Celebrating Juneteenth, plus coffee shop openings, new beauty stores and summer soirees...
We're sharing neighborhood openings, events, happenings and more.
Each week we share the latest things going on around the neighborhood including the most important news and events to keep you connected to where you live!
Here’s what’s happening this week:
Honoring Juneteenth in Brooklyn: Juneteenth marks a powerful moment in American history. As we commemorate this day, we’ll be highlighting events in Cobble Hill and nearby neighborhoods that honor Black history, culture, and community. Join us in supporting local gatherings, educational forums, and celebrations that uplift voices and stories that matter. For a comprehensive list of happenings in Brooklyn, check out this Brooklyn Mavens post. And, for more Juneteenth events happening around the city, click here.
Casita now open! This popular Park Slope coffee shop has opened a new location in the Cobble Hill neighborhood. Opened by a husband and wife duo bringing together both Greek and Hispanic cultures, they’re serving drinks like Greek Frappés and Café Con Leche. You can find them at the Yard Bar for an outdoor experience at 273 Pacific Street.
Opening—Brooklyn Granary & Mill bakery! This Friday, June 20th, a new bakery will open on the first floor of Brooklyn Granary and Mill at 240 Huntington Street in Gowanus. They will sell 100% whole grain bread, pastries, and savory baked goods using flour milled on site at BGM, which opened in the spring.
BSE Global, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, is slated to open A Brooklyn Basketball Training Center across from Barclays Center this fall. The 18,600 sq. ft. training center will be operated by BSE Global’s flagship youth basketball program, Brooklyn Basketball, which is dedicated to nurturing young basketball players and enthusiasts to unlock their full potential on and off the court.
Ject now open! A new medical spa has popped up in Cobble Hill offering services like Microneedling, acne treatment, facials and more. They’re currently running a limited time promotion—50% off a one-year membership with additional bonuses if you sign up by June 30, details here.
Don’t forget to vote! Primary Election Day is June 24th, 2025. Find your nearest poll site here.
Our Top Picks
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out- reserve tickets early!
Today, Thursday, June 19:
BRIC Brooklyn’s 3rd Annual Juneteenth in the Park @ Prospect Park, (5:00-7:00pm): Your Juneteenth plans are covered with Prospect Park’s annual celebration of Black freedom and creativity – this year, rooted in the holiday’s historic Texas origins. Voices of a People’s History shares readings from an anthology edited by historians Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove that honors the stories and traditions woven into the diverse tapestry of American history. DJ Flash Gordon Parks opens with a set inspired by Houston’s deep musical legacy of Hip-Hop, funk, and soul. FREE—RSVP recommended.
Summer Soiree @ Brooklyn Cat Cafe (6:00pm-8:30pm)*: Brooklyn Cat Cafe hosts a Juneteenth-honoring evening of music, local vendors, and playtime with cats, marking the debut of NYC’s first publicly accessible “catio”. Purchase tickets ($60) here.
Juneteenth Family Trolley Tour @ Green-Wood, (10:30am-12:00pm)*: Celebrate Juneteenth with a family trolley tour at Green-Wood! Discover the powerful stories of remarkable Black Americans whose legacies continue to inspire generations. Create meaningful memories while honoring the enduring values of freedom, justice, and community that Juneteenth represents. FREE—registration required.
Friday, June 20:
Summer Solstice @ Strong Rope Brewery (2:00pm-11:00pm): Spend the longest day of the year in Red Hook! Featuring a Pig Roast with Hometown BBQ, live music from The Butcher Shop, and other local vendors, the event is free to attend complete with a view of the sunset behind the Statue of Liberty. More here.
Saturday, June 21:
Pace Runs Juneteenth @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (8:30am-10:00am)*: TODAY is the last day to register here. Join Pace Runs for a special Juneteenth 5k to honor freedom and community. After the 5K, there will be a celebration featuring small businesses, local food and music.
