Franklin Avenue (S, C)

I dub this stop: Little Arabia in the fight against gentrification.

This stop brings you to a singular block of Islamic-African and Middle-Eastern community on Fulton Street between Franklin and Bedford Aves, with gentrification in the form of glassy new apartment buildings, a European Wax Center, and people beyond the gender binary in the surrounding area.

It’s hard to believe that directly facing Jarama Barber Shop and Barry Sawaba Corp. is a European Wax Center on Fulton St.

You can get by on Arabic alone on this stretch of Fulton St right outside the station.

Go west on Fulton Ave, or head north, and the Arabic influence gives way to hip-grunge culture, with artists populating Padmores Cafe and rummaging through Bedford Galleries Inc for vintage, antique furniture. Some relatively hip restaurants and bars are in the area, too, like Hart’s (great for date night) and Glorietta Baldy (cute arcade bar), both off Franklin. Or, try Doris, a fun nightlife spot with hidden vibes, even though it’s right on Franklin.

The entrance to Doris, where you can still hear the Masjid minaret from just one block west on the very same Franklin Ave.

Walk north along Bedford Ave, and you start to get hipster cafe culture. This is the outside corner of Martha’s Pastries and Cafe on Bedford.