Fifty years ago mom-and-pop shops lined both sides of Court Street and the aromas of home cooking covered every block. The windows were always open in the summers and neighborhood kids played games in the streets. But today the predominantly Italian neighborhood of Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, New York is changing. Some of those mom-and-pop businesses still survive, but their owners are watching as a wave of gentrification washes over the neighborhood. The community center was torn down to make room for more condos, the cost of living has skyrocketed and the "old timers" are struggling to hold on to what little remains of their old neighborhood.
Last century, the Italian neighborhood of Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, New York, was thriving. But a wave of gentrification has washed over the neighborhood, creating a conflict between those who embrace change and those who long for the old days.
Note: Not all comments will be posted due to space and time constraints.
Frankie Franco -- commack new york
Jul 23, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Vinny - how I miss those days - I remember your Dad, cigar and all - I lived at 446 Henry - my mom was Minnie Graffagnino - Mr Joe was my grandfather - Tommy Marchese was my uncle - I wish my kids could experience the Old Neighborhood.
Rose Starnes -- Venice, Fl
Jul 20, 2008 at 5:09 PM
What a wonderful piece! Brought back so many memories. I was born in Long Island College Hospital. I grew up in the 40's and 50's on Smith St then on Pacific St. I remember the push carts, the ice man and the coal deliveries. I went to P S 78 then Nathan Hale JHS. My mom moved to President St later on and we would visit from Jersey often. My mom was buried from Raccuglia's Funeral Home. There was a closeness of friends and families there that you dont find anymore anywhere! Anyone who doesnt know the Bklyn of old... really missed something special! I couldnt have been raised in a better place.
jeanne (Todado the Barber's Daughter) -- Staten Island, N. Y.
Jul 15, 2008 at 9:11 PM
My dad past away but I still go down the neighborhood to see some of my friends. Those were the good old days.
Josephine Fileti -- Staten Island, NY
Jul 9, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Great Video, brought back wonderful memories of living in a great neighborhood, and yes when I was growing up we referred to it as Red Hook..Born on Sackett Street, moved to DeGraw St and then my parents ( father was a longshoreman) moved back to Sackett Street, right down the block from Vinnie Raccuglia. Still go down to the neighborhood when I have an opportunity, I've even introduced my kids to the Focacceria on Union St.
Anthony "Bazzy" Mazzucco -- FL
Jul 9, 2008 at 12:13 PM
It was happy and sad to see the neighborhood the way it is today. I myself used to deliver meat and legs of veal to Sam's restaurant when I was a kid, and everytime i visit home i too make sure to stop by Court Pastery for their cookies and pasteries.
Jennifer Byrd -- Hoboken, NJ
Jul 8, 2008 at 10:46 PM
What a great film! I was born in Long Island College Hospital in 1970. When I was a kid, the meat was purchased at the butcher, the fruit at the friut stand, and the rest at the grocery store. My grandmother called in her weekly order to the butcher, and it was delivered by a boy on a bike with a basket. Both my brothers held that job at some point. For 25 years, my Mom had a hair salon on Henry St. then referred to as a beauty parlor. It's funny, I now get my hair done at a place in Hoboken called "The Beauty Parlor". My uncle has worked for the neighborhood churches his entire life, playing music and singing at Sunday mass, holidays, weddings and funerals. If you attended St.Stephen's school, you would know him as Mr. Sal. I could be bias but I still love to hear him sing at church. It"s beautiful and it brings back memories of filled up churches and our beautiful neighborhood. When I get a chance to go back to the neighborhood, I usually get a bite to eat because the best food is still in Brooklyn. By the way, the same type of oldtimers are here in Hoboken. It could be the reason I feel so at home here, but my heart remains in Brooklyn. When asked "where are you from?" I proudly reply "Brooklyn", and then tell them something about our beautiful neighborhood. No one will ever fully understand unless they have lived it.
Georgette C Sinclair -- Selden,NY
Jul 8, 2008 at 8:07 PM
I grew up in Cobble Hill but spent a great deal of time in Carroll Gardens,aka,Red Hook. I had my 1st legal drink at 18 at Sam's. My friends and I spent Fri eve. after confraternity at St.Paul's, having pizza at Sam's. Although,I left the neighborhood when I was 20, my mom remains, so I get to travel down memory lane often. I've frequently commented that it would be nice to be able to afford to live in the old neighborhood. I,too remember the Smith St.divide and the gang activity but most of my memories are good ones which my friends
Betty -- Staten island, New York
Jul 8, 2008 at 4:42 PM
I remember the neighborhood so well. Watching this tape brought tears to my eyes. My aunt Jo worked for Vinny. My mom, Mary F., loved that neighborhood. And so did my dad, Hoover. You don't find that kind of "closeness" anymore among nieghbors. Everybody knew everybody. It's something that will always be missed by those who experienced it. What a wonderful childhood we had.
