Council Member Letitia James: "Shop Locally This Holiday Season"

The Christmas shopping season traditionally begins the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Council Member James advises Brooklynites to shop locally for great gifts and excellent prices.

“I believe it’s our responsibility as residents and workers in Brooklyn to support the many small businesses located within our own backyards," said James. "These shops, services, cultural institutions and traditions make up the diverse fabric of this borough, and give it the cutting edge quality that is known worldwide.

"My heart is with Brooklyn, and I fully support all my local shops, eateries, friends and neighbors within this far-reaching community,” said Council Member James."

The following are local shopping districts recommended by Council Member Tish James:

The Fulton Area Business Alliance (FAB) is a Business Improvement District approved by City Council and signed into law by Mayor Bloomberg. The alliance brings together property owners, residents and stakeholders in support of the Business Improvement District along Fulton Street from Rockwell Place to Classon Avenue, and all streets facing Fulton (e.g. Lafayette, Greene and Putnam Avenues). FAB is focused on a common purpose to improve the area and address critical needs faced by local merchants within the BID. Currently, the Alliance represents nearly 300 businesses. FAB benefits the property owners and businesses, as well as thousands of residents of the Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhoods. Goals are being met to retain current businesses and improve the atmosphere to make Fulton Street a clean, safe and retail diverse environment, which has now become a local shopping and civic destination. Please go to the following link for more information about participating businesses.

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership oversees the economic revitalization of Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. The Partnership is comprised of two entities, the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project Local Development Corporation (MARP), and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District (BID) that work together to assist small businesses located along the avenue and improve the quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods. MARP has restored the “Main Street” of the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill community to a bustling, economically vital neighborhood commercial corridor that provides entrepreneurial, cultural, recreational, and employment opportunities for those who live, work, study or have an interest in the area. Please view the link listed for more details about shops on Myrtle Avenue.  

Heart of Brooklyn (HOB) is a partnership of the leading cultural institutions located near Grand Army Plaza in central Brooklyn: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park, and Prospect Park Zoo. Heart of Brooklyn encourages tourism and learning by making its collections and historic treasures more visible and accessible. Heart of Brooklyn is committed to strengthening the future of its neighborhoods. Some of the City's most vibrant shops, restaurants, cafes and bars are located just minutes from world-class cultural institutions. Please check out the following link for information on shops supported by the Heart of Brooklyn.  

The Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association was founded in 1990s to help preserve and promote commercial revitalization on Nostrand Avenue from Eastern Parkway to Linden Boulevard in the Crown Heights South Neighborhood of Brooklyn. Please visit the link below to learn more about the numerous businesses on Nostrand Avenue. Also, please contact Community Board 8 at the website listed to read more about merchant associations located in Central Brooklyn.