Bronx Historical Tours
 Telephone: 1-646-831-1078
  • Bronx Tours
  • Tickets & 2021 Calendar
  • Bronx Walking Tours
    • Bronx Little Italy Walking Tour
    • Bronx Street Art Tours
    • Intro to The Bronx
    • An Insider's Guide to the South Bronx
    • South Bronx Historic Tour
    • A People's History of the South Bronx
    • Bronx Forest Bathing Tour
    • North Bronx Historic Tour
    • Pequena Italia del Bronx
    • Westchester Square Historic Tour
    • Bronx Little Ireland Tours
  • Bronx Bus Tours
    • I Grew Up in The Bronx Tour
    • Bronx Church Tours
    • City Island Tours
    • Bronx Little Italy Tours
    • Bronx Sightseeing Tours
    • South Bronx Historical Tour
    • Bronx Food Tours
    • The Bronx Immigrant Experience
    • Beer Baron of The Bronx Tour
  • Press
  • Bronx Collaboration
  • Reservation Form
  • The Bronx
  • Bronx Group Tours
  • Bronx Travel & Tourism
  • Bronx Sustainable Tourism
    • Bronx Mission
  • Fordham University Tours
  • Bronx Life
  • Other Activities

Bronx Business Owner, Alexandra Maruri Discusses The Future of The Bronx Economy and Job Creation

22/5/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture

As a child, entrepreneur and business owner, Alexandra Maruri emigrated to the Bronx from Ecuador with her mom, in her own words, “to live the American dream.”  She was part of a new wave of hispanic immigrants during the seventies, who joined the ranks of millions of ethnic groups from around the globe before her, who arrived to this great nation to find opportunity and build a better life.

Her love and commitment to her new home, The Bronx, was immediate, and as she grew, so did her pride in the borough she still calls home, more than four decades later. After a twenty year marketing career in the corporate world, she decided to venture off on her own to follow her lifelong passion for her hometown, by creating the first-ever tour company specializing in Bronx tours.

As Managing Director of Bronx Historical Tours, Ms. Maruri has and continues to educate visitors, both local and from around the world, to the hidden (and not so hidden!) gems that exist in the borough, but, moreover, that are part of her world.

Her business philosophy is quite simple - a deep dedication to promoting sustainable tourism practices in The Bronx.  Her goal is to forge opportunities for local businesses by bringing tourism to the borough, with a sensitivity for economic growth, social awareness of the local culture, and environmental respect, while raising awareness of the borough's historic preservation. ​

In light of this commitment, she possesses passionate views about some of the steps that can be taken within the borough by business developers and entrepreneurs to create jobs and career opportunities within The Bronx.

During my latest conversation with Alexandra, she detailed some of the ideas about which she is most fervent.


EV:        Can you describe what it is that makes you so passionate about The Bronx?
AM:       I love the people, the food and our beautiful historic buildings. But, for the most part, I
would say I love the history and culture of The Bronx.  I’m very passionate about preserving our history, while at the same time, believe we have a unique opportunity to embrace and learn about new cultures that are brought to The Bronx as new immigrant groups flow through, enhancing the existing history and culture here in The Bronx.


EV:     As a Bronx small business owner, what have been some of your greatest challenges?
AM:       The day to day operations in a world of uncertainty, makes it hard to plan ahead and
requires the ability to be flexible, opportunistic and seize new opportunities without losing
focus of long-term business goals and missions. I depend on the support of the local
residents and visitors, and one of the ways I’ve come to make things more predictable is my continued commitment to help local small businesses by facilitating visitors to feel comfortable and excited about The Bronx so that they stay and linger after the tour to grab something to eat or visit a gallery or museum, thereby, helping the local economy.



EV:     I’m sure that giving tours around The Bronx, has led to creating good relationships
with many of the other small business owners and hearing some of their concerns and
challenges.  Can you tell us some of these?
AM:    From my observations and conversations, I would say that most businesses in The
Bronx struggle to keep a steady flow of customers coming through. There is no doubt
that The Bronx has come a long way, but, I do think that we have a ways to go.  