Vincent Caminiti -- San Jose, California
Jul 8, 2008 at 11:28 AM
This is where my family began. My Mother, Father, and nearly every ancestral relation, originated from this small Denomiation I was born in Carroll Gardens. Having moved away to Long Island at an early age, as expanding families pushed the limits of brownstone walls - we trekked back on alternate weekends to be with family and familiar surroundings. I went back to live with my Aunt May, and Uncle Sal, dinners with Nonna upstairs and often late night sessions on the guitar with Uncle Nick on the parlor floor of the familial brownstone on 3rd Place between Clinton and Henry Sts. as I started college. This was one of the safest places to live in the world. Every other weekend we made the trip to Carroll Gardens from Long Island - often sleeping over. On alternate weekends - 'they' came out to Indian country. Even as an adult, people would know me by adonning me with the handle of 'cousin of' or 'nephew of or 'son of' depending upon which familial diggs I happened to be nearer' - I would respond, as though offering a counter-sign, with the disclaimer that I was born in Carroll Gardens. It a strange way, that words may fail - it mattered. I saw my favorite table at Sam's.
Emmy Colon -- Brooklyn, NY
Jul 6, 2008 at 4:48 PM
This clip of film just touch the surface of this beautiful neighborhood of Carroll Gardens, many of shots are right from my back yard. The stories told are as real as you can get. its a place where you could walk about proud to say this is my "Hood", but I wish that we could keep it a little like it was. Like they say "why change something good". I love Carroll Gardens. This my Sweet Home away from home.
Phil Puma -- Staten Island NY
Jul 5, 2008 at 12:54 AM
really miss the old hood like it used to be wish i could back just for a little while
Frank Blandino -- Staten Island, NY
Jul 4, 2008 at 1:55 PM
This is a great piece. I grew up in "the neighborhood" in the fifties and sixties on Henry St. Like Vinnie said there were pushcarts that came around selling fruits/vegetables, fish, etc. The icemen with their carts selling ice's in the summer and always Ralphs good humor truck. He was a great man. My father worked and died on the piers as a longshoreman. It was hard making a living in those days but I think the people were so happy to live in a great neighborhood with friends and family all near by. My wife and I and our friends spent many good times at Sam's when Mario and John ran the place. We went back a few years ago and the Pizza is just as good now as it ever was. The place looks the same too! Vinnie has given us a brief glimpse of what it was like back then. I really don't like to go back to the neighborhood much anymore as I am really sad to see how it has changed. It is overrun by yuppies and out of towners and it no longer has that same feel as it did years ago... Maybe that's progress and I'm sure it's good for the new people but it's just not "my neighborhood" anymore...
Francine Cundari -- Brooklyn NY
Jul 3, 2008 at 4:03 PM
The best neighborhood in the world. Everyone was like brothers and sisters. Happy I was raised there. Wish everyone knew what it was like. What a great experience.
Donna Piccirillo -- spring hill florida
Jul 2, 2008 at 4:54 PM
I grew up in this neighborhood on Thompkins Place and my mom and dad new almost everyone who lived there.My mothers name was baby Esther Pampalone they called her Babe. My fathers name was Jerry Piccirillo both of them grew up on Sackett St. My mom was a friend of Vinny's. He laid out my mom and dad when they passed on. I let my kids know all about the great place I grew up in and all the places I shopped at when I was younger. I bought a lot of food for my grandmother at Romeo's knew all them that worked in that store also went out to eat with my mom and dad at Sams all the time. When I met my husband, Sam's was the place I took him to eat and he fell in love with the food and was hooked . I love the video and was sad because I lost all the people I loved there, And Vinny just laid out my godmother and godfather at his funeral home. Vinnie if you read this love from Debbie and Donna.
a.m -- brooklyn ny
Jul 2, 2008 at 9:00 AM
When I was a boy we called it "Red Hook". We came from "the hook". It was a tough nieghborhood with good people and lots of family and friends... and plenty of love! Our grandmothers lived up the block, our aunts and uncles upstairs, or around the corner. Our friends were everywhere. Everyone had a nicknameI often laughed passing by Raccuglia's because the obit would include the deceased unique nickname. We had fun even in the bad times. The yuppies think they made the neigborhood good! WE DID!!!!Our parents and grandparents DID!! They just accessed the flavor, character and food and made it more expensive.
