by Jen G 
With sadness many readers have written in to let us know their favorite discount shop on Manhattan Ave – big D – which has served Greenpoint for over 35 years is closing.
I ran into second generation shop and building owner Joe Dweck who was scrawling “Store Closing” on the glass storefront. He explained that the decision to…
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Greenpointers has covered Greenpoint & Williamsburg since 2007 — community boards, rezoning fights, local businesses, and the people whose lives and work give the neighborhood its character. Local news is collapsing across the country, but we're still here: independently owned, no corporate backing, no paywall. 18+ years, 280k+ monthly readers and followers, funded by the community we serve.
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I like that they said something new will be opening in the space. Sounds like the existing Big D owners are working to make something else happen there. Hopefully it’s something useful to the community. I did like going to Big D for miscellaneous items.
It smelled like cancer and child labor but was always a good place to snag cheap holiday decor/boxes, and random home goods.
A longshot, but would be nice to see the Greenpoint Y expand into this space.
I live on the same block as Big D and am indeed saddened to see it go. No longer can I tell out-of-town guests to “just look for the big D!”. In all seriousness, Big D was a reliable dollar store for household items. Seems like Dweck is intimating that he is opening a new store in its place — can’t fathom what that’s about.
I’m SO sad to see it go. Where else are you going to find really cheap inexpensive items/ I’d like to see something simiar to this open because if it doesn’t we are going to have to go to a big box store and if you haven’t noticed Greenpoint doesn’t have one. Bye Big D…
SORRY TO SEE YOU GO. I LIVED IN GREENPOINT AND SEE COME TO GREENPOINT FOR MY DENTAL AND TAX NEEDS AND STILL LOVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ALL LIKE FAMILY, WALKED ON MANHATTAN AVENUE WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND JOHN’S BARGAIN STORE WAS THERE, THE 5&10 AND LOTS OF GOOD MEMORIES.
I will always remember buying my husband $10 sweaters from Big D for our first Christmas together. We were poor but there were lots of presents under the tree. Over the years, Big D has always had just what we needed. Sorry to see it go.
…like losing your favorite aunt.
This store furnished my apt when I moved to the neighborhood 6 years ago. It was nice to have a household stop and shop a block away. As for it becoming the Y- that’s a great idea but – probably not. They’re renovating the locker rooms in the current location- so I doubt they’re moving. The women at the nail salon across the street say its going to be another clothing store- but don’t know yet. If its urban outfitters I’m going to protest like there’s no tomorrow!!! But I agree, hopefully it’s something useful to the community.
Big D is a nice place, When its gone I just might clone it in NC due to its gone and a cool place to shop, when i go to NY Big D was always a place to stop and shop, now its gone i see $$$ in open a new line like what happen to roses dep shops in 1999