For example, I would love to see more opportunities for local residents and business people, both of which I believe get negatively impacted from current rising commercial rents, housing, transportation and food prices.  If you look at the numbers, the local economy could really benefit from a roughly 25% boost in the local economy to keep up with the rising costs of the aforementioned.



EV:    Any thoughts on some measures that might assist your fellow small business owners?
AM:    Some measures that might assist are more programs offered by banks
for small businesses to help them expand and grow, as well as tax breaks and incentives for independently owned mom and pop businesses.  Local, independently owned enterprises are more likely to hire from the local community, and they are emotionally more invested in the success of their fellow residents, unlike large chains and developers. And of course, more tax breaks and incentives geared for small businesses would aid in their ability to expand and excite entrepreneurs to start new ventures.


EV:    Where do you think the biggest opportunities lie in building the economy in The Bronx?
AM:    I can think of two right off the bat.  
1) Creation of higher paying job in a variety of industries to maintain local Bronx college
grads to build their career in The Borough. 
2) Commercial real estate development, such as business park complexes.



EV:    Can you elaborate on “keeping local Bronx College Grads”?
AM:    Considering that we have 13 Universities and colleges in The Bronx, the Borough would
benefit enormously from this new, educated talent if there were good paying jobs for these graduates right here, where they have lived during their college years.  

Keeping students in the Borough, like many other college towns around the country manage to do, will enable these young professionals to re-invest in their community with their knowledge and career endeavors. So, for example, at present, the current rents in Port Morris and Mott Haven are running between $2900- $4000 per month. Not many kids coming out of school can afford this. However, it would be a real win for our Borough if there was more high level job creation by a variety of business industries for which young graduates are looking, such as advertising, finance and other white collar jobs, and then grads might be willing and able to stay in The Bronx and result in more demand for apartment rentals such as these for shared apartment space by these 20-somethings.  The Bronx needs to build career opportunities from the bottom up and not the top down.



EV:    Tell us more about your second suggestion regarding commercial real estate
development
AM:    I believe there exists tremendous opportunity with the help of large builders and
Investors to build the economy here in The Bronx.
Since 2015 The Bronx has had a healthy amount of investment, in the range
of $9.95 billion according to this article.  However, we haven't experienced significant
job market growth. Based on the Critical Labor Department numbers, approximately only 32% of the Bronx residents are employed full time (excluding part-time, seniors, veterans, disabled and children.) We need to improve these numbers.

I believe that an opportunity is being overlooked, and that the creation of large business park complexes could prove lucrative for developers and would enable job growth and would prove successful for retaining professional talent in The Bronx.

As a word of caution for developers, we have an excess amount of expensive housing real estate inventory in New York City which remains unsold and untouched. Attracting more Bronx-owned businesses and eventually, outside businesses will create more jobs and disposable income to fill the current real estate inventory.
 


EV:    Do you think The Bronx needs more housing?
AM:    We definitely need more housing but not at market rate, we need to balance the ratio of
affordable apartments and market rate.  That’s why I would love to see real estate developers creating mid-range housing, targeted to locals.  
Additionally, expanding on my earlier comment about our Borough needing an economic boost, I believe that the creation of large business park complexes for businesses is what visionary developers should embrace.



EV:     Can you tell me more about the current economic conditions of The Bronx?
AM:    Sure. I think these Department of Labor numbers speak for themselves.

- NYC Unemployment Rate: 4.2% June 2019
- NYS Unemployment Rate: 3.8% June 2019  
- USA Unemployment Rate: 3.8% June 2019
- Bronx Population according to census: 2017 - 1.471.160
- Bronx Unemployment Rate: 5.6% June 2019  
- Labor Force: 600.3 June 2019
- Employed: 566.7 June 2019
- Unemployed: 33.6 June 2019
- Median Income: South Bronx $32,000
- Top Job Industries: Education & Healthcare
- Businesses: 21 with 1,000 or more employees, 15 in Healthcare
    
Additionally I believe this quote from The Office of New York State Comptroller, An
Economic Snapshot of the Bronx brings across my view quite clearly:

"The Bronx has set employment records for 10 consecutive years, and the
unemployment rate has fallen to a record low. Despite these positive trends, the Bronx still faces challenges. Many residents live in poverty, youth unemployment remains high and there is a shortage of affordable housing. Nonetheless, the Bronx has made great strides over the past four decades."



