One of the best known department stores in New York is the upscale couturier Bloomingdale's. Does the name of this store have anything to do with this neighborhood?
Good question! And you can imagine its something that came up alot in my research. No connection whatsoever. Lyman and Joseph Bloomingdale started opened in 1872.
I did learn that Macy's and Bloomingale's are sister companies having both been acquired by the same company, Federated Department Stores (which, confusingly, now goes by Macy's Inc). Isidor Strauss, who co-owned Macy's with his brother, lived in Bloomingdale until he died with his wife on the Titanic.
I grew up on the Upper West Side and never heard anyone refer to Bloomingdale as anything other than a department store or music school. In other words, I never ran into Joel Meyerowitz when I was growing up, though I admire his photography and support of dental hygiese.
I haven’t been to 99th and Broadway in a while, and I can’t believe the old Metro theater is still there, empty and crumbling. I remember seeing Back to the Future Part III there in 1990. Looking back, it’s possible that was the first movie I saw in theaters. In any case, the Metro was a dump. By the mid-90s, there were six movie theaters on the Upper West Side, and Metro was easily the worst.
Yeah, I was as surprised as you are! Regarding the Metro, it looks like it will be an Alamo Draft House soon which is exciting considering how long its been vacant. It went from showing the Marx Brothers to Godard and Buñel to porn then, I guess Back to the Future III before closing in 2005. Several deals fell through for a Gristedes, Blink fitness and even the Alamo in 2012. But Alamo is back on the scene and have a liquor license which is as sure a sign as any that its for real.
Another fantastic piece, Rob! Beautifully written and illustrated. How wonderful that you worked with Joel Meyerowtiz, and in that neighborhood, too. Wishing you all the best and looking forward to more fascinating articles and photos in 2024.
My entire family has been in the neighborhood since the 60's and I've never heard the neighborhood referred to by this name before! We all attended The Bloomingdale School (aka PS 145) on 105th St., so it shouldn't be that much of a surprise!
Relatively new to your site and a huge fan! I have lived in the Bloomingdale neighborhood for more than 30 years and yet I learned so much from your piece. Thanks especially for the video - had no idea. (Moses knows best, ahem.) I recall the Maple Mystery well - somehow didn't realize it was limited to our neighborhood! I'm a kindred spirit, Rob, wandering the neighborhoods, and getting some good tips from you. Thanks - and keep it up!
Thanks Rachel! Always a little nervous to get feedback from actual neighborhood residents so I’m glad I didn’t get anything too wrong! Moses was like a bull in a china shop.
Apparently this Manhattantown project was the “beginning of the end” for him, though he managed to do plenty of damage afterwards. And the smell was not confined to the neighborhood (there were even sniffings in Queens) but I think the majority of complaints/calls came from the area. Thanks for reading!
Meant to add three things: if you only tried the round pie at Mama’s Too, I can understand you might have been underwhelmed. But their square (Sicilian? Detroit style?) pieces have made it impossible to eat any other pizza in the ‘hood, which is a shame for Sal & Carmine’s, the previous nabe fave! Do come back to try them - they are life-changers. The other item is the Firemen’s Memorial at 100th Street in Riverside Park, unveiled in 1913, which is significant for many historical reasons you can read about, but visitors should consider visiting on 9/11 for another reason. Since 2002, it’s been the site of the FDNY’s annual memorial to those they lost on 9/11. Firefighters gather from all five boroughs, wearing kilts (or their finest). The hymns they play on their bagpipes can be heard throughout the area. In front of the actual memorial is a tablet that the ASPCA set into the asphalt 1927 which memorializes the FDNY’s horses. I love that shared honor. Finally, the reason so many people are drawn to this neighborhood is its east-west borders: two glorious parks. (And of course Riverside Park’s bike lane runs from the GW Bridge to the Battery and them some.). Enough boosterism! Thanks again and can’t wait for more.
Ok, I'll go back for the square, and thanks for the reminder on Sal & Carmine's, I loved that place.
I also had many a lunch at the Fireman's memorial. There was a segment on NPR just his weekend on the history of Amazing Grace and they mentioned the post 9/11 commemoration at the memorial.
I have to ask:
One of the best known department stores in New York is the upscale couturier Bloomingdale's. Does the name of this store have anything to do with this neighborhood?
Good question! And you can imagine its something that came up alot in my research. No connection whatsoever. Lyman and Joseph Bloomingdale started opened in 1872.
