For every neon sign, there is story. For us it’s the story of Jen, who sought out a sign maker for Greenpointers and discovered a dying art. It’s the story of skills passed down from father to son that inspired Jen enough to work on capturing an otherwise lost craft on film.
The Greenpointers neon sign is an artifact of “Gasper & Son” and is the symbolic torch that was passed down when Jen sold Greenpointers – rooted in inspiration with a deep respect for creativity and artistry that serves the local community. It makes an appearance in all of the Greenpointers events and will light up our bar again at the upcoming Summer Market. Continue reading →
[Carolina Ro Design created this chalk art “neon” sign for Gasper & Son.]
It’s true everybody is talking about Queens these days…
What does Greenpoint have to do with Queens!? Aside from bordering one another on the world’s most wonderfully polluted waterway, this amazing community came together to help produce a neon sign documentary called Gasper & Son. The film’s Directors and Editor and Director of Photography, Hannah Jayanti and Miguel Rodriguez, respectively both work and live in Greenpoint. Plus, the story of neon sign shop owner Robbie Ingui was shot in Queens, the film’s Director & Producer (and former Greenpointers owner) Jen G Pywell is from Queens and its NYC premier is this Friday at the Queens World Film Festival.
And it’s about so much more than Queens! It’s about family, the struggle of being a small business in NYC, the challenges of keeping a hand craft alive – and did we mention neon!?
Side note: I am flying from Oregon to NYC for the weekend and aside from the half hour I will be in Queens, I will be spending the rest of my time eating my way through Greenpoint. Can’t wait to see you wonderful people!
Thanks to everyone who helped produce this film, our kickstarter donors and all the talented people who came together to make this happen. It has been a truly collaborative effort and has come together brilliantly!
Please watch the trailer and let us know what you think. We have been submitting Gasper & Son to national film festivals and will announce screenings soon.
We will also be screening the trailer this Sunday at our Greenpointers Holiday Market. Buy $5 raffle tickets with the chance to win prizes from the following local businesses who are generously supporting the film:
If you want to help us cover the post-production costs please make a donation to Gasper & Son via paypal (in $5 increments). Funds raised will go toward producing the trailer, music licensing, sound mix and festival submission fees. Continue reading →
Greenpoint Gallery Night @ Friday (3/20) 7pm, FREE, An ongoing effort to shed light on Greenpoint’s exceptional galleries, art organizations, and businesses that feature artwork. Start your evening immersed in art while sampling tasty boozy libations along the way. Check out our Art Crawl guide here, RSVP
WEDNESDAY 3/18
* Four Way Books Press Night @ Word (126 Franklin St) 7pm, FREE, Get to know Four Way Books with authors Daniel Wolff, Gregory Pardlo, Elizabeth T. Gray, and Rachel Eliza Griffiths, More info ♫ Frogbelly & Symphony Record Release @ Rough Trade (64 North 9th St) 8pm, $10, With Christina Courtin / Charming Disaster / Billy Cancel, More info Continue reading →
And I couldn’t think of a better morning to announce it because after yesterday’s election recreational marijuana is now legal here. While that is a respectable reason to move across the country, it isn’t the exact reason why I am now here. My husband Jon took a position as City Forester in Corvallis and our dreams have come true to go to hot springs and hikes every weekend and be around big beautiful trees. Can you tell I am happy?
I lived the last 33 years – my entire life – in NYC and it was time to move on. But Greenpoint will always be the home I return to. In fact, I’ll be back in a few weeks for our Holiday Market (12/7) and to screen our “Gasper & Son” Neon Documentary. I’m stoked to see everyone!
What about Greenpointers?
I have been answering this question for months. While running the business from the West Coast has been really fun and is totally manageable, I believe the best thing for Greenpointers is to hand the torch to someone who will continue its mission to serve you, the amazingly wonderful people of Greenpoint, while living less than 3,000 miles away.
Greenpointers is officially for sale.
