Third of four Summer Strolls to continue full-speed ahead

With the weather report for the third week of Summer Stroll looking bright, merchants are excited to bring out yet another evening of art and entertainment for area residents.

The event is taking place on Friday, August 4 from 80th to 90th Street on Third Avenue, from 6 to 10:30 p.m., and one of many things local residents are looking forward to is the display to be put forward by the Bookmark Shoppe. In the prior Stroll, about 100 people stopped by the table — a number which owner Christine Freglette said was definitely affected by the weather.

“You have to keep your community going,” said Freglette about the importance of shopping local. “I grew up here. My kids go to school here, I just love being able to work where I live.”

Freglette said the bookstore will feature local authors for this week’s Stroll, including Gabriel Gale and Rosella Rago. Rago, the author of Cooking with Nonna, will be providing cookies as long as supplies last during the evening.

“We’ve been praying all week that the weather is going to be nice,” said Evans Kotsis, owner of Uncle Louie G’s.

One thing the two spots share is a pride in what Kotsis, a Bay Ridge resident, called the “old-school feel.” For the ice cream go-to, that means no Wi-Fi, board games and nostalgia candy. For the bookshop, it’s the gift of knowledge.

“The best part is customers, everybody in the neighborhood, treats you like family. Kids see me walking down the street and scream ‘Uncle Louie, hi!’ and I’m not even Uncle Louie. It’s nice to put a face to the company,” said Kotsis.

For the Stroll, Kotsis said the shop will set up space outside to eat. Kotsis said the festival was a great way to reunite people who have moved away and is anticipating big crowds to gather beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday evening.

As for the kids? Kaleidoscope, a specialty toy store located at 8722 Third Avenue,has got family fun covered.

Manager Rebecca Murphy told this paper the night will kick off with free play before the much-anticipated hula hoop contest, and end with a Silly String contest. Sign-ups for the hula hoop competition will begin at 7 p.m., and the competition will start at 7:30.

During the earlier Summer Stroll along the higher portion of the strip this year, Murphy said a girl and a boy decided to join the Kaleidoscope team and ended up being great little helpers.

“One girl told me she’d been practicing for the past year and is ready to win it,” said Murphy. “Being part of Summer Stroll gives us a chance to do something for kids.”

They’re also able to help the parents. “We set up stools for parents to be able to take a break,” Murphy added.

The final Summer Stroll of 2017 will be held on Friday, August 11, between 68th and 80th Streets from 6 to 10:30 p.m.

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