Bed-Stuy Winter Wonderland To Double In Size, Add Store Makeovers

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — A Winter Wonderland aimed at helping the neighborhood recover from he coronavirus crisis is on its way back to Bed-Stuy, this time with even more vendors and new holiday makeovers for local stores.

The Winter Wonderland 2.0, announced this week with a press conference, will kick off Nov. 27 on Fulton Street and is organized by the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District, Van Alen Institute and the Urban Design Forum. Van Alen provided a grant through its pandemic recovery Neighborhood Now program.

This year, the holiday market will double in size and include money from Wells Fargo's "Hope, USA" initiative, which will fund decorations and other upgrades at local storefronts, organizers said.

“We are truly grateful for Neighborhoods Now and Wells Fargo for providing a safe, sound space for our merchants and community to come together to shop, explore, and celebrate the holiday season,” said BID Deputy Director Lynette Battle.

The "Hope, USA" campaign includes funding to beautify business districts in 16 cities across the country, according to organizers.

In Bed-Stuy, the money will go toward graffiti removal and holiday decorations for local storefronts and help expand the vendor space to double what it was last year.

The Winter Wonderland 2.0, designed by architecture firm Moody Nolan, will include an outdoor dining area and a staging spot for families to take photos.

Here's what to know:

WHAT: Winter Wonderland 2.0 open-air holiday market.

WHERE: Restoration West Plaza and Marcy Plaza.

WHEN: Launches on Saturday, Nov. 27 with a ribbon cutting at Restoration West Plaza. Will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

WHO: Bed-Stuy Gateway BID; the Neighborhoods Now program organized by Van Alen Institute and the Urban Design Forum, and Wells Fargo’s “Hope, USA” initiative and Architect Jonathan Nowlin of Moody Nolan.