greenpointers

A top officer from Greenpoint’s 94th Precinct was transferred and demoted after social media footage caught him discussing politics, the New York Times reports. Instagram account @untilfreedom posted footage of James G. Wilson calling Mayor Zohran Mamdani “expendable” and “an embarrassment and total nonsense.” He also called Democrats a “waste of human race.” Expressing political opinions goes against the NYPD’s rules for on-duty conduct. The incident took place in Bushwick on Saturday, May 2, “near where 200 protesters had gathered outside a hospital to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from taking an immigrant who was a patient there.” Before his demotion, Wilson served as the 94th Precinct’s executive officer, the second-highest ranking position. The NYPD transferred him to a 911 center in the Bronx. The NYPD have initiated a disciplinary process, and it’s not the first one Wilson has faced. In 2013, the Civilian Complaint Review Board substantiated a complaint that he and other officers illegally entered an apartment to retrieve a shield that had been stolen during a clash with a crowd. #greenpointers #greenpointbrooklyn #localnews #communitynews #supportlocalnews

Ilis (150 Green St.) opened in 2023 with a 5 course tasting menu from Chef Mads Refslund, a co-founder of the highly-acclaimed Copenhagen restaurant Noma, and his business partner Will Douillet, in a space that was previously part of the art gallery Faurschou. Over the weekend, Ilis announced that May 28 will be the final day of service at 150 Green St because the building was sold and its tenants have subsequently lost their leases. “It is deeply sad to say goodbye to a place and neighborhood that have meant so much to us… After more than a decade of work and two and a half years in Greenpoint, our connection to this space, and to everyone who filled our dining room as friends and family, will stay with us forever,” Ilis wrote in an email. They went on to say that the closure of the restaurant is “not the end of ILIS, it’s only the beginning of a new chapter.” Chef Refslund’s pricy tasting menu at Ilis offers sophisticated Nordic-inspired cuisine with a focus on seasonal, sustainable ingredients. The kitchen is anchored by a wood-fired oven that turns out North American game, seafood, and plant dishes.  As we previously reported, Ilis’ oven caused problems early on for nearby neighbors, and the DEP issued a violation for the odor and level of noise. Before its closure on May 28, Ilis will be adjusting its hours to offer dinner service Tuesday through Saturday, offering one more day for diners to enjoy a last meal there. Ilis also shares the space with Faurschou, a contemporary art gallery that unceremoniously closed in March 2025, citing needed renovations. Over the next year, the gallery appeared to have shut down for good, with no communication since the announcement. This news likely makes that closure permanent. However, there was no record of a sale in the city’s property records. Whether one is in the works is yet to be confirmed. Refslund told Eater that “he and a group of investors tried to save the building, but they were outbid by a developer who will tear it down to build condos.” //📷 Evan Sung, @ilisnyc #greenpointers #greenpointbrooklyn #communitynews #localnews

Greenpoint’s Sakura 6 (837 Manhattan Ave.) has apparently shuttered. The longtime Japanese sushi joint seemingly gave no notice before the abrupt closure. Locals were only made aware when seeing a notice of abandonment posted on Sakura’s door. The notice stated that the restaurant abandoned the property as of April 21, and “the premises were found vacant of business operations, inventory, and personnel, with no indication of ongoing or intended use.” It also states that the restaurant’s “right to possession of the premises is terminated.” Reddit users are speculating that Sakura was facing financial problems and possibly not paying their rent.  One user chronicled that “some of the lights were running inside,” and “boxes and trash” were in the restaurant, while “drinks were still stocked in the fridge.” It also looks like the fish are still in the aquarium in the restaurant.  We reached out to the Sakura team but did not receive a response. #greenpointbrooklyn #greenpointers #communitynews

From 180 Franklin Street to 180 West Street, the @baramericanonyc team is doing a 180.  The partners of the European aperitivo bar, Bar Americano (180 Franklin St.), have taken over the lease of the corner lot that was previously home to Achilles Heel (180 West St.) and is turning it into an Irish pub. Achilles Heel, a popular cocktail bar from Marlow Collective, abruptly closed this past February after serving the neighborhood for 13 years. The shuttering was surprising, even to the bar’s own employees, and many speculated that it was because the staff recently unionized.  Bar Americano’s David Clarke told us that he and his Bar Americano partners are deviating from their aperitivo bar ambiance and opening a traditional Irish pub in the Achilles Heel space. The pub does not yet have a name, but Clarke said it will be “simple, honest, and very much for the neighborhood.” “We’re mostly from Ireland and will be opening a true Irish pub — inspired by the pubs of Galway, West Clare, and our hometown Athlone,” Clarke explained.  He also mentioned that the team has a “connection to the building,” and we discovered that the landlord is a partner at Bar Americano. Clarke and the team are “planning small but very intentional changes,” in the space with “the goal of creating something that feels like it’s always been there — and will stand the test of time.” The team is still working through timelines, but Clarke said that they are aiming to open the pub “later this year.” #greenpointbrooklyn #greenpointers #communitynews #supportlocalbusiness

