Harlem Look Today

The bankruptcy and probable liquidation of Levitz Furniture will have effects in the real world. They have two branches I know about in New York City. One is at the Baychester Mall by Co-op City in the Bronx, the other is on E. 125th St. This is bound to have some effect on the real estate bubble in New York, in bringing it down.

Other sites in Harlem are threatened by the gentrification. Here is a picture of the "Record Shack", a scene of intense skirmishes in the 1990s, but it seems they will really have to go this time, by March 2008. Not far away, also scheduled to close is Bobby's Happy House, on Frederick Douglas (8th Ave) between 125th st and 126th st.

So keep tight with the t-shirt queen, and Happy New Years.

Let's Get it On- Marvin Gaye

pix of Marvin Gaye, from www.wahwah.com

We like to sell at auction, even if it means a loss;
Cause clearance is still found cash, that you thought was for nought;
I ain't gonna worry, ain't gonna push, won't push you baby;
Comin' this auction is starting, let's not beat around george bush;
Let's get it on.



Yes, Ms. CD, of C & S Design, 119 East 124th St, Harlem NY is hitting the auction Block, and let's get it on!!!

1. I LOVE HARLEM T-SHIRT - all sizes, for $8.99, plus $5 (only $2 extra for doubles or up to 4 items) for shipping.

All the following items are for $11.99 plus $5 (only $2 more extra for doubles, up to 4 items)shipping.

2. My Heart Belongs to Harlem T-shirt - $11.99 plus $5 shipping.

3. God is Love, God is the Greatest- Tshirt

4. God is Like.... T-shirt (He's like a lotta stuff! All Good.)
NEW SPECIAL---- ONLY $9.99 !!!!!!!!

5. When I Was Born I Was Black (T-shirt)

6. I LOVE HARLEM Cap also for $11.99 plus $5 shipping.

So go to the auction block for these items. Don't wait for the auction block for slavery or pseudo-slavery. Show you Harlem Pride.

When I was Born Black- T-shirt

You can get this shirt right now on ebay at:
When I Was Born I Was Black

This can be a bit of a controversial subject, it can go way beyond a t-shirt. But don't you have a lot of nerve to call me colored, if I'm black? You change from pink as a baby, to blue when you are cold, and when you are sick you get pale.

Anyway, I think we in the United States have to go through the whole struggle again on racial issues, and the general welfare. We cannot be gentrifying and kicking people out of cities. That is the only place they can afford to live. The irony, is that the suburb is actually dying, because people are beginning to not be able to afford suburban living with high heating and energy and transportation costs. Poor people have known that living in the city is cheaper for a long time.

Ask the t-shirt queen about that, she'll tell you!

Harlem T-Shirt Queen Hits eBay

Yes, Ms. CD, of C & S Design, 119 East 124th St, Harlem NY is hitting the auction block, but just for her t-shirts. She has 5 t-shirts and an "I LOVE HARLEM" cap, and if you pay the low starting price, that is good enough.

Ms. CD is of Indian extraction but have lived in Harlem and New York for over 20 years. She went into business after the recently passing away of her husband. Ms. CD is famous for her line of I Love Harlem apparel and her appearance at many political, journalistic and church events. I actually met her at the Christmas party for the Harlem News Group. Anyway here are the auctions this week:

1. I LOVE HARLEM T-SHIRT - all sizes, for $11.99, plus $5 for shipping.

All the following items are for $14.99 plus $5 shipping.

2. My Heart Belongs to Harlem T-shirt - $14.99 plus $5 shipping.

3. God is Love, God is the Greatest- Tshirt

4. God is Like.... T-shirt (He's like a lotta stuff! All Good.)

5. When I Was Born I Was Black (T-shirt)

6. I LOVE HARLEM Cap also for $14.99 plus $5 shipping.

So go to the auction block for these items. Don't wait for the auction block for slavery or pseudo-slavery. Show you Harlem Pride.

Small Businesses Struggling in Harlem

Uptown Harlem Flavor



Lots of small businesses are struggling in Harlem, especially now that the big box stores are about to invade, and a few are there already, like Old Navy. I read about this one at Harlem Business News.