Gary Hamilton -- Staten Island NY
Jun 30, 2008 at 8:13 PM
My whole family is still in Carroll Gardens seeing this bring back memories Sams still has the best baked clams ever. My Grandfather is in this vide 2 time its strange to see the old area from this point of view. I wanted out of Brooklyn so bad growing up but seeing this makes me wonder. I wish in a way I could have still been there afters seeing this I would have been on the way to Sams for some real Italian food.
Tom Morabito -- Westfield, NJ
Jun 29, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I was born and raised in the neighborhood and knew everyone in the video. I remember when the first "urban pioneers" came to our community. I also remember co-op conversions going wild. I knew it meant the death of the old Italian neighborhood I loved. First my grandparents left, then my parents. My old friends were leaving. The old merchants couldn't make ends meet unless they owned their real estate. I stopped by around Christam 2007 and determined that you truly can't go home again. I thought I was in Park Slope! The neighborhood may have become more expensive, but it's certainly not better.
Sal Aidone -- West Babylon, NY
Jun 27, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Mr. Ruccuglia's funeral home was where my mom spent her last day with us. His home and that's the right word, it was like being home. You felt as if you knew him your whole life and I could just imagine years ago having a whole neighborhood like that. It must have been great! To the good old days!
cc -- brooklyn, ny, usa
Jun 26, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Beautifully photographed but simplistically written. It's easy to agree with the noble and well-expressed sentiments of the subjects, but the film should have provided some challenge to their openly narrow views, or at least a context for "the change" they address. This feels like an homage to a way of life that the filmmakers are insufficiently knowledgeable of and therfore prone to romanticizing. There are provocative undertones to some of the subjects' comments that deserve exploration. Notice how all their bitterness is focused on the new types of people in the neighborhood, not on the larger economic forces that have changed neighborhoods all across the city and dismantled associations like the longshoremens' union all across the country. This is a neighborhood that organized resistance to the opening of a center for battered Asian women--was this the kind of "fight" the younger man had in mind?
Steve C -- Brooklyn, NY
Jun 26, 2008 at 6:13 PM
A great view of the neighborhood. My 102 year old great aunt still lives here and so do I. I've noticed a change. When a Dunkin Donuts replaces one of the greatest pizza places in the world... very sad. Scared to know what's going to go up on my corner of smith/douglass. Hopefully not another American Apparel.
Carmine Ruggiero -- Carroll Gardens
Jun 26, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Vincent, is a great guy and will help anyone. But Carroll Gardens goes beyond Court St. It's the Brooklyn water front to the Gowanus Canal, and doesn't smell anymore. Red Hook Point (from Louis Valentino Park) a greatson and Hero to Mr. and Mrs. Valentino. Its the Calzone House of Pizza, to Aiello's and the old Ice Cream parlors of Bayer's, Angie's and a few others. It's Sacred Hearts on Hicks St Maris's. St Agnes, St Peters and St Pauls, PS 32,58,142 and a few others with everyone who attended and registered but never attended. It is Fist ball, Box ball, Hand ball, Stick Ball, Base ball in Carroll Park, Buck Buck, Hot peas and butter, Skelzie, Tops and YoYo's; the church feasts and processions and the People of All nationalities coming together for one common goal to live in peace and harmony and seek the AMERICAN Dream. Also, lets not forget the bakeries of liotta, camerarie's, caputo, barbera's, Helen's and Pissaro's candy and the little fish stores on Union, Smith and Courts STS. And lets not forget the little Pizza Joint on Clinton and 3rd, they served it on paperno box. And one other thing Cioffi's bakery and the Chicken markets on Henry and Union streets, then top it all off with a Manhattan Special Coffee Soda. Perfect Living at its best!
Susan Russo Remal -- Palm Coast, Florida
Jun 26, 2008 at 10:24 AM
This video brough back many child hood memories... My family has been in Carroll Gardens Brooklyn since 1920 when my great grandmother Josephine came over from Italy. I grew up on Second Place and Court Street, my father owned the pool room on Court Street, Vinnies Billiards... I love the neighborhood and I come back often, no matter how much the neighborhood changes its still my neigborhood and I love it!!! My brother still lives in Brooklyn along with many of my family and friends... There is no place like BROOKLYN....
