Brooklyn Woman Shares 'My Local Heroes' Tales During Coronavirus

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — A bicycle shop owner who turned down a $7 million offer for his property. The artist who founded a blog to promote local artists without asking for a dime. A boutique owner who switched from making wedding dresses to protective masks amid the new coronavirus outbreak.

These are just a few of Eleanor Traubman's heroes.

The coronavirus pandemic made Traubman, a Carroll Gardens educator and local cultural scene fixture, look at who really makes Brooklyn and New York City run.

It's not always the people with fancy titles or who are in the media spotlights, she said. It's the people who make their neighborhoods wonderful places to be.

"When COVID hit I wanted to find a way to shine a light on people who were local, who were doing things to serve our community and who were doing it in a very day-by-day way with not of a lot of fanfare or ego involved," Traubman said.

Here's how Traubman shines a light — she started My Local Heroes, an ever-rolling series of profiles of people like David Dixon, who owns Dixon's Bicycle Shop in Park Slope.

Dixon is the owner who passed on a $7 million offer for his property. There were too many memories there to sell it, he told Traubman.

"It’s just really clear that he keeps the shop open because he loves the work, he loves to help people," Traubman said. "He’s not looking for a huge profit margin."

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Traubman isn't the only person or media organization highlighting local heroes during the pandemic. New Yorkers are familiar with nightly applause for health care and essential workers on the front lines against the coronavirus. And Patch itself is collecting their stories in a series called, yes, "Local Heroes."

The pandemic itself is making something clear — everyday people are powerful and make a difference, Traubman said.

"I think in a time when there’s so much uncertainty, fragility, a time that exposes the fragility of our system, I think it’s extremely comforting and reassuring to walk down the street and see people who have been part of the fabric of our neighborhood and community for a stretch of time," Traubman said. "I think it’s also reassuring to know that there are people right around us who are doing good, especially when we might be questioning what people in leadership are doing or aren't doing."

Let's tell another local hero tale about an everyday person who made a difference.

This time it's about a New Yorker who has spent 15 years fostering connections between creative people and telling women's stories on her Creatives Times blog.

When the new coronavirus struck, she shifted over to tell stories about people like Louise Crawford, who founded the Brooklyn Blogfest and serves as an "angel" to writers.

This local hero and collector of their tales is Eleanor Traubman. And she's not finished imparting the city's untold stories.

"I love bringing people together," she said with a laugh. "That’s what I love to do."

People can follow "My Local Heroes" here and connect with Traubman, who welcomes suggestions from all across the city.

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