Atlantic Avenue’s ‘Walk the Windows’ to feature discounts, incentives

November 20, 2020 Editorial Staff

Colorful storefronts on Atlantic Avenue between Nevins and Bond streets. Photos: Michelle Karshan/AALDC

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The Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (AALDC) will host its annual Atlantic Avenue “Walk the Windows” event on Nov. 28 featuring “Shop and Dine” discounts and incentives from participating stores and restaurants from Nov. 28 through Dec. 13.

Look for the red balloons along 1.5 miles of Atlantic Avenue and its side streets from Fourth Avenue to the waterfront, running through Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill. The AALDC’s most prominent activity, the popular Atlantic Antic street fair, was not held this year due to COVID-related restrictions.

There are more than 150 storefronts of shops and restaurants along this strip. Sue Wolfe, vice president of the AALDC Board, explained that “the holiday season is the perfect time to show your support to our neighborhood businesses. Our businesses have been struggling to stay open. Like you, they love our neighborhood and want to remain here.”

On the heels of a successful two-week long Gowanus Art Walk, co-produced by the AALDC, along Atlantic Avenue, an invitation is extended to all to stroll the avenue and shop at stores stocked with holiday gifts, tasting foods at specialty shops and restaurants — many of which have outdoor seating on the avenue and side streets.

Sue Wolfe, vice president of the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp. Board, handed out “Shop and Dine” promotional bags along Atlantic Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 14.

“Our restaurants also have faced difficult obstacles and are here to help you in every way to make your holiday celebrations special. Dine in or order out, but most importantly, show your support,” said Nat Rubin, president of the AALDC Board.

Karen Zebulon, AALDC board member and owner of Gumbo Creative Space at 495 Atlantic Ave., spoke about artistic tote bag giveaways. “To drive home the importance of supporting local businesses, a limited number of Atlantic Avenue Shop & Dine cloth tote bags with design by local artist Adam Suerte will be given away at various street corners on Saturday, Nov. 28.”

In addition, on Nov. 28, between noon and 4 p.m., attendees may listen for Santa’s sleigh bells to lead them to Santa and holiday carolers along the avenue. People can also visit the holiday tree at the Belarusian Church at the corner of Bond Street starting Nov. 25. New York State Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon and New York City Councilmember Stephen Levin will officiate the tree lighting on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m.

In other holiday-related activities, the annual Atlantic Avenue Holiday Window Design Competition Awards, in various categories, are given to stores and restaurants for the most creative original designs. Judges will view holiday windows of participating merchants along Atlantic Avenue and its immediate side streets. This year’s window judges are documentary filmmaker Allison Prete, filmmaker Jed Rothstein, composer-musician Steven W. Standard (known as Strafe), and artists Adam Suerte and Johnny Thornton.

Finally, the AALDC will be donating 150 sets of Miss Jessie’s hair products to Providence House, a transitional housing program for women and children. The AALDC will also collect toys to donate to children age 7 or younger at Arbor Inn, a short-term housing program. And in coordination with Councilmember Levin’s office, the AALDC will collect gifts for children up to 17 years old living at the nearby Gowanus Houses.