(All photos: Brian Hedden)

Thanks to shorter days and the time change, I don’t get to see my neighborhood in the daylight much anymore. The main commercial strip does have a cool look to it, though, in the early evening.

Silver Rod is a mere independent pharmacy on a street lined with CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreen’s. But they’re pretty much guaranteed to have EVERY item on your child’s back-to-school classroom supplies shopping list, so suck it, CVS. The pharmacy storefront used to be bigger, but a couple of years ago, they “gave up” the corner to make way for a 24-hour deli. Yes! In times of need I have walked out here from my apartment at 3am. Though the more likely scenario has me making a 3am drunken pit-stop on my way from a Manhattan rock club.

This Sovereign Bank started out in life as a South Brooklyn Savings Bank. Even at night, you can tell they need to get the front exterior a good washdown. But forget that for a moment – check out those lamps. Says Forgotten NY:

Like many metropolitan-area banks, the SBSB had the peculiar tradition of erecting its own light posts in front (especially if the bank was on a corner). Many of the posts still remain, like these, and some still illuminate.

And these illuminate as well. Sweet.

This temple to teenage fashion used to be a movie theater. I kinda wish it still were. Then I wouldn’t have to go as far to see New Moon.

Keepin’ it real, Bensonhurst. Keepin’ it real.

Best in show.

My local C-Town’s hours suck slightly less than they did when I first moved in. Before, they closed at 7pm on weeknights, now they stay open all the way to 7:30pm. Woo!

I complain about this store a little. Maybe a little too much. All things considered, the produce is passable and the deli counter caters to the Italian-American kitchens. And I don’t have to cross a street to get here. 18th Avenue C-Town gets a thumbs-up from me.

I love Telco for housewares. More recently, I bought a fairly cheap pair of fat pants that I like pretty well so far. And, um… if you need Christmas decorations… this is the place to go! (And has been since mid-October.)

DaVinci’s Pizzeria. The very very first day I moved to Bensonhurst, when I had no furnishings and nothing to sleep on save a couple of blankets and a pillow, I walked over to 18th Avenue in search of some fun, and DaVinci’s was the first place I went. And many times I have returned. Oh, sure, sometimes I’ll go to J&V Pizzeria by the subway station at late night, or those times I’m ashamed to admit to the brothers at DaVinci’s that yes, I will eat pizza on three consecutive days… but DaVinci’s is definitely my favorite.

I’m so weak.

Tags: 18th Avenue, C-Town, DaVinci's, Silver Rod Pharmacy, Sovereign Bank, Telco