i love coldstone! if u tip them, they'll see you a song. it's kinda cute and you leave with something really yummy. great birthday cakes too.

I still want my Trader Joe's :-(

I spoke with Ellen at NewNewYorker.com and she said this is really BIG to have Coldstones up in Harlem and alot more is coming, could tastee d lite be next. Its boom town up in Harlem and lots of new stuff opening everyyday, seeing is believing. I'm moving there soon....

you won't get Trader Joes up here until the projects are shut down. They know that project people want to stuff themselves with Ice Cream first and then throw the plastic down on the ground - like they want to live in filth. YOU WANT TRADER JOES?? GET RID OF THE PROJECTS!!!

did this ever happen?

Hey elsushi921, for whom exactly is it "really big" to have another chain open in Harlem? And what exactly qualifies the advocate of the European street fair to make assessments about what is good for a neighborhood she moved into yesterday? Those of us who care deeply about the future of this great neighborhood and city do not want or need the suburban invasion to continue. We love New York because it is unique, not because it contributes to the already-fat pockets of corporation board members. We loved walking to Copeland's and taking the train to the Second Avenue deli; when we want to purchase an SUV and pay $4 a gallon to get to Olive Garden, we will move to suburbia. Please don't encourage its encroachment here. If you'd like a more informed view of the changes to the city you're welcoming based on Ellen's assessment, visit Jeremiah's Vanishing New York, an excellent blog about what we're losing every day. And think hard before you advocate Harlem's (and all NYC's) cultural death.

Lord, give it a rest. The opening of an ice cream shop does not herald the "suburban invasion" you fear. Sometimes, a little change is good.

It's gonna be OK. It's an ice cream shop.

Daniel, complacency in response to socially irresponsible capitalism is what has spurred the bulldozing of mom & pop America, and now New York City's homogenization. In no way did I assert that the arrival of the CSC "heralds" the suburban invasion; sadly, that moment came and went years ago. Instead, I warned of encouraging its encroachment. You're entitled to your apathy, but while you're overpaying for your chain ice cream, I'll be down the block at the locally owned juice bar having something much more delicious and healthy, returning my disposable income back to my own community. So sorry, no, I'm not going to give it a rest. And when all you see is bank-Duane Reade-condo lobby-McDonald's (repeat ad nauseum) on every block, remember those of us who tried. Which change was it, again, that was good?

personally i believe that elsushi is ellen.

i also believe that we are conflating different ideas here. did ellen say that her european street fair was to be sponsored by corporate america? if not, wouldn't a typical home grown christmas street fair be moving away from the notion of a corporate invasion of the city? are you objecting to corporations moving into the mom and pop stores in harlem (something that i think many people who live in and love harlem are nervous about) or do you object to any form of change in harlem?

many people move to harlem because they love the sense of community, the neighborhood feel and spirit. seems like each newcomer should be judged on their merits, goals and intentions -- all things that are more than skin (or cultural heritage) deep.

also, "suburbs" does not always mean corporate invasion. there are beautiful little fishing villages on long island filled with mom and pop stores and without a duane reade in sight.

Henry, good post. It seems like there's a lot of knee jerk resistance to any change whatsoever by a vocal minority of people in Harlem. Most of my neighbors (some long term residents included) are much more welcoming of change.

i heard Caminito on park ave closed already. anyone heard the same?

Henry, I'd like to clarify my posts, as I feel we're pretty much on the same page...

"did ellen say that her european street fair was to be sponsored by corporate america?"
I think there was some miscommunication here: the reference to the European street fair was only to identify Ellen as a recent arrival intent on changing the place to which she had just come. I didn't intend to bring that particular issue into discussion, and by no means is my critique of Ellen based on any perceived racial or cultural identity (I have no idea what her ethnic heritage is, and if I did, it would be irrelevant to any judgment of her intentions!) My objection is simply to the colonist's mentality, the "here's a place I can come fix" way of viewing a new home (she did herself indicate that she'd just arrived in Harlem, but can't seem to wait for it to change..."boomtown"?!?) Remember that colonists come in all colors, just as corporate board members do...

"also, 'suburbs' does not always mean corporate invasion. there are beautiful little fishing villages on long island filled with mom and pop stores and without a duane reade in sight."

