Urban Pioneers

I saw a sign in the Lower East Side last weekend celebrating the "urban pioneers of the municipal frontier" - in this case, immigrant workers who lived in New York tenements in the early 20th century.  That phrase stuck with me as we made our way - or I should say, ate our way - through the neighborhood.  Today's urban pioneers are reinventing the city experience, in many cases by paying homage to the kinds of small, product-specific stores that were once the only option. 

Of course, today's versions are often less practical than the butcher, baker, and candlestick maker of old.  At the Pickle Guys, you can choose from new, sour, half-sour, hot sour, or dill pickles; you also have a variety of other pickled items - tomatoes, peppers, string beans, and more.  To hit your sweet tooth, head across the street to the Doughnut Plant.  I highly recommend the carrot cake doughnut.  If you can't decide between pickles or doughnuts, get some sweet and savory at Pop Karma, the specialty popcorn store.  (Seriously. They only sell popcorn. Cheddar, Porcini Cheddar, Kyoto Mix (umami, and if you don't know what that is, don't bother), Caramel and more).

Apparently, just by living in Brooklyn, I'm another kind of urban pioneer.  Today I walked behind a frustrated woman, complaining to someone on the phone how she is "always sent to desolate places like this" (that would be Park Slope) and that she "wouldn't live here if someone paid her mortgage."  The crux of her complaint? Apparently it's easier to park in Manhattan than Brooklyn.


Pioneering is uniquely American.  Nobody is a pioneer in Europe, even if they're breaking new ground or starting a new trend.  Plus, I don't think anyone in France ever played The Oregon Trail computer game.   Fortunately, we don't have to hunt for our food here in Brooklyn, no matter how desolate it may seem.  If it gets desperate over here, we'll just ford the river to get some more pickles.