The Bay Ridge Digest

This is The Bay Ridge Digest's Monday Morning Roundup for 07/06/2026. These are the highlights. Subscribe to the free email at BayRidgeDigest.com for the full breathe of everything happening in Bay Ridge this week.  Know of important stories or events that will be happening this Summer? Please send them to me! My goal is to make this the most jam-packed Bay Ridge email out there. You can subm...

Welcome to the debut edition of The Bay Ridge Digest’s Monday Morning roundup.  While you're listening to this in the Bay Ridge Digest podcast feed, I'd suggest subscribing to this as a free email at BayRidgeDigest.com. Every Monday at around 6AM you'll receive the weekly email of important news and events happening in our area.  Know of important stories or events that will be happ...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 17! We visit The Mighty Functional Fitness studio, grab a bite at the new Schnitzel Haus, and wash it all away at Coney Island.  Featured in this episode are these segments:  • Fred Urban of Schnitzel Haus (@schnitzelhausbk) on renovating and opening up the new location at 114 Bay Ridge Avenue, the public support, what’s on the menu, and what’s on tap.  • Su...

In  The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 16! We talk about Coney Island, community theater, growing up in Bensonhurst, and meet several ladies running small businesses in the neighborhood.  Featured in this episode are these segments:  • A life in fashion with Sew ‘N Fashion’s (@sew.n.fashion_bk) Alyson Melhus • What exactly is a Coney? Coney Island’s early history • Growing Up In Bensonhurst with...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 15, we speak with the owner of the Fort Hamilton Distillery, salute the importance of Memorial Day, and meet several small business owners.  Featured in this episode are these segments:  • The inspiration for Fort Hamilton Distillery (@fort.hamilton.distillery) in Industry City (@industrycity) with co-founder Alex Clark • Anna from Anna Bella Pizza Cafe (@an...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 14, we remember through the eyes of three Bay Ridge residents: A doula, a writer, and a musical director. In doing so, we’ll span several decades and maybe find out more about ourselves through the process.  Featured in this episode are these segments:  • With Jeff Samaha (@jeff_samaha) at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church (@stmarysbrooklynya) and Hinch’...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 13, we head to Fort Hamilton High School, find out what goes into a career in media, eat some artisanal cookies, ride the Iguazu river, and head back to 1986.  Highlights: • Chernobyl, AIDS, Mafia Wars — April 1986 in NYC at the Marboro Theater on Bay Parkway • Chelsea Ciccone and Ciccone’s Artisan Bakehouse • Scenes from the Fort Hamilton High School Hall o...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 12 we recap Tastes of Third, hang out by Flagg Court, commune with the president of Fort Hamilton’s Alumni Association, find out what’s happening on 5th Avenue, and gear up for Pizza Wars.  Highlights: • Scenes from Jackie Robinson’s first game in 1947 • Growing Up in Analog Brooklyn with Joe Estrella • Some Tastes of Third Avenue Highlights with Saravá Bist...

Hey everyone, James Scully here. One of my first post-college jobs was for a daily email newsletter called DailyCandy. Ladies of a certain age might remember it. DailyCandy sent you the daily fashion, food, and fun in your city. Created in 2000 by Dany Levy, it helped spawn UrbanDaddy, Thrilllist, and countless other email newsletters.  Why am I bringing this up? Later this spring, I’ll be launchi...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 11 we grab a cup of coffee, go to pilates, eat a good slice, take a sound bath, head to a disco popup, and celebrate Ramadan.  Highlights: • The Flagg Court Playhouse rehearses “Dial M for Murder” in April of 1956  • Sara Barkouli with Samia Aljahmi on living in Bay Ridge and Celebrating this Ramadan • Chrisie Canny with a Pizza Wars Disco Popup Promo • The...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 10 we welcome the first signs of Spring with a butterfly’s journey, holistic healing, throwing clay, delicious food, and a good bottle of wine.  Highlights: • Katie Coughlin, The Ovington Artist’s Colony, and Ovington Pottery • March Books and Events with Jess from The Bookmark Shoppe • Elias B. Dunn and an unexpectedly bad March 1888 rainstorm • Connie Gibi...

