profile // defiance 09 a
day in Red Hook, Brooklyn is only a stone’ s throw away from Manhattan, yet the area gives off such an eccentric vibe without the density of Manhattan. Geographically, the area feels almost hidden— and I use the word“ hidden” to express that Red Hook is truly a treasure to be discovered. Immediately stepping off the ferry, I felt a sense of the Pacific Northwest. It was a cloudy Sunday morning and very brisk with wind hissing off the shoreline. The streets were dead; however, the people were there. Red Hook provides its sense of community through its“ pockets” around the town. The restaurants play an enormous role in providing public space and a home away from home to the locals. With Fairway’ s closed at the time— the usual foot traffic had ceased, but the spirit of Red Hook had not. I felt a lot of this spirit emitting from Steve’ s Authen- tic Key Lime Pie shop, a local’ s hot spot and a frequented place by day visitors. This tangy and refreshing pie shop is pocketed in a corner shop on Red Hook’ s waterfront. It has been a landmark in Red Hook for over ten years and the shop’ s name caught my burke adams eye on my phone’ s map before landing in Red Hook. Pie store website shops and desserts already have a place in my heart and stomach, and Steve’ s really expressed how the locals of Red Hook were fighting to keep a consistent routine during such a chaotic time. After Sandy hit, the owner’ s wife, Victoria, explained they had to use a generator to avoid the blackouts that were happening all across Red Hook. This perseverance really opened my mind to how much I take electricity and power for granted. My first visit to the shop set an amazing impression on me. Since living in NYC, kindness from others can been rare, but Victoria was so welcoming— a true sweetheart. When trying to pay for what would be my first of many key lime pies, she explained her credit card minimum was ten dollars, and I had no cash. As I decided what to do next, she
a tale of pies and perseverance
replied,“ Don’ t worry about it, pay me next time you come in.” Not hesitating a second after that, I told her that I’ d buy two pies to meet the minimum. Her small act of kindness reminded me how genuine some people really are. So I began talking to Victoria and finding out her and Steve’ s story. He is from Florida where key lime pies are bountiful, and she came from Mexico City. Victoria was just working in the pie shop before she and Steve got married. I asked her a few questions about the storm and her response was a bit unsettling. She narrated the shop’ s condition after the storm, saying that pies were everywhere, counters had been flipped, and there were hungry customers seeing if the shop was open. The couple worked hard to get the pie shop up and running again in less than a month, and it brought a sense of relief back to the community. Steve’ s Authentic Key Lime Pie shop is not only a landmark of Red Hook but the compassion and spirit of perseverance from Victoria and Steve make it my favorite place in Red Hook.
“
The usual foot traffic had ceased, but the spirit of Red Hook had not. Steve’ s really expressed how the locals of Red Hook were fighting to keep a consistent routine.