On this week’s show we journey to Gowanus, a Brooklyn neighborhood with an extraordinary local history, and home to the famous canal that bears the same name!

My guests will be Brad Vogel, co-founder of the Gowanus Landmarking Coalition, and Aaron Lefkove, co-founder and managing partner of Littleneck Restaurants, including one in Gowanus.

Segment 1

Jeff kicks off the show by introducing his first guest, Brad Vogel. Brad talks about his background and how he ended up in Gowanus in 2011 after coming from Wisconsin. Brad talks about how he was always drawn to conservation, and the topography of the original area of Gowanus in Brooklyn. Brad talks about how people are farming around the area and there are actually slaves involved in the farms. Brad then talks about the Battle of Long Island also known as the Battle of Brooklyn and the commercials around Gowanus.

Segment 2

Brad talks about what makes Gowanus different and how he banded together to get buildings before the rezoning of Gowanus. Both Brad and Jeff talk about the Gowanus Canal and how ever since the 1800s, the Canal has been suffering from various forms of pollution from all kinds of industrial plants. The Canal became a place that people strongly avoided, but now it they are working on getting the area around it to become a little nicer. Brad talks about the actual structures around Gowanus, like certain steel bridges. Brad also mentions the Gowanus canoe club, which are people who row on the canal.

Segment 3

Jeff came back introducing his second guest, Aaron Lefkove. Aaron talks about how he decided to move to New York after he started making money. He then talks about how music and art bring him and his partner to work together and started their business Littleneck Restaurants. 

Aaron also talks about how they came to the name of the Littleneck Restaurant. He then talks about what he likes about Gowanus’ neighborhood.

Segment 4

Aaron continues to talk about what he likes about Gowanus’ neighborhood and how he sees Gowanus changes. Jeff then asks Aaron about the struggles that they experienced in the process of building the restaurant. Aaron explained that they struggle with the structure of the building. Aaron also talks about the struggle of having a restaurant in New York City.