Liz Craynon Frank, founder of a new business called Abundant Learning, is opening this week in Dumbo. Abundant Learning will be offering a variety of services to the Dumbo community. First, it is a place for students to come after school where they can study and receive help with their homework. They are offering what they call a “homework academy”–which is similar to a study hall. In their homework academy, up to six students work individually, with a single, experienced tutor answering questions and helping out with difficult questions and problems.

They also offer one-on-one tutoring in all academic subjects, as well as help with test prep. On Wednesday evenings there will be a chess club (a pizza dinner included) and on Saturdays, beginning in February, there will be an art class. Abundant Learning is also a venue for all types of classes and workshops–from yoga to psychology–for both adults and children.

With Dumbo Gymnastics (#509), Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club (#508), and now Abundant Learning (#513), part of the fifth floor of 68 Jay Street in Dumbo is starting to look like great enclave for kids activities. We can appreciate that they are planning to be very involved with the community.

They have a grand opening event on Thursday, January 6, from 4-7pm. The Dumbo community is invited and will be showcasing the artwork of students from nearby PS 307 (prior post). We spoke with Liz (whose family has a long history with the Dumbo neighborhood) about the new learning center:

Why did you decide to open in Dumbo? When did you first hear about the area?

I chose Dumbo because its my neighborhood! I have had a private tutoring practice in the neighborhood for a couple of years. I sublet small office spaces in various buildings, but I was always getting displaced. After the last displacement, I found myself scrambling for space, and I found my current location – which was great but too big for just me, but perfect for expansion. Simultaneously, I have been actively day dreaming about some kind of educational center for the neighborhood. I live on Plymouth and Bridge. I see young families everywhere and no real services for them in the immediate area. And with the new buildings going up – this neighborhood seemed a perfect fit for a learning center for families.

I first heard about Dumbo from my husband’s family. They were living down here 30 years ago, when there really weren’t any services. My father in law and husband run a factory on Bridge Street.

Abundant Learning seems to be a great way to supplement school work for children. Are there any specific philosophies or models you follow in teaching and tutoring kids?

With regard to tutoring, the Abundant Learning Center adheres to the idea that we are all individuals with differing sensory systems providing each with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Once the learning profile is discovered we craft lessons to stimulate weaknesses, while honoring strengths, bringing the two closer together. That said, kids (and adults) tend to learn when they are relaxed and having fun! The ALC is a quiet, calm venue where the teachers are lively, interesting, and thorough.

My personal practice focuses on reading skills. The bulk of my students are dyslexic. I rely on multi-sensory tools and programs, such as Lindamood-Bell. We also offer a homework academy, and classes/clubs such as art and chess.

Finally, we have an adult component, which I am super excited about. We plan to offer classes for adults that delve into areas such as the educational research, philosophy and education, and the mind, body, spirit connection and how it affects learning.

With Brooklyn Bridge Fencing, Dumbo Gymnastics, and others providing children’s activities and services in Dumbo, what are your plans for partnering with them? The PS307 exhibit sounds like a great start to this.

We plan to cross market with Dumbo Gymnastics and the Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club in several ways. We have an event this Friday for the Dumbo Parents Organization called Friday Night Out. The kids will to gymnastics, fencing demo, and the ALC for art/chess. Also, we are offering all DG and BBFC families and 20% discount on rates through the end of the school year.

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Congrats Liz on the new business and to Dorian Geisler, the director of Abundant Learning!

Abundant Learning Center (abundantlearning.org)
68 Jay Street, Suite 513
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 917-727-8839
email: dorian@abundantlearning.org

In 2010, the US economy continued to struggle, an oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico spilling an estimated 4.9 millions of barrels of oil, Obama’s healthcare bill was signed, China ascended as the world’s second largest economy, we saw the rise of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Groupon, and Foursquare, and a little tablet computer called the iPad was launched to market by Apple. Some bright spots, and some not so bright areas of the world affected everyone, including those of Dumbo residents and businesses. Based on data provided by the NYC and the lack of inventory, Dumbo’s real estate held its own. While the US unemployment rate stayed around 10%, early stage companies and ‘digital’ businesses in Dumbo were hiring, growing, being acquired, and even becoming too big to stay. Nimble companies based in Dumbo saw opportunities in social media and app development for the iPhones, iPads, and Android markets. Digital Dumbo, the local networking event for social media, digital, and tech firms saw a huge rise in attendees, participants, and companies looking to hire.

As in the past years, Dumbo continued it’s change. That word seems to be the constant in the neighborhood in the past few years. Dumbo had a year of being a construction zone to make its infrastructure more modern, while keeping the old world charm of Belgian block streets. Parks were closed for renovation while new ones opened up. And finally the retail opening and closings seem to happen every month or so. Let’s take a look back at 2010 and see how Dumbo has changed for better or for worse.

