‘Intersection @ The Junction’

Unifying Community Through Art: Flatbush-Nostrand Junction's Vibrant Retail Corridor

Serving as a vital nucleus for the Flatbush community, the Flatbush Junction retail corridor boasts a dynamic amalgamation of small businesses, collectively mirroring the distinctive identity and culture of the Junction. By conducting a series of public community workshops at the Flatbush YMCA, the Business Improvement District (BID) successfully formulated a Corridor Identity Strategy. This strategy aims to harmonize and uplift the multifarious small business community within the district, fostering stronger community connections. A central component involves collaborations between local artists and businesses to create captivating in-store art installations, spotlighting each establishment's narrative. The BID's ultimate objective revolves around championing small businesses, celebrating local diversity, driving foot traffic in the northern part of the district, and fostering robust relationships between enterprises and the community.

As part of the Neighborhood 360 grant initiative, ALBOE was chosen to contribute its creative touch to the Nostrand Express Deli, a local business nestled within the district. Situated merely a block away from the Brooklyn College campus and in close proximity to the MTA's 2 and 5 trains—major transit arteries that welcome hundreds of customers daily—the setting was perfect for a mural that encapsulates the daily commute to and from the Flatbush area.

To commemorate these collaborative endeavors, Intersection @ The Junction organized a pair of small pop-up events, granting the community a sneak peek into the world of art, an opportunity to meet the business owners and artists, and an evening filled with live music and refreshments. These events paved the way for a grand block party on Hillel Place, where the district's artistic creations were celebrated and showcased.