Not only is the online business very successful but our events are a huge part of the brand, so I hope to find someone who can be a savvy local publisher and an event planning guru. I know you are out there. Continue reading →
[sponsored] Nightfall at the Distillery: A pre-Halloween party at NY Distilling Co. Tuesday, October 20, 6-10PM NY Distilling Co. (79 Richardson St.)
$25 advanced tickets online; $35 at the door (cash only) – RSVP WhiskeyWisemenNYC + Bombshell Bakers presents an almost Halloween party with booze tasting and performances, More info
WEDNESDAY 10/14 ♫ Violent Mae CMJ Show@ Muchmore’s (2 Havemeyer St) 7pm, FREE, With Grand Courriers / Slight / Sweet Bronco / Warehouse Eyes, RSVP * Human Rights Through a Different Lens@ UnionDocs (322 Union Ave) 7:30pm, $9, Screening of Civil Rights activist documentary The Bus, plus a teaser for Whose Streets, More info
THURSDAY 10/15
♫ Get Summered CMJ Showcase @ Tender Trap (66 Greenpoint Ave) 8pm, $10, With Lance Neptune / Isiah Panther / Trove, More info
* The MUFF Society Presents Ginger Snaps @ Videology (308 Bedford Ave) 9pm, $7, There will also be film-themed prizes and freebies, plus a werewolf-inspired photobooth, RSVP
WEDNESDAY 7/08 * Giglio Opening Night Ceremonies @ North 8th & Havemeyer St, 6pm, FREE, One of the oldest Italian American traditions in America, honoring Nolani patron saint San Paolino, More info ^ Debut Fiction Night @ Word (126 Franklin St) 7pm, FREE, Jessamyn Hope, Sara Nović, and Tracy O’Neill discuss the experience of writing and publishing their first book-length works, RSVP * Dancorcism @Lutheran Church of the Messiah (129 Russell St) 8pm, $15, A one-hour dance party for your soul, with high-energy dance routines, stretching, and meditation, More info
It’s always good to end the year with a bang, so I am extremely excited to announce that Greenpointers is sold!
Julia Moak, a native New Yorker and Greenpoint resident is the new Owner of Greenpointers. Please welcome her aboard!
There was quite a bit of interest in this sale from other local publishers and talented creative teams. But in order to keep the soul of this business alive and its neighborly point of view in tact, I was hoping to find a community minded individual who has a vested interest in Greenpoint. I found Julia.
Over brunch at Five Leaves’ amazing House Made Ricotta, I found Julia to be intelligent, enthusiastic, energetic and full of great ideas for Greenpointers. She comes from a technology start-up background, so look forward to updates and improvements on the website. Julia strongly values the arts and local businesses and does most of her socializing in the 11222, so I’m sure you will see her around town. And meet Julia at the next Greenpointers Valentine’s Market on Sunday February 8th! Hopefully she will bring along her “jorkie” pup Ella, too.
When I bought Greenpointers from Justine three years ago you gave me a chance and have been incredibly supportive since. Thank you. I have been profoundly touched by this community and so many talented amazing individuals who call Greenpoint home. I’ve been able to do things I’d never imagined I could, like the Gasper & Son documentary among countless other creative projects and events. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I won’t be totally out of the picture just yet because I will be working with Julia to transition the business for a few months.
If you want to catch any of my west coast mule riding or owl hugging antics follow me on Instagram @jengphoto, Tumblr and my website jengpywell.com.
I will remain a huge fan and supporter of Greenpointers and I hope you do, too. I look forward to seeing what Julia creates and feel confident that with the support of readers and the community she can bring Greenpointers to the next level!
Thanks so much for all the talented vendors who brought their unique handmade products to our Holiday Market this year. It was a great success and a gorgeous day full of lovely happy faces. Stay tuned for our Valentine’s Market on Sunday 2/8!!!
The Greenpointers neon sign is an artifact of “Gasper & Son” and is the symbolic torch that was passed down when Jen sold Greenpointers – rooted in inspiration with a deep respect for creativity and artistry that serves the local community. It makes an appearance in all of the Greenpointers events and will light up our bar again at the upcoming Summer Market. Continue reading 
