Park Slope Reader

Slope Survey

Slope Survey: Steven Plac

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The Slope Survey returns for its 13th installment with Steven Plac, who owns and operates City Roots Realty on 7th Avenue.

Born in Brooklyn, raised in Rhinebeck, NY and Daytona Beach, Florida, I spent my summer as a child staying with my grandparents in Brooklyn, which I found fascinating and was able to see it transform over time. After college, I returned to my roots to work in the dot com industry of the late 1990’s. It felt natural to be back in Brooklyn after all those years. In 2005, I started a career in Real Estate, and in 2015 decided it was time to open my own real estate firm. City Roots Realty is a boutique real estate firm located in Park Slope.

What brought you to Park Slope?

Cheap rent, when that was a thing. Way back in July 2001 a good friend had a room available in their apartment. I was in the market and the rest is history.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?

Meeting the woman who would become my wife in the old Tea Lounge on the corner of 7th Avenue and 10th Street. When I saw her I knew I needed to introduce myself and so I did.

Describe you community superpowers.

That would be bringing people together with the monthly art series I have created in my real estate office, City Roots Realty. I love helping artists get their work in front of the public. Making those connections is incredibly fun and rewarding. If you haven’t been to one yet, stop by for the art, live music, and wine. We feature a different local artist each month.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?

I have celiac so I wish there was a really good gluten-free restaurant. Most places that offer gluten free items don’t understand that they need a separate area for food prep to prevent cross contamination.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

Virtually the same, except everyone will be 10 years older!

What are you reading, would you recommend it?

I’m not reading a book at the moment, but I do enjoy non-fiction, especially anything written by Mark Kurlansky. I recommend The Big Oyster, which explains the importance of the mollusk to New York City history, a little known fact.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Taking a break during the workday to clear my mind in Prospect Park. If you see me in the park looking down at the ground like I lost something, stop me and I’ll be glad to tell you why… It’s a good story.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

That’s an easy one… I already split my time between Brooklyn and New Hope, Pennsylvania. A city and country life balance is an important part of my personal well-being.

Who is you hero, real or fictional?

I’d say Brooklyn for Bernie Sanders.

Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?

Watching Brooklyn continue to grow as an incubator for all things creative.

Follow City Root Realty – HERE

https://www.cityrootsrealty.com

Slope Survey: Amy Fonda Sara

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The Slope Survey returns for its 12th installment with Amy Fonda Sara who owns and operates the community favorite Zuzu’s Petals on Fifth Avenue.

Born in Brooklyn, raised in Rockaway, went to college at 16. When I was in grad school, my bachelors older second cousin advised me to find something in my life that fed me and expressed me; something that would be mine no matter who left me or who died.

At the time I had no idea what he meant, I was headed to Long Island to teach art in the public schools.

Five years later having realized the pubic school system and I were not a good match, I was biding time managing a plant shop in Park Slope. Sadly…my cousin died suddenly, leaving his considerable estate to the children of his first cousin. There were 15 of us. In August of 1974, I bought the shop with the money he left me… Zuzu’s Petals.

So far, it’s been a wonderful life.

What brought you to Park Slope?

In 1972, my husband was a student at Brooklyn Law School. We had friends renting cheap apartments in funky old Park Slope brownstones, and we decided to move into one… Half a floor at 926 President Street between 8th Avenue and the Park for $200. He left a year and a half later, I stayed.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?

I have a lifetime of Park Slope moments but:

Best memorable moment: Buying my flowershop on 7th Avenue in November of 1974.

Worst memorable moment: My flowershop burning down in August of 2004.

Second best memorable moment: Re-opening on 5th Avenue in November of 2004 with the help of customers and friends.

Describe your community superpower.

Keeping a Mom and Pop business open for 48 years… without the Pop.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?

Reasonable commercial rents so small business could thrive.

What do you thin Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

4th Avenue will be lined with wall-to-wall luxury high rises.

There will be chain stores punctuated by empty storefronts on our commercial streets.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?

Our neighbor Paul Auster’s latest: “4321”

“Beneath a scarlet sky.” Everyone should read it.

