Ridgewood, Queens, was ranked the fourth coolest neighborhood on the planet and the coolest neighborhood in North America by Time Out last year.
We explore it and its residents tell us why this sector is unique and how it has changed in the last two decades.
“Here people have a camaraderie like family,” said neighbor Pedro Julio.
“All the time we are helping each other, lending a hand,” added Isabel Ponce, a businessman.
Ridgewood, located on the border between Queens and Bushwick, Brooklyn, has a population of about 70,000 residents.
“First of all, we have the main avenue where there are all the necessary markets, banks and all that stuff, and we also have here access to semi-private houses and a very organized community,” explained Father Mike Lopez, founder of Hungry Monks.
“A lot of transportation, for the train, to go to Manhattan,” said Olga Hernández, another neighbor.
Hernández.
One of the most notable changes is the Latino presence in the neighborhood.
In 2000 the Hispanic population represented 28 percent and now it is almost 50 percent according to city data.
They operate a large number of businesses, organizations, and add great strength to the neighborhood workforce.
In 2021 it was the first time in the history of Ridgewood that a Hispanic woman represented the neighborhood as a councilwoman, Jenniffer Guitiérrez, daughter of Colombian parents.
“Regarding the infrastructure of the neighborhood, the changes are palpable,” said the councilor.
Councilor Guitierrez.
Over the past decades, hundreds of textile factories have closed.
“I remember there were over 450 garment factories in Ridgewood, Glendale Middle Village, Maspeth and Bushwick and they were all small, 15 to 30, 40 employees,” said Ted Renz, executive director of the Myrtle Avenue business district.
By the early 2000s, most of these sources of employment moved to other states and countries to reduce costs.
Now the buildings where these factories operated have been transformed into residential buildings, restaurants, spaces dedicated to art and bars.
“It’s like now there are more bars, more restaurants, more movement, more economy, more commerce for the area,” said Néstor Vásquez, a Ridgewood resident for more than twenty years.
Meanwhile… some small businesses have had to restructure to accommodate the needs of the neighborhood.
Such is the case of a taxi agency, which is almost 30 years old. New ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft hit it hard, and it survived.
And after the pandemic, its location is used as a community market for those most in need.
Vaca.
“The change was for the better. The spaces are really occupied by something that people need and that doesn’t get in the way,” said Antonio Vaca, owner of Fenix Car Service and community activist.
Father López began distributing food to those most in need in a truck and after the pandemic he went on to operate one of the largest pantries in Queens. This supplied food to thousands of families during the most critical moments of Covid 19.
“We have a lot of people who are here involved in what we’re doing and we feel the support of the community.”
Some businesses have remained through the years, such as the Guadalajara restaurant.
Here they are distinguished by the traditional Mexican flavor.
Ponce.
“Proud, you understand me to still be here in Ridgewood,” said Isabel Ponce.
Angela’s Bakery is another Hispanic business that has been around for over 30 years.
Angela’s Bakery customer.
“It’s like my house. Here I have bought the cake for the birthday of each one of my children,” said Rosa Gonzales.
And among Ridgewood’s iconic businesses is Rudy’s Bakery, which has been debuting its desserts and cakes for more than 80 years.
As the popularity of the neighborhood grows, so does the cost of rent.
Something that is attracting more young single people, who mostly share the same apartment, and at the same time is making it difficult for new parents to pay their rent.
“Of course we would like to have single people, but families are often the stability of a community,” said Gary Giordano, president of the Ridgewood community board.
2023-06-27 20:49:00
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