Know Thy Neighbor(hood) 😊
Founded in 1999, the original Dumbo direct was the brainchild of artist Pedro Rosenbleuth who lived and worked in 68 Jay Street. This 5 x 7”, 172 page publication was a directory of artists and small businesses with a mix of poetry and photography. This publication connected our beloved artist’s enclave known as Dumbo. I often tell people that in those days my walk from the F train to my studio involved kissing 4 people good morning including Louis Varco our UPS man (The sweetest human to have walked these streets). But as times changed and people moved away, that sense of community began to wane.
Pedro returned to his home in Mexico City and Dumbo Direct ceased publication in 2004. In 2017 on a chilly autumn afternoon I ran into Pedro in front of 68 Jay, I hadn’t seen him for years. When I told him how much I missed Dumbo Direct, he generously stated with enthusiasm “Dale take it over, I will give you the URL and domain name, you are the one to carry the torch”.
On February 14, 2018, my partner Joseph Setton and I relaunched Dumbo Direct. This site is our love poem to Dumbo and our goal is to create a platform for Dumbo businesses, artists and individuals to connect and collaborate and to bring back a strong sense of community.
Our neighborhood is flourishing with abundant creativity, imagination and amazing people and it is our vision that Dumbo Direct will assist in elevating business and social opportunities for all. Amazing stories. tips and ideas are coming your way.
Dumbo Direct…Know thy neighbor and grow your passion.
Dale Kaplan (23 Years in DUMBO) & Joseph Setton
Co-Founders
In Memoriam…
Alan Klayminc
DUMBO DIRECT’s Guardian angel
Dale’s husband Alan Klayminc understood the importance of community. He was known as the “mayor” of his Brooklyn neighborhood of Mill Basin. After he retired as a Junior High School he spent his days tutoring children free of charge. Every afternoon he helped kids further their education by bringing them puzzles, games, stickers, books, films and of course candy. He loved to hang out at his local pizza place, Dagan Pizza, in order to help immigrant workers navigate an unfamiliar system. He was a kind and incredibly generous human being who was loved by all who knew him.
Alan was a great help and support in the relaunch of Dumbo Direct. He knew that I shared his love of community and was thrilled to hear that Pedro Rosenbleuth, the original founder of Dumbo Direct had chosen me to continue the publication’s tradition after a 15 year hiatus. Without Alan’s love and support the relaunched Dumbo Direct, my love poem to this community, would never have come to fruition. Joseph and I will strive our hardest to continue to make you proud. It’s a promise.
