We Visited the Dino Bodega in (Jurassic) Park Slope

In Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza station, Rex's Dino Store, a pop-up newsstand, offers a humorous take on a bygone era. This unique installation is the brainchild of Akiva Leffert and Sarah Cassidy, part of the MTA's art program filling vacant spaces. The store, fronted by a papier-mache Tyrannosaurus Rex, sells pun-filled, dinosaur-themed items. The project began with extensive brainstorming and resulted in a wealth of dino-related jokes and products. These items, like fake newspapers and magazines, reference both New York history and culture. The artists funded the project themselves, constructing the shop over a year with friends' help. The Dino Store has been a success, attracting both locals and tourists alike. The artists are planning future community events and seasonal updates for their establishment. They hope to inspire others to contribute their own ideas to the ever-evolving dino-themed world. Ultimately, the project aims to provide some fun and playfulness in a complex and sometimes depressing time.