Our Community, Our Art, Our Business
Intersection @ the Junction is a community initiative that unites local Junction businesses and Brooklyn artists to elevate and celebrate the Junction through unique in-store art installations. Together these locations will create our April Art Walk celebrating the stories and experiences of the Junction’s diverse and vibrant community.
Storefront Art Guide
Events
Building up to our April Art Walk, Intersection @ The Junction has had two small pop-up events to give the community a sneak peek of the art, the opportunity to meet the businesses and artists, and to enjoy the evening with the community with live music and refreshments.
April Art Walk
Thursday, April 6, 6–9pm
Hillel Place
March Pop Up
Thursday, March 9th, 6–9pm
1449 Flatbush Avenue
January Pop Up
Thursday, January 12, 6–9pm
1449 Flatbush Avenue
About
Background
The Flatbush-Nostrand Junction Business Improvement District (FJBID), in collaboration with 3x3 Design, a Brooklyn-based creative urban planning firm, was awarded a 2016 Neighborhood Challenge Grant. Funded by NYC Small Business Services (SBS) and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). The grant seeks to generate economic and community impact by supporting small businesses, creating more jobs, and attracting investment in neighborhood commercial corridors.
Concept
A major hub for the Flatbush community, the Flatbush Junction retail corridor is home to a vibrant mix of small businesses that reflect the unique identity and culture of the Junction. Through multiple public community workshops at the Flatbush YMCA, we identified a Corridor Identity Strategy that unifies and elevates the district’s diverse small business community and creates stronger community networks. By uniting local small businesses and local artists to create in store art installations that highlight the businesses and their story, our goal is to promote small businesses and diverse local culture, drive foot traffic in the northern portion of district, and strengthen business and community relationships.
“Our organization is thrilled to be selected to participate in the City’s Neighborhood Challenge initiative, and we want to thank the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) for this opportunity to strengthen our neighborhood and the local businesses in our community.” – Kenneth Mbonu, FJBID Executive Director
Success Stories
The "Intersection @ the Junction" art initiative has achieved some early wins
One Price Dry Cleaners, 1443 Flatbush Avenue
Story: “One Price Dry Cleaners” was inspired by the owner's love for fashion. The window decal was thoughtfully and creatively filled with different collage materials and paintings that create an intricate grid and showcases the various items cleaned by the store.
Impact:
Before art installation: Business averaged 2 new clients bi-weekly
After art installation: Business averages 4 new customers daily
Before art installation, weekly daily revenue: $140 - $160
After art installation, weekly daily revenue: $400 - $600
Before art installation: Average revenue on Saturdays: $180 -$200
After art installation: Average revenue on Saturdays: $800
Simms Tax Services, 1478 Flatbush Avenue
Story: Hyacinth Simms established “Simms tax Services”, 26 years ago when she noticed the neighborhood did not have one. She owes her success to her background, growing up under strict parents with strong work ethics. Growing up in Jamaica, she remembers the cultural qualities around color; in the food, houses and clothing; and wanted that reflected in the art paintings on the walls of her office.
Impact:
Hyacinth’s clients were very impressed with the paintings and got in touch with the local artist, who also uses his home as a gallery. To date, the artist has sold over $8,000.00 worth of his paintings, including a piece that sold for $3,000.
Press
Partners
