Harlem's changing dynamics have been much discussed as of late and West 116th Street might be one of one of the more interesting places to see what's happening with some of the recent arrivals in South Harlem. The commercial district of 116th Street between FDB/8th Avenue and ACP/7th has changed into an African immigrant neighborhood over the past decade or so and many specialty shops have since been set up. Stores ranging from restaurants, beauty salon and wholesalers have all lined the north side of the street and have formed one of the newest ethnic communities in the city. The old and new are now sort of mixing together nowadays since The Winery moved from their FDB location to the west corner of 116th in the past year and Make My Cake has their boutique cafe on the most eastern section of the strip.
Make My Cake is terrible. I tried it a few times and the desserts always tasted like something straight out of a Betty Crocker box...and expensive too. I really don't think that they make things from scratch.
ReplyDeleteIf you want delicious desserts try Tonnie's on Lenox Ave around 123rd St. However, Tonnie's has a limited selection of goodies.
I agree. We have quite an ethnic mix on that street - not at all what the NY Times map indicates for Harlem. We are not 1 color code - but a mix of color codes/colors/ethnicities.
ReplyDelete@D: Man, that's harsh! I don't usually go to the 116th spot, so maybe it's not good down there--but their other store, the one on 139th, is great, I go there all the time and the red velvet is dynamite.
ReplyDeleteBut otherwise--hurray for 116th!
This mix is one of the reasons I love this neighborhood!
ReplyDeleteMake my Cake does suck something awful, but it is a business that has continued to survive so more power to them. just because it's not my taste does not mean it should not have it's place.
ReplyDeleteThe mix is somewhere around 90% old world 10% new world. Make My Cake, has great cupcakes and if you're willing to spend $5.00 for one and prefer your service with a frown or cold expressionless blank reception, you'll like this place.
ReplyDelete116th is probably one of the most vibrant and genuinely cultural blocks in the city though.
That's what continues to make Harlem exciting, the mixture of old and new coming together.
ReplyDelete