Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Your Favorite Brooklyn Storefronts"

Host: Alison Stewart
Guests: Joel Holland (Illustrator), David Dodge (Writer)
Date: September 16, 2024

Overview

This episode of All Of It dives into the rich tapestry of Brooklyn’s iconic storefronts, as celebrated in the new book Brooklyn: Illustrations of the Iconic NYC Borough’s Best Loved Spots by illustrator Joel Holland and writer David Dodge. Through listener calls, personal stories, and behind-the-scenes insights, the show explores how storefronts create community and embody the spirit of Brooklyn, past and present.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Book's Genesis & Crowdsourcing Process

• Origin of the Book: Inspired by their first book on Manhattan storefronts, Holland and Dodge focused exclusively on Brooklyn this time, crowdsourcing suggestions to capture the borough's diverse favorites.

  “Brooklyn on its own would be the fourth largest city in the country. So the crowdsourcing was a challenge, but it made it a lot of fun.”
  — David Dodge (05:07)

• Gathering Inspiration: Storefronts were suggested by residents across Brooklyn via social media, friends, and respected local voices, ensuring both new and old spots were included.

  “Sometimes I will go by a place and draw it. Sometimes I'll just take a picture myself... Sometimes that was being supplied to me and then someone lives in Bay Ridge and they're sending me their favorite Knish spot or something.”
  — Joel Holland (04:11)

What Makes a Storefront Special

• Personal Details in Art: Holland looks for small, meaningful touches while illustrating, like a “piece of fabric hanging off a chair” that holds personal significance.

  “Those kinds of details that are like personal touches help the stories kind of blossom.”
  — Joel Holland (06:32)

• Aesthetics & Typography: Typography and hand-painted signs rank high for Holland, but it’s the character and community stories that truly shine.

  “I am a little bit partial to an awning… I lean towards the hand painted stuff, the neon signs like those things.”
  — Joel Holland (09:39)

• Researching Stories: Dodge combs through reviews, neighborhood news, and histories, emphasizing how every classic spot has countless stories.

  “One of my favorite things to do is go into reviews of these places and find just like a crazy or interesting or a little bit of information about someone's very unusual or particular experience at these storefronts.”
  — David Dodge (10:18)

Community Contributions and Listener Stories

• Listener Call-Ins: The phone lines and texts were filled with passionate memories and endorsements—old toy shops, bookshops, music stores, and bars—highlighting the emotional ties people have to these spaces.

  • Notable mentions included Ankiro Books (07:20), the Long Island Bar (12:54), and the painter-friendly Studio 369 (14:30).

• Family Lore: Listeners shared how their family histories were woven into Brooklyn storefronts, like a great-grandfather working on the Nathan's Famous sign.

  “I don't know if the story is true or just a piece of family lore, but it gave the iconic Nathan's storefront a special layer of meaning for me.”
  — Listener Text (11:07)

Iconic Storefronts Featured

| Timestamp | Storefront | Notable Details | |-----------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 07:20 | Ankiro Books | Owned by an African-American woman; Mos Def & Talib Kweli worked there | | 12:54 | Long Island Bar & Montero's | Family businesses with lasting neon signage; stories documented in the book | | 15:35 | African Record Center | Opened in 1969 by four brothers; helped introduce African music to the U.S.; worked with Fela Kuti | | 17:05 | City Reliquary | Quirky Williamsburg museum started by Dave Herman, featuring NYC ephemera and oddities | | 19:01 | For the Record & Peter Pan Donuts | For the Record: coffee & vinyl; Peter Pan: classic donuts, beloved awning and old-school counter| | 22:02 | John’s Sharpening Service| Knife-sharpening shop with eclectic offerings and a charismatic founder | | 23:26 | Little Things Toy Shop | Multi-generational toy shop with a distinctive purple awning |

Book Design & Structure

• Layout Choices: The amount of space given to each storefront depended on how much story there was to tell. Some got multi-store spreads; others, a single page.

  “It was dictated a lot by just how much of a story, like how, you know, how in detail... I needed to get with the writing.”
  — David Dodge (20:25)

• Collaborative Design: A team effort with designer Alex Stieckleather ensured the spreads were visually engaging and representative of Brooklyn’s diversity.

  “When I saw the layout for the first time, I was blown away. Like, somehow it works...”
  — Joel Holland (21:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Book’s Purpose:

  “We both view this as a love letter to Brooklyn storefronts.”
  — David Dodge (08:50)

• Why Storefronts Matter:

  “So many of these storefronts… really, it's clear that they operate as so much more than just the services providing or whatever they're trying to sell. They're really hubs of the community.”
  — David Dodge (24:48)

• On Peter Pan Donuts:

  “It just looks perfect to me.”
  — Joel Holland (19:23)

Standout Segments (with Timestamps)

• [04:11] Joel Holland describes his drawing and inspiration process
• [05:32] David Dodge on moving from Manhattan to learning Brooklyn’s storefronts
• [07:20] Call from Liz about Ankiro Books and hip-hop history
• [12:54] Caller Kimberly details the Long Island Bar’s generational story
• [15:35] David Dodge recounts the African Record Center’s history and influence
• [17:05] City Reliquary’s eccentric beginnings and vibrant collection
• [19:01] Caller Natasha celebrates For the Record coffee & vinyl in Greenpoint
• [21:32] Holland and Dodge on book layout and collaborative design

Hosts' and Guests' Personal Favorites

• Joel Holland:

  • Di Fara’s Pizza: Both a feast for the eye and palate—“the food being delicious, it looks like you want it to… the whole package.” (24:12)

• David Dodge:

  • Greenlight Bookstore: A story of community perseverance and crowdfunded success against the odds. (24:48)

Conclusion

All Of It’s journey through Brooklyn storefronts, led by Alison Stewart and brought to life by Joel Holland and David Dodge, captures the borough’s vibrancy, artistry, and community bonds. The tales behind each storefront—iconic or understated—illustrate why these physical spaces remain core to the city’s cultural fabric.

The book, Brooklyn: Illustrations of the Iconic NYC Borough’s Best Loved Spots, launches September 25 at Greenlight Bookstore.

For further listener recommendations, artwork, and to join the conversation, follow @OliveNYC or call WNYC.