John Lewis… “Walking with the Wind”

Re-reading anything by Colette

What is your greatest extravagance?

Buying flowers at the flower market that I love and may not ever sell.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

Boulder, Colorado

Who is your hero, real or fiction?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?

I am blessed with an incredible team of women who have made a space in their lives to work in my flowershop. Their energy, creativity, strength, intelligence, humanity, compassion, empathy, and openness give me hope for the future. I love being around them.

Park Slope Reader Presents: Slope Survey

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The Slope Survey returns for its 11th installment with John P. McEneny.

John P. McEneny is a teacher, playwright, director and long time resident of Park Slope.  For the past twenty one years, he has been the drama teacher at William Alexander Middle School 51.  His sixth grade play, Maddie Splinter and the Aluminum Chair Rocket Ship will go up at the end of the month.  His theatre company, Piper Theatre Productions, has been in residence every July at the Old Stone House since 2005.  Piper Theatre Productions has been creating theater for and with people ages 7 to 70. Through afterschool and summer drama programing for young people, to opportunities for emerging artists, to a professional stage company that performs free productions every summer; Piper supports artists at all stages of their development and, in doing so, creates a community of artists learning and growing together.  Past productions include Sweeney Todd, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Island of Doctor Moreau, Xanadu, Priscilla Queen of Desert, Wendy Darling, Splitfoot.  pipertheatre.org

What brought you to Park Slope?

Twenty one years ago, a young John P. McEneny, started his job as a drama teacher at William Alexander Middle School 51 and found an apartment for rent across the street on the first day and he’s been there ever since, making his daily commute exactly 50 seconds.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?

Any evening in July when Piper is presenting a play at the Old Stone House.  It’s beautiful in all kinds of ways.

Describe your community superpower.

I can make theatre happen – and I mean like a LOT of it.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?

Bring back Press 195, Belleville, S’Nice.   If I had a wish, it would be to cast a spell over all our Fifth Avenue treasures – Leopoldi’s, Old Stone House, BAX, Miriam’s – with some protective mojo.  I love my neighborhood.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

Hopefully more artists.  Sadly more upscale condos.  And I’m thinking more of those little free libraries in front of houses.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?  

Lincoln at the Bardo by George Saunders.  And a biography on the  ctress Eileen Heckart.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Travelling.  I went to Romania last summer.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

I would probably return back to my people in Albany.  I have like eight generations of family history in Albany, NY.  I was the only one who got out  so it would be fitting to end up there with my Dad and siblings.

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

My heroes are all the actors and artists I get to work with – whether they be children or professionals – who stick their hearts out bravely into the dark world and make us feel, think, do.

Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?  

My sister got me this roomba vacuum for Christmas and it is a very good robot.   It’s not exactly “turning me on”, but I am completely obsessed.  My cats are not.

Slope Survey: Myrta Echevarria

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The Slope Survey returns for its 10th installment with Myrta Echevarria.

Myrta was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Wanting to leave the island and explore the world…she came to NYC to further her studies in Education. NYC has been her home base, she has lived in South East Asia as well. After a short stay in Puerto Rico, Myrta returned to Brooklyn with her family, she felt her “family rainbow” needed a diverse community, where her adopted Korean daughter, will fit.

Other than her job in Real Estate, Myrta is a Tai Ji practitioner and has a small fortune teller practice.

What brought you to Park Slope? 

In 1982,  I was doing my MA at NYU, living in a tiny studio in the Village. A visit to Park Slope was all I needed…I felt in love with Prospect Park, the cool bars and the amount of living space at affordable prices.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?  

I have to many memorable moments…but I do remember landing in JFK, coming from my Homeland, Puerto Rico and feeling so happy to be back in Park Slope. 

Describe your community superpower.  

Over the last 18 years I have mostly worked in Real Estate. I loved what I do, helping people sell their homes and getting a new “nest” for others. 

 If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what wuld it be?

The thing that worry me the most, is the lack of small stores…especially 7th Avenue has lost many of those great places that I used to enjoyed. The commercial rents drove the smaller business out.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

I think 10 years could make a big difference, if the economy continues to be stable…we will see a lot more bigger buildings and there will be a lost of the tight community feel, which already is dwindling.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?  

