"Happy Fridge:" Gowanus Community Fridge Relocates, Gets New Name

BROOKLYN, NY — After operating outside a plant nursery for over a year, the Gowanus Community Fridge on Bond Street started looking for a new home a couple months ago.

The take-what-you-need, leave-what-you-want fridge had to be taken out of service in April after it stopped working properly, and volunteers were already looking to relocate the fridge in the midst of nearby construction.

"The landlord has asked us to remove the fridge due to upcoming demolition of the adjacent lot," the group commented on an Instagram post announcing that the Nature Based fridge — eponymously named after its host — was being taken out of service. "We are hoping for a nearby business to host our new fridge if possible."

As of this week, that hope has become a reality: A new Gowanus Community Fridge is now set up on Hoyt Street between Third and Fourth streets hosted by Happy Cleaners, the group announced Monday.

Dubbed "Happy Fridge," in honor of the new business hosts, the Hoyt Street fridge is "up and running" and Gowanus Community Fridge is looking for an artist to add decoration and signage to its facade.

"We’re looking for an artist to give it some color and lettering love asap - please DM us if you or someone you know is interested!" the group said Monday.

In addition to Happy Fridge, volunteers with Gowanus Community Fridge also maintain a take-what-you-need, leave-what-you-want fridge and pantry at Postmark Cafe in Park Slope which the group says is "still going strong."

In March, though, Gowanus Community Fridge asked that neighbors donate more to that site, as a nearby grocery start-up shuttered its doors and stopped its frequent donations.

"There will be a noticeable drop off in the amount of food at this location. Help us make up the difference if you can! And ask your grocers if they have any food waste to be picked up!" Gowanus Community Fridge said at the time.

Community fridges, volunteer-led free food drop-off and pick-up sites, pre-date the pandemic as a way for community members to support each other in the fight against hunger.

The fridges, though, further proliferated during the pandemic, as part of a growing wave of mutual aid efforts.

In Gowanus, that network also includes Gowanus Mutual Aid, a volunteer group that (among other things) organizes "market days," where essential supplies are handed out in bulk for free in the neighborhood.

The group recently dismantled its free store, which stood near the community fridge, and is now reconsidering its role in the community and focusing on other community efforts.