Red Hook’s Resiliency Shines Through Its Businesses One Year After Sandy

It was one year ago that Superstorm Sandy ravaged Brooklyn and much of the metropolitan area. Communities all throughout Brooklyn suffered from fallen trees and building damage, but it was Red Hook that felt Sandy’s wrath more than most.

The industrial waterfront provides beautiful views, but so many homes and businesses sitting on the shoreline were left severely damaged from the storm. That damage was so large that it took most Red Hook businesses months to recover; some even close to a year.

“We were completely flooded out,” said Susan Povich of The Red Hook Lobster Pound. 

Right near the water on Van Brunt Street -- a road that suffered some of the heaviest damage during the storm -- it took the Lobster Pound about four months to rebuild before reopening on March 1.

But like the rest of the businesses wrecked by the storm, they persevered.

“We had to rebuild our entire business,” Povich said. “But we’re back, we’re better than we were, we built smarter…and it’s really been wonderful.”

The beginning of March was a big turning point for much of Red Hook, as March 1 marked the reopening of the Fairway Market. A crucial part of the business district, the 40,000 square-foot market -- also on Van Brunt Street – brought life back to the area once they reopened. Not only did their opening bring business back, but they also donated $30,000 to Restore Red Hook, a group developed after Sandy that sends every dollar to small businesses affected by the storm.

“The Fairway was closed for four months so until March, all of Red Hook was really slow,” said James Ferrarone, general manager of Brooklyn Crab. “Things really did start to turn around March 1 when the Fairway reopened. Business picked up significantly.”

While not all businesses were physically wrecked, all felt the effects. Brooklyn Crab’s structure, which has them built 14 feet above ground level, saved them from a lot of damage. But that doesn’t mean they got through the storm untouched. 

“We were without power for two weeks and it took a long time for things to get back to normal,” Ferrarone said.

But again, like the rest of Red Hook, they powered through.

“We took time to prepare for the season last winter because it was so slow,” he added. “We were able to expand the kitchen and rolled out a new menu.”

Now in its second year, the restaurant is open year-round.

While some businesses like Brooklyn Crab avoided serious damage, and others like the Lobster Pound took a few months to rebuild, one Red Hook mainstay needed almost a year to return.

A staple that dates back to 1890, Sunny’s Bar on Conover Street was destroyed.

“Water filled the entire basement that houses all of the mechanical systems for the building,” reads the bar’s fundraiser on Kickstarter. They needed to replace the boiler, water heater, compressor, refrigerator, ice machine, electrical panels and wiring. 

Along with having to replace most of their existing stock, water also came into the first floor of the bar and rose two feet. This buckled the floors and ruined musical instruments and a much of their sound equipment.

The pattern of resiliency continued, however, and the community rallied together to help bring Sunny’s back to life. Their Kickstarter raised over $34,000 toward the rebuild, and on Aug. 29, 10 months after Sandy, the bar finally opened its doors once again.

It took all of a year, but the Red Hook business district is back…and arguably better than ever. 

 “We’re so thankful for all customers,” Ferrarone said. “And we’re looking forward to another successful and hopefully storm-free year.”