Street’s long history highlighted at Montague Street BID’s annual meeting

The opening of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade in 1950 and 1951, in her words, “changed the dynamic,” as tourists leaving the subway stations at the east end of Montague Street walked its length to get to the Promenade and its spectacular views.

Sachi Cooper, NYC Department of Small Business Services.
Sachi Cooper, NYC Department of Small Business Services.

She also noted that being on or near Montague Street throughout its history was essential to the success of the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange. Founded in 1854 as the Brooklyn Female Employment Society at a time of economic depression, its initial purpose was to provide a source of income for women skilled in needlework. During the Civil War the women of the Society made garments and blanket rolls for soldiers.

Historian and archivist Martha Foley kicked off the annual meeting of the Montague Street BID on Feb. 28 with a discussion about the street’s long commercial history.
Historian and archivist Martha Foley kicked off the annual meeting of the Montague Street BID on Feb. 28 with a discussion about the street’s long commercial history.

Over the succeeding years, what is now the Exchange has gone through several mergers and changes of name and has evolved into a store to which artists and crafters may consign their works, ranging from clothes to household goods, toys, books and foodstuffs. It took the name Brooklyn Women’s Exchange in 1939 and is now the oldest women’s exchange in the U.S. Over the last seventy years, the Exchange has been located at 76 Montague St. (1953-1980), 55 Pierrepont St. (1980-2022) and since 2022 at 137 Montague St.

John Tucciarone, Montague BID treasurer, discusses the annual budget.
John Tucciarone, Montague BID treasurer, discusses the annual budget.

Exchange President Emily Everhart noted that the organization now has about 300 crafters who consign their works to the shop and 35 to 40 active volunteers. She saluted the many new businesses that have emerged on Montague over the past few years.

City Councilmember Lincoln Restler also appeared at the meeting, saying these are “exciting times” on Montague Street, noting the number of new businesses that have sprouted there.

Councilmember Lincoln Restler speaks.
Councilmember Lincoln Restler speaks.

He thanked property owners like the Calfa brothers,…

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