Maureen Murphy -- Brooklyn, NY
Jun 26, 2008 at 1:06 AM
I grew up in Carroll Gardens, and am still here. This little story shows just a small part of how great this neighborhood once was. It definately has changed. People moving in say what a great place it is, then want to change it and make it like the city. Like anything else, change is inevitable. We just have to keep changing, and make things better, Hopefully, more families will stay and build lives here and make it a neighborhood once again. And maybe even a few more good small businesses will open, and stay, instead of more chain stores.
Ralph Forte -- Chino Hills, CA
Jun 25, 2008 at 12:07 PM
I go back to my childhood memories with this, my grandmother's family grew up in the neighborhood, my great grandfather opened Romeo's Grocery on Court Street. My grandmother's brothers Bruno and Joe ran the store until it closed. My grandmother's sisters Rosa and Frances worked in the store too and lived in the apartments above the store. The store was lively, people came to socialize. My great uncles were always joking with the customers. I grew up in Bensonhurst, but my mother would always take us by subway to visit her aunts and uncles at the store. My treat, I would always get a 5 cent bag of Wise potato chips. They knew everybody in the neigborhood. Even my uncles worked there when they were teenagers and rode the delivery bikes with the big basket on the front. When I was getting my MBA degree I had a class on e-business, the professor was lecturing on a novel concept, grocery chains had started using the internet to receive orders and deliver groceries to their cusotmers. I said that was nothing new my family grocery store did that 50 years ago only people used the phone to order groceries and then they would be delivered to their door. My grandfather was also a business man in the neighborhood, he had a horse drawn fruit and vegetable wagon. That is where he met my grandmother, they were married when she was 16. I took my boys to the neighborhood last summer to show them their roots. There is still a Realty Office where the grocery store used to be, but I could still feel the neighborhood. We stopped at the Court Street Bakery across the street so I could buy my dad his favorite cookies. Little did they know how many dozens of boxes of their cookies flew across the country to California over the years. Brooklyn is unique, I always feel like I am home when I go there.
Anna Rutigliano -- Staten Island, NY USA
Jun 25, 2008 at 8:25 AM
The old memories I just saw brought tears to my eyes. When you witness the old timers, the places you visited, especially Sam's Pizzeria, it really touched my heart. The longshoremen and how they struggled to put bread on the table for their families. They really knew what work was. Thank you so much for this special writeup. Now I know what real memories mean to have seen it and lived it.
Paula Leone -- Brooklyn, New York USA
Jun 24, 2008 at 11:28 AM
This is my neighorhood too...I will never leave and I will raise my children here but they will know what the history of Carroll Gardens was and is...they will know that this is their neighborhood too.
Gina Nogaro -- Maui, HI
Jun 24, 2008 at 1:06 AM
I was born and raised on DeGraw St between Henry and Clinton and lived my entire childhood into my late 20's in Carroll Gardens. My entire family lived there, in fact, my Aunt JoJo worked for Vincent at the funeral home. I have lived other places over the years but have never experienced the true neighborhood feel that I have felt in Brooklyn. It is true, everyone did know everyone in the neighborhood and it was always a safe place to be. I am thankful for all of the wonderful memories and for all of the people that I have grown up with. I wish that I could afford to live there again but the City has gotten out of control and unfortunately, it will never be the same. Brooklyn will always be in my heart and soul, I only wish that my children could have experienced growing up in such a wonderful place.
Jen Malvasio -- Buffalo NY
Jun 22, 2008 at 10:07 PM
WOW! I grew up in this area. Born in Long Island College hospital 1978. I lived on Butler St. I remember walking to my grandmother's house on President St then she moved to Carroll St. When I go back home I always stop at Court St bakery for my 7 layer cake cookies and Amaretta cookies!! Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens is a beautiful place....One of a kind.
Teresa -- Bronx VIA Brooklyn
Jun 22, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Mathias...I can tell you arent originally from the neighborhood. Carroll Gardens was called Red Hook when I lived there and we looked far beyond what you are saying. Forget the mobsters and gangs. We were a family......the entire neighborhood was a family. As a kid you couldnt do something wrong 5 blocks aways cause ya Mom would always know. DO NOT touch our sentiment because along with our GREAT memories, its all we have left since the yuppies moved in!
franky gioia from henry st -- staten is ny
Jun 21, 2008 at 7:23 PM
i also grew up in carroll gardens with vinnie raccuglia the funeral director.this was a working class neighborhood. i loved this lil movie i sent it to all my friends. vinnie was right on the money when he said the neighborhood has changed. the people did it to themselves by charging high rents which drove out the working class families. this isn't unique to this neighborhood it has happened through out nyc. in some areas for the better and some for the worst.
