Greenpoint, according to the City Room blog, is feeling the crunch of the recession. Condo projects are on hold, Franklin Street apparently feels sleepy (which is usually only the case when people are sleeping, because that shit is like the N. 6th Street of the nabe) and shop owners are seeing sales drop. But maybe not for the reasons they think.

Gina Zayas, of Zayas Appliances, was asked if she sold any air conditioners this summer. She said, "No. It rained for two months. And a lot of the renters, these young hipsters, are very energy conscious."

Or it could have to do with the fact that most of the appliance stores on Manhattan Avenue are staffed by unfriendly folks who, when they dein to help a customer, offer the one model of whatever appliance you need that they keep in stock and charge you a price that seems to be about $20 less than the old lady in front of you just paid. Energy conscious works too, though.