Tag Archives: Fulton street

Summary of Projec#4

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Fulton Street is named after a successful business man, Robert Fulton, who own a monopoly steam ferries business. And two streets linked with the ferries are called Fulton Street. Although the monopoly business did not exist now, the monopolistic businesses still continued on the Brooklyn Fulton. From the past century, there are plenty of retail stores along Fulton Street; it is a successful economic model to the local African Americans. However, Fulton Street recently moves to the next step. Because of its fantastic transportation, attracting thousands of visitors a day, Fulton is no longer a market place for local retailer, but also a mix market with both national chain stores and local retail stores. The joining of national stores attracts more visitors to Fulton mall, and also the fresh, new renovation make Fulton more international. On the other side, because of the national stores are too powerful and rich, many poor local stores are defeated by the high rent, and out of the market. Some people worried about the change of Fulton Street, but according a survey by Vicki Weiner, deputy director of the Pratt Center for Community Development, the construction of Fulton still function like traditional market place where people socialize as they shop.

Fulton Times—the change of Fulton Street

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Since I came to New York, I always walked to school; I never take any trains or buses to school, so it is so difficult to me to find the way out of the station and the way to my college. I still remember that was the first day of my school, I took the A train in Fulton Street and stopped at the station at Fulton, Jay street. I thought I lost and never left the Fulton Street in Manhattan, but the train did move in the same direction and pass through a stop. Therefore, I got out of the station and finally I found out where am I?
Brooklyn Fulton Street, the same street name in Manhattan downtown. It is named after Robert Fulton, who owned the monopoly business of steam ferries. In that time, the only way traveled to Manhattan and Brooklyn is by the steam ferries, and these two Fulton Street is where the steam ferries linked with. So as we can see Robert Fulton is the huge character in hundred years ago and his name still remain on today local history. Even though Fulton’s monopoly steam ferries business is no longer exist now, the monopolistic business along the Fulton Street still going on; the national chain stores vs. small local retail stores, and who will be last longer?
On Fulton Street, the 17-block corridor stretching from Boerum Place to Flatbush Avenue features a mix of national retailers like Macy’s, H&M, and the Gap; local chains like Brooklyn Industries, Cookie’s, and Shake Shack; and independent shops like Heart & Sole and Mirage Boutique. The retail business along Fulton Street cannot go without its transportation. From the past century, the road structure has great change and influences the area efficiently. Fulton Street has been a marketplace since early 19th century, “the street is full of pedestrians. A trolley track line was next to the (Orpheum) Theater and an over pass train track as well” (Afo). Today, there are no more train tracks, the MTA subway trains and buses replace the streetcars. And it easier for people come to Fulton Street and shop along the street. The great transportation gathers lots of customers to this street, the store owners have more chance to sell their products; however, too much customers also give the land lords an opportunity to increase the rent.
From the last century, people are more flavors to the local stores on Fulton Street, like the shops that sell hip-hop fashion, cellphone, sneaker and gold jewelry
 however, in recent years, those local and independent shops are disappeared, since they cannot afford the high rent in that area and the competition with national chain stores. An associate director at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Retail, Hymie Dweck said, “rent on Fulton Street were always around $150 to $200( square foot), but they are pushing past that now” (Julie Satow). Rent is one of the important factors that they cannot compete with the national stores. The owner of Stellar European Design, Sam Yung Kim said “driving up rents beyond $200 a square foot that may make it impossible for him to remain when his lease comes up for renewal in a year” (Berger, Joseph). Since the small retailers cannot earn as much as the national chain store did, and they still need to pay the same high rent, many stores closed, in this cruel competition, rent is like the salt, putting on their open wound, and make their situation worse.
The disappearance of those local stores make some people worry that Fulton Street will lose the African-American and Caribbean-American customers, since they like the unique style and bright color clothing, which make them show off their figure. On the other hand, “some small stores are pleased with the chains’ arrival. ‘They bring more people in this area and it’s better,’ said Frank Flower, an Egyptian immigrant who owns a hole-in-the-wall shop that sells gold chains and earrings” (Berger, Joseph). Do the national chain stores join in Fulton Street really change the people’s visit? Vicki Weiner, deputy director of the Pratt Center for Community Development who also worried about the unbalance between national retailers, local retailers and the independent shops did a survey in 2006, asking the architectural significance of the mall’s buildings, testing if the new stores in the mall did change the customers visiting. At the end, she found out that street is still “functioning like a traditional marketplace, where people see people they know and come to network and socialize as well as shop.” Weiner believed Fulton Mall (on the center of Fulton Street) has not lost its character (Berger, Joseph).
From these two stories, we understand the factor of rent influences the competition between the local retail and the national chain stores; and also the view from people about the national chain stores joining in Fulton Street. Because of the great transportation along the Fulton Street, many retailers want to join in this fantastic market; however, on the other hand, the more retailers want to join in, the higher rent they have to pay. And as we know only the large national stores can afford this high rents with ease. In the customers’ views, Fulton Street is still the same amazing shopping pedestrianized mall; but, it is a little painful to the small retailor.
In this monopolistic market, the local stores seem weaker than the national chain stores; however, generally, Fulton Street stills the unique place for the people, a mix of national stores and local retail stores. Even though the national chain stores joining did hurt some of the small businesses, and push them out of the competition; with the loss of some loyal local customers, Fulton Street still stands, continued to expands its fame, and attracts more new customers to here.

