Red Hook on the Way Up?

Red Hook has been on a rollercoaster ride for quite some time, with redevelopment, gentrification/degentrification, IKEA, small businesses closing up shop, the Real World moving in...but could it be on its way up again? NY1 takes a look at the current state of things, and Steve Tarpin, owner of Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie Bakery, comments on the transformation from violent to cozy, saying "You know a neighborhood has changed when people are running down the street because they want to, not because they have to. Red Hook would definitely fall into that category." Of course, the artists are being credited for the rejuvenated hood, but so are the Fairway, IKEA, water taxi service, and others. Residents still say it's not for everyone (read: they want to keep it a secret), with one comparing its diamond-in-the-rough status to "a hot chick in overalls." Meanwhile, a Corcoran realtor warns that housing prices will continue to go up in the neighborhood, because even if there's still no subway stop, there's plenty of space.