BAY RIDGE — The hipster invasion on Bay Ridge has begun.
Plans to open a beer garden in the decidedly un-hip neighborhood have stirred the ire of long-term residents who fear an influx of gentrifiers. Now, another indicator of a cultural shift has popped up with seemingly little push back.
On March 20, Brooklyn Industries, a clothier known for their $34 dollar T-shirts bearing the borough’s name, opened an outlet store on Fourth Avenue. It sits one block away from the commercial stretch along 86th Street, which is home to Century 21, Payless Shoes, Claire’s Accessories and TJ Maxx.
The store is taking over the space once occupied by Compustar. The Brooklyn Industries outlet will be selling sale items that have not moved quickly in its full-price stores.
Brooklyn Industries sales associate April Sylmetaj, who was born in the neighborhood and now resides in Bensonhurst, says that residents in the area have welcomed the store.
“So far we’ve been getting in so many customers saying ‘Oh my god! This is so great! We have sh-t that says Brooklyn on it,’” she says. “Just seeing the expressions on their faces — they’re just so happy that there’s one finally in Bay Ridge.”