Cited Work
Afo (Aqbere, Dawuda), “Vaudeville Project-Orpheum.” What is Vaudeville? The Brooklyn Experience. OpenLAB AT CITY TECH, November 7, 2013. Web. November 20, 2013
Berger, Joseph. “On Fulton Street, Worries about Change.” The New York Times Online 20 September 2013. 20 November 2013.
Downtown Brooklyn. . Historic Downtown Brooklyn Walking Tour. Web. 28 November 2013

Satow, Julie. “National Retailer Discover a Brooklyn Mall.” The New York Times Online 28 August 2012. 20 November 2013.

Fulton Times—the change of Fulton Street

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Fulton Times—the change of Fulton Street
Since I came to New York, I always walked to school, I never take any trains or buses to school, so it is so difficult to me to find the way out of the station and the way to my college. I still remember that was the first day of my school, I took the A train in Fulton Street and stopped at the station at Fulton, Jay street. I thought I lost and never left the Fulton Street in Manhattan, but the train did move in the same direction and pass through a stop. Therefore, I got out of the station and finally I found out where am I?
Brooklyn Fulton Street, the same street name in Manhattan downtown. It is named after Robert Fulton, who owned the monopoly business of steam ferries. In that time, the only way traveled to Manhattan and Brooklyn is by the steam ferries, and these two Fulton Street is where the steam ferries linked with. So as we can see Robert Fulton is the huge character in hundred year ago and his name still remain on today local history.Even thought Fulton’s monopoly steam ferries business is no longer exist now, the monopolistic businese along the Fulton Street still going on;(thesis) and the rent cause and effect the business competition along the street.
The retail business along Fulton Street cannot go without its transportation. From the past century, the road structure has great change and influence the area efficiently. Fulton Street has been a marketplace since early 19th century, for example, the Orpheum Theater between Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue, “the street is full of pedestrians. A trolley track line was next to the (Orpheum) Theater and an over pass train track as well” (Afo). Today, there are no more train lines and train track, the MTA subway trains and buses replace the streetcars. And it easier for people come to Fulton Street and shop along the street. The great transportation gather the lots of customers to this street, the store owners have more chance to sell their products; however, too much customers give the land lords a opportunity to increase the rent.
From the last century, people are more flavors to the local stores on Fulton Street, like the shops that sell hip-hop fashion, cellphone, sneaker and gold jewelry
 however, in recent years, those local and independent shops are disappeared, since they cannot afford the high rent in that area and the competition with national chain stores. According to article “National Retailers Discover Fulton Street Mall in Brooklyn”, an associate director at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Retail, Hymie Dweck said, “rent on Fulton Street were always around $150 to $200, but they are pushing past that now” (Julie Satow). For the small retailers this is like putting a feather on a horse whose already carries 999.99 kilograms goods on its back—-push it to fall. The owner of Stellar European Design, Sam Yung Kim said “driving up rents beyond $200 a square foot that may make it impossible for him to remain when his lease comes up for renewal in a year” (Joseph Berger). For the small retailers, rent is one of the important factors that they cannot compete with the national stores.
The disappearance of those local stores make some people worry that Fulton Street will lose the African-American and Caribbean-American customers, since they like the unique style and bright color clothing, which make them show off their figure. On the other hand, “some small stores are pleased with the chains’ arrival. ‘They bring more people in this area and it’s better,’ said Frank Flower, an Egyptian immigrant who owns a hole-in-the-wall shop that sells gold chains and earrings” (Berger, Joseph).
Do the national chain stores joining in Fulton Street really change the whole community? Weiner, deputy director of the Pratt Center for Community Development who also worried about the unbalance between national retailer, local retailer and the independent shops did a survey in 2006, asking the architectural significance of the mall’s buildings, and found out that street is “functioning like a traditional marketplace, where people see people they know and come to network and socialize as well as shop.” Weiner believed Fulton Mall has not lost its character.

Cited Work
Aqbere, Dawuda(Afo), “Vaudeville Project-Orpheum.” What is Vaudeville? The Brooklyn Experience. OpenLAB AT CITY TECH, November 7, 2013. Web. November 20, 2013
Berger, Joseph. “On Fulton Street, Worries about Change.” The New York Times Online 20 September 2013. 20 November 2013.
Satow, Julie. “National Retailer Discover a Brooklyn Mall.” The New York Times Online 28 August 2012. 20 November 2013.

