A Very New York Sort of Intersection

I like the intersection of 9th Street and Fifth Avenue in Park Slope. It's not particularly pretty or terribly significant. But it is a very New Yorky crossroads.

Aside from a bank branch and a Dunkin' Donuts, there are no chains. On the southwest corner is a old-style, anti-Cemusa newsstand and a place called the Pita-Hut (above). On the katty corner is a standard-issue New York deli, something every New York intersection should have. (below)



Down Fifth Avenue from the deli is the Record and Tape Center, an indy venture if there ever was one. Still further is a place that serves both Chinese and Tex-Mex food. And next to it is De Silva's Wines & Liquor, which looks pretty old.



Across the street from these businesses, and close to the northwest corner of the intersection, it the brutally straightforward Smith's Tavern. All in all, an amazing amount of New York authentica for one set of cross-streets.