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BROOKLYN, N.Y. - One of the most polluted waterways in the country, the Gowanus Canal is undergoing a federal cleanup as a Superfund site. But at one neighborhood shop, the Gowanus becomes “Superfun" spawning hats and other items highlighting the toxic canal that runs through the neighborhood. From poison bottles to towels decorated with deadly cocktails to creepy stickers.
"To my utter surprise the Gowanus souvenirs actually became a thing that people wanted and we're excited about it. I think it comes out of this joint love of the Gowanus and what a quirky odd paradoxical neighborhood it is," said Ute Zimmermann, owner of Gowanus Souvenir Shop.
What started as a hobby for Ute Zimmermann became a business. She opened Gowanus Souvenir Shop at 567 Union Street four years ago tapping local artists to create Gowanus themed products. The best sellers are the Gowanus Swim Team t-shirt and the Black Mayo artwork that glows in the dark.
"Black Mayo is the official name for the 10 feet of sludge at the bottom of the canal," Zimmermann said.
Items are priced from one dollar for some of the candy items with names like toxic waste, to more than a thousand dollars for artwork like a perfume bottle, Canal Number 5. While Zimmermann has seen a steady stream of customers over the years, she's ready to close the retail business and go wholesale instead, getting her products sold at the Brooklyn Museum and online. So now she's having a storewide sale with 25 percent off.
"I really like the store and because it's closing I wanted to get the last of the Gowanus items," said Lorrie Mann, a customer. "It's really fun for kids because it has a buch of cool stuff," said Isabel Brown, a customer.
that idea aint happening any time soon, there will always be raw sewerage being em[tied into it.
So don't hold your breath waiting for "Venice" along the banks of the Gowanus canal to happen.
This is toxic land, anyone that wants to live along this water way has got to be crazy.
brrr. humans. brrr. humans in charge of things.
how primitive society is. the gov't, the governor(s), mayor(s), the dept of "______________"
....everyone. the people of the land...
i don't believe it has to be this way. if we can build rovers and satellites and fly them around the universe - the gowanus canal can be....saved.
it cost i know some people have cared over the years.....but overall, it's not important enough. brr. 'it's still toxic.'
Opinion:
Closing up shop to go wholesale....errrr...More like the rent is to dang high...the prices are too dang high.....or the business is to dang slow..........
Phase one of the pilot kicked off back in December 2016 and involved removing large debris from the murky canal that were identified through sonar scanning.
that idea aint happening any time soon, there will always be raw sewerage being em[tied into it.
So don't hold your breath waiting for "Venice" along the banks of the Gowanus canal to happen.
This is toxic land, anyone that wants to live along this water way has got to be crazy.
Actually, the Whole Foods that's right off of it has tables outside so you can eat right outside of the store along the beautiful canal.
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