Tompkins Avenue Open Street Returns To Bed-Stuy For 4th Summer

BED-STUY, NY — Bed-Stuy's Tompkins Avenue Open Street is set for another summer, kicking off on June 4 with a day full of music, food and even yoga.

The Open Street, which stretches from Gates Avenue to Halsey Street, will run for 16 Sundays and end in October.

Tompkins' momentous summer kick off will include live music, an all-day DJ, a dance performance and long stretches of vendor markets.

“Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, a merchant, vendor, or visitor—everyone who visits Tompkins Avenue contributes to the continued prosperity of Central Brooklyn,” said Gregory Anderson, President and CEO of Bridge Street Development Corporation.

The fourth annual Tompkins Avenue will have some community-requested upgrades.

"The 2023 Tompkins Avenue Open Streets will come with updated plans for sanitation, double parking, and restroom accommodations, as well as the launch of a dedicated website providing information on the initiative like real-time updates in the event of inclement weather," according to the corporation.

Throughout the summer, special themes will highlight what makes Bed-Stuy so special, ranging from the pet Olympics to an Anime-themed day. Some days will include crafts, others musicians, and others will bring attention to cultural issues like men's health, according to the corporation.

This year's programming will focus on "reimagining Tompkins Avenue as a car-free space," according to the corporation.

But central to the Open Streets' mission is highlighting Brooklyn's businesses and boosting local economy.

Known as one of NYC's top 10 Open Streets, the Tompkins Avenue stretch covers over 30 businesses, the majority of which are BIPOC and women-owned, according to the Bridge Street Development Corporation.

A 2022 Department of Transportation study showed that Open Streets saw significantly higher sales and open eateries than their more heavily-trafficked neighbors.