Food Drive Collects 509 lbs of donations for local families

13 Grand Street businesses hosted collection boxes for St. John the Evangelist’s food pantry

After 3 weeks of 13 businesses on Grand Street collecting food donations from shoppers, merchants, and community members—the Grand Street neighborhood was able to donate a whopping 509 lbs of food for the holidays.

Our annual food drive supplies the St. John the Evangelist Church (198 Maujer Street) food pantry with needed supplementary meals to local families during the holiday season. With this year’s haul totaled up, the community’s combined efforts over the past 3 years have collected and donated 1,361 lbs of food for the church’s meal program. With the donations in supply St. John’s has already assembled 100+ family meals with over 150 lbs of non-assembled food to go—helping to keep a well-stocked pantry through the winter months.

We’re thankful for all of our small businesses that took part—a few standouts being Bravo Supermarket which collected an amazing 148 lbs of donations, the Sandwich Shop (133 lbs), Los Primos Restaurant (63 lbs), Absolute Power Fitness (48 lbs), Groomers & Pomade (43 lbs), and Brooklyn Dental Professionals (31 lbs). All of our participants were enthusiastic to contribute and went an extra mile to give back to the community this season.

We will continue to collect donations at our office (246 Graham Ave)—please contact info@grandstreetbk.org to connect with us. Next, follow us @grandstreetbid for the earliest news of our Winter Restaurant Week taking place in February.

Grand Street's holiday glow up

Holiday lights one again bring a glow to our street this December

Holiday season is officially in full swing on Grand Street. In addition to our 3rd annual holiday food drive, the Grand Street BID lit our holiday lights to kick off the month. The BID has delivered holiday lights to Grand Street every year now since 1985, and is proud to deliver once again this year.

The lights are up between Bushwick and Union Avenues along Grand Street, and help to add holiday flavor to the normal bustle of our neighborhood. The lights will be with us and shining through January, so take advantage and snap a picture of the lights when they’re bright at night and tag us on instagram @grandstreetbid.

In addition to seasonal decorations, the BID also collaborates with local businesses to host a Holiday Food Drive to feed local food pantries. See which of our 13 small businesses taking part will collect donations here.

Grand Street gives back with holiday food drive

13 Grand Street businesses are collecting food donations for the holiday season

Grand Street businesses are giving back to the community December 1st through 19th by participating in the Grand Street BID's 3rd annual Grand Street Holiday Food Drive. 13 small businesses will host collection boxes for non-perishable food items to be donated to families in the St. John the Evangelist (195 Maujer Street) food pantry program.
The food is used to help the 150-200 weekly recipients of the parish’s hot meal program as well as their food pantry which serves 20-30 families, all of whom live here in the Grand Street neighborhood. The most typical recipients are senior citizens on fixed incomes and working families whose combined incomes don’t allow for full meals by the end of the month. Over the last two years, the food drive has collected and donated 852lbs of food.

You can bring non perishable donations to the following businesses:

• Burnside (506 Grand Street)

• Carneval (507 Grand Street)

• The Laundry Taxi (578 Grand Street)

• Empire Lock (648 Grand Street)

• Eleva Coffee (649 Grand Street)

• The Sandwich Shop (658 Grand Street)

• Brooklyn Dental Professionals (700 Grand Street)

• Los Primos Restaurant (704 Grand Street)

• Forum (717 Grand Street)

• Absolute Power Fitness (750 Grand Street)

• Bravo Supermarket (785 Grand Street)

• Z2A Repair (793 Grand Street)

• Groomers & Pomade (796 Grand Street)

To donate, just stop by any of our participating businesses and drop the food items in the holiday wrapped collection box. That’s it! Use the list below to pick out groceries at a participant like Bravo Supermarket (785 Grand Street) to check out and donate in one trip. Perishable and pre-cooked foods will be also collected by us (246 Graham Ave) so you can pick up a warm meal from any restaurant to help a small business and a hungry family.

Items that are especially helpful are as follows: Canned vegetables, breakfast cereals, peanut butter, oatmeal, rice, beans, canned fish, baby formula + food, granola bars, raisins + dried fruit. Also, pre-cooked meals or food that can be eaten without much heating or cooking required.

*Bring perishables to our office at 246 Graham Avenue between 10am to 5pm. Please call ahead of time at 718-218-8836.

Trash, Trains + alTernate side parking: Memorial Day city service changes

Just like every day, NYC is the best place to spend Memorial Day, here’s the info you need to know.

If you’re not leaving the city, note these changes.
Photo courtesy of Timeout.

Sanitation collection: Suspended. Hold your trash on Sunday night, DSNY will not be collecting on Monday. Be a good neighbor and avoid fines.

L train service: Delayed. L Project work will be taking place on Monday. When planning your trips treat the day like any weekend.

Alternate side parking: Suspended. Save the exhaust and enjoy the day.

Your Guide to Easter on Grand Street in Williamsburg

Where to eat + treat your family this holiday weekend.

Steak and eggs from Thompson Brooke with Rose Sangria

Thompson Brooke (631 Grand St)

There’s nothing better suited for Easter brunch than eggs. Head to Thompson Brooke for eggs florentine, eggs any style, or vegan benedict + a variety of New England fare (including some of Williamsburg’s best oysters).
Opens: 10am, reservations: (347) 681-5646, brunch menu

Los Primos (704 Grand St)

The perfect opportunity to try Los Primos’ Paella special. Only $9.99 for the Spanish specialty to match with sangria + a full menu of Mexican cuisine. If you can’t make this weekend, don’t sweat it as paella is offered fresh every Sunday.
Opens: 10am, reservations: (718) 486-8449, menu

Oven baked pancakes with strawberry butter from Le Barricou

Le Barricou (533 Grand St)

Treat your party to fine French cuisine with a famous weekend brunch menu and pancakes you absolutely must try.
Opens: 10am, no reservations, brunch menu

Bahia (533 Grand St)

This authentic El Salvadorian family restaurant has American + Italian options as well. Try the pollo sorpresa, yuca frita, and fried sweet plantains. Dine-in, take-out, and catering are all available.
Opens: 11:30am, reservations, menu

Desy’s Clam Bar (562 Grand St)

It’s all in the name. Try Desy’s for their seafood with steamed clams, mussels, and traditional Italian offerings.
Opens: 11am, reservations: (347) 599-0267, menu

Arrangements from Flores del Valle won’t break the bank and are sure to impress

Grand Morelos (727 Grand St)

Your first stop for Easter sweets should be this 24/7 diner with a full bakery serving everything from tres leches cake, rainbow cookies, to delicious varieties of flan.
Opens: 24/7, reservations: (718) 218-9441, menu

Flores del Valle (706 Grand St)

Bring spring flowers to brighten the atmosphere with affordable + professional bouquet arrangements from Flores del Valle.
Opens: 9am, order arrangements: (718) 384-6464

DAR 525 (525 Grand St)

Good for Easter or any Sunday, DAR serves a prix fixe bottomless brunch for only $28.95. Unlimited mimosas, bellini, sangria, or bloody marys along with a Lebanese entree choice and gluten free options.
Opens: 11am, reservations: (347) 422-0401, brunch menu

DIY with Key Food (575 Grand St), Ozzie’s Fresh Market (639 Grand St), and Bravo Supermarkets (785 Grand St).
Save a few bucks and make it special homemade with plenty of grocery stores supplying everything you need for the holidays.