The exhaustive coverage of today's Red Hook Ikea opening here and elsewhere around the web was the inevitable climax of a perfect storm of storylines: Rough-edged neighborhood with a lot of history gets another turn in the spotlight – or are those cross hairs? Has Red Hook now sacrificed too much of the charm that made its sleepy waterfront streets so appealing to artists? Or is the arrival of big retail business just what the......

While shoppers' enthusiasm for the new Brooklyn Ikea has been well documented today, opinion was decidedly mixed among residents who skipped the festivities at the new 346,000 square foot store. Jennifer Cohen, a Red Hook resident for the last eight years, voiced the most common concern, that the neighborhood's streets and buses would be overly taxed by thousands of shoppers descending on the store, which is far from the subway. According to Cohen, the B61......

Six of the twenty-two acres of land that Ikea occupies in Red Hook have been turned into a park and waterfront esplanade, built by the big box retailer as a deal-sweetener for their wary neighbors. You don’t need to buy any Swedish meatballs to hang out by the water, and the free Water Taxi service arranged by Ikea might make it an appealing weekend destination in its own right. But shoppers should be aware that......

After nearly six years of controversy, construction, worry and anticipation, the first Ikea in New York City opened in Red Hook, Brooklyn this morning. By the time the doors opened at 9:00 a.m., hundreds of shoppers had gathered on line outside the popular Swedish retailer. A festive atmosphere prevailed without any of the community dissent that had threatened to stymie the project from the beginning. Instead of demonstrations from neighbors worried about the incoming wave......

Babeland opening invite gift box; batteries not included. Park Slope parents were legitimately (and surprisingly) thrilled when they discovered Babeland would be building a new home in their community. Now the sex shop will be opening its doors at 462 Bergen Street on June 3rd, and they're certainly fitting in well with the Park Slope stroller set. The shop is offering up 'nabe-friendly events like "Eco Alternatives: Wood, Glass and Steel Sex Toys" and......

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is in charge of construction on the new 1 World Trade Center – AKA the Freedom Tower – is now seeking developers to design, build and operate a 34,000-square-foot restaurant on the 100th and 101st floors; whoever wins the bid may also win rights to operate the observation deck planned for the 102nd floor. The Authority is gazing into its crystal construction ball and seeing......

Today marks the grand opening of the Moscot Museum. You know Sol Moscot, the lens shop with giant yellow bespectacled signs that look over the streets of New York like Dr. Eckleburg's eyes? Apparently they're not much less symbolic -- sticking around New York for the past 100 years is no small feat, and must stand for something. But a museum, really?The Moscot Museum will showcase never before released, historic black & white photographs of......

A Westchester couple were charged with promoting prostitution from their home. And what's more, the Journal News describes thirty-four-year-old Robert Werner and his 32-year-old wife Heather Mazzenga as "victims of the housing market"! The New Rochelle Police had been doing their rountine monitoring of Craigslist and became suspicious when they saw a few ads, including one that said, "Grand Opening Special! Hot models, soft sensual touch...New Rochelle has Westchester's first and only member's only club......

ART: It's Dumbo First Thursday. The Gallery Walk will not only bring you to galleries, but also to artists' studios. "Gallery receptions, neighborhood dining and bars, and live music add to the evening’s festivities." Check out Space Invader's art while you're in the neighborhood. 5:30 to 8:30pm // Various Locations // Free EVENT: Hiroko & Steve Rodriguez (5boro Skateboards) invite you to the Grand Opening of Travessia (their gallery/boutique combo) tonight. There will be a......

Abe Lincoln Jr (the guy who does those cute little streetart birds all around downtown) has an opening tonight at the Orchard Street Gallery-- 7 to 10pm @ 139 Orchard Street. Kidrobot is sponsoring, and the first 50 people through the door get a free toy. Everyone else gets tacos. Yes-- we did say tacos: The Grand Opening of TAQUERIA PENDEJO! I will be transforming the gallery into the Lower East Side's newest "authentic......

September 12: Save New Orleans Cocktail Hour Restaurants and bars across the nation including Employees Only, Freeman's, and Flatiron Lounge in New York will serve New Orleans classic cocktails like the Pimm's Cup, the Hurricane, and the Sazerac from 5 to 7 p.m. All receipts from the $10 drinks will be donated to a relief fund established by the Museum of the American Cocktail, Go to the website for a full list of participants. September......

Brooklyn hipsters wore black the day that über-mod coffeehouse-cum-record shop-cum-bar-cum-antique ephemera peddler Halcyon closed its doors on Smith Street. This Friday, however, Kings County hipsters can finally throw off their black garb and, well, don more black garb - this time in celebration of Halcyon's rebirth. Rising like a Phoenix from the ashes, Halycon has relocated to DUMBO, where it will continue to feature an eclectic selection of vinyl, retro furniture and collectibles. (Be assured......