The Bed-Stuy Blog has been around for 4¼ years. When I started the blog I did it because at the time I felt that Bed-Stuy’s blog presence was non-existent. That’s not totally true. Bed-Stuy was being mentioned on blogs, but it was often by people whose only knowledge of Bed-Stuy came from that one time back in the 10th grade when they rented “Do the Right Thing” from Blockbuster. Now, times have changed. I’m seeing Bed-Stuy being blogged about the way it should be, and as such it’s time for the Bed-Stuy Blog to end.
I absolutely hate long goodbyes, but I do have some people to thank.
First I need to thank everyone who was a contributing writer for the blog. No matter how many (or how few) posts you wrote for the blog, I was grateful for your contribution. Among the Bed-Stuy Blog reporters, there are four who deserve a special mention because of the size of their contribution to the blog. I want to thank Joanna (aka Alexa11221) who worked on the blog pretty much from the start, and who offered lots of great posts. Many thanks to Kel (aka The Progressive Southside), who came to the blog after writing his own neighborhood blog in Queens. He moved into Bed-Stuy and began churning out some of the most interesting stories about the things going on in the southwest part of the neighborhood. Kel has kept me laughing since the day I met him. I also want to thank Rosie (aka Inquisigal) for her stunning photos of Bed-Stuy residents as well as her hilarious only-in-Bed-Stuy tales. I also appreciate her taking me along for her pub crawl posts. Of course I’d like to thank Michael Corley of Corley Realty Group and My Brooklyn Report. Michael’s posts on real estate in Bed-Stuy sparked some of the liveliest conversations on the blog. And last but not least, I also have to thank all of the people who sent in tips. You were the ones who helped us keep our fingers on the pulse of the community.
I gotta send a huge thanks to Carmen de Jesus (aka Zengine) who set up this blog for me. I came to Carmen and told her that I wanted to blog about Bed-Stuy and she put together the site for me and began to teach me more than I ever wanted to know about how things work on the back end.
Thanks to all of the businesses that advertised on the site. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the biggest business supporters, Irving Boyce-el of Ironwork NY and Nikima Frenche of Le Chateau de Frenche Day Spa and Private Tea Room.
And finally, thanks to the readers! I’ve met so many of you through this blog. I enjoyed getting to know you and learning about the neighborhood from you.
Even though the Bed-Stuy Blog will be no more, I’m leaving you in capable hands. If you’re not already reading these blogs, then you should check them out. They’ll keep you up to date on what’s going on in Bed-Stuy:
Reclaimed Home
Brownstoner
Our Time Press
Bed-Stuy Gateway Blog
Brooklynian (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill & Bed-Stuy)
Bed-Stuy Patch
and pretty much any blog that is listed in our blogroll.
I’m not sure when (or if) I’ll take the Bed-Stuy Blog down, but you can be sure that it won’t be anytime soon. Keep us in your reader, because, who knows, after spending some time in non-blogger mode, I just might decide to start blogging again.
Wanna know what I’ll be doing with all of the extra time I’ll have now that I’m no longer blogging? I’ll be spending it offline. Enjoying the neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Petra (aka The Changeling)
This is very sad.
I hope this isn’t true. This blog feels way more connected the actual community. No offense to those other blogs but this is the one with true community coverage. There are things I’ve seen here that weren’t seen elsewhere. Hopefully if you don’t change your mind
one of the contributors can pick up the torch
I’ve only just moved into the neighbourhood, but have already visited this blog many times. It’s sad that you’re moving on, but thank you for your contribution to community in the neighbourhood.
Agreed. There are others but this one is by far the gold standard.
Sorry to hear this news. Congrats on all the great work and posts over the years. Will be missed. X
Well this just sucks.
Who am I going to have those very lively and sometimes snarky conversations with?
Thanks for 4 1/4 years of keeping us in the loop.
You will be missed.
noo! faye said it—you’ve done a great job in keeping a lively rotation of stories that are told from those who live + work here. most of the other blogs listed above cover multiple neighborhoods (brownstoner, brooklynian) or are just a bit dry (gateway, patch) who’s stepping up to the plate?
Damn.
Noooooooooooo! I visit this site several times a week. I agree with others, this site was definitely unique and authentic in its coverage of Bed Stuy. I saw the documentary Bed Stuy- Do or Die and eat at Peaches Hothouse because you wrote about it. Please reconsider. Maybe take a break for the summer and come back in the fall? Either way thanks for your commitment to the neighborhood.
