(Image Source: Gap Year)

When I started working in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn in 2007 I knew very little about the area. My first recollection of having visited Dumbo was around 2005 when a friend of mine drove me down a dark street late one night and pointed out the window of the car, saying, “This is a really cool area called Dumbo! That’s a bar right there called Superfine. Have you heard of it?” I hadn’t, and I didn’t think anything of his comment at the time. All I knew was it was dark, and Superfine was legitimately the only bar and, seemingly, one of the only businesses in the area that night.

Completely coincidently, in 2007 I found myself interviewing for my first job in Dumbo (by the way, Dumbo stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). As I walked to the interview from the F train at York Street I passed by the corner of Jay and Front Streets. The corner felt familiar, and sure enough there was Superfine.

I ended up getting that job and so my official relationship with Dumbo began. At the time there still wasn’t much of a business community in Dumbo, especially lacking were retail and dining spots. Foot traffic was also sparse.

Nowadays the area is quite a bit different, with something like 8,000 people commuting to the area daily along with thousands of tourists. Much of the talent employed in the neighborhood commutes to digital marketing agencies and technology companies. The tourists come for the beautiful views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, along with the Manhattan skyline.

However, there are many aspects to Dumbo beyond its beautiful views that are often forgotten. I thought I'd put together a quick guide covering a few historical facts, outline some of the companies headquartered nearby, and link you to a few cool places to visit. Perhaps if your curious to learn more I’ll keep posting more and maybe even interview some people and companies that have a long history with Dumbo.

Lets start with some history (I realize I could go back even further, but lets start lightly)

Robert Gair, the industrialist inventor of Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

(Image Source: Pinterest)

Corrugated Cardboard Boxes were invented in Dumbo by industrialist Robert Gair. Before Dumbo was called Dumbo it was actually called Gairville. It was also sometimes called Fulton Landing.

“In 1870, Gair developed a machine for manufacturing corrugated paper and in 1879 patented a machine for creating folding boxes. According to what appears to be a paid advertisement in the 1924 publication New York: The World’s Metropolis, Gair “revolutionized the folded box business” by arranging “pliable metal rules, formed into the outlines of a box blank, [that] would cut and crease the cardboard, a number of such dies at each stroke of the press produced a group of blanks.” The folding box soon became a basic material for the packaging of food (the National Biscuit Company was an early client). In 1888, as production grew, Gair moved his production from Tribeca to DUMBO. Gair’s choice of a site on the northwest corner of Washington Street Water Street was influenced by the recent move of his friend, coffee roaster John Arbuckle, to neighboring blocks. Robert Gair increasingly invested in real estate and became a major developer of industrial buildings in DUMBO, some of which his firm occupied and others which were leased.”

You can visit some of Gair’s buildings at 1 Main Street, 45 Main Street and 55 Washington Street.

Jay Street Connecting Railroad

(Image Source: Train Web)

The Jay Street Connecting Railroad was Brooklyn’s smallest waterfront railway between 1904 and 1959. It played an important role for Dumbo businesses, transporting goods from the waterfront to various factories and manufacturing buildings.

The railroad was built by Arbuckle Brothers Coffee Company.

You can still see remnants of the railroad if you walk from the F train at York Street down Jay Street towards Brooklyn Roasting Company.

Walt Whitman

(Image Source: DUMBO NYC)

I just recently discovered that Walt Whitman became the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle in 1846. He worked in the Eagle Warehouse & Storage Company Building for two years, until he was fired over a dispute with the owners of the paper about abolition (Whitman was anti-slavery). The Eagle Warehouse still stands at 28 Old Fulton Street.

Digital companies in Dumbo
Dumbo has been called Brooklyn’s Madison Avenue by the media because of the high concentration of digital marketing and advertising agencies in the area. Some of the earliest to call Dumbo home include:

HUGE - Huge was one of the first digital agencies to get its start in Dumbo. The company was founded in 1999 and now employees over 1,200 employees, mostly in Dumbo. One of the agencies first clients was Ikea, but they’ve gone on to work with some of the world’s biggest brands. Huge was acquired by Interpublic Group in 2008.

Big Spaceship - Big Spaceship was founded in 2000 by Michael Lebowitz. The agency helps organizations connect with audiences through a deep understanding of culture and behavior. Big Spaceship has worked with JetBlue, YouTube, BMW, Converse and many others.

Carrot Creative - The VICE Digital Agency - Carrot was founded by Mike Germano & Chris Petescia in 2004. Carrot.is a full-service, award-winning global digital agency, acquired by VICE in 2013. The agency has worked with some of the world’s most innovative brands including American Express, Cartoon Network, Clinique, Ferrari & The Yankees.

