BY JESSICA PARKS
Holiday lights will adorn
three commercial strips in
Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights,
and Bensonhurst this season,
even after budget shortfalls
from the COVID-19 pandemic
nearly nixed the displays.
One local politician, who
helped fund the lights’ installation,
said that the arrays
will cheer up locals during the
diffi cult year.
“This year, little stuff like
this takes on a new signifi -
cance,” said Councilman Justin
Brannan, who represents
Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights,
two neighborhoods known
for their larger-than-life holiday
decorations. “With a lot
of stuff getting cut this year
because of budget restraints,
I felt like this was something
that was important.”
Last month, Bay Ridgeites
raised $9,000 over a period of
two days through an online
fundraiser hosted by lifelong
resident Bianca Papas to save
the Third Avenue holiday lights
— a 26-year tradition upheld by
the Third Avenue Merchants’
Association, who could not foot
the bill this year because many
member businesses have fallen
behind on their dues.
“This is why people call us a
small town in a big city,” Brannan
said about the outpouring
of support from Bay Ridge residents.
COURIER L 6 IFE, DECEMBER 4-10, 2020
“I think it’s for things
like this where the community
takes pride and if there is a
way that can help, they do.”
The councilman covered
the remaining half of the bill
to light the 30 blocks between
Bay Ridge and Marine avenues,
and secured funding to
sponsor two other commercial
strip lightings in his district.
“I wanted to do what I could
to keep that holiday spirit alive
at a time when we could all really
use some,” he said.
This will be the second consecutive
year holiday lights
will be strung along the Dyker
Heights and Bensonhurst
thoroughfares — on 13th Avenue,
between Bay Ridge Avenue
and 83rd Street, and along
18th Avenue, between Benson
Avenue and 64th Street — after
Brannan helped resurrect
the decades-old tradition last
year.
The avenue lightings, completed
in partnership with local
Italian-American association
Il Centro, is especially important
for locals, since Dyker
Heights’ famous lights display
tends to be overwhelmed by
tourists each year.
Keeping the lights on this
year has been more important
Louie Coluccio of ALC Italian Grocery on Bay Ridge’s Third Avenue.
Photo by Jessica Parks
than ever, Brannan said,
as the coronavirus pandemic
continues to halt many holiday
traditions, he added, is a
safe and simple way to bring
some much-needed holiday
cheer to local families.
Third Avenue business owners
expressed their delight in
seeing the lights strewn along
the thoroughfare this year, saying
the initiative brings about a
sense of community amid such
a diffi cult year for small businesses
faced with shutdowns.
“I love what happened with
the lights,” said Louie Coluccio
of ALC Italian Grocery
on Bay Ridge’s Third Avenue.
“Merchants realize that the
community cares and appreciates
the avenue and wants to
see it thrive. I think it renewed
everybody’s hope.”
ALL AGLOW
Holiday displays light up southern Brooklyn
shopping strips despite fi scal shortfalls
Initial visit with coupon only. Must mention at time of appointment. Excludes house calls. Expires 4/30/19
12/31/2020
Walk-Ins Welcome Brooklyn: Mon. 9am-2pm, Wed. 9am-12pm & 4pm-7pm, Fri. 1pm-6pm
2075 Flatbush Avenue
Avenue P / Near Library