EV:    From the Labor Department numbers you site about The Bronx economy, it appears that
the majority of the current jobs in The Bronx are predominantly in Healthcare.  How
would you like to see this expand?  
AM:    To have a more diversified and broader range of industries creating high paying jobs in
the Borough. We need to improve the median income across The Bronx, every resident needs reap the rewards, so industries like advertising, finance and technology to name a few.



EV:    From your position as a small business owner and someone who knows The Bronx well,
What are your thought about bolstering the local economy, and specifically, regarding the Federal Government’s Opportunity Zone Program?
AM:    I believe there are some promising possibilities and the success lies in strategic implementation. The Opportunity Zone Program is one of these.

This new alternative economic development program established by Congress in the Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was implemented to foster private-sector investments in low-income rural and urban areas.
According to the government site,
“New York State is participating in the new Opportunity Zone community
development program, offered through the Tax Cuts and Job Acts of 2017. The federal program encourages private investment in low-income urban and rural communities. Based on analyses by Empire State Development (ESD), New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), New York State Department of State (DOS) and the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs), New York State has recommended 514 census tracts to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for designation as Opportunity Zones.”


In other words, the major tax legislation from December 2017 created Opportunity Zones allowing investors to defer, reduce and eliminate capital gains tax if they invest in 8,000+ very specific areas throughout the U.S. As it relates to The Bronx, there are 12 tracts in the South Bronx, designated as Opportunity Zones.



EV:     What are your thoughts on The Opportunity Zone Program as it relates to The Bronx?
AM:    Considering that under this Program, developers would receive tax breaks to help
stimulate the economy, it seems like a great opportunity for investors. Individual companies can manage and run their organizations as needed for maintaining and growing their business in the qualified Opportunity Zone provided they adhere to the new proposed law which states that 50% of the wages or hours must come from a qualified Opportunity Zone Safe Harbors. These businesses can take advantage of the tax benefits while investing in the local community.

As the IRS releases clearer data for the investors, this should also encourage proposing more incubators and start-ups in The Bronx. I would also encourage the top organizations in the Borough to hire more qualified executives from The Bronx. This would create a huge boost of local opportunities in The Bronx.  



EV:     What is the current state of real estate development in The Bronx?
AM:    Most of the large purchases in the South Bronx in recent years have been bought and
flipped by developers, strictly for profit, which is what they are supposed to do for their
investment portfolios, unfortunately, there has not been much foresight for how it benefits
the community.  This borough has been targeted by developers who are only out to
make quick buck and leave. They have not demonstrated that they are interested in growing or helping the Borough, and this is clearly not what we need, nor want,  in The Bronx.



EV:    What are your thoughts on a better approach to real estate investment in The Bronx?
AM:    The basic rule is they have 30 months to build the project and make it profitable, those
rules will not change. However, I believe that the community would be better served if
developers  focused on creating more appealing office space for the expansion of
businesses, with the ultimate goal being the creation of jobs.  I do believe from an investment standpoint, they could command a better return on their investment building with businesses in mind.  At present, I’m not aware of any business park development and would be thrilled to hear of any.



EV:    Are you worried about people of the community being displaced with business real
estate development versus housing development?
AM:    No, I believe that you can lessen the displacement by balancing housing and business
real estate development.  I believe that real estate developers are seasoned professional men and women and while they are in business to turn a profit, which is how it should be, I feel strongly that these savvy developers have the creativity to approach it the right way that will result in positive and profitable long-term benefits to the residents of The Bronx, the business community and give them a good return on their investment.