I did learn that Macy's and Bloomingale's are sister companies having both been acquired by the same company, Federated Department Stores (which, confusingly, now goes by Macy's Inc). Isidor Strauss, who co-owned Macy's with his brother, lived in Bloomingdale until he died with his wife on the Titanic.
I grew up on the Upper West Side and never heard anyone refer to Bloomingdale as anything other than a department store or music school. In other words, I never ran into Joel Meyerowitz when I was growing up, though I admire his photography and support of dental hygiese.
I haven’t been to 99th and Broadway in a while, and I can’t believe the old Metro theater is still there, empty and crumbling. I remember seeing Back to the Future Part III there in 1990. Looking back, it’s possible that was the first movie I saw in theaters. In any case, the Metro was a dump. By the mid-90s, there were six movie theaters on the Upper West Side, and Metro was easily the worst.
Yeah, I was as surprised as you are! Regarding the Metro, it looks like it will be an Alamo Draft House soon which is exciting considering how long its been vacant. It went from showing the Marx Brothers to Godard and Buñel to porn then, I guess Back to the Future III before closing in 2005. Several deals fell through for a Gristedes, Blink fitness and even the Alamo in 2012. But Alamo is back on the scene and have a liquor license which is as sure a sign as any that its for real.
Another fantastic piece, Rob! Beautifully written and illustrated. How wonderful that you worked with Joel Meyerowtiz, and in that neighborhood, too. Wishing you all the best and looking forward to more fascinating articles and photos in 2024.
I appreciate it Alon! Yeah, Joel is the best, so fortunate to have worked with him. Happy New Year!
My entire family has been in the neighborhood since the 60's and I've never heard the neighborhood referred to by this name before! We all attended The Bloomingdale School (aka PS 145) on 105th St., so it shouldn't be that much of a surprise!
So happy to have found this lovely newsletter!
Glad you found me too! When I worked up there I had never heard of Bloomingdale either but now I’m a believer!
amazing post as always...and now you have me run to the kitchen to stick my nose into some crushed fenugreek...
happy new year !
Relatively new to your site and a huge fan! I have lived in the Bloomingdale neighborhood for more than 30 years and yet I learned so much from your piece. Thanks especially for the video - had no idea. (Moses knows best, ahem.) I recall the Maple Mystery well - somehow didn't realize it was limited to our neighborhood! I'm a kindred spirit, Rob, wandering the neighborhoods, and getting some good tips from you. Thanks - and keep it up!
Thanks Rachel! Always a little nervous to get feedback from actual neighborhood residents so I’m glad I didn’t get anything too wrong! Moses was like a bull in a china shop.
Apparently this Manhattantown project was the “beginning of the end” for him, though he managed to do plenty of damage afterwards. And the smell was not confined to the neighborhood (there were even sniffings in Queens) but I think the majority of complaints/calls came from the area. Thanks for reading!
Meant to add three things: if you only tried the round pie at Mama’s Too, I can understand you might have been underwhelmed. But their square (Sicilian? Detroit style?) pieces have made it impossible to eat any other pizza in the ‘hood, which is a shame for Sal & Carmine’s, the previous nabe fave! Do come back to try them - they are life-changers. The other item is the Firemen’s Memorial at 100th Street in Riverside Park, unveiled in 1913, which is significant for many historical reasons you can read about, but visitors should consider visiting on 9/11 for another reason. Since 2002, it’s been the site of the FDNY’s annual memorial to those they lost on 9/11. Firefighters gather from all five boroughs, wearing kilts (or their finest). The hymns they play on their bagpipes can be heard throughout the area. In front of the actual memorial is a tablet that the ASPCA set into the asphalt 1927 which memorializes the FDNY’s horses. I love that shared honor. Finally, the reason so many people are drawn to this neighborhood is its east-west borders: two glorious parks. (And of course Riverside Park’s bike lane runs from the GW Bridge to the Battery and them some.). Enough boosterism! Thanks again and can’t wait for more.
Ok, I'll go back for the square, and thanks for the reminder on Sal & Carmine's, I loved that place.
I also had many a lunch at the Fireman's memorial. There was a segment on NPR just his weekend on the history of Amazing Grace and they mentioned the post 9/11 commemoration at the memorial.
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/24/1221467563/how-sweet-the-sound-amazing-grace-turns-250
🎄👏👏👏👏what can I say you’ve done it again great edition happy holidays to you and your AMAZING daughter
How do you know my daughter??
I am your daughter muhahahaha
In that case, get back to class!
What was the source of the map above the text in your article, "...they anglicized the name to Bloomingdale and in 1708."?