A fantasy bookstore and a bagel shop & delicatessen open in the neighborhood. Plus, the best ramen in Park Slope!
Also this week: A throwback candy shop inside a pizzeria, the annual Greenwood Park Tree Lighting, and a Sunday afternoon in the cemetery.
Presented by
Here’s what’s happening this week:
Openings:
Bagel shop & delicatessen Gertie has officially opened at 602 Vanderbilt Avenue, taking over the former R&D Foods space. Get a first look here.
Fantasy & romance bookstore Love and Legends opened at 667 Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights.
Folk, a new cocktail bar behind the team at Lore, is set to open December 11th.
Lidl will open next week on December 10th at 120 5th Avenue.
A 85,000-sq-ft luxury wellness mecca from Life Time is headed to Gowanus in 2028. Facilities include a rooftop pool, indoor pickleball, cold plunges, saunas, and every fitness friend’s dream. [New York Post]
Restaurateur Danny Meyer, owner of Union Square Events, is opening a new headquarters space at Industry City [Eater].
Closing:
Zero Waste Shop & Refillery Earth and Me will be closing on December 7th. Stop by and wish them the best! Their products will continue to be available online.
Local News:
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont joined dozens of striking Starbucks union baristas at a picket line in Gowanus on Dec. 1, drawing attention to Starbucks’ longest ever unfair labor practice strike and ongoing fights over scheduling and workplace protections. [Brooklyn Paper].
Former workers at Indian Spice have filed claims saying they’re owed nearly $3M in unpaid wages, following state findings of labor violations. It’s a reminder for both workers and small business owners to know their rights. [News 12]
Interested in making a difference in our community? Between now and February 6th, apply to be a member of a community board. Community boards work with city agencies, elected officials, and local leaders to ensure their neighborhood’s perspectives and needs are incorporated into the decisions that will affect them. New Yorkers age 16 and up are eligible to join!
Actor Steve Buscemi just sold his longtime Park Slope brownstone (at 460 5th Street, Brooklyn) for $4.99 million, ending nearly 30 years on the block [Curbed]
The City is investing $50 million to address flash flooding in Prospect Park and nearby neighborhoods, alongside $12 million for the Park Alliance’s Lakeshore restoration to improve stormwater resiliency, wildlife habitat, and visitor access. [@prospect_park]
Major changes are coming to the Verrazano Bridge: the MTA is planning a full rebuild of the Brooklyn-side ramps - shifting lane alignments, widening shoulders, adding noise barriers, and repaving - with work starting in 2026 and running through 2029. [Brooklyn Eagle]
Feeling BRRave? Signups are now open for the 123rd Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Plunge!
Park Slope’s Invictus Bakery has a gingerbread house on display at the Museum of the City of New York’s annual Gingerbread display. Check it out through January 19th!
Every Sunday this month, step back in time and enjoy the New York Transit Museum’s vintage 1930s Holiday Nostalgia Train! These beautifully restored cars let you experience the magic of New York City’s past, all for the price of a regular subway fare. FREE with subway fare
Is it safe to swim in the Gowanus Canal? Park Slope Pulse contributor Nick Bello shares more in this article
-Mychal
(Have a story we should know about? 🗞️ Send tips (anonymously here) and email us press releases)
✨ Starting this week, we’re adding a small section at the bottom just for paid subscribers - early intel, soft openings, and deeper neighborhood updates that don’t fit in our usual weekly roundup. It’s our way of sharing more with readers who want to stay a step ahead. Continue reading below! ✨
Presented by LAMUSE Skin Studio
LAMUSE - Luxury Facials & Biologique Recherche Expertise in the Heart of Park Slope
LAMUSE Skin Studio is a luxury skincare sanctuary in a historic Park Slope brownstone. With a calming, Tulum-inspired atmosphere, we offer advanced facials using Biologique Recherche, Hydrafacial, microneedling, dermaplaning, and Mansard. We specialize in acne, aging, pigmentation, and sensitivity. Founded by specialists with over a decade of experience in luxury aesthetics, LAMUSE delivers personalized, results-driven care in a warm, plant-filled space.
Our Top Weekly Picks
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out—reserve tickets early!
Friday, November 5th:
Craft & Climb @ Brooklyn Bouldering Project, 7-9pm: Spark joy and create connections at Craft & Climb night. Supplies are provided for you to create the mini-canvas painting of your dreams. This event is perfect for anyone looking to get crafty and connect with others in the community that enjoy hand-made goodies. Once you’re done creating, stick around and enjoy the climbing! $32 non-members (includes day pass for climbing).
Saturday, December 6th:
Lista Studios Open House @ Industry City (11:00am–2:00pm):
Take a peek inside Lista Studios’ new creative space and explore where young artists learn, experiment, and grow. Tour the studio, meet teaching artists, browse materials, and get your questions answered about memberships and workshops. Free mini studio sessions + exclusive discounts available during the event. FREE.
Park Slope Neighbors Holiday Art Market @ Prospect Park, 12-4pm: Come and say hi, meet some neighbors, check out handmade pieces made with love for the season, and show your support for small local businesses. All vendors are neighbors! FREE.