EV:    Other boroughs have found a winning formula by using their waterfront areas to
invigorate the community with new businesses development opportunities.  Do you think this is possible in The Bronx?
AM:    Waterfront development takes a special and delicate approach, for which I’m not an
expert.  However, what I am pretty certain about is that the waterfront area in The Bronx would need to be addressed in sections since it is broken up so to speak and separated  due to the industrial land.

Large parcels of land have been purchased with no plan for a business and commercial development. If they build a business complex on this lovely land, it would open a huge opportunities for Bronxites since it would have great commercial and business appeal for a variety of industries such as financial services, advertising, technology as well as shopping, restaurants and International food halls. These type of businesses could boost the local economy and offer our residents better opportunities for job growth and improve their quality of life.
It would also bring about changes in how people perceive The Bronx from the outside and create a great buzz for entrepreneurs looking to create new businesses.

​


Picture
About the Author:
Elisa Valentino is a travel blogger and freelance writer.  She is co-founder of TravelinCousins.com travel blog as well as twice weekly blogger for The Bronx Traveler blog for HeartofTheBronx.com, and writes a weekly column for ThisIsTheBronx.info. 

​A native New Yorker, Fordham graduate, world traveler and vegan, she is passionate about The Bronx as a travel destination for locals and tourists.



0 Comments

Bronx Latina Puts Touring The Bronx on the Map

26/4/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
If there is one thing I’ve learned from being a travel blogger, it’s that geography and the distance traveled is not always what defines being a travel buff. It is actually the discovery and exploration of places to which one has never ventured, and the knowledge acquired in doing so. 
This insight has been the the driving force for Bronx Historical Tours founder, Alexandra Maruri.
Emigrating from Ecuador to the United States in the early ‘70’s to live the American dream, Maruri and her mom settled in the South Bronx and she is proud to call The Bronx home ever since her arrival. Like most residents, Alexandra would embrace her new home, developing an identity as a Bronxite, first and foremost, which would lay the foundation for creating her local tour company, Bronx Historical Tours.
After being downsized from her corporate job some years ago, the young Bronxite took a job in a hotel. While working there, she would find herself being asked by guests about unique places to visit within New York City. According to Maruri “I would mention my home (The Bronx), and our history, and they would cringe with fear. I knew we had a bad reputation, but not to the level of fearing for their safety.”