1. New Retailers Opened in Dumbo in 2010
   Dewey’s Candy, Stewart/Stand (relocation), Taylor Fitness, ñ Restaurant, Choice Kitchens, Priviledged, DUMBO Muffin, the Cafe (opened, closed, and reopened as Archway Cafe), MotoDumbo, Abhaya Yoga, P.S. Bookshop and Brooklyn Bridge Gardens, O’Crepes, DUMBO Gymnastics, NOS Men, Shibui, Barber on Pearl, Rapid Realty, and The Best Chocolate Cake
2. …But not as many retailers closed shop this year.
   Compared to prior years, Loopy Mango and Mikey’s Hook-Up were the two retailers that moved out. Many of the retailers have told us that if they survived Dumbo in the past two years, they are ready to take on 2011 and beyond. Is the worst of the poor economy past us?
3. Dumbo as Construction Zone
   Both Water Street (from Adams to Old Fulton Streets) and Washington Street (from York to Plymouth Streets) were dug up to install water and sewer mains so the area has updated infrastructure. Construction is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011. Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge are also being worked on.
4. Construction Includes the Parks
   Empire Fulton Ferry State Park closed to improve drainage, add park furnishings, lighting, and of course house Jane’s Carousel (which is still generating controversy for its placement). Another concern by some include the removal of the trees. The scheduled reopening is spring 2011. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 and 6 opened with much fanfare this past Spring.
5. Dumbo’s Techs: NY Digital District, Digital Dumbo, Silicon Beach, Whatever
   Whatever name is given, what unites this historic Dumbo is the creative community (artists of all types- painters, sculptors, and the digital type), the dynamic entrepreneurs who navigate their business worlds with will power and hard work, and the new residents. Dumbo’s online presence in social media, websites, and services blossomed and ‘the media’ declared the neighborhood’s companies as the ones to watch. (NY Digital District, Digital Dumbo, Silicon Beach)
6. Dumbo’s Real Estate Defied Larger Market Trend
   A 70 Washington Penthouse sold in 4 weeks for $3,850,000. A 30 Main St apartment was listed for almost $5.4 million. A $25 Million Dumbo apartment is in negotiation. Is this 2006? According to realtors, clients are on the sidelines waiting for listings to come to market. If it’s not the Wall Streeters whose bonus this year increased over 2010, more inquiries are coming from where else? Asia, or specifically China.
7. Gentrification Is in Full Swing in Dumbo
   NY Magazine declared that Dumbo is one of the ‘most livable neighborhoods’ with David Walentas as the “benevolent dictator with a vision for the whole neighborhood.” If that doesn’t say gentrification, we don’t know what is. The MTA even declared it so by putting Dumbo on the map and showing how the 2009 subway ridership in Dumbo area stations went up. There was even a foot tapping song about it called Yuppie Exodus From Dumbo (by Jed Davis). Other ‘signs’ in 2010 were the installation of Dumbo’s First stoplight, a new Two Trees marketing sign on 45 Main Street building and Downtown Brooklyn Wayfinding Sign Installations. And finally a national AP story describes Dumbo as ‘trendy’, ‘offbeat’, and ‘a secret neighborhood’, which means that if you haven’t heard of Dumbo by now, it’s too late to ‘discover’ the neighborhood.
8. Even with Gentrification, Keep an Eye Out for Crime
   Of course car break ins occurred again and again. And if you think just because there are lots of rich residents in Dumbo, you’re immune to muggings. It happened in broad daylight, and again, and again. There was even a bank robbery this year, though the robber was arrested thanks to a vigilant doorman.
9. But We All Still Love Dumbo’s Festivals (Big and Small)
   As is every summer, there are festivals in Dumbo (BKLYN Designs, New York Photo Festival, Bent Festival). There was a fun Night Market, hosted by the celebrity chef David Chang, a 2010 World Science Festival, RE/Mixed Media Festival 2010, the 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, and of course the largest one, the Dumbo Arts Festival 2010.
10. Food Truck Craze Hits Dumbo
    One of the biggest complaints I hear from friends and neighbors is that it’s missing some good food options (especially Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Italian). 2010 brought us the food trucks for the lunch crowd in Dumbo: Halal truck, wafels & dinges, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, Munch Truck, and Schnitzel and Things. (Though we haven’t seen Schnitzel Fridays, Cravings Truck, or Treats Truck in a while. Come back!) Someone even spotted a free range chicken, but turned out it was not for lunch or dinner.

Of course there were many more changes and events in Dumbo. There will be much more to come in 2010. Please comment below on other items of significance in Dumbo in 2010 I may have missed.

{Dumbo Top Ten in 2008}
{Dumbo Top Ten in 2007}
{Dumbo Top Ten in 2006}