Fulton Street, Overlapping New York

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My high school teacher always said the life in city universities is like the high school; you go to school and go back home. Now, this became part of my life; I never explore the neighborhood near the City College of Technology, because I think Downtown Brooklyn just is a college town, since I saw many school on my way to CityTech. However, everything had changed after I crossed the line, and found the Fulton Mall, the center of the Downtown Brooklyn. Fulton Street not just a street full of department stores, its heavy value proves the changing of the New York and also shows how New York overlapping.

How to arrive the Fulton Street? Starting at the entrance of General building from our school, turn left and walk straight down to the Fulton Street, approximately four blocks away; when you passed the Willoughby Plaza, make a left turn to the Fulton Mall. That is where I begin my adventure, the central area of the street.

When I first got there, the first thing I capture in my eyes is people. Even that was the weekday; people were still walking through the street, and shopping in retail stores unstoppably. I like frame a photographs from the view of my eyes, as I walking on the street, I take new things and interest things in my photographs

My eyes follow the walking people and I start to focus on the department stores on the Fulton Street. There were some famous brand chain stores I knew very well, such as Modell, Starbucks and Gaps, etc. however, there was also many unknown local retail stores that I never heard of, most of them are the clothes store, and they were selling very unique and stylish clothes, very different with the brand store. I suddenly understand why people concentrate at here; unlike all brand stores in Soho, New York, Fulton Mall gives people more options, more creative products and ideas, always impress the customers.

I kept walking and stopped on the corner of the street, when I waiting the red light turn white, I look up, and I found some interesting things about downtown Brooklyn’s building. The buildings along the Fulton Street are shorter than the buildings around the Fulton Street. I guess because the buildings on the Fulton Street were older than the buildings around the street, since they are not replaceable, people kept moving in and joined the economy of Brooklyn Fulton Street, the street keep its look for the businesses, instead changing for the people to live in.

I chose this place for the project because I like the atmosphere on Fulton Street, it is very lively, and make me want to shop.  When I explore the Downtown Brooklyn, I lost my self at there. I almost give up and try to find station on Jay Street and go home, then, I found the Fulton Street. I still remember how impressive it is when I saw that shoppers rushing on the street carried shopping bags on their both hands. I always thinks Brooklyn is quiet neighborhood, boring and historical; however, Fulton street is totally different; it is fashionable, and lively. This is the new Brooklyn I never knew; just like Mr. Self said, “it’s all I can do to keep myself from being isolated all the time” (McGrath). New York is the greatest city with many new, fresh, and interesting things around, it always freshened up people. Therefore, we should not isolate ourselves in certain places; and to enjoy this “munificent gift”, get to know about it.

From Whitehead’s “City Limited”, it said, “You didn’t know that each time you passed the threshold you were saying goodbye” (Whitehead).The changing along the Fulton Mall is similar to that Chinese restaurant; someday, this store opens, someday, that store closed. People never know what happen tomorrow especially the fashion business. After a month, when you come back and shop in Fulton Street, you will find out your “old friend” was gone and a “new friend” came. Like the author Whitehead said you never know when to say goodbye to your New York. From the past to present, we can see that Fulton Street keep changing and we still cannot predict what it would be in the future.

“Our old building still stand because we saw them, moved in and out of their long shadows
They are part of city we carry around. It is hard to imagine that something will take their place” (Whitehead). It is disappointed when you coming for something and after you get there, it is gone. And you can only put the old memories put inside your heart. Thus, you have to treasure every time you meet it. For the people, Fulton Street might just a street for shoppers to shop, for customers to eat, and a nice place for people to relax and enjoy the simple pleasure. However, from the past to present, along on the Fulton Street, especially the Fulton mall area, the street changes as the time move on. We always come back because Fulton Street is part of city that we carry, that old place the full of many happy memories. The value of Fulton Street is much heavy than its actual weight.

After visiting along the Fulton Street, I want to know more about the history of this amazing street, when it developed? Why it developed at the center of Downtown Brooklyn.

Downtown Brooklyn is a cluster of extraordinary neighborhood, you never know if you not explore it. Like Fulton Street, one of the busiest shopping districts in Brooklyn, it just a simple neighborhood, but it show the New York overlapping, from the past to present, from National to local department stores. By compare and contract every detail on that street,  I was more understand the author of “City Limited”,  your own New York is create by yourself, you never knew a New York by hearing other people said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work Cited

McGrath, Charles, “A Literary Visitor Strolls in From the Airport.” The New York Times  6 December, 2006. Web. 23 September, 2013.

Whitehead, Colson, “City Limits.” The Colossus of New York: A City in Thirteen Parts. New York: random House, 2004.1-12.