April 28, 2004

Continuing boom in housing fuels retail revolution in Brooklyn with large stores opening along its East River waterfront; home furnishers and hardware giants fill unmet consumer demand in areas formerly occupied by industry; some longtime residents see megastores as disruptive force to small businesses and small streets, while others welcome amenities and jobs they bring; Loew's hardware store in Gowanus section has encountered little opposition since it serves largely local consumers; planned Ikea store in nearby Red Hook, however, is seen as destination retail experience and faces challenges from middle-class, mostly white, residents who have revived area; photos (L)

World Business Briefing: Canada: Altering Sto8

Article on financial woes besetting Long Island Philharmonic, which is marking its 25th anniversary amid canceled concerts, missed payrolls and $250,000 deficit; photo (M)

Article on Be My Baby, forthcoming edition of ABC newsmagazine 20/20, hourlong special about open adoption that is being aggressively promoted as ultimate reality show; photo (M)

Heavily armed assailants detonate bomb near cluster of foreign embassies in Damascus, setting off intense gun battle with Syrian security forces; officials blame 'terrorist and sabotage group,' linking attacks to those in other Arab capitals; one officer and woman passing by are reported killed, as well as two attackers; weapons cache is found in raid in upscale Mazza district; photo of damage to building housing UN office; map (M)