Holiday Bazaar @ Old Stone House, 10am-4pm: Shop accessories, home goods, beauty and wellness, handmade jewelry, art, pet accessories, boutique kids collections, and more at this pop-up highlighting local craftspeople, sustainable design, and handmade wares. FREE.
The 18th Annual Greenwood Park Tree Lighting, 4pm: Expect wreath making, seasonal treats, photos with Santa, Christmas carols, and more at this fun annual event. Festivities start at 4pm and the tree will be lit at 6pm. FREE.
Sunday, December 7th:
Sunday in the Cemetery @ Green-Wood, 10am-6pm: Green-Wood invites you to candidly engage with grief and death through a compassionate, supportive lens at this day-long exploration of mortality. This free, open-house style event brings together leading experts for engaging talks, workshops, and guided tours that illuminate end-of-life care, funeral traditions, and memorial arts. Through personal stories and interactive experiences, discover community through shared human experiences and gain insights into how we can each live well and remember meaningfully. FREE- donations encouraged.
Howliday Pup Photoshoot @ Woof Gang, 2-5pm: Get ready for the cutest holiday event of the season! Bring your festive fur-baby for a 15-minute photoshoot slot filled with holiday props, twinkly vibes, and treats to keep those tails wagging. Whether they’re rocking a Christmas sweater, a bow tie, or just their natural charm, we’ll capture the perfect holiday moment! $10 per photo or FREE with purchase- RSVP requested.
First Sundays: Dim Sum + Mahjong @ Nin Hao, 1:45-4:15pm: This monthly series is a great way to learn Hong Kong-style mahjong and connect with neighbors over dim sum and tea. No prior knowledge needed, though experienced players are welcome to join and refresh their skills. Guided instruction, a family-style dim sum lunch, and a pot of premium loose leaf Chinese tea to enjoy while you play is included. $55.
A Contra Dance For All @ Camp Friendship, 4:30-8pm: Join a Contra lesson at 4:30 followed by three hours of dancing to live music by the Boston-based trio Paper Plane. Contra is “a little like square dancing, but more fun!” No partner required. $15.
Tuesday, December 9th:
Dyke Drag @ Ginger’s Bar, 8pm: December is here and this year we’re going ON HOLIDAY… holiday…on holiday! Aspen or the islands? You decide. Don your gayest apparel, whether that’s a bikini or a snow suit, and come falalalala at Ginger’s on Tuesday with drag performances and a live DJ. $12.51.
Did we miss anything? Add in comments below. 👇
Submit an event to be considered for this weekly events roundup!
Best Ramen in Park Slope 2026
Ramen DAMBO Park Slope has won the title of Best Ramen in Park Slope 2026, hosted by Park Slope Pulse & @parkslopeliving!
It was a close call with Ramen DANBO Park Slope gaining 36% of 300+ votes, followed by finalist Unoriginal Noodles - a close second with 30%.
Our 3rd finalist is Konoha Yakitori Ramen and Sushi House!
All 3 finalists will win this badge for display on their store and/or website which we will provide soon, and be featured on @parkslopeliving.
View the full directory of Ramen spots in Park Slope here which we have updated with the wonderful customer comments submitted - thank you to everyone who voted and supported your favorite spots. 💛 Note that we won’t update this list with the finalists as we want to encourage everyone to try as many ramen spots as possible - so feel free to spread the word by forwarding this email!
Next competition - we are taking nominations for Best Croissant in Park Slope! Submit your nominations here all through December.
Neighborhood Job Board
Jobs are reviewed/updated daily, and each week we create a new job board link with the latest local listings! Sign up for Park Slope Pulse to get the latest job board delivered to your inbox.
This week: Brooklyn Museum is hiring for a Chief Marketing Officer, Executive Assistant and Senior Graphic Designer
List a job for free
Weekly Way to Give Back 🎗️
This season, countless shelter pups will spend the holidays without a family — but together, we can make sure they don’t spend it without joy. Donate a toy and help us bring wagging tails, comfort, and a little Christmas magic to dogs waiting for their forever homes.
Donate new or gently used toys as well as unopened and unexpired treats between now and December 15th.
Business Buzz ⚡️
Peppino’s Pizza has added a throwback candy shop to their restaurant! Check out their wall of Swedish fish, gummies, and nostalgic candies at 469 5th Avenue between 10th and 11th street. Thanks to Park Slope Together for the tip!
Bayaal will be hosting holiday pop-ups every Saturday this month. Explore unique creations, find one-of-a-kind gifts, and meet the maker behind the magic. Plus, score 20% off in-store when you snag something from one of the makers! FREE entry.
Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here
Interested in advertising, have a tip, or want to share feedback? Send us an email or reply to the newsletter.
✨ Exclusives & Soft Openings
This week’s Insider section includes:
The 2nd location of an exciting new coffee shop soft opening today in South Slope • A kids hair salon coming soon this month • A luxury Park Slope apartment now ready for immediate occupancy (plus details from their penthouse preview) • A recent high-profile city leadership meeting held at a well-known local restaurant
~~~ Paid section continues below ~~~