Hush - Hush was founded by David Schwarz in 2006. Its is a concept-driven design firm that integrates digital technology and physical environments to help clients deliver powerful brand experiences. The agency has worked with Nike, The New York Times, Google, Equinox and others.

BREAKFAST - BREAKFAST was founded by Andrew Zolty & Mattias Gunneras in 2010 and specializes in connecting the physical world with the digital world. Although BREAKFAST got its start working with brands, today it is a rapid product & prototyping company that develops its intellectual property. Sometimes they license or sell that IP, and sometimes they manage the product themselves.

Today there are many, many other digital & advertising agencies including 72 & Sunny, Virtue, Frog Design, Work & Co, Prolific Interactive, & Stink. There are also many more that have come and gone in the past, like Drop.io (acquired by Facebook) and Outside.in (acquired by Aol). If there is enough interest I will provide a full rundown of the evolution of digital companies and startups in Dumbo.

Other Notable (some are non-digital) Companies:
West Elm, Etsy, Gothamist, Brooklyn Industries, Two Trees<

Places to visit (Incredible Views, Good Eats, Great Drinks & Amazing Coffee!)

Iconic Views

Washington Street

(Image Source: Flickr)

Brooklyn Bridge Park

(Image Source: NYCGO)

Good Eats

Pedros - Pedros was founded by Pedro Perez and his wife Carmen. Not even Google knows the exact year that Pedro’s opened its doors, but one thing is for sure, its been around longer than Dumbo has been called Dumbo. It’s a friendly Spanish American restaurant where the food is just good enough, and the drinks are just strong enough. The restaurant is mostly underground. Its an incredible experience.

(Image Source: Flickr)

Vinegar Hill House - Although not technically in Dumbo, Vinegar Hill is just next door and that’s where you’ll find Vinegar Hill House. The restaurant was founded by Sam Buffa in 2008 and was an immediate success. Its located in an old carriage house on a street that is stuck in time. Before its as Vinegar Hill House, the space housed a butcher shop. The food and decor create a fantastic dining experience.

(Image Source: The Infatuation)

Front Street Pizza - A no frills pizza shop that you'll never find on any "Best Of" list. There’s really not much more to say. Get a slice and a sausage roll!

(Image Source: Yelp)

Great Drinks

Pedros - I’m adding this place twice. Get a spicy margarita, or just get a beer.

(Image Source: On the Grid)

Superfine - Before there was Superfine there was Between the Bridges Pub, a 90 year old local hangout for ironworkers and longshore men. It wasn’t until Cara Lee Sparry and friends started hanging out there that they were given the opportunity to convert the back pool room of the pub, once located at 63 York St, into Superfine. Superfine moved to Front Street in 2000, but the bar and restaurant are still very much alive. Its one of longest, still standing Dumbo bars.

(Image Source: Brownstoner)

68 Jay Bar - Karen Johnson & artist Steve West opened this bar in 2003. You won’t find any TVs in this dimly lit bar, just a few Dumbo professionals and locals. West also curates and hosts art events in this bar from time to time. Its a perfect place for conversation and a stiff drink.

(Image Source: Trip Advisor)

Empire Stores - This 500,000 sq. ft. building was previously home to Arbuckle Bros. Coffee until 1945. The company was responsible for investing new processes for glazing, roasting, and packaging coffee beans. Their most notable blend was Ariosa, which can still be bought today. In 2016 Empire Stores was brought back as a mixed use office and shopping complex, now how to retail stores for Shinola and West Elm, a rooftop park, restaurants, and much more. I tried to focus on older establishments for this article, but Empire Stores is worth a visit.

(Image Source: Brooklyn Eagle)

Amazing Coffee

Usagi - Open since 2015, this place is not only a Japanese marketplace for everyday goods that have a combination of cutting-edge design and traditional craftsmanship, but also a coffee shop and exhibition space. The internal architecture of Usagi was commissioned by Sou Fujimoto, who’s most recognizable projects include the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London (2013) and the transparent house NA in Tokyo (2010).

(Image Source: Yelp)

Brooklyn Roasting Company - Jim Munson and Michael Pollack founded Brooklyn Roasting Company in 2009. Jim actually started his career helping to start Brooklyn Brewery, which is where he learned about distribution. Brooklyn Roasting Company’s first retail location is located at 25 Jay Street in a beautiful old industrial building a block from the waterfront.

(Image Source: Brownstoner)

If you enjoyed this post, please comment or like! There is much more to cover like: lost underground night clubs, the Soho artists who coined the phrase "Dumbo," how Dumbo became "Brooklyn's Madison Avenue," the $12mm bet that made Dumbo what it is today and more.

Bonus: There’s a Shepherd Fairey mural in Dumbo…

(Image Source: Blogspot)