Thank you for the Bed-Stuy blog. You will definitely be missed.
I visit daily and would miss the wealth of information this blog provides and I always recommend others to read it to find out the latest haps in BedStuy. I agree with Charla take a break for the summer and see how you feel in the fall. Thank you and enjoy your summer!
this can’t be life
the day i discover your blog you shut it down
The Changeling,
Unexpected. Surprised. Stunned.
I was born in Brooklyn and have lived in East Flatbush and Crown Heights. From “back in da day” I have always enjoyed my time in “tha Stuy”. I am currently “holding it down” in Ditmas Park, and I am presently unable to visit “tha Stuy” to the extent that I desire. During the past 2 + years I have checked this blog daily, and you have kept me abreast with the “goings on”.
This past Sunday was the final weekly airing of the television show “America’s Most Wanted”. Today is the final posting of “Bed-Stuy Blog”. What will happen on Saturday, will President Obama resign and then his wife take over? (This could work).
Ms. Changeling, you will be missed!
Wow! Sorry to see you go Changeling, you were one of the first people that I “complained” to about the 79th pct. and as I attended a community council meeting it gave me great comfort to know that you were there. This site the first indicator of the change that we hoped would happen in Bed-Stuy; this site is were I met some wonderful neighbors using our online meeting as catalyst to walk around the corner and meet face to face.
I use the other blogs as a resource, but there is nothing like this one. Thank you for your work and dedication. You will be missed.
This blog is one of the reasons I decided to move to Bed-Stuy a month ago. I understand how hard it is to keep a blog going but, damn, I’m still incredibly sad about it and hold out some hope you’ll reconsider — maybe share the load with some guest or co-bloggers?
WOW! I am going to miss this blog. But I understand you’re ready for change. Thank you so much for all the years of community based and overall Brooklyn information. Your blog was truly the portal I needed when I moved to Bedford Stuyvesant. Changeling, as always, I’m wishing you all the best….
Thank you all so much for the kind comments. I’m really looking forward to a relaxing summer. If you see me around the ‘hood be sure to come up and say hi.
“There are others but this one is by far the gold standard.” I totally agree.
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! You just made me cry.
I’ll miss the blog, but I do hope to see you around the neighborhood.
Um, keep me posted if you see any new happenings. I guess someone has to pick up your slack. :/
Yep, RH, I’m counting on you to pick up the slack! LOL I’m sending my neighborhood tips/news to you.
Petra all i can say is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO please do not stop the others are ok but you and your blog are A TRUE GEM! NOTHING LIKE IT AROUND BEDSTUY DO OR DIE ((BUT DO NOT LET THE BEDSTUY BLOG DIE))
Thanks Irving. I didn’t take this whole blogicide thing very lightly. I decided after much thought that it was just time to focus on other things.
I will MISS THIS BLOG. This blog let me know EVERYTHING going on in the neighborhood, when something opened, shut down, the weather, crime stats and just basically how to get involved in Bed Sty and become active. I LOVE YOU and God bless!
thanks for all the blog! see you in the real world i hope! i was just on jefferson and throop the other day getting some cats fixed
@Avery: Thank you so much for the lovely send-off! @ChrisG: Thanks! Yeah, it’s been too long since I’ve seen you. I’ve got you in my Google Reader so I’ve been following the stories of your feline community. Good luck getting the non-profit status and keep on TNR-ing!
This is a wonderful blog and has certainly made my employment at Groundwork Inc., a little bit easier! I check this blog daily, right after I read my emails! Thank you for keeping me in the loop. I’ve attended many events due to your tips and I’m not even from Bedstuy.
Good luck in your future endeavors!
Thanks, Christina! I found out about the good work that Groundwork Inc. does (and I even got to attend a Groundwork event) because I met one of your co-workers through this blog.
Thanks for everything. I really enjoyed contributing to the blog and participating in lively discussions w/ the readers.
Your contribution was appreciated!
I am so sad to read this, but I totally understand. I feel it’s the end of an era, when a group of enthusiastic locals started documenting their neighborhoods. But it’s hard to keep up. Hope to see you around the neighborhood. xo, Lesterhead
Hey Lesterhead! I started this blog because I got so excited reading the Clinton Hill Blog. Even though I haven’t seen you in awhile, I’ve been following the exciting lives of GT and PP!