A MotherSister Minute: Marcie Bohan & Gabrielle Napolitano-Swift
A Philly girl and a mom of three, Marcie Bohan reminds me of my godmother Rose: Both are neighborhood connectors of a kind that’s woefully rare to find these days, friendly, funny, and on-the-go. Marcie and mom-of-two Gabrielle Napolitano-Swift have just opened the best new shop in the neighborhood, Still Hip, a sunny clothing/toy resale joint with much-needed space for kiddie classes — an idea long overdue given the local baby boom. “Something’s in the water in this neighborhood,” opined Gabby, who’d been told by her doctor that she would have to undergo advanced fertility treatments to have children. Until, that is, she started looking for a place in Fort Greene. “We found a two-bedroom after looking for two years — the price was right — and then I found out I was pregnant.” Officially open only a few days at this writing, Still Hip appears to be a hit already: A steady stream of neighborhood parents and grandparents dropped in during the short time I was there, scoring an $8 Sprewell Knicks jersey for The Scamp and chatting with the ladies for a MotherSister Minute.
GABBY (at right)
LIVING HERE SINCE: 2002.
WHY FORT GREENE/CLINTON HILL: When we were looking, we decided we wanted to start a family and this is exactly where we wanted to do it.
FAVORITE PLACE IN THE AREA: Choice — I just love going there. Nu Yu Spa. Underwood Playground.
MIKE’S COFFEE SHOP OR PRATT COFFEE SHOP: Pratt. Bigger, easier, and the food tastes better. It’s much better for kids — they have high chairs and you can take a stroller in.
TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Pay attention to the parking regulations (we have some overzealous meter maids around here). And look for art everywhere because you’ll find it!
MARCIE (at left)
LIVING HERE SINCE: 2002.
WHY FORT GREENE/CLINTON HILL: We needed more space (with one baby and another on the way), and we fell in love with the Graham Home for Old Ladies.
FAVORITE PLACE IN THE AREA: My house. And Underwood Park.
MIKE’S COFFEE SHOP OR PRATT COFFEE SHOP: Definitely Mike’s. My kids know it and just run right in.
TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Get out there, get in the playgrounds, walk around, go to the library. This is the easiest neighborhood to meet people in.
Still Hip is at 283 Grand Avenue, between Lafayette Avenue and Clifton Place (tel. 718/398-0008). The shop is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 6pm (from 10am in the autumn).
July 30th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Your neighborhood seriously sounds so cool.
July 30th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
It is.
I’m a believer in the idea that a neighborhood is only as good as the people in it, and there have been some great people in this one for a long time. I hope that continues.