Tuesday night, 50 local merchants filled the Community Bookstore to show their support for the BUY IN BKLYN (Shop Local Park Slope) initiative sponsored by the Park Slope Civic Council (PSCC), with the help of Catherine Bohne.

If a community helping its own was the message of the evening, the BUY IN BKLYN yellow umbrellas (see below) could not have been a better symbol. The PSCC paid  for the design and printing of 400 yellow umbrellas to put in local stores. You can
grab one if it’s raining. But bring it back. Scout’s honor.

If there were 50 merchants at the event, there were also 50 non-merchants, including politicians-a-plenty: State Senator Eric Adams, City Councilmember David Yassky, Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman, Representatives of Yvette Clarke and Borough President Marty Markowitz to name a few.

Representing the Brooklyn media was the Brooklyn Paper’s beloved Editor-in-Chief, Gersh Kuntzman and the Brooklyn Paper’s PS I Love You columnist, Wendy Ponte.

Ken Freeman, president of the PSCC,and other representatives from the PSCC, were there in force, as well as Eric McClure of Park Slope Neighbors.

Food and drink were graciously and generously donated by local merchants, including Shawn’s Liquors, Miracle Grill, and Isabelle (a local personal chef). It was all very, very tasty.

There was speechifying, of course. But all the speakers respected the 2-minute time limit, which meant that their message was communicated clearly, eloquently, and in a timely matter.

First up was Ken Freeman of the PSCC, who discussed the importance of local businesses as the foundation of real neighborhoods. Up next was Community Bookstore owner, Catherine Bohne, who described how the neighborhood lent a hand when it looked like her business might go under last year.

Councilmember David Yassky, a strong supporter of this initiative, congratulated the event’s organizers: "Something real, something genuine is going on here. For neighborhoods to be neighborhoods, we have to help and protect the local merchant. This is great first step.”

Yassky went on to discuss core issues like providing health care to small businesses. He told the local merchants: “People are working to help you and you are not alone in the struggle. We will work together to do everything we can to make sure that Park Slope stays Park Slope."

Assemblywoman Joan L Millman saluted the Community Bookstore and encouraged everyone to buy one book. “It’s a great gift, it doesn’t break. There are no batteries, it doesn’t flash and blink. It’s something a child and grandmother can have for the rest of their life. Not only buy a book but buy it right here!”

State Senator Eric Adams brought the point home. “How do we bring in revenue that Manhattan enjoys? How do we let it spill over into the Slope, into Prospect Heights?"

Alan Bronfman, the owner of Little Things and a member of the Park Slope Chamber of Commerce had this to say:

"The wall between neighborhood business and neighborhood residents is coming down. This is a historic idea, a historic occasion. This place is filled with politicians: that’s  extraordinary. This is not about not having national chains. It’s about making the most of what is here by a large group of people who live here.”

Bronfman’s speech added to the convivial atmosphere in the room. “I’ve been  here since 1969 and this is a room full of people I don’t know. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you."