he has built a highly successful moving business, and has occupied page two of the Star-Revue for many years.
Wet Whistle Wines
When we started the paper, Botta Di Vino occupied 357 Van Brunt Street. Owners Jeff and Triciann decided to sell and in 2017 Cory Hill and Megan Mardiney turned it into Wet Whistle. Among other things, Megan is a graphic designer, and gave us a series of ads to run. The original ads didn’t reproduce that well, but after a while, the newspaper printer that we use upgraded their presses and the complaints have ceased and the ads look better. Cory has become a business friend and we never fail to have a good conversation when I drop off the papers.
Frank’s
I don’t know Frank that well, but well enough to know that he’s an all around good guy. He owns a bike shop on Delavan Street, a little off the beaten track, and has become a valuable addition to the neighborhood. He is a seasonal advertiser, as business drops off in the winter.
Evergreen Liquor Store
I forget who first sold this ad (we have had different salespeople from time to time,) but I do know that Evergreen has the same landlord that I did years ago when I was on Court Street, right where Court Street Grocers is today, so maybe it was me. Thire landlord, David Greenbaum, is a great guy, and he actually once told me that he helped Greg O’Connell buy his first building. He always has good tenants and I’m glad that the nice people at Evergreen are his tenants. I’m also proud to have them as very long-term advertisers.
Keg and Lantern
Our history with Keg and Lantern goes back before they came into the neighborhood. We wrote a few articles about Beard Street residents worried about a brewery opening up on their block, as they already had a number of bars nearby. But Kieran, who already operated a successful Greenpoint bar, established a good relationship with the neighborhood, and have been one of our biggest advertisers in the years since they opened, and we are grateful.
Marks Pizza
Tony always tells me that we will make each other famous. I first met him after Sandy when he showed me all the damage the hurricane caused. I especially remember the red water in his basement – red from tomato sauce. He also explained how the biggest damage to his electrical devices came not from the water but from Con Ed turning on and off the power after the storm. Tony is a great community supporter, not only with us, but many organizations to whom he donates free pizza for their events.
I don’t have to tell you to support Tony, you already know what great pizza they serve. And wings too!
The Lobster Pound
We love having the Lobster Pound’s beautiful ads every issue – for years now! Back when I started the paper, Susan Povich’s restaurant was also quite new, occupying just half the space they have now, if I remember correctly sellng mostly live lobsters and lobster rolls. Over the years they have built out their beautiful maritime themed restaurant/bar. They also began selling out of their distinctive truck, which they brought to the festival we used to sponsor at IKEA every year.