 I have gone back to some of my favorite reads,  Metamorphosis by Kafka, The Diaries of Anais Nin…both I found enriching..

 

What is your greatest extravagance?  

I do treat myself to a weekly massage, and a trip to Puerto Rico every few months in search of my Vitamin D…

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?  

I have many favorite places, Mexico, Spain and of course Puerto Rico!

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

My fictional hero since I was a girl is Wonder Woman…I loved her energy, her outfit and her plane…my other hero is Barack Obama.

Last Word, What is turning you on these days?

These days I’m going back to my witchery roots, doing a lot of Tarot readings,Yi Ching, my tai ji practice and observing life as it evolves…having lots of fun too.

 

Slope Survey: Tessa Gordon

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The Slope Survey returns for its 9th installment with Tessa Gordon.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Master Tessa Gordon holds a 6th degree black belt in the Korean art of Tae Kwon Do. Gordon was a member of the 1988 Canadian Olympic Team, nine-time Canadian National Champion, World Championship Medalist and Pan American Champion. In 1992, Gordon moved to New York where she founded Pure Energy Martial Arts. She started with just a few students in her home. Today she teaches students of all ages and abilities and her school has become a neighborhood institution in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

What brought you to Park Slope? 

I moved here from Toronto, Canada in 1992, I had family in Kensington and stumbled into Park Sope.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?  

My most memorable Park Slope moments are spending Weekends in Prospect Park with friends.

Describe your community superpower.  

My community super power would probably be being able to offer something that I love to the neighborhood and that would, of course, be martial arts training. Offering respect, humility, perserverance, self control, honesty and discipline.

 If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what wuld it be?

If I could change one thing in the neighborhood it would be the prices of homes and commercial  spaces.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

I think Park Slope will look like Manhattan in 10 years.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?  

Right now I am reading Good to Great (Jim Collins) for the second time. Last time I read it it was quite a few years ago. 

I would definitely recommend.

 What is your greatest extravagance?  

I would say my greatest extravagance would be, believe it or not, shoes.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?  

If I couldn’t live in Park Slope or Brooklyn, I would probably move back to Canada or more than likely move close to the water, I love being by the water.

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

I admire so many,  Michael Phelps, the Williams Sisters, Apolo Ono, Wayne Gretzky to name only a few.

Last Word, What is turning you on these days?

I honestly don’t have an answer to that question.  🙂

The Slope Survey: Daniella Stromberg

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The Slope Survey returns for its 8th installment with Daniella Stromberg, a native New Yorker, born and raised in the West Village and owner of d’mai Urban Spa on Fifth Avenue. Daniella opened the spa in 2004. Working with her team to provide a neighborhood sanctuary has been both a thrilling learning experience and a true honor as well.

What brought you to Park Slope? 

I moved back to NYC in 1994. I had been living in Amsterdam and somehow returning to Manhattan just felt wrong. Park Slope was beautiful, progressive, had a great Park and seemed close to “the city” (as we called it then).

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?  

Before opening d’mai, friends and I celebrated my new lease by drinking champagne in the old fish market before construction. It was basically just all cement – a blank canvas filled with possibility.

Describe your community superpower.  

Kindness.

 If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what wuld it be?

I wish more of our restaurants stayed open later.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

Things are always changing! It’s so hard to know what this next wave will look like…I imagine even more skyscrapers. To be honest, I find them jarring right now. In 10 years, I think the waterfront and canal restoration will bring the new and old together beautifully.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?  

I’m actually re-reading “Me Talk Pretty One Day”, by David Sedaris. I love it just as much as the first 4 or 5 reads.

 What is your greatest extravagance?  

Full length cashmere bathrobe; I’ve had it for many years and it still looks and feel amazing.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?  

Easy—the North Fork of Long Island!

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

I’m blown away by the student activists. They’ve given us hope that our nation really will get through this.

Last Word, What is turning you on these days?

The fact that winter is over and SPRING IS HERE.