"Customer service is the key to success in his line of business, says Abdoul-Diallo co-owner of a multi purpose phone card store located at 1951 Seventh Avenue in Harlem." I visited this business along with many others while doing political organizing work in Harlem. A lot of people doubt the origin of things like the September 11th 2001 attacks on New York and Washington DC. Many believe that these attacks were at least partially, and in key aspects inside jobs, to make the USA strike out against Iraq and other countries. However, sometime it is hard to tell political sentiment from general friendly. And Mr. Diallo is obviously very friendly.

"His business provides job opportunities for Uptown residents and also stocks popular accessories throughout the year. International callings cards is his main product line but he notes that most of his profit comes from selling T-shirts. As we spoke, African-American and African immigrants walked in and out—assorted languages, French, Wolof and Mandingo are spoken here."

Mr. Diallo often sells on credit, and in general tries to help his customers. He can be reached at his store, at (212) 222-5927.

And don't forget Ms. CD, the T-Shirt Queen, and C & S Design, maker of the I Love Harlem line of apparel.

Harlem's World Famous Cotton Club

This club started out as an establishment opened by heavyweight boxer, Jack Johnson, called Club De Lux, which closed in 1923, and then reopened as the Cotton Club. Only the wealthiest, most influential, famous, and notorious went there. Many early black entertainers got their start at the Cotton Club including Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters, Cab Calloway, and Lena Home. The club offered the opportunity to mingle with the gangsters and celebrities, as well as, sample the best of décor, cuisine, and entertainment New York had to offer. It was resurrected in 1978 by the current owner, Mr. John Beatty. Since its opening in 1923, the club has been famous for its finest in musical entertainment, and still today continues in this great virtue. It still features five-star cuisine along with a swing dance night, a jazz show, and a brunch and gospel show. One of the targets of Columbia University’s expansion uptown is the Cotton Club which is located on a narrow tract of land on 125th Street by the West Side Highway. For more information on this Harlem Landmark, go to link. And check out the "I Love Harlem Apparel" and the Tee Shirt Queen store and Love Harlem Forever.

The other Harlem Mall

The other Harlem Mall, which has begun construction, is the East Plaza Mall, at 116th St to 119th St, along the East Side Highway. This is not very far from the mall being constructed across the river, the Gateway Mall, in the Bronx, at East 149th St., on the Harlem River. Is all this "big box" crap necessary? Then there is the Harlem Auto Mall, which was approved for construction in 2003.

Threats to Harlem through Real Estate Development

The threats to Harlem continue, in the campaign to turn all or almost all of Manhattan into the zone for the beautiful people. Last week's story in the Village Voice is a must read. It seems that the present location of Manna Restaurant, a soul food and steam table hangout, is the center of a new mall development project. Of course, the people downtown, like the Mayor, tend to salivate at these type of projects, but it would totally change the character of the neighborhood. Do we really want to turn 125th St. into a canyon of 29-story condos and big box stores. Frankly, this seems to be insanity.

Unfortunately, I don't have it all nailed down, but across the river in the South Bronx, you already have the Gateway Mall being constructed along the Major Deegan, on the Harlem River at East 149th st. A cab driver told me another "Big Box Store" heaven is being constructed by 116th St and the East Side Highway. How much of this "
big box crap" do we need?

Anyway, let's try to stop it and "Love Harlem Forever" and wear your harlem pride at Tee Shirt Queen. Peace.

T-shirts are always in season

Yes, I know it is cold out there, at least in Harlem, New York, NY. But, you can still have a warm feeling inside when you wear an "I Love Harlem" t-shirt. And it is available, at discount at eBay!.

Not exactly in Harlem, but related, is the African-american Opera Company at the Hammerstein Ballroom- 311 West 34th St, NY, NY on Saturday December 22nd, at 6:30 p.m.

Opera Noire of New York Concert Series will incl7ude selections from Mozart, Puccini, Gershwin, Verdi, and Bizet.

The Start of the Harlem Look Blog

Harlem New York, NY is really undergoing a renaissance, and this includes a renaissance of fashion. This blog is dedicated to happenings in Harlem, and to Harlem fashion. Our favorite fashion is "I Love Harlem" teeshirts and other clothes, and we will display them here. Get your Harlem T-Shirt here. and other info at Tee Shirt Queen.