Category Archives: Frederick Douglass Circle

Is Trader Joe’s eyeing retail space at Circa Central Park in Harlem?


Rumor has it that the antithesis of Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, is working hard to have a presence in Harlem, specifically central Harlem so that they can compete with that Texas-based grocery chain. A real estate broker(s) has informed this blog that Trader Joe’s, the California-based food chain, is moving into the entire retail space offered at the swanky Circa Central Park building in Harlem! 

You know which building I’m talking about! It’s the space of a former gas station and the one selling an apartment for more than $8million dollars at the corner of West 110th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd! 

Yup, apparently the developers, which got Starbucks to move into their other building on Manhatten Avenue and 110th Street, are or close to sealing the deal with Trader Joe’s to move into Circa Central Park in Harlem. 

Hmm, there is another grocery store directly across from that new building. It’s called Central Market.

Let’s see what happens! Stay tuned! And of course, I’d love to hear what you think about Trader Joe’s moving into Harlem at this location? Digame (Talk to me)!

Annual Harlem Food & Drink Event set for June 8


The Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance will hold its fifth annual Food & Drink Boulevard event along Harlem’s Restaurant Row on Frederick Douglass Boulevard from 110th to 124th Streets June 8. 

Participating bars and restaurants include 67 Orange Street, Angel of Harlem, Harlem Burger Co., Harlem Food Bar, Harlem Tavern, Hop House Harlem, Jado Sushi, L Lounge, Lido, LoLo’s Seafood Shack, Mess Hall, Row House, Silvana, Streetbird and Vinateria. 

The Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance is also partnering with Uber to provide free rides for up to $20 to ticket holders who are new users of the app, and will provide ticket holders who are new and existing users with $20 off their first UberPOOLride.

Tickets to Food & Drink Boulevard will be sold online, starting May 16, at a discounted rate of two tickets for $10 until 11:59 p.m. on June 7, 2016, and will be available for purchase in person on the day of the event, June 8, 2016, for $10 each at Harlem Tavern, 2153 Frederick Douglass Boulevard on the corner of 116th Street. 

To purchase tickets to Food & Drink Boulevard starting May 16, click here

WATCH: Neil Patrick Harris explains to Charlie Rose why he lives in Harlem

Actor Neil Patrick Harris moved to Harlem permanently with his family into a nice million dollar brownstone. He was recently interviewed by Charlie Rose and was asked “why live in Harlem?” Watch Harris explain.

View rendering of new Harlem condo going up on 110th and Central Park North

The gas station that was located on 110th Street and Central Park North in Harlem is completely gone and a rendering of what’s to go in that space is up! Take a look. Market rate apartments will be offered starting in the winter 2017. Stay tuned.

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Harlem Mural Contest, art to cover fence at 110th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd

There is an art mural contest happening in Harlem! The deadline is April 11. Here’s the details: Harlem art students, community members, school children involved in the arts should send their art work to publicmural@gmail.com. The various art pieces that come in will be used to create a huge mural to be printed on large-scale printed vinyls to go on the construction fence across on the corner of FDB and 110th Street. That’s where a new Harlem condo building is going up where the old gas station used to be.

See flyer below for more details.
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Free screening in Harlem of About Last Night-January 9, download tickets here

See the remake for free of About Last Night in Harlem, January 9th, at Magic Johnson Theater on 125th Street. Get tickets here.

This contemporary version closely follows new love for two couples as they journey from the bar to the bedroom and are eventually put to the test in the real world. The all-star cast includes: Kevin Hart (Think Like A Man, upcoming Ride Along), Regina Hall (Best Man Holiday), Michael Ealy (Think Like A Man, TV’s Almost Human), Joy Bryant (TV’s Parenthood) and is directed by Steve Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine, Accepted).

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Harlem holiday lighting events, Marcus Garvey Park December 5 and Frederick Douglass Circle December 12

There are two Harlem holiday lighting events happening for us to attend. Tonight is the annual Holiday Celebration of Lights at Marcus Garvey Park. It starts at 7 pm. Additional details are below.

A week from today, December 12th, the Friends of Frederick Douglass Circle are hosting a Holiday Tree Lighting starting at 6 pm. More information below.

So in essence our Thursdays are booked for December. Attend one or both events! See you there!

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Want a Harlem t-shirt? Keep Harlem, Harlem tees now available

On this Harlem blog, I use tees to feature the subject matter, ie Harlem. Sometimes readers ask, where can I buy a unique tee with the name Harlem on it? Here’s an option. One of my favorite Harlem sites, Harlem NYC, is now offering Harlem tees to purchase. The t-shirt says “Keep Harlem, Harlem.” Pretty cool…huh? If you’re interested in purchasing this Harlem tee, go here! And to check out Harlem NYC like I do, click here.

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Things to do with kids in Harlem: Free puppet show in Harlem of Little Red’s Hood September 15

The Friends of Frederick Douglass Circle are hosting a puppet mobile production of Little Red’s Hood in Harlem this coming Sunday, September 15 at 110th Street and FDB. The free event starts at 1 pm and all Harlem friends and family are invited to attend. See you there!
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Make Music New York happening at Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Circle June 21

There are several Harlem establishments participating in the seventh annual Make Music New York, “the largest music event ever to grace Gotham,” tomorrow June 21, such as Harlem Food Bar, bier international, The Winery and more. There is a new addition to this global musical event. Frederick Douglass Circle will be participating in Make Music New York starting at 5 pm at 110th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd where Frederick Douglass Circle is located! See details below!

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