Received this note from a reader: Had dinner at Kum Kau tonight and heard some interesting gossip from my favorite waitress there. It seems that KK bought the burnt out building across the street (on the corner of Wash and Myrtle, next to Japanese place). They are currently thinking health food store or another restaurant (not Chinese) although according to here they really haven't decided on anything.
Intriguing...
I constantly hear reference to two separate buildings in the area being called The Chocolate Factory. Are they both former chocolate factories? The first contender sits on the corner of Washington and Park. I think it's pricey rentals.
OK, yes, it is. Here's the building's website. Looks like large 1br apartments (1k square feet) rent for around $2100, and the building used to be a tootsie roll factory. I've also heard rumors of there being a bar nearby called The Chocolate Bar (Google lists its address as 45 Waverly Ave.), and that it may or may not be a gay bar. Where the hell is this place, and why haven't I ever seen it? It does seem to have a MySpace page. (More on this tomorrow.)
Then, we have what I think is the original "Chocolate Factory" residence, on Spencer and Myrtle. This place is condos. Here's more info from Corcoran.
Now that I've lived in the area for awhile, I'd probably live in this place. But if I was checking it out for the first time? Man, this area is desolate and crappy.
So, which is it? Which one is THE Chocolate Factory?
An intensive Google search reveals that our area was once the second biggest chocolate-making area in the country. No wonder I feel right at home here.
A reader send me the minutes from the last Community Board 2 meeting, which covers our area. She's summarized some items of note for us:
Thanks, Eve!
Two new Italian restaurants are allegedly coming to the area! #1: Myrtle Ave next to Joseph Tyler salon.
From reader: They had the door open when I was walking by and they seem to have the makings of a bar in the right-front of the space and it looks like they are planning to have an outdoor space in the back!
#2: The space underneath Lucky Lotus yoga on DeKalb, which used to be a real estate agency, is also slated to become an Italian restaurant.
1. A movie titled 100 Feet is filming this morning on South Oxford just south of DeKalb. Walking past, I saw Bobby Cannavale made up and being filmed inside a car. 2. I've heard some rumors that Keri Russell has moved to the hood. A friend of mine saw her the other day in Fort Greene Park, walking with her husband. His description? "She looks just like herself!"
Thanks to Bed-Stuy Blog for finding this article in the NY Times about cool small chain store Brooklyn Industries moving their manufacturing to Wallabout across from the Navy Yard. I recently tracked them down and paid them a visit. BKI's new headquarters are at 43 Hall Street. I've definitely been inside before, for last year's SONYA stroll.
The still largely raw space inside hosts almost all of the company's functions - all clothing design, shipping, marketing. The employees I spoke with love being in the area, surrounded by so many local artists and cool happenings.
BKI's owners, contemporary artists who met upstate, started the company by making heavy-duty messenger bags using recycled materials. They've expanded to produce a full line of men's and women's clothing, and have begun hosting art installments and parties in their South Williamsburg storefront.
BKI's latest mission is contribution to the community, helping support Brooklyn artists and using sustainable materials in new stores. They're also employing Pratt students to help construct stores and build out the new Wallabout office space. They'll also be distributing a new free quarterly publication, Brooklyn Industries Journal, focused on Brooklynites. The first issue features photo shoots done in Wallabout and Coney Island, as well as profiles of real Brooklyn families. The magazines will be distributed in stores, at special events and at neighborhood salons.
I caught a glimpse of the fall 07 collection, which is being touted as "more mature." I loved it.
As for the rumored Myrtle Ave. store, the answer is "not yet." The owners don't feel there's quite enough foot traffic on Myrtle yet to support a shop. But they hope to in a year or so, and are considering a "lifestyle store" for our neighborhood.
A reader confirmed the immediate shuttering of Pan/m y Mas today (was it ever even operational?), and sent me this photo from a camera phone of the space being reworked again. He hopes it's a Smoke Joint expansion. I concur- more seating would make the place even more kick-ass.
(Seriously, wtf was up with Pan/m y Mas? Who would only give themselves a few days to try out a new business??)