Suburbs are the residential areas directly outside the city ("sub" = near or below; "urbium" = city). In the US, these have tended to manifest as sprawling, homogeneous (by this I intend the architecture/commercial identity) areas that are accessible by (fossil fuel-burning) vehicles. Little fishing villages, small towns, and the countryside are quite different. Some of these areas are also falling prey to the homogenization of corporate America, and I personally view this as devastating too (from above, "complacency in response to socially irresponsible capitalism is what has spurred the bulldozing of mom & pop America".) I believe suburbia was the first victim of the corporate invasion, and if we do not require more social responsibility from corporations, urban and non-urban areas will be next. By no means do I object to all change, only the kind that does not contribute to the rich cultural character of NYC -- for me, a chain doesn't qualify. For example, the opening of a restaurant like Ginger (on 116th and 5th) is a very welcome one, as it is unique, healthy, and employs local people. But I also believe corporations are particularly victimizing Harlem, where loans were previously denied to local aspiring business owners; now, those corporations are receiving government subsidies and building where those mom & pop shops were previously unable.

As for Daniel's response, "knee-jerk reaction" is an inappropriate and poorly thought-out cliche' in response to my comments. My objection is a deeply personal economic and political judgment call, and regardless of whether you agree with it, one that is well thought-out. My belief is that certain kinds of change are extraordinarily detrimental to this city as a whole. Other kinds of change are inevitable; others are to be welcomed with open arms. To me, the arrival of a chain falls into the first category.

--aliostuni [also anonymous at 3:57.]

Thanks for the lecture on the evils of corporate invasion. However, my comment that your doom and gloom overreaction to the opening of an ice cream shop was knee jerk still stands. Furthermore, it's interesting how you heap flattery on yourself by calling your comments "well thought out". Your mischaracterization of me as apathetic is not well thought out at all. The word "apathy" implies "indifference". I'm NOT indifferent at all. I welcome the arrival of most of the corporate investment in Harlem. That's called an opinion, my friend. It's my view. I know we don't agree, but if you're going to attack me, at least use the right words.

OK Daniel, I'll concede that my use of "apathy" was inappropriate in that context, having read your subsequent posts. --ali o

Interesting posts. Aliostuni, thanks for the tip about the Vanishing New York blog -- I checked it out, very cool.

My objection is to the blanket, all-or-nothing nature of some of the posts that I read about Harlem, gentrification, corporations, etc. I also lament the loss of mom and pop america, but believe that there is room in society for corporations, particularly socially responsible corporations that give back to the communities that they enter. I don't believe that we should fight all change, as change can equal progress and development and innovation. As society changes, mom and pops may need to adapt to sustain their businesses. Some do, and are quite successful. Should we artifically bolster those businesses that cannot change with us? What for?

If loans are being made available to corporations getting grants where mom and pops are not, is it really the fault of the corporation? Sounds like blame rests with government, and not the corporations.

New York Lost © is a documentary about the loss of what makes New York, New York. Developers are destroying it's unique stores, ethnic neighborhoods, and character while replacing it with chain stores that all look alike and glass condos. At risk is the exciting and diverse community that brings so many to New York, and what makes New York the world center of art, communications, finance and fashion. Is New York turning into a gated community and giant shopping mall? Is it fair to ask whether all of this change is a good thing? Will developers kill the goose that laid the golden egg? Is the spirit of neighborliness dead? I interviewed several New Yorkers from the founder of the Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa to an old time Fulton Fish Market docker worker. I think you will be fascinated with what they have to say. Visit www.myspace.com/newyorklost to view the film for a limited time until film festival premier.

New York Lost © is a documentary about the loss of what makes New York, New York. Developers are destroying it's unique stores, ethnic neighborhoods, and character while replacing it with chain stores that all look alike and glass condos. At risk is the exciting and diverse community that brings so many to New York, and what makes New York the world center of art, communications, finance and fashion. Is New York turning into a gated community and giant shopping mall? Is it fair to ask whether all of this change is a good thing? Will developers kill the goose that laid the golden egg? Is the spirit of neighborliness dead? I interviewed several New Yorkers from the founder of the Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa to an old time Fulton Fish Market docker worker. I think you will be fascinated with what they have to say. Visit www.myspace.com/newyorklost to view the film for a limited time until film festival premier.