The Armored Safe of Tradition: The Arthur Avenue Mercato The Mother’s Path For generations of Bronx families, a trip to Arthur Avenue wasn’t just “shopping”—it was a pilgrimage. Walking those blocks as a child, holding your mother’s hand, you weren’t just passing stores; you were walking through a gauntlet of tradition. From the snapping of… Continue reading The Armored Safe of Tradition: The Arthur Avenue Mercato
Tag: Bronx Archive
Columbia House: The Penny Revolution – When We Built Music Collections One Mailbox at a Time
Before music lived in our pockets, it arrived in our mailboxes. A reflection on Columbia House, the legendary penny deal, and the anticipation of building a music collection one package at a time. As the company prepares to shut down for good, this is a look back at the mailbox empire that helped soundtrack a generation.
The 1977 Blackout -The Day the High-Rise Became a Cave
True power doesn’t come from a socket in the wall. It comes from the person standing next to you Written by Dennis Harvell The 1977 Blackout – The Day the High-Rise Became a Cave The Vanishing The night of July 13, 1977, began with the hum of the 20th century. In our Bronx high‑rise, we… Continue reading The 1977 Blackout -The Day the High-Rise Became a Cave
The Soul of the Concourse: How Dominicans Rebuilt a Borough
Written by Dennis Harvell The Soul of the Concourse: How Dominicans Rebuilt a Borough For years, I walked the Grand Concourse thinking I understood what I was seeing. I saw families on stoops during those long, airless summers, crowds pushing toward the #4 train, kids turning concrete into playgrounds — and I saw people who… Continue reading The Soul of the Concourse: How Dominicans Rebuilt a Borough
Cuchifrito
Written by Dennis Harvell Cuchifritos The History: More Than Just “Fried Pork” The term cuchifritos traces back to Spain — cuchí (from cochinillo, or suckling pig) and frito (fried). But in New York City, especially during the great Puerto Rican migration of the 1940s and 50s, it transformed into something entirely new: a soul food… Continue reading Cuchifrito