Feeling passion about the many wonders, historical destinations and quintessential Bronx culture, Maruri encountered one guest that replied, “I would go with you” and that’s when a lightbulb went off for the Latina entrepreneur. Up until this time, no one was helping people explore the many wonders of The Bronx and Maruri believed that she could bring awareness and a new sense of enjoyment for locals and visitors alike, to her hometown.
It was then that Maruri decided to quit her hotel job and take money from her 401K fund to jump start her new small business, appropriately naming it, Bronx Historical Tours. Founded on June 13, 2011, Maruri applied her knowledge and personal recollections from her life in The Bronx around famous landmarks, historical areas and cultural enclaves to create a selection of unique tours, which appeal to a broad audience and a plethora of interests.
From bus tours of City Island, the “Seaport of the Bronx” , Arthur Avenue Neighborhood Tour in the Belmont Section of the Bronx, better known as Little Italy, or The Bronx Immigrant Experience Tour, which explores the history and influences of the diverse immigrant groups that have called The Bronx home, to Walking Tours of Woodlawn Heights, better known as Little Ireland, Fort Apache or Bronx Churches, Maruri has ardently assembled a collection of captivating tours that have residents and tourists returning time and again to learn about this magnificent borough.
The BHT website is jam packed with artfully crafted local excursions that highlight everything from history, culture, religious, food, drinks and nature, as well as customized Bronx experiences.
With a lifetime of first-hand experiences from the immigrant turned life-long Bronx resident perspective, it is no wonder that Ms. Maruri has made a career of educating people about this fascinating borough. In fact the mission of her company is to create awareness of the history and culture of The Bronx to local residents and tourists. 
This includes a deep dedication to promoting sustainable tourism practices in The Bronx by developing a business model that advances the contribution of the tourism sector to the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental, while raising awareness of the borough’s historic preservation. ​ 
Her goal is to forge opportunities for local businesses by bringing tourism to the borough, and building awareness of the historic and cultural points of interest, galleries and houses of worship in The Bronx, while engaging businesses and travelers with information that improve the economy and support local culture. A tall order, but one that Maruri has pledged her commitment.
Loyal to all things Bronx, it is her earliest memories living in The Bronx that have shaped her devotion to the people and businesses of the borough she calls home. As a child, new to America, she and her mom experienced the ultimate act of kindness that is permanently etched in Maruri’s mind and heart. 
When a fire ravaged the apartment building of her first Bronx home in 1971, she and her mom were among the residents whose lives were saved by the fearless and self-sacrificing efforts of New York firefighters. In fact, after a brave and harrowing rescue, one of these men, Battalion Chief William C. Rinsdale, suffered a massive heart attack, passing away a hero. Maruri still remembers this traumatic event and has become eternally grateful to firefighters and their tireless efforts. So much so, that she includes firehouses in several of her tours as a way to pay homage to the men risk their lives on a daily basis and who saved her, her mom, sister and stepfather that fateful night more than forty years ago. 
Maruri has led tours for visitors from around the globe, including Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, as well as hundreds of local residents and visitors from around the United States.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed either. BHT has received extensive press coverage, having been featured on a plethora of local and international news sites and publications, including Conde Nast Traveler, El Diario La Prensa, CNN Travel, Bronx Times, Fodor’s Travel, Long Island Pulse, Italy Magazine, La Ventana Arte y Cultura (Buenos Aires, Argentina), NY1, The Daily News and my own blog, Travelin’ Cousins.
I have had the pleasure of touring with Alexandra Maruri on several occasions, each time having been given a wealth of knowledge about the areas to which we ventured and the personal experience of meeting neighborhood residents and merchants while engaging in each local adventure. My first tour was through Woodlawn Heights, which included an incredible in-depth tour of the neighborhood, world-renown Woodlawn Cemetery and the Bronx River area.


My second excursion was the awesome Bronx Church Tour, last summer. Through rain and thunder, Alexandra escorted me and m;y Travelin’ Cousin partner, Tanya, to several of the most cherished Catholic churches in the Bronx, which included Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto as well as an amazing opportunity to meet one of the oldest and well respected vendors in all of Little Italy, Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles. (see previous articles Our Lady of Mount Carmel & St. Lucy’s Roman Catholic Church and Woodlawn Cemetery: A Must See National Historical Landmark in The Bronx)
Each tour was a beautiful experience, and it was evident to me that the personal relationship and rapport between Maruri and the local business owners and site managers was one of mutual respect and friendship.
With many tour companies in and around the New York area cashing in lately on tourism opportunities in The Bronx, the merchants, neighborhood leaders and who’s who in the travel industry know that Maruri started it all with her vision of bringing tourism to the borough. One of her main objectives for her guests is that they stay in The Bronx during their visit, to get a true feel for the people and culture, as well as to support the small businesses in the neighborhood as they enjoy checking out the local landmarks.
Don’t just take my word for it, check out the sensational reviews singing the praises  of Bronx Historical Tours  on TripAdvisor.  I’ll leave you with this one from JimWag, Sheffield, United Kingdom:
“While I’m sure many tour agencies could give similar background information what they won’t be able to give you is Alexandra’s passion for the place she grew up in and the unique insider’s perspective. We could tell right from the start how passionate she was not only about the Bronx but in wanting to tell people from around the world about it.”
General group tours are limited to a maximum of ten guests in order to make the experience more efficient for guests to enjoy, with prices ranging from $25 to $55 for the general public, and slightly higher for private tours.
For more information, visit Bronx Historical Tours website – www.bronxhistoricaltours.com and see how much you can still experience and learn about The Bronx.
​

http://www.thisisthebronx.info/weekday-magazine-touring-the-bronx/

0 Comments

VACANCIES, VOIDS AND PRESERVATION: The very beginning of gentrification in the South Bronx

20/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture


A vacant space in the South Bronx is nothing new. Up until recently, these wide, empty spaces had been left abandoned. It reflects the South Bronx--neglected. For years, not only the South Bronx, but the borough in general has been neglected. All of this is changing because of new developments and residents coming into the neighborhoods. Open areas like this, especially ones with views of Manhattan, are being sold for millions of dollars and will soon be filled with new homes for out-of-town, new residents to occupy; perhaps even to be made into secluded neighborhoods, depending on who is purchasing them.