Liz’s Book Bar 1-Year Anniversary @ Liz’s Book Bar (2:00pm-5:00pm): Celebrate the 1-year anniversary of Liz’s Book Bar with games, giveaways, sips and live music!
Sunday June 22:
Kids Storytime w/ Taylor Darks & Sharee Miller: Be, Black Girl, Be @ Books Are Magic Montague St., (11:00am-12:00pm): Celebrate self-worth and sisterhood at a storytime with Be, Black Girl, Be, a beautifully illustrated affirmation of joy, strength, and identity for young readers. RSVP encouraged, details here.
Multi-Day Events:
Thursday June 19 + Friday June 20:
Commemorating Juneteenth @ Brooklyn Academy of Music (6/19 2:00pm + 6/20 7:30pm)*: Enjoy a curated marketplace with handcrafted goods from local makers, designers and small businesses. Open Saturday and Sunday from 11am-6pm. Get all the details and RSVP here.
Photoville Festival June 7-June 22:
Photoville @ Brooklyn Bridge Park— closing THIS WEEK 6/7-6/22: Photoville, a photo festival amplifying visual storytellers, presents a free visual storytelling event bringing various artists to Brooklyn Bridge Park, featuring 60 exhibitions and free public programming. Take part in interactive workshops for all levels and ages from an array of partners, artists and Photoville team-led photography walking tours, free virtual Professional Development sessions with Diversity Photo, panel discussions with festival artists and exhibition partners, and happy hours for educators and artists. FREE.
Book ahead for these popular events:
Coastal Cleanup @ Brooklyn Bridge Park Sunday, June 22 (12:00pm-2:00pm) Help cleanup the shoreline. Full details will be sent to registrants prior to the event. Advanced registration is required here.
Submit an event to be considered for this weekly events roundup!
Did we miss anything? Add in comments below. 👇
Local Business Buzz ✨
Wandel—a soft, clean-ingredient, bite-sized treat born out of a Cobble Hill apartment is popping up on more grocery store shelves across Brooklyn. They recently offered samples at Union Market on Court Street and can be found at local favorites like Shelsky’s and Lassen & Hennigs. Keep an eye out next time you’re shopping nearby!
Grand Army new summer menu. Enjoy their updated food menu for summer including artichoke dip, scallop ceviche, a spin on their classic deviled eggs, vegan meatballs and tots. Yum!
Brooklyn Real Estate 🏠
The founders of eco-conscious wallpaper brand Trove - Jee Levin and Randall Buck - just listed their Brooklyn Heights duplex at 220 Columbia Heights for $4.29M, showcasing bespoke interiors, a private garden, and original 1860s details. They bought the home in 2013 for $1.87M and are upsizing nearby after more than a decade of design-driven living. [The New York Post]
The Dubois Bunche Public Policy Center at Medgar Evers College is intensifying efforts to combat deed theft and foreclosure among Black homeowners in Brooklyn, offering over 100 hours of workshops on financial literacy and legal support. Amid ongoing gentrification pressures that threaten to displace longtime residents, New York City’s Black homeownership rate remains low at just 31%. [BK Reader]
Actor Michael Shannon’s cozy Brooklyn home, located in a converted church, offers a soulful retreat filled with Venetian plaster walls, antique rugs, and personal heirlooms. He recently gave Architectural Digest an exclusive tour, showcasing how interior designer Colleen Newell helped transform the space into a meditative, artful sanctuary that reflects his unique style and history. [Architectural Digest]
Thanks for being part of this community!
If you enjoyed this newsletter, like this post so other readers can find it on Substack, or share it with a fellow neighbor who might enjoy this too!
This newsletter may be paywalled from time to time to help fund our local coverage of the neighborhood. A special thanks to subscribers who pay for this publication to help keep our neighbors connected to where they live.
Just like our sister publication, Park Slope Pulse, we’ve got some great content lined up for the rest of the year — stay tuned!
Interested in sponsoring this newsletter (sponsored editions will be free to everyone thanks to your support!), have a tip, or want to share feedback?
Reply to this newsletter!