At just five years old, Ellie the Elephant has already cemented her status as a New York icon — and on June 1, the beloved New York Liberty mascot celebrated her birthday in unforgettable fashion.

With the Barclays Center buzzing ahead of the Liberty’s sold-out game against the Connecticut Sun, Ellie stole the spotlight from the moment she arrived. She entered in a custom outfit designed by David Dalrymple, who also created her glamorous costume for a special halftime performance.

At the half, Ellie took to the court for a birthday-themed dance routine. She was joined by the Lil’ Torches dance team and a group of children ages 5 to 17 who had participated in a dance clinic earlier in the week. Together, they performed to some of Ellie’s favorite songs.

But the birthday celebrations weren’t confined to the court. 

Fans had plenty of opportunities to join in the fun. Outside the arena, Shake Shack hosted a pregame party, while the Brooklyn Public Library’s Bookmobile offered free Ellie bookmarks and a chance to make birthday cards for the guest of honor. Inside, the first 9,000 fans received commemorative rally towels.

For those looking to dress like Ellie, her iconic “Herzey” dress — designed by Rare Breed BX — was available for purchase in sizes for all ages at Brooklyn Fanatics.

Even Pinterest got in on the celebration. In honor of its first-ever sports partnership with the Liberty, announced May 29, the platform sent Ellie a birthday cake decorated with the phrase “Gemini Szn.”

The game also featured other special experiences, including limited-edition “Big Ellie Birthday” prints designed by Brooklyn artist Ana Inciardi, available at mini print vending machines. Section 23 of the arena hosted birthday activations such as face painting, themed photo booths and more.

And what’s a party without special guests? Many of Ellie’s mascot friends joined the celebration, including Double Play from the New York Rise, Jonathan the Husky from UConn, Ramses from Fordham, and Sparky and Nyisles from the New York Islanders.

The event was more than just a birthday party — it was a testament to Ellie’s popularity and her strong bond with Liberty fans.

Over the past year, she has emerged as a breakout star in her own right. During the Liberty’s 2024 championship run, Ellie made national headlines for her social media content, dance moves and trendy outfits. With nearly 300,000 combined followers on TikTok and Instagram, she continues to captivate fans beyond the Barclays Center, bringing a fresh wave of energy to the WNBA.

Ellie’s rise isn’t just measured in follower counts or headlines — it’s the connection she builds with fans that sets her apart.

“When you see Ellie, you feel like you’ve known her for years,” Criscia Long, senior director of entertainment  for the Liberty told Brooklyn Paper last summer. “It’s like an almost indescribable feeling, and it truly comes from this genuine desire that Ellie has to create those moments with the fans.”

Bari Pork Store, a beloved Italian deli and Bensonhurst staple, will close its doors for good on June 30, the owners announced this week. 

First opened in 1969, the establishment has been run by co-owners George Firantello and Tony Turrigiano for 26 and 37 years, respectively. Known for its traditional Italian fare, homemade sausage and old-school neighborhood charm, Bari has been a go-to for generations of Brooklynites. 

But after decades of service, the owners say rising costs and shifting neighborhood dynamics have made it impossible to keep the business going. 

“The price of everything is going up and the neighborhood is changing,” Firantello told Brooklyn Paper. “People don’t patronize local stores, they go to other stores.”

“We can’t just survive on holiday [patronage] alone, so we’re forced to close the doors,” he continued.

Since the announcement on Monday, social media has outpoured in support. Featured on the Instagram page ItalianEnclaves, the announcement has over 5,000 likes and dozens of comments from longtime fans of the establishment. 

“We should be thanking you! The fabric of so many memories,” one user wrote. Another added, “This is a prime example of why it’s so very important to support your local mom and pop stores.” 

The reaction has been deeply felt by the owners. Firantello said he’s seen customers return from as far as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Staten Island — even many who they hadn’t seen in over a decade. 

The closing adds to a significant shift in Bensonhurst’s small business landscape. In May, SAS Italian Records, another Italian-American institution, announced its closure after 58 years in business. In recent years, local fixtures like Tasty Bagels and Lenny’s Pizzeria have also shuttered, and in 2023, another classic pork store — G. Esposito & Sons — closed in Carroll Gardens. 

According to the Bensonhurst Brooklyn Commercial District Needs Assessment, businesses are continuing to “cope with reduced foot traffic due to COVID-19,” which has “negatively impacted the shopping experiences and altered habits of both merchants and residents in the neighborhood.” These factors, along with broader gentrification trends and shifting consumer behaviors have sped up the disappearance of long-time staples. 

Still, Firrantello is proud of Bari’s legacy. 

“We always love what we do here, otherwise, I wouldn’t be here as long as I am,” he said. “All of our customers have become family members and friends.” 

Bari Pork Store will remain open until the end of June, giving customers a final chance to stock up and say goodbye. 

Credit supervisor Tony Ream was arraigned for embezzling $1.6M from his employer to fund wedding, travel and failed restaurant, feds say.

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Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that a bookkeeper and two accomplices were arraigned on an indictment charging them with stealing more than $1.1 Million through a long-running fraud involving fake jobs, inflated salaries and business checks. The defendants allegedly used a former Brooklyn realty company to generate fraudulent payroll checks, which they deposited into […]

The post Gravesend bookkeeper, two accomplices, indicted for stealing more than $1.M through fake payroll and check-cashing scheme appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.