One of the most distinctive and iconic landmarks of the South Bronx is the Clock Tower, located in Port Morris. It's one of the first buildings that attracted new developers to this borough, which started a lot of changes in the neighborhood. This can ultimately lead to new structures being built, especially along the waterfront between Manhattan and The Bronx. Yet, these new structures will have to stand against historic buildings, which can't be taken down.
Many developers are attempting to rebrand the area as the "Piano District" since the South Bronx produced many pianos in the past. According to their website, Beethoven Pianos was established in the 1970s and it's the oldest family-owned piano store in New York City. Nevertheless, The Bronx's historical locations are not recognized, such as its three historical districts, all within walking distance from each other: Mott Haven, Mott Haven East and the Bertine Block.

Townhouses like the one pictured above, built in 1889, are continuously being renovated in order to be sold for more money. Two years ago, this same house would have been sold for $120,000. However, with all the influx of new residents, the asking price has been raised to almost $1.4 million.

Bronx native, Alexandra Maruri, creator of Bronx Historic Tours, began her business on sustainable tourism after losing her corporate job in 2008. Maruri would later work in customer service, where many of the clientele had a negative perception of The Bronx. The idea of doing tours in The Bronx came to her after a woman said to her, "I would visit, if I go with you." This is when Maruri invested everything she had into this new venture, providing historical and cultural tours of The Bronx.
In regards to the changes taking place, she hopes that it will positively impact the job market for those that live in the area. "We need more corporate office jobs. The most recent numbers from the labor department: 585.3 working, excluding part-time, seniors, disabled, veterans and children," says Maruri. Through the new developments, Maruri hopes the borough will attract corporations that will create jobs for residents. She is also participating in stimulating the job market in the South Bronx by "promoting a new industry and creating jobs...through tourism in the business sector."

Samuel Brooks, President of the Mott Haven Historic Districts Association, is also an advocate of preservation of the South Bronx like Alexandra Maruri. Originally from Honduras, Brooks arrived in Mott Haven in 1975, and has been in this area for most of his life. His work focuses on longtime residents, like himself, to work on preservation. By preservation, Brooks is not just talking about the old buildings, but also the "preservation of the people who live here, to try to have them understand that there is no need for them to move."
With regards to gentrification, Brooks believes there is nothing wrong with developers acquiring vacant lands to create new buildings and businesses, but wants them to keep the community in mind. The issue begins when new residents, or even tourists, don't help stimulate the economy of the South Bronx. Brooks hopes to build incentives to bring newcomers to support local businesses, informing them of what The Bronx has to offer.
Drastic changes are occuring in the area, right beneath the residents' feet. This is just one example of how new developments are like ones that the South Bronx has not seen. In progress is the SoBro Park Hotel, a luxury hotel located in a considerably desolate area, with close access to Manhattan through the Madison Bridge, Third Avenue Bridge, and Willis Avenue Bridge.

A few of these changes are already knocking on the neighborhood residents' doors. As seen, the building, 337 East 138 Street, is practically empty. It is not noticeable when walking on that side of the street, but across from it everything is clear: residents are being removed. Just from looking at the windows, there is only one set of curtains up in the entire building, which can mean that the owners of the buildings are waiting for the resident's leases to finish up in order to kick them out. This is just the beginning of the gentrification process.

Ideas of the South Bronx being gentrified occurred a few years ago and JCAL Development Group LLC has contributed to this by creating infrastructures that are changing the skyline of The Bronx. Founder of JCAL Development, Josh Weissman, has created four new developments in Mott Haven according to an article by The Real Deal, and "The Bridgeline," pictured above, is the company's largest project to date. Companies like these see the potential in The Bronx and are taking advantage. As mentioned on JCAL's website, the company "focus[es] on urban development opportunities in emerging neighborhoods," and Mott Haven is no exception; it is viewed as one of these up-and-coming neighborhoods.


