Brooklyn’s biggest stories this week are in, from exciting new openings to major local announcements. Park Slope welcomed Lidl and Folk cocktail bar, while Brooklyn Heights got a sweet addition with Diljān bakery. Big news also hit the borough: Coney Island will get a new boardwalk, Public Records is opening a live music venue in Sunset Park, and the FIFA World Cup is coming to New York City in 2026. Williamsburg said farewell to Wythe Diner, which is moving to Steiner Studios’ film and TV sets, and BKLYN Holiday-topia shot a record number of free professional Santa photos at City Point—returning this Sunday for even more. Keep reading for all the latest updates!
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New location of Lidl now open in Park Slope
Lidl opened this week 80 Baltic Street, at the corner of 5th Avenue and Baltic Street. The supermarket is part of the Paseo on Fifth development in Park Slope, which includes two luxury apartment buildings and various retailers on the ground floor. Similar to Trader Joe’s and Aldi, Lidl offers a broad assortment of products, including its 49-cent butter croissants, private-label Butcher’s Specialty meats, and Bon Gelati mini ice cream bars. Shoppers can also find gourmet favorites like frozen tiramisu, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, and authentic prosciutto. Lidl will be open 8am-9pm daily.
Folk cocktail bar opens in Park Slope and and Diljān bakery opens in Brooklyn Heights
The team behind the Park Slope restaurant Lore has opened a new cocktail bar 689 6th Avenue. Folk will serve both craft cocktails and small plates by chef Jay Kumar (also of Lore) in a 1,000-square-foot space.
Diljān Bakery is opening at 330 Hicks Street in Brooklyn Heights this weekend, specializing in Afghan flatbread. The bakery is by the team behind Little Flower Cafe in Astoria and Blue Hour in Bushwick, which recently closed. Diljān will also serve samosas, sweet pastries, and more featuring Afghan ingredients.
Williamsburg’s Wythe Diner is relocated to Steiner Studios in Brooklyn Navy Yard
Williamsburg’s Wythe Diner, a fixture of the neighborhood at 225 Wythe Avenue, was removed and transported to Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard this week, where it will be featured on film and TV sets. The 50-ton diner was lifted up by a crane and left Williamsburg for good, where it has been since 1968. A mixed-use housing development is slated for 225 Wythe Avenue.
Coney Island Boardwalk will get a billion-dollar makeover
The city has allocated $1 billion to completely rebuild the 3-mile-long Coney Island Boardwalk. The work will happen in phases, and there is no planned design as of yet, but a new boardwalk could be unveiled within a decade. The new boardwalk will be 80 feet wider, with more ramps and accessibility upgrades. The project will also include a renovation of the NYC Parks buildings, including lifeguard stations and public restrooms. The new structure will also be built to withstand storm waters.
Public Records will open new live music and arts space in Sunset Park’s MADE Bush Terminal next year
The team behind Public Records in Gowanus has partners with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to develop a 1,000-person music and arts venue at MADE Bush Terminal in Sunset Park, expected to open in late 2026. The venue will host live music, large-scale art installations, and more large-scale events. In addition to the venue, the project is planning for a new ferry landing and a 5-acre waterfront park by the pier.
BKLYN Holiday-topia shoots hundreds of free professional Santa photos at City Point
Brooklyn Bridge Parents and City Point offering free Santa photos at BKLYN HOLIDAY-Topia throughout December. In its first weekend, a record number of free Santa photos were shot by a professional photographer, and the festivities will continue Saturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 14. Beyond the photoshoot, families can also enjoy holiday crafts, dreidel decorating, face painting, Legos, and more holiday fun!
FIFA announces World Cup 2026 games in New York
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is taking place in 16 host cities, one of them New York, and 1.2 million fans are expected to visit our region for this mega event. All local matches will take place at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey from Saturday, June 13 to Sunday, July 19 which is the Final of the tournament. You might get a chance to watch Germany versus Ecuador or Panama versus England, live here in the Tristate area. See the schedule of games, learn how to apply for the ticket lottery, and more about how to experience the World Cup in Brooklyn here!
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Updated: December 11, 2025. Main Image: Lidl in Park Slope.