Hey everyone!, How about this balmy and calm winter we’ve been having huh!? I’ve been chomping at the bit to lead some Bay Ridge walking tours and have put some on the schedule for March and April. See the tours below. Click on the dates for more info and tickets. Murder, Mayhem, Money and History in Old South Bay Ridge • Sunday 3/15/2026 at 1PM • Sunday 4/12/2026 at 1PM A special version of Haunt...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 9 we pick up our chats with some of Bay Ridge’s best hospitality, social, and restaurant professionals.  Highlights: • At the Shore Road Casino in 1938 • Sal and Daymein Forte of The HoM Store on working together, surviving COVID, and bouncing back • Catherine O’Rouke of Cellary with February events and offerings • The Death of Nino Colombo at 9269 Shore Roa...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 8 we bop around Bay Ridge sipping drinks, sampling food, and talking with some of our neighborhood’s best hospitality, social, and restaurant professionals.  Highlights: • Wing Wars 2026 Recap with Chrisie Canny and Chris Guttadaro • Ronny Jaramillo of Bar Chuzo on his family, Ecuador and NYC, Bar Crudo, Chuzo Culture, and opening up Bar Chuzo • Crime Preven...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 7 we pick up our chats with some of the influential women of Bay Ridge, and go back in time to highlight the beginning of the destruction of Bay Ridge for the construction of the Verrazzano Bridge.  Highlights: • New Year’s Day 1959: The Narrows Bridge Approach is Approved • Jan Rideout in Dallas and Mississippi • Bay Ridge Homes to Be Destroyed: Progress or...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 6 we focus on some of the women making our community one of leaders, entrepreneurs, creative minds, and strong personalities in a way that only Bay Ridge can be.  Highlights: • Erica Stavrou of Owl’s Head Yoga on growing up In South Brooklyn and becoming a Yogi • Emily Pagano on loving retail, owning Mixx Boutique, and the New Year’s Refresh • Michelle Perri...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 5, we celebrate the holidays in Bay Ridge.  Highlights: • Karen Tadross on Running Bay Ridge Cares • Reina Anderson on Running Henry Harde’s and Winter Offerings • December 28th, 1944 in Bay Ridge • Jan Rideout on Retiring in Bay Ridge • Freddie Friday says Happy Holidays and highlighting the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Rescue • A Christmas Dream for Bay Ridg...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 4, we take stock and usher in a season of cheer with tree lightings, Christmas carols, overeating, and caring about our fellow citizens.  Highlights: • James Vavas and the Merchants of Third Avenue Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration • Michelle Perricone and Anthony’s Butcher & Deli Holiday Traditions • December 19th, 1944 at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 3, we celebrate Thanksgiving in Bay Ridge with interviews, recollections, a bit of history, humor, and of course, food.  Highlights: • Bay Ridge Cares Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Service with Karen Tadross • Three Upcoming Christmas Tree Lightings • Thanksgiving 2025 with A.L.C. Italian Grocery and Louis Coluccio • Reasons for Gratitude with Laurie Savino • T...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 2, take a trip along the shore line to the Narrows Botanical Garden, talk to the woman behind Destination Bay Ridge , meet a new resident of our neighborhood, learn more about the Brooklyn Hall of Fame, and hear from the President of the Merchants of Third Avenue about upcoming holiday festivities. Highlights: • The Narrows Botanical Garden, with Jimmy Johns...

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 1, we celebrate Mischief Night and Halloween with trips to cemeteries and old houses. We’ll stop by the 5th Avenue B.I.D.’s office, learn from a negotiation expert, and talk about life in Bay Ridge with a local leader.  Highlights: • Who was Frederick Hardy Jr.? • The Early History of Bay Ridge, with Aimee Pagano Collin • Michelle from Anthony’s Butcher Shop...

Coming Thursday, October 30th: The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast , a new bi-weekly hyperlocal Bay Ridge show, combining everything from culture, restaurant recs, history stories, current events, interviews, humor, and human interest.  It’s produced and directed by me, James Scully, and available everywhere you get your podcasts and at BayRidgeDigest.com

You've found the feed for The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast, coming this fall, 2025. It's a new bi-weekly hyper-local Bay Ridge digest podcast combining everything from local culture, restaurant recommendations, local history stories, current events, interviews, humor, and human interest. To find out more, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com where you can subscribe for email updates and submit st...