Eighth Avenue (Brooklyn) facts for kids
52-54 Eighth Avenue in Park Slope
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| Owner | City of New York |
|---|---|
| Maintained by | NYCDOT |
| Length | 3.1 mi (5.0 km) |
| Location | Brooklyn, New York City |
| Coordinates | 40°38′13″N 74°00′29″W / 40.637°N 74.008°W |
| South end | 7th Avenue / 73rd Street in Dyker Heights |
| Major junctions |
 NY 27 in South Slope |
| North end | Flatbush Avenue in Park Slope |
| East | Ninth Avenue |
| West | Seventh Avenue |
Eighth Avenue is a long and important street in Brooklyn, New York City. It stretches for about 3 miles (5 km). This avenue is famous for its changing neighborhoods.
In the past, many Norwegian immigrants lived here. Today, new groups have moved in, including people from China and Arab-speaking countries. Because of this, some parts of Eighth Avenue are now called Little Hong Kong.
The avenue begins in the north at Grand Army Plaza. It goes through Park Slope for about 1 mile (1.6 km). Then, the Green-Wood Cemetery breaks it up between 20th and 39th Streets. After that, it continues for almost 2 miles (3.2 km) through Sunset Park. Finally, it ends at 73rd Street in Bay Ridge.
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Lapskaus Boulevard: A Norwegian Past
A special part of Eighth Avenue has a nickname: Lapskaus Boulevard. This name comes from a time when many Norwegian working-class families lived in the area. This section is near Bay Ridge and Sunset Park.
What is Lapskaus?
The name Lapskaus comes from a traditional Northern European stew. This stew was a common meal for many families. In Norway, lapskaus is usually a type of beef stew. It can be a "brun lapskaus" with gravy, or a "lys lapskaus" with vegetables and pork. There is also a "suppelapskaus" which is more like a soup.
Norwegian Heritage in Brooklyn
Norwegians have lived in the New York City area for over 300 years. However, many more started moving to Bay Ridge in the 1920s. You can still see signs of this Nordic history in the neighborhood today.
Every year, there is a Syttende Mai Parade. This parade celebrates Norwegian Constitution Day. Hundreds of people wear traditional folk clothes and march along Fifth Avenue. The parade ends with the crowning of Miss Norway. This happens near a statue of Leif Ericson.
The statue was given to the city in 1939 by Crown Prince Olav. It includes a copy of a Viking rune stone from Tune, Norway. This stone stands in Leif Ericson Square, just east of Fourth Avenue.
Eighth Avenue's Changing Face
Before 1984, Eighth Avenue in Sunset Park had only about thirty small shops. Most of the storefronts were empty.
- In 1983, the first Chinese-American grocery store in Brooklyn opened. It was called Choi Yung Grocery and sold both Asian and American products.
- In 1985, the first Cantonese-style seafood restaurant opened on Eighth Avenue. It was called Canton House Restaurant.
- In 1986, Winley Supermarket opened on the corner of Eighth Avenue.
These new stores and restaurants served the growing Chinese community in Brooklyn. They helped Eighth Avenue become a busy place. From 1984 until now, Eighth Avenue has grown a lot. It changed from a quiet area to a lively hub with many businesses.
- In 1988, the first Chinese community non-profit group opened on Eighth Avenue. It was called the Brooklyn Chinese American Association (BCA). This group helps Chinese immigrants in the Sunset Park area.
Getting Around Eighth Avenue
You can reach Eighth Avenue using public transportation.
- The Eighth Avenue subway station is at 62nd Street. It is served by the N train train.
- The Grand Army Plaza subway station is at the plaza. It is served by the 2 and 3 train train.
- The B70 bus also travels along a large part of Eighth Avenue.
