Michael Brick’s 2004 article “Out of the Loft, Into Reality; A Hipster Quits Williamsburg, and Gets a Haircut” from The New York Times chronicles the story of Williamsburg resident Todd Fatjo putting his loft up for sale. It’s a simple premise told with deep meaning of what truly is happening with Fatjo’s move.
Fatjo worked around music, both in gigs as a D.J. and in a record store, and hosted parties in his loft with three large speakers blasting tunes. The 28-year-old brags about these parties, saying that those not in attendance missed out on a legendary event. Through descriptions of the area of the city and how Fatjo emersed himself in it, Brick describes Fatjo as a product of the area he lived in.
Fatjo decided to leave his loft because he and his girlfriend were looking to find their own place, which they eventually found in the South Bronx. Initially, Fatjo had no luck finding an adequate buyer. The crowd of people he ran with didn’t answer to his flier about his home and why it’s so amazing.
The theme of the story is one of ties to a community, but also of growing up. Brick notes that Fatjo’s reason for moving could eventually be experienced by his peers and that Fatjo now works in real estate. The article fades out with a sense of wonderment on what’s next for the Williamsburg hipster crowd Fatjo is leaving behind.
Despite only experiencing New York City as a visitor, I enjoyed how true to home this story rang. It details aspects of life in the city that you have to live to understand. Although these details – such as the necessity of having a 99-cent store nearby and how NYC culture changes in subtle, unannounced waves – don’t resonate with me, I appreciate Brick’s inclusion of them.
This story is about someone and their home, what the place and its neighbors mean to them and why there’s more being left behind than just some loft. Brick’s writing, which incorporates Fatjo’s casual demeanor, the tales about what went down in that loft and the changes that the surrounding area underwent provide a sense of realism in this article.
I also enjoyed the sense of growing up this story leads to and concludes with. Brick tells the story of Fatjo growing up with the backdrop of an ever-changing environment. The story carries itself with Fatjo’s story, first by detailing the great parties and then transitioning into the details of his departure from the region and what lies ahead.
Photo by Carlo Cravero
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