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(image source | Richard Perry via NY Times)

The New York Times has posted a great series of articles about manufacturing that still occurs within the borders of NYC’s five boroughs. Check out the video summation and then move on to the individual articles.

- Bicycles

- Boilers

- Brushes

- Envelopes

- Matresses

- Specialty Lights

(image source | Curbed)

Curbed is reporting that the DKNY billboard that has occupied the south east corner of Broadway and Houston for nearly two decades is going bye-bye. Apparently this is upsetting some people who consider this advertisement a landmark. The current DKNY advertising, that features a NYC cityscape within the brands logo, is going to be grayed out and replaced with a new Hollister billboard. Hollister is the Abercrombie & Fitch counterpart that is taking over the store space on the corner. Now granted, I am a very nostalgic person and I don’t cope well with change, but seriously people? It is a billboard for overpriced goods. I didn’t care when the Domino’s sign was going to be removed from the Brooklyn factory turned condos, and I certainly do not care about losing this monstrous advertising. If this was a beautiful building, or a testament to the arts, absolutely save it! However, it is a billboard hocking crap you don’t need. Did you care when NYC lost the Domino’s Sugar jobs, or just the sign? Advertising is not and should never be considered a landmark – period. and exclamation point!

I know I posted this already, but it is Friday and I love it! I know you do too, so just watch it and laugh with me!

(image source | Motorino)

Living in the ‘wick I am subject to gentrification up the wazoo. Most of it freaks me out, as it brings a bunch of trust fund brats to the neighborhood. Not that I am going to pretend I want to worry about getting mugged on my way home to “keep it real”, just both ends of the spectrum are horrible in different ways. That being said, one welcome change to the nabe has been Motorino (ok, it is in Williamsburg, but I can walk there!). Sure a bunch of flannel shirts and tight jeans are in there on a regular (just look at the pic), but it is also high quality food at a good price. On my first visit to Motorino’s a few months ago I noticed two things. First, the prosciutto on my pizza was sliced fresh from the slab to order, not pre-cut sitting in an aluminum dish, losing all of it’s flavor, like most other “high-end” pizza joints. Second, there was a real effort put into branding the business. There simple, but effective maroon and white logo was prominently and consistently placed on their menus, marketing materials, business cards, pizza boxes and even their sugar packets.  Adding to the brand push, Motrorino has just released a new Brooklyn tee shirt, substituting the borough name for theirs. Simple and smart for everyone who is so proud of BK these days. On a serious note, you should check this place out, just don’t do it tonight, I plan on getting some grub their and don’t want to wait for you to get out of my table!

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(image source | Look at this F*cking Hipster)

While I do my best to continually post thought provoking, educational and just plain enjoyable posts for all of our valued readers, I also believe I must turn our readers onto the best of the inter-tubes. One such site that must be shared with the masses, is my latest favorite time killer – Look at This F*cking Hipster. Actually I can just look out my window and laugh at the parade of fools, but for those of you not lucky enough to live near the mecca of trust fund babies, aka Williamsburg, ENJOY!

TOMS shoes is being featured in the latest AT&T mobile commercial, and rightfully so. TOMS is a great company, founded on a simple premise; for every pair of shoes they sell, they give a pair to needy children around the globe. Sure AT&T is going to benefit from the advertisement, but more importantly, TOMS is getting some well deserved recognition and face-time on your television. TOMS has already given away 140,000 pairs of shoes to needy kids, through the “One for One” program, and hopes to give away 300,000 more in 2009. With this ad reaching millions of viewers, here’s to hoping an extra zero can be added to that goal!