The Downside of Gentrification in Lower Manhattan

We've already talked about the amazing transformation of both the financial district and Seaport district of Manhattan since 9/11. But there's a downside to gentrification too.

Of course it's just a fact of life that neighborhoods change and evolve. And yes, this area used to be pretty dumpy, so I'm not complaining.

But I'd like to see the right kind of gentrification. Maybe New York already has enough trendy bars filled with bankers and Wall Street people.

Really great neighborhood pubs like Jeremy's are starting to lose ground to places like this...

...replete with trendy yellow chairs like these outside on the sidewalk:

As well as places like this, where all the wait staff is obligatorily hip and wears all black:

It may not look "Wall Street banker-filled" now, but wait until the sun sets.... :)

Even Carmine's repainted their sign!! Here's the old look for you nostalgia buffs out there:


By the way, this place makes a mean lasagna, and (at least for now) it's very pleasingly unpretentious. A soon-to-be dying breed throughout Manhattan.