There has been a real change over the past few years in the area of the South Bronx by Bruckner Blvd and Alexander Ave, now known as the Antiques and Arts District. It is located across the Harlem River from Harlem NY, across the Willis Avenue Bridge. Furniture and Antique stores have been sprouting and lately a deli, print shop and even a café have appeared. Alexander's Cafe at 129 Alexander Avenue was a stop on the December 5th 2007 Bronx Cultural Trolley; for more on the Bronx Trolley tour see www.bronxarts.org. The owner, Chris Dimitriyadi prepared special three dollar specialties for the evening: carrot cake, beef stew, and tiramisu (along with live music) and it’s a pretty and comfortable place to stop for breakfast, lunch, and on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, for dinner, or order at alexanderstogo.com, call (718) 993-5281. Chris has only been in business at the location since July 2007. He feels comfortable at his café in the South Bronx, or now as it is known “Sobro.” He has a steady stream of clientele coming for meals or just coffee, or expresso and cakes. He hopes the area continues to develop apartments and businesses.
Other distinctive shops include the furniture upholsterers around the corner on Bruckner Blvd., Custom Design Studio, at 49 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY 10454, 718-665-0777 / 718-993-8370, 718-665-7896 (fax), www.customdesignny.com, custdesny@aol.com. Denise and Enrique Cruz specialize in custom furniture upholstery,, antique furniture re-upholstery, and drapes at customers request. Custom Design Studio has been in business for 18 years, and many of their prices are much lower than downtown Manhattan.. New York magazine wrote in 2005 that "Custom Design Studio may be the best-kept secret in the trade."
Kelly’s Furniture, at 26 Bruckner Blvd. has a large showroom and has a neighboring building undergoing renovations. Classic Antiques is a small but rewarding antique destination, with mahogany dressers and dining room sets., at 21 Bruckner Blvd., 718-401-9345. Angel De la Cruz operates a factory dedicated to preparing custom canvases for artists. Angel and his three full-time employees stretch and prime specialty canvases of all sizes that are sold through custom orders at art supply stores and also to individual artists, call at 718-665-3814. Recently opened at this location, Joseph Cofer's fine art gallery is filled with colorful tropical paintings and prints by himself and by other artists that he represents. Rainbow Graphics also provides fine art reproduction, photo printing, logo and graphic design, at 39 Bruckner Blvd (entrance on Alexander Ave), Bronx, NY 10454, 718-585-6869.
New Jersey antique dealer Lou Newkirk opened Bruckner Antiques (37 Bruckner Blvd at Alexander Ave; 718-292-6028) here in 1979, and has been in business since. Another shop is Seabirds' Thrift World Antiques (122 Alexander Ave between Bruckner Blvd and 134th St; 718-402-3826) and Jenny's Antiques (126 Alexander Ave between Bruckner Blvd and 134th St; 718-401-2928). The stores are close to Manhattan, but that proximity is not reflected in their prices, making this the place to pick up Art Deco coffee tables and other antiques.