Things are looking up 😎 @sunnyeyeshop is having a sale on @mykitaofficial ’s 2026 collection 👓🕶️ Stop by Sunny Eye Shop (284 Driggs Ave) on Thursday, May 14, 5-8pm, and get 50% off lenses when you purchase MYKITA frames. Enjoy lite bites and refreshments, plus raffle giveaways on eye exams, frames, and gift certificates. RSVP for free at @sunnyeyeshop ’s link in bio and get ready to find your new favorite pair of glasses! #greenpointers #shoplocal #sunnyeyeshop #mykita #mykitasunglasses

This past Sunday, a four-alarm fire tore through a mixed-use building at 927 Grand Street in Williamsburg, injuring three firefighters, displacing residents, and leaving some families searching for their pets. FDNY officials said the fire spread rapidly through the building before extending into neighboring structures. As the building became unstable, firefighters “transitioned to exterior operations” after confirming all occupants had evacuated safely. The fire eventually caused partial collapse of the building’s wall, and demolition efforts continued through Monday night as officials warned the structure remained at risk of further collapse due to high winds, according to News 12 Brooklyn. The Department of Buildings also issued full vacate orders for the adjacent buildings at 931 and 933 Grand Street after determining they sustained significant structural damage. In the aftermath of the fire, community members have rallied around those affected. Fundraisers for displaced residents have already raised over $30,000, while posts circulating on social media and reddit describe at least three missing cats. One cat has since been found. How to Help: - Help Fred and Emily Rebuild After the Fire Newly engaged couple Fred and Emily were able to escape safely with one of their cats, but their other cat, Rosie, is still missing. Donate to their GoFundMe to help them rebuild and keep an eye out for Rosie. - Support Jeremy Gill, Tanner Poff, Josh Goodman, and Charlie Herndon The household lost most of their belongings and are still looking for their cat, Marlon. Donate to their GoFundMe and be on the lookout for Marlon. (Link in bio) #greenpointers #williamsburgbrooklyn #neighborshelpingneighbors #communitynews //📷 FDNY via X, Jeremy Gill via GoFundMe, Madison Krieger via GoFundMe

Spotted in Greenpoint - Spring was in full bloom in Greenpoint, @shopsmallgreenpoint was underway, and in an unexpected twist, @zendaya was spotted casually walking around the neighborhood this past weekend The actor, known for movies like DUNE, Euphoria, The Greatest Showman and, most notably for locals, Spider-Man: No Way Home, appeared to be enjoying a low-key afternoon in the neighborhood. Longtime Greenpoint staple @peterpandonut revealed the connection back in 2021 when they shared that Zendaya’s Spider-Man character, MJ, was employed there (in spirit). After picking up socks at @alterbrooklyn , local resident Michael Torres (@newyorkafternoon ) had a close encounter: "She was coming out of @vanleeuwenicecream with 2 bodyguards and friends. I was going in and stopped and said, ‘OMG Zendaya, wow, you’re so beautiful – I watch and love all your movies.’ She was very sweet and looked at me in my eyes and said thank you.” #greenpointbrooklyn #greenpointers #localnews #supportlocalbusiness #shopsmall

The asphalt lot at McCarren Park is a big chunk of land with a whole lotta potential.  It’s been home to many a softball game and movie night, but it’s not a particularly comfortable place to post up for an afternoon. Last year, the neighborhood’s elected officials secured $14.7 million to update the lot and bring it in line with the community’s needs, as well making it stormwater resilient. The $14.7 million also joins an additional $1 million that was secured for a dog run way back in 2022. Aside from a dog run, the plan includes additional green space and a sub-surface retention tank that can capture up to 200,000 gallons of water, and possibly a pickleball court. However, those exact parameters are still subject to community feedback, which is where you come in.  City Council Member Lincoln Restler is hosting the May 7 virtual meeting, along with Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher. Share your thoughts for the future of this space at the meeting, which starts at 6:30 pm. (Link in bio) #greenpointbrooklyn #WilliamsburgBrooklyn #greenpointers #communitynews

