old businesses — Articles — Flatbush History

The street corner of Rogers and Newkirk in the 1940s and today.

Then and NowJennifer BoudinotAugust 14, 2023then and now photos, the 1940s, newkirk ave, rogers ave, old businessesComment

A Turning Point in Grocery History

Three “self service” groceries from 1940s Flatbush, and why they’re called that.

A RetrospectiveJennifer BoudinotJuly 29, 2023old businesses, the 1940s, Flatbush things, kensington, cortelyou rd, rogers aveComment

The Ghost Signs of Flatbush

“Ghost signs” is the cool-sounding name for advertising for businesses that are no longer around. Here’s a collection of the many ghost signs I’ve spotted in the neighborhood.

A Cortelyou Rd Street Scene

What did people do on Cortelyou Rd in the 1940s? A glimpse at a Flatbush shoppers visiting a restaurant, bike shop, and laundromat as seen in some photos taken by NYC for tax purposes.

Now GoneJennifer BoudinotJanuary 20, 2020Flatbushthe 1940s, Flatbush people, old businesses, cortelyou rd, Flatbush placesComment

Still Missed: The Flatbush Macy's

The now-gone twin of the Art Deco Sears, the Flatbush Macy’s (on the corner of Flatbush Ave and Tilden) had some innovative features and a lot of fans.

Then and Now: A Cortelyou Market

Remnants of a large market called Bowman’s can be seen on Cortelyou Rd. Here’s what it looked like back in the 1940s.

Then and NowJennifer BoudinotJanuary 20, 2020Flatbushthe 1940s, old businesses, cortelyou rd, then and now photos, Flatbush placesComment

Then and Now: Coney Island Ave at Newkirk

The building shown in this 1947 photo of Coney Island Ave at Newkirk is still standing, but much changed.

1300 Flatbush Ave: The Oil-Burner Building

This Flatiron-y building near Flatbush and Bedford will always be “the Oil-Burner Building” in my head after seeing a 1940s photos of it as a furnace store.

Flatbush Trust Company: Who Wants to Start a Bank?!

Some rich dudes get together and create the first bank in Flatbush.

Historic BusinessesJennifer BoudinotJanuary 20, 2020FlatbushFlatbush things, old businesses, flatbush aveComment

Then and Now: This Building on Church Has Seen a Lot

When you can hear a building sigh.

Then and NowJennifer BoudinotJanuary 20, 2020Flatbushold businesses, church ave, then and now photos, Flatbush things, the 1940sComment