Slope Survey: Olivia Williamson

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The Slope Survey returns for its 7th installment with Olivia Williamson, owner of Olivia Cooks For You, Personal Chef and Catering Services as well as Olivia’s Kitchen, a regular column in the Park Slope Reader. 

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What brought you to Park Slope? 

No surprises here.  We were starting to think about a starting a family and the 6th floor tenement studio in the East Village felt like not a great spot for it.  Plus, after  almost 25 years, I was wearing a little thin on the Manhattan pace and was excited to move to a more leafy and slower paced place.

 

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?  

I don’t have just one, but I will say the group of friends and support I found after the birth of my first child I will never forget.

 

Describe your community superpower.  

I keep a close eye on new openings, restaurants and events so I’m great at making recommendations on these type of things.

 

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?  

I wish the commercial rents would come down so that more people have the opportunity to open small businesses.

 

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

I think it will be pretty much the same.  It’s so well established now as the wonderful place for families that it is, and so close to the best park ever, I can’t see it changing too much.

 

What are you reading, would you recommend it?  

Ugh.  I haven’t read that much since the arrival of our very high energy 6 year old, but I did recently read Lincoln in the Bardo and loved it.

 

What is your greatest extravagance?  

Hah!  Restaurants, of course!

 

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?  

New Orleans.  I love the architecture and the energy.

 

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

Right now, it Jose Andres.  The work he is doing in Puerto Rico is nothing short of amazing.

 

Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?

I’m going through a bit of a growing period with my business, which is exciting.

Slope Survey: Diana Kane English

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The Slope Survey returns for its 6th installment with Diana Kane English, owner of the Diana Kane Boutique on Fifth Avenue. Among many other things, Diana is the creator of the ubiquitous “feminist” t-shirt that you may have noticed around the neighborhood.

 

 

What brought you to Park Slope? 

Park Slope  was my landing spot in NYC in 1993 because I got to stay in a friend’s apartment while he was away.. then I moved to (gasp!) Manhattan, but I was back in1996 when I met my now husband (his place was bigger than mine).

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?  Well.. both my kids were born at home .. those feel like a pretty Park Slope moments, and they were certainly memorable.

Describe your community superpower.  

I’m a talker and a connecter. Bringing people together is my superpower, and it gives me lots of pleasure.

Tell us what a good day for is.  

Enjoying all that my ‘hood has to offer: easy school drop off, yoga, or a walk in the park, coffee with friends, and then a day in the store hanging with my fun, friendly, smart, discerning customers. Seeing people wearing and living with things they bought at my store always makes me feel good too, and I’m lucky enough to have that happen pretty frequently.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years? in 20 years? 

I think PS will be pretty similar to what it is now, but more so. As long as we have brownstones, Prospect Park, and the Food Co-op,  we’ll still be us.

What were your childhood nicknames?  

Bird, shrimp. But you know, if you call me that I may kill you.

What is your greatest extravagance?  

Do the Cotton Candy grapes at the co-op count?

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?  

Rome.. or maybe Paris  or maybe a cabin in the back woods of Maine.

Who is your hero, real or fictional?  

Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Colin Kaepernick; Michelle Obama; anyone persevering in the face of challenges.

 

 

You can visit Diana at her boutique:

DIANA KANE

229 5th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11215

718-638-6520

https://www.dianakane.com

Slope Survey: Martin Medina

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The Slope Survey returns for its 5th installment with Martin Medina, owner of Varrio 408 and Rachel’s Taqueria on Fifth Avenue. Medina is commonly hailed as the man who first brought Taquerias to Park Slope. Here, his California dreamin’ helps us kick off summer.

 

What brought you to Park Slope?

I met a woman.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?

That’s so many moments. I’ve been here almost thirty years. There won’t be one, there are just too many—opening up in Park Slope on Seventh Avenue, back in 1990. A good day for you is… Being busy.

Describe your community superpower.

Bringing people together and feeding people. Feeding people is definitely what I’ve done here. If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be? Put a beach right next to it. Or, subtract winters.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years? in 20 years?

The same, except around us it’ll be built up.

What were your childhood nicknames?

Marty.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My old 1953 Chevy pickup truck.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

San Clemente, California.

