The Myrtle Avenue Partnership is highlighting the success of recent rezoning and business investment across the length of its business improvement district spanning from Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene to Bed-Stuy.

Businesses like Myrtle Avenue Bagels and Doppelgänger Bar are among the newcomers, and are crediting the BID with helping them brand their stores, get grants and be included in frequent business events meant to boost sales.

“It's great to see new businesses, mom-and-pop businesses pop up and consistently have that support of the business district,” said Myrtle Avenue Bagels owner Frank Rappa.

Doppelgänger co-owner Will Huebner tells News 12 their exterior façade was designed and created by a local artists they were connected with through the BID.

“It makes us feel confident, and to see we have so many people coming through the doors here, this area seems to offer more for people,” he said.

But even more established businesses credit the BID with lifting up the area, recalling a time when it was seen as a risk for businesses to come to.

"I was told don't open here no one cares in Brooklyn about this, " said Elissa Olin, owner of Green in BKLYN. "They literally are always coming up with new reasons to get customers in."

But the members of the BID say it is the Myrtle Avenue Plaza, with it's extended sidewalks, public spaces for events and seating that has helped them bring customers from across the neighborhoods in sustain that growth.

"If you would have stopped here 20 years ago. You would not recognize this location at all. There was no plaza here. There was a lot of traffic. There was a lot of closed businesses. for it to be beautiful and to be invested in and for the community to be able to enjoy it and enjoy the work they put into making it this way is really important," said Amanda Zenteno, Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership director.

They tell News 12 that with more events planned throughout the fall and more businesses planning to come in, they hope to smash the record of 15 businesses next year.

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