The South Bronx is not the first place to be gentrified and it won't be the last. This wave is coming and it's coming rapidly. Soon, the neighborhood will be filled with hundreds of more people walking in the streets. The view and the skyline along The Bronx will forever change. Residents and businesses need to be prepared for what is to come. The Bronx isn't "burning" anymore--it's being gentrified.

Footnotes: https://www.bronxhistoricaltours.com/, http://www.mhhda.org/
Adilene Diaz - South Bronx, Bronx, NY, USA
​https://adilene.exposure.co/vacancies-voids-and-preservation​​​

0 Comments

South Bronx Tours

12/11/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
I’ve hired many tour guides over the years. Some have been knowledgeable but not socially gifted. Others are kind and friendly, yet don’t know their stuff. 

Lucky for me, during a recent visit to New York City, I hired Alexandra Maruri and she combines both perfectly. Her extensive experience, and easy-going attitude, made the tour both memorable and fun. I was very impressed with her approach and left feeling energized and inspired. 

Alexandra grew up in the borough, so she knows her history and shared a lot of really interesting anecdotes and facts during our walk.
She’s also spent many years touring the South Bronx neighborhood which was made famous for being the birthplace of hip-hop, graffiti art and a slew of celebrated actors, writers, designers and politicians – including, Al Pacino, Jay-Lo, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Edgar Allen Poe and Colin Powell. 

There are several large-scale projects under development in the South Bronx right now. I met dozens of Alexandra’s local friends, mostly business owners, and everyone was optimistic about the neighborhood's future. The area still has issues that need attention, but slowly and surely, things are changing for the better. Which makes visiting right now so cool.

If you yearn to experience a part of New York City that feels alive – yet still a little gritty – and isn't as sanitized and fluffy as Manhattan’s SoHo or Time Square districts are, you should definitely book at tour with Alexandra Maruri’s outstanding Bronx Historical Tours.

About me:

I am a freelance filmmaker and photographer and make my living working in places far away from home.

On average, I stay at 25-30 hotels and eat at way over 100 different restaurants a year and depend on the reviews I read when choosing where to stay and where to eat. Not always, but often enough, I find myself disappointed and forced to endure staying at unremarkable hotels or eating at restaurants with mediocre service and food.

My ambition for reviewing hotels and restaurants is to provide fellow travelers (and indirectly, hotel management) with my experiences and insightful critique.

On several occasions, owners, General Managers and F & B Directors at hotels I’ve stayed at and reviewed have gotten in touch to thank me personally for my opinions and suggestions.

Joakim Lloyd Raboff
0 Comments

Bronx Heritage Tours

11/11/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
I had been planning a visit to NYC for over a year, but wanted to do things a bit differently. My father grew up in the Bronx, and I decided I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I had been to my grandparents’ apartment but not to other important locations. I made a list and contacted Alexandra Maruri at Bronx Historical Tours for advice. She was able to propose a personally guided walking tour of the landmarks, sights and important family locations in the Bronx. The price was amazingly reasonable and so away we went. We walked for five hours, during which time I found that she grew up blocks from where my father had. She really knows the Bronx, its history, troubled times and the renewal ahead. I felt she provided me with information better than others might provide and something better - great memories. Highly recommended.

Michael Guerin
Upland, California
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Alexandra Maruri 
    Bronx Historical Tours ® 

    Archives

    May 2019
    April 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    September 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture

Preserving our history & sharing our stories, one tour at a time.
Visit The Bronx & Support Our Local Economy! 
Cultural Heritage & Sustainable Tourism

Our tours support preservation, small businesses, education, NYC parks, historical landmarks & cultural institutions
EST 2011 Bronx Historical Tours ® is a registered trademark​ ​  

Hours

M-F: 9 am - 9 pm

Telephone

646-831-1078

Email 

bronxtours@gmail.com​