Developments in the Harlem and the Bronx, NY

There is planned a huge amount of development for the 125th Street strip in Harlem, the Main St. of Harlem. 125th Street is also facing the changes of the Columbia University development projects and prospective re-zoning. Marlboro Equities is the developer currently construction a hotel at 125th St and 5th Avenue. Vornado Properties will soon break ground on a huge office tower at 125th and Park Avenue. Get into the Harlem spirit by checking out the new line of, I Love Harlem
Apparel.

There has been also been a real change over the past few years in the area of the South Bronx by Bruckner Blvd and Alexander Ave, now known as the Antiques and Arts District. Furniture and Antique stores have been sprouting and lately a deli, print shop and even a café have appeared. Alexander's Cafe at 129 Alexander Avenue was a stop on the December 5th 2007 Bronx Cultural Trolley. Chris Dimitriyadi prepared special three dollar specialties for the evening: carrot cake, beef stew, and tiramisu (along with live music) and it’s a pretty and comfortable place to stop for breakfast, lunch, and on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, for dinner, or order at alexanderstogo.com, call (718) 993-5281. Chris has only been in business at the location since July 2007. He feels comfortable at his café in the South Bronx, or now as it is known “Sobro.” He has a steady stream of clientele coming for meals or just coffee, or expresso and cakes
Other distinctive shops include the furniture upholsterers around the corner on Bruckner Blvd., Custom Design Studio, at 49 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY 10454, 718-665-0777 / 718-993-8370, 718-665-7896 (fax). Denise and Enrique Cruz specialize in custom furniture upholstery,, antique furniture re-upholstery, and drapes at customers request. Custom Design Studio has been in business for 18 years, and many of their prices are much lower than downtown Manhattan. New York magazine wrote in 2005 that "Custom Design Studio may be the best-kept secret in the trade."
Kelly’s Furniture, at 26 Bruckner Blvd. has a large showroom and has a neighboring building undergoing renovations. Classic Antiques is a small but rewarding antique destination, with mahogany dressers and dining room sets, at 21 Bruckner Blvd., 718-401-9345. Angel De la Cruz operates a factory dedicated to preparing custom canvases for artists. Angel and his three full-time employees stretch and prime specialty canvases of all sizes that are sold through custom orders at art supply stores and also to individual artists, call at 718-665-3814. Recently opened at this location, Joseph Cofer's fine art gallery is filled with colorful tropical paintings and prints by himself and by other artists that he represents. Rainbow Graphics also provides fine art reproduction, photo printing, logo and graphic design, at 39 Bruckner Blvd (entrance on Alexander Ave), Bronx, NY 10454, 718-585-6869.
Check out Bruckner Antiques (37 Bruckner Blvd at Alexander Ave; 718-292-6028) in business since 1979. Another shop is Seabirds' Thrift World Antiques (122 Alexander Ave between Bruckner Blvd and 134th St; 718-402-3826) and Jenny's Antiques (126 Alexander Ave between Bruckner Blvd and 134th St; 718-401-2928). The stores are close to Manhattan, but that proximity is not reflected in their prices, making this the place to pick up Art Deco coffee tables and other antiques.

Howard Giske writes about I Love Harlem
and fashion at the Tee-Shirt Queen
.