A man who was photographed knitting on a New York subway train has seen his business boom.
The photograph of the man, Louis Boria, was taken by Broadway actress and former “American Idol” contestant Frenchie Davis and posted to her Facebook page.
“This brotha on the train is my hero today,” she wrote on a post that ultimately attracted more than 1,200 likes.
A day later one of his friends spotted the photo and added Boria’s name to the post.
Boria runs Brooklyn Boy Knits, a custom knitwear company.
Since Frenchie Davis’s photo was posted online on Nov. 20, Brooklyn Boy Knits has seen a surge in orders—such that Boria has had to hire two new knitters.
“For the first time in 10 years, I have pending orders,” Boria told the New York Daily News.
“I’m a fast knitter, but I’ve been telling customers to give me a three- to four-week delivery time.”
Brooklyn man spotted knitting on the train by @frenchiedavis sees his business boom https://t.co/ItB1jq5Lwd pic.twitter.com/2iLGUPKDZc
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) December 4, 2017
Boria has been knitting for over a decade and launched his company in 2009. He would devote his two-hour daily commute to honing his skills.
Every winter he donates at least three scarves a day to the homeless.
And now, with the increased interest, he hopes to develop his business.
“With everything going on, it’s scary,” he said to the Daily News.
“But I’m passionate about this and I need to take a leap and pursue this opportunity.”
On learning of the impact her Facebook post had, Frenchie Davis posted an emotional response to Facebook on Monday Dec. 4.
She wrote: “To think that all of this started 10 years ago, in New York, when I saw a stranger crying on 41st street and ran over to hug him….. that stranger (Jason Daniel Hood) has followed me for all of these years, which is how he was able to recognize his friend, Louis, in the knitting photo I shared a few weeks ago…..and now here we all are!…..forever connected!!”
She continued: “I was just coming out of a funk feeling a little bit discouraged when all of this unfolded……I was doubting myself…..wondering if I am making an impact at all… And then this happened. I’m changed forever. And hella thankful.”
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