Debbie -- Davie, Florida
Jun 20, 2008 at 9:29 AM
I was raised in Carroll Gardens. My grandparents' funerals were in Racculgia's. It did change, but the memories are soooo sweet.
Gina Mondella Coppola -- Manalapan, Nw Jersey
Jun 19, 2008 at 6:21 PM
This is where I grew up. Sams was actually my favorite Resturant. I ate there weekly. My favorite Veal Scaloppini.
Laura Eng -- Brooklyn, NY, USA
Jun 18, 2008 8:55 PM
As a lifelong resident of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, I can attest that everything presented in this film is completely accurate. It is still a great place to live but it is nothing like the close-knit neighborhood I grew up in. It is so sad to see how much things have changed but change is often inevitable. My father was one of those longshoremen referred to and for the most part, they were the lifeblood of the community. Once the shipping industry declined, things changed drastically. Where mom and pop stores once stood, we now have banks, realtors and hip restaurants. I am grateful that Carroll Gardens is still a neighborhood and for the bittersweet memories I have of the place it used to be.
Francine Discipio -- Woodsburgh, NY USA
Jun 10, 2008 at 10:38 PM
I was so moved by this story, growing up in Carroll Gardens I would go to Sam's as a little girl for delicious pizza and still to this day when I visit my Mom every other week or so I take my two daughters to Sam's for great pizza and to have some laughs with Louie. I too miss the old "South Brooklyn". It was a wonderful neighborhood to grow up and this video truely captured the essence of Carroll Gardens.
Richard Conti -- Boca Raton , Florida United States
Jun 5, 2008 at 7:39 PM
This was one of the nicest things I have ever recieved from anyone on the internet. It was a wonderful video about a wonderful neighborhood and an even more wonderful time. I actually recieved it from my friend Louie. I was born in Carrol Gardens Brooklyn and knew many people in this video especially Louie and Mario, his Dad, who owned Sam's Restaurant on Court Street. I now live in Boca Raton Florida which is nice I guess but no where near as wonderful as Carrol Gardens. Mario is very proud of his pizza and he does make one of the best if not the best in Brooklyn. Unfortunately he very rarely gets any credit for his pizza because they only seem to rate the new places and not the older ones and with Pizza just the Pizza ONLY places and not the restaurants. I believe there are many, many people that do not even realize such a wonderful place even exists any longer. This video was sad but wonderful at the same time. Brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. It truly is a wonderful piece of work. I hope one day the same company makes a longer more detailed version of this wonderful place called Carrol Gardens and if they ever decide to do just that I would be honored to lend them a hand as well. If nothing else I truly hope this video brings Sam's Restaurant the recognition it truly deserves and that more people will discover this magical place and it's wonderful pizza too and do try the baked clams They are Great!! Thanks so much for this pleasureable trip back to the old neighborhood.
Jim -- Holmes, NY
Jun 5, 2008 at 10:28 PM
WOW Sam's restaurant I travel 1 1/2 hours some times to go there. I take my family, we make a party out of the day there. louie and his family treat me and my family like family. The food is the best I have ever eaten. When ever we are in manhattan we cross over the Brooklyn bridge 1 mile to Sam's to eat The best food.You should try it. God bless the old timers they know whats good for us.
Matthias -- Brooklyn, NY
May 30, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Nice story, beautifully shot. But I wish the reporting would have gone a little deeper. Carroll Gardens was a mobster stronghold back in the days and there were the infamous fights between Italiens and Blacks, Smith Street being the border between these two comunities not to be crossed without getting punished. The story goes much deeper than just the sentiment about the good old days...
Jay Premack -- Washington, DC, USA
May 29, 2008 at 12:03 AM
This is exciting to see the continued convergence of media captured and woven together in such a captivating way. There continues to be promise that,even in the face of, overzealous, short-sighted news organizations, there are gifted story-tellers who can lead the battle for quality content. Forget the bean counters who tell you what the product has to be based on click-through, advertisers desires and more statistics than you can shake a stick at. Build it and they will come, create it and they will watch it. Please keep up the amazing work and continue to share the message.
scott -- mokena, IL, USA
May 29, 2008 at 12:02 AM
great story! Really liked the pictures and placement. great job. Hope I could do work like this some day.
Photography, Audio & Video: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times
Editor: Pia Sawhney
Producer: Chad A. Stevens
Field Producer: Eric Maierson
Graphics: Tim Klimowicz
Workshop Director: Jessica Stuart
Intern: Tim Mclaughlin
Executive Producer: Brian Storm
