All posts tagged: Al at the corner Deli

On Tuesday I found the roll-up gates to the Deli on the corner of Bedford and N. 7 closed. Located in the epicenter of rapidly gentrifying Williamsburg, I've not seen the gates ever down once since the 1990's. Besides the revelation of seeing the piece by Anthony Lister for the first time, I was a little confused to see it closed. Then I saw the cluster of lit candles and vases of flowers on the sidewalk by the entrance, and I learned that Al, the hard-working warm and friendly owner of the deli had passed away. Suddenly it was with sadness that I took this photo. Even though these images aren't specific to him, we dedicate this weeks images to Al, who really liked the street art in the neighborhood, and welcomed the artists who brought this neighborhood to life. Al was an example of what can make Brooklyn neighborhoods great - an open-hearted gentle and kind guy; he always had a moment to talk and joke with you and was always ready to help you with whatever you needed in his shop. R.I.P. Al and condolences to his family and friends. (photo © Jaime Rojo)