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

There’s so many of them, but I would say Martin Luther King Jr. is one of my heroes.

SLOPE SURVEY: GEORGE CONSTANTINOU

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George Constantinou, who is most notably “Husband and Daddy to 5-year-old boy/girl twins,” launched Bogota Latin Bistro in 2005 and Miti Miti Modern Mexican in 2014, along with his spouse Farid Ali Lancheros. In this latest installment of the Slope Survey, Constantinou shows both his entrepreneurial and community spirit.

 

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO PARK SLOPE?

We didn’t come to Park Slope so much as it came to us. We searched high and low through Brooklyn for our dream location. The space that houses Bogota Latin Bistro presented itself after having exhausted our efforts, wondering if we’d ever find a home. Finally in 2004, after looking at 50 locations, 141 Fifth Avenue showed up.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE PARK SLOPE MOMENT?

One is the first time I experienced the annual Fabulous 5th Avenue Fair, while Bogota was still under construction. The neighborhood was so welcoming and couldn’t wait for us to open. I still see some of those faces in my restaurant 12 years later. Having my family asked to be Grand Marshals for the annual Brooklyn Pride Parade certainly was another memorable moment. Farid and I with the kids in the back seat of a convertible with pride flags and a bubble machine driving down Fifth Avenue waving to the crowd was amazing.

A GOOD DAY FOR YOU IS…

A busy night, when both restaurants are packed with happy guests and my staff is hustling and bustling to deliver a great product and experience. Sometimes you can find me at Bogota’s host stand or in Miti’s kitchen making sure things are running smoothly. The energy of a busy restaurant is a natural high. I cap off this good day at the bar of one of my restaurants having some fish tacos or bandeja paisa.

DESCRIBE YOUR COMMUNITY SUPERPOWER.

My restaurants offer guests an opportunity to escape from the busy, stressful life of NYC. Guests come to have fun and socialize with their friends, family, and loved ones. To have created an environment like that, which is both profitable and personally rewarding, is pretty powerful. Another superpower: my contribution to the Brooklyn economy. I provide jobs to over 85 employees, 95% of whom live in Brooklyn, so that money stays local.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Cheaper rents, both commercial and residential. Barclays Center has impacted Park Slope’s retail landscape, not necessarily positively. A wave of businesses that opened at the same time we did are no longer around. Higher rents will only attract the chains with deep pockets to survive the crucial first years of the start-up phase. I hope the new restaurants coming in will add to Park Slope’s charm.

WHAT DO YOU THINK PARK SLOPE WILL LOOK LIKE IN 10 YEARS? IN 20 YEARS?

NYC is changing at a rapid pace, and always has been. Park Slope will change, too. I can’t predict how, but I hope it still has the charm brought by independent businesses. Also, Park Slope has always been a diverse community. I hope it stays that way, and people aren’t priced out.

WHAT WERE YOUR CHILDHOOD NICKNAMES?

The mean Long Island kids called me Georgie Porgie; Butterballs, as I was a chunky kid; and Ghandi Presley, because of my great brown skin and great hair that always had gel in it.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?

I mostly spend money on food and my kids. I also plan on traveling this year, maybe to Colombia, Cyprus, Hawaii, and Las Vegas.

IF YOU COULDN’T LIVE IN PARK SLOPE OR IN BROOKLYN, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?

Unfortunately, we no longer live here. Last year, Farid and I moved our twins to South Orange, NJ, a nice town with plenty of room for the kids to run around. South Orange’s diversity reminds me of Park Slope circa 2005. We’ll probably open up our third restaurant in South Orange. Now I commute to Park Slope 4 – 6 days a week, so I spend most of my time here.

WHO IS YOUR HERO, REAL OR FICTIONAL?

My heroes always change depending on what’s going on in the world. Anyone who commits a random act of kindness or stands up for injustice anywhere is my hero. I was recently inspired by an article about Eartha Kitt, who spoke out against the Vietnam War while at a White House Ladies Luncheon in 1968, which made Lady Bird Johnson cry. As a result Eartha Kitt’s career suffered for a few years. This act of bravery makes Eartha Kitt one of my heroes.