by Geoff Cobb 
Green Farms Supermarket (918 Manhattan Ave.) was one of the local stores my Polish-born wife and I regularly shopped to get authentic Polish food, but the store’s last evening of business was just two weeks ago. Though it had an American name, we never called it Green Farms. For us the market was “U Chlopakow” and it was a vibrant piece of Polish Greenpoint.
The shelves…
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Poland Farms? It’s been Green Farms forever. Never heard it referred to as Poland Farms.
Great article about the transformation of Greenpoint. Unfortunately, these changes will only worsen, as the L Line shuts down in 2019 and Hipsters move in, as well as a thriving Polish Economy and stricter U.S. immigration rules.
I inquired to one of the business owners closing down and was informed that it’s the same Polish property and business owners either ridiculously increasing rents or just not reneeing leases at all just so the City people can buy in with big $$$. Only the Polish people owners of those properties can stop this from happening. Unfortunately money seems to be at a higher property to them over community.
> Only the Polish people owners of those properties can stop this
That’s assuming they own all of the properties, which they most certainly don’t.
And would you hold it against them their wish to retire? Do you think they’d have a duty to take 70 cents on the dollar compared to properties next door while their taxes and utilities keep rising every year? You wouldn’t do that, so how can you require others stand on that pedestal?
Hi Darek,
I am one of those property owners who some day will cash out. No judgement on people who go back to Poland with a nice nest egg
from property sales.All the same I am sad to see Polonia disappearing
Great story. The only thing I would take issue with is the improved Polish economy. My polish friends tell me when you get outside Warsaw it is still very poor and if America had a liberal immigration policy there would be a new wave of immigrants to NYC along with many other countries.
What you say about Western Europe is true, ie why come to America with restricted policies when you can go to Western Europe but still be close to Poland.
It is true Greenpoint is only for the rich now. Many poles have moved to parts of Queens.
Seems like your friends need to go visit Gdynia, Kraków, Wrocław, Szczecin, etc. Heck even Rzeszów and Lublin.
I spent a year in Gdynia, and it’s downtown easily feels more affluent than Greenpoint (it’s not even close).
There’s plenty outside of Warsaw. Even people in small towns do well these days. What an outdated stereotype.
Pockets of poverty still exist of course, don’t they in NYC?
When I was 12 Years old I worked at Green Farms For 2 years
Funny To see the picture, Brought Back Many Memories.
Good riddance they are the rudest people on the planet.