Vietnamese coffee shop @larryscaphe (135 Woodpoint Rd.) is closing next week. May 10 will be the last day of service and there will be a farewell BBQ with music and food on May 9th from 3-8PM. Larry’s Cà Phê announced the closure, citing the need for a mental health break. Owner Tuan Nguyen thanked all of his customers and wrote,”The hardest part of leaving is the fear of losing the community we built together, but I hope you will still welcome me into your spaces.” In 2023, Nguyen opened Larry’s Cà Phê after taking over the space from Tar Pit where he worked as a barista. He named Larry’s Cà Phê after his adoptive father, Larry Hilton, with the latter part of the name translating to coffee in Vietnamese. Hilton was “a dedicated high school math teacher” who adopted two children from Vietnam, and sadly, in 2019, Hilton passed away, so he was unable to see Nguyen’s dream fulfilled. To honor him, Nguyen described Larry’s Cà Phê as a place where “teachers, adoptees, and the community come to enjoy delightful cups of coffee, fragrant teas, and delightful small snacks.” While it won’t be Larry’s anymore, both locations remain in good hands with former pop-up partners filling in. Noah from @onigirinoah will be taking over the East Williamsburg location, continuing the drinks menu, and Wendy of @yellowpearcoffee will do the same in Park Slope. And if you want to get your Vietnamese coffee fix in, visit recently opened @joyflowerpotnyc at 713 Lorimer St nearby, which also sells flowers along with coffee.  #supportlocalbusiness #greenpointers #williamsburgbrooklyn #supportsmall #communitynews

A child was hit and killed by a school bus in Williamsburg this morning, around 8:18 am. The bus driver hit the 9-year-old boy, who has not yet been identified, at the intersection of Lee Avenue and Lorimer Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Pix 11 reports that “[t]he bus driver was making a left turn onto Lorimer Street when he hit the child and kept going, but then returned to the scene, according to preliminary information from the NYPD.” Details are limited, and the investigation is still unfolding; no arrests have been made at this time. City Council Member Lincoln Restler expressed his condolences and called for increased safety measures in the area. A statement reads in part: “This is one of the busiest intersections in Williamsburg and I have requested that City agencies immediately make safety improvements. I have asked the Department of Transportation to expedite painting of new markings at this busy, five-way intersection, which was recently under construction and lacks crosswalks and street markings. I have also asked DOT to analyze signal timing, particularly a Barnes Dance design that would give more time for pedestrians to navigate this area, and the possibility of daylighting at this intersection. I have also asked the NYPD to station a crossing guard here to help children cross safely.”  #greenpointers #williamsburgbrooklyn #communitynews #localnews @lincolnforcouncil

The original location of @PaulieGee ’s at 60 Greenpoint Ave is reopening today, April 30, as @Me_and_Pauls . Locals can rest assured that the same beloved pizza will still be served there, just in a more relaxed setting. In January, we reported that Paulie Gee’s was closing temporarily and hoping to reopen in March as a neighborhood tavern with a new look and name. It took slightly longer than expected, but the OG Greenpoint pizza joint is now ready to serve “cold beer, cocktails, delicious wines,” and Paulie Gee’s “amazing pizza.”  The rebranding comes two years into the tenure of the restaurant’s new management team after Paulie Gee’s founder Paul Giannone passed the baton to Sal Fristensky and Bill Mack, who are behind local bars @SkinnyDennis , @RockaRolla_bk , and @LuckyDogBar . The atmosphere will be “more laid back.” They’ve done away with table service, and instead, customers can order at the bar. A pool table, darts, and a jukebox add to the tavern vibes. “The change came through a collaboration between Paulie Gee and the owner Sal,” the new general manager, Emilie Heffner, told us. “We wanted to create an atmosphere that is reminiscent of old school pizzerias that you could go to and get a cold beer and amazing pizza,” Heffner continued. “It’s still the same well-known and loved Paulie Gee’s pizza.” Heffner explained that the renovations include a longer bar with ample bar seating in addition to several old school-style booths with tables. As for the new name? Heffner told us that Fristensky is “a big Willie Nelson fan,” nodding to Nelson’s 1971 song with the same name as the tavern. Me and Paul’s is open daily from noon until 2 a.m. //🎥 @dansabau77 📷 @Me_and_Pauls , @PaulieGee #greenpointbrooklyn #greenpointers #supportlocalbusiness #brooklynfoodie

Mother’s Day is coming up 🌸 This year, take your family photos old-school style with one-of-kind, NYC tintype portraits from Greenpoint’s own @justinborucki Book your session at nyctintype.com and use code GREENPOINTERS for 10% off your session! Pricing: • Single Plate – $175 (Shoot 2, choose 1) • Premium Session – $525 (Up to 6 plates — best value) Tintypes are made using a 160-year-old process, hand-crafted on a metal plate in a portable darkroom. Each one is completely one of a kind. Gift certificates are available for purchase as well. Questions? DMs are open → @justinborucki Book your session at nyctintype.com and use code GREENPOINTERS for 10% off! #greenpointers #nyctintype #justinborucki #tintypephotography #shoplocal