Shopping in Brooklyn: Vikings in Kings County

December 26, 2007 at 4:15 PM | by laurenuta | 0 Comments

Though the area is now dominated by Middle Eastern and Chinese populations, Brooklyn's Bay Ridge neighborhood once housed thousands of northern Europeans. During the late-19th century influx of immigrants, Scandinavians arrived in New York's ports side-by-side with eastern Europeans and Italians and settled southwest of Prospect Park.

Norwegians, Swedes, Finns and Danes, however, have since almost vanished from the area. Writing for the site Forgotten New York, blogger Kevin Walsh recalls Bay Ridge's past:

My family and I went to a restaurant called the Scandia, bought bread at Lund's Bakery, our super was Norwegian, Nordisk Tidende (Norway Times) was on every newsstand and I was regularly bullied by guys named Bergstol and Hedberg.

Even though their numbers have dwindled, Bay Ridge still has a few shops, a park and even a parade commemorating its Nordic roots. In Brooklyn, the adage holds true: There are two ways to do things, the right way or Norway.

Bakeries make up the majority of Scandinavian storefronts left in Bay Ridge today. Fill up on Norwegian and Danish pastries at Leske's Bakery. Norsemen love buttery, sugary and fruity concoctions, so stock up on the items in bulk--you'll be sure to scarf them down in rapid-fire succession. 7612 5th Ave.

Just down the street, Mejlander and Mulgannon also stocks Nordic sweets, but today mostly serves as a lunch-time deli. 7615 5th Ave.

Either eat while you walk, or take your pastries to go for a picnic at Leif Ericson Park and Square. Check out the statue of a troll holding a compass, accompanied by statues depicting animals traditionally found in Norway. The park's real highlight, however, is the Leif Ericson Runestone, which commemorates the Viking explorer's travels to America around the year 1000. 4th Ave. and 67th St.

Next, stock up on both food and clothing at Nordic Delicacies, a mother- and daughter-run store that lives up to its motto: "A piece of Norway in the heart of Brooklyn." The shop's staff gladly helps patrons choose meat and fish products (yum, lutefisk!) and also serves up homemade Norwegian pastries like kransekaker. For hardcore Scandinavians, complete the journey by picking up one of Norwegian Delicacies' wool sweaters or flags. Uff da! 6909 3rd Ave.

Related Links:
· Norse Code [Forgotten New York]
· Mejlander and Mulgannon [Official Site]
· Nordic Delicacies [Official Site]
· Shopping in Brooklyn Map [Jaunted]
· Shopping coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: kris!]

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