BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — You’ll soon be able to learn the history and stories behind the storefronts of Fulton Street during Bed-Stuy’s small business walk.
The guided tour, part of the citywide Jane’s Walk, takes place on May 7 and will highlight the Bedford Stuyvesant Gateway Business Improvement District.
The BID’s first ‘Spring Into Small Business Week Jane Jacobs Walk’ aims to promote local shopping while educating participants on the culture and history of the neighborhood, as told by longtime residents and business owners.
“These are stories that sometimes people may be familiar with, having read about them in media outlets, but hearing them directly from folks with boots on the ground is different,” said Michael Lambert, the BID’s executive director.
Speakers along the tour include Hardy Joe Long, former owner of the shuttered, legendary Bed-Stuy record store Birdel’s, Lambert added.
The walk starts and ends at Marcy Plaza, located at Marcy Avenue and Fulton Street.
Walkers can stroll along Fulton Street from Marcy to Bedford avenues and the event, which coincides with the Bed-Stuy Art Walk, will feature live performances at the plaza.
“This is a neighborhood going through a metamorphosis and we want to make sure, as the neighborhood evolves, a lot of these significant aspects and elements that made it great continue to be a part of the future,” Lambert said.
Jane’s Walk is organized by the Municipal Art Society of New York, with dozens of citizen-led tours throughout the five boroughs.
The events are held in honor of late urban activist and writer, Jane Jacobs.
Bed-Stuy’s hour-long business walk begins at Marcy Plaza at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 7. For more information, visit the Jane’s Walk website, email info@bedstuybid.org or call the BID at 718-636-6989.