Brownstoner told me the storefront on Greene and Grand was already rented, and hinted that it would become something very cool. But the rental signage is still up, and now the laundromat next door has also closed and is available for rent! I'm surprised this hasn't been jumped on yet. Such an interesting corner (in a good way) for new businesses...
I didn't believe this new reno on Grand would be residential. It looked too much like a storefront. But you were right - looks like someone's living in there:
Do you live here? Email me.
I noticed this little clip in the Brooklyn Paper a few weeks ago: "Some eyebrows were dancing recently, when the Jelani Lounge, on Waverly Avenue and Fulton Street, announced a new drink called "the Preemie Martini." Turns out, the drink -- an apple martini in a miniature glass -- is owner Guy Soley's tribute to his son, Jelani, who was born premature, but has since grown up into a healthy and strong lad. That made the "preemie" joke fair game, Soley told us...
Well, at least it's an answer.
Original post on this place here.
The Brooklyn Paper has been doing some excellent sleuthing on our area recently! Click here for the real story on what happened to Liquors. I still miss Bodegas the most. Yes, the staff was snail-like, but they made a mean burger. Looks like something's actually going on inside Liquor's right now:
I hope whatever it becomes, it will involve Bloody Marys in that gorgeous back yard.
Gnarley Vines should be open this summer, according to their website. Anyone know what's up? It's slated to open at 350 Myrtle between Carlton and Adelphi.
Linked from Brownstoner.com, an article revealing his identity. He's a neighbor, so say hi if you see him.
I recently received an email from a couple planning on moving to Grand Ave. They've heard there's some demo going on near the Grand-Lexington intersection and were wondering if it's noisy or problematic for nearby neighbors. Anyone nearby who wants to weigh in and share some info on this demo/construction project? (And BTW, "Mirror's on Grand" is STILL not open.)
Gowanus Lounge informed us that the new NYC Subway free condoms are completely unavailable in some Brooklyn zip codes! So, I've compiled a list of where to get your own in our nabe. I am pleased to find they are available in all three area zip codes!
11238:
Aphrika Hair Braiding 1259 Fulton St (bt Bedford and Nostrand)
Dominican Style Hair Salon 914-A Fulton St (bt Washington and St. James)
Kings/Queens Unisex Parlor 920 Fulton St (bt Washington and St. James)
Mega Dry Cleaners 916 Fulton St (bt Washington and St. James)
Respect for Life 932 Fulton St (bt Waverly and Washington)
11205:
Five Spot Soul Food 459 Myrtle Ave (at Washington)
Floyd 131 Atlantic Ave (near Henry St)
Luigi Pizzeria 326 DeKalb Ave (at Mary Pinkett Ave)
Mojito 275 Park Ave (on Washington bt Park and Flushing)
Pena 505 DeKalb Ave (bt Skillman and Franklin)
Reign 46 Washington Ave (bt Park and Flushing)
Sputnik 262 Taaffe Pl (bt DeKaln and Willoughby)
Tillie's 248 DeKalb Ave (at Vanderbilt)
11217:
Brawta Cafe 347 Atlantic Ave (at Hoyt)
Changing Faces Barber Salon 692 Fulton St (bt S Portland and S Oxford)
Greene Community Pharmacy 702 Fulton St (bt S Portland and S Oxford)
Moe's 80 Lafayette Ave (at S Portland)
Moshood African Clothing 698 Fulton St (bt S Portland and S Oxford)
New Directions Alcoholism and Substance Abuse 202-206 Flatbush Ave (bt Bergen and Dean)
Stonehome Wine Bar 87 Lafayette Ave (at S Portland)
11238 def wins the Weirdest Condom Venues Award -- a bunch of salons, something that sounds like a Pro-Life church and a dry cleaner.
A tipster tells me that Joseph Tyler Salon will open TUESDAY...
Said tipster says the inside is "gorgeous" and that the phone number on their flier is 718.802.9200. (No, the tipster is NOT the owner!
Looks like MTV is set to film a new reality show following the lives of Brooklyn high school students at Ft. Greene's Brooklyn Tech! Thanks to Gowanus Lounge and Brooklyn Enthusiast for the info. Here's the info from the BTHS website.
TV is a guilty pleasure of mine (who am I kidding? I don't feel guilty!), so I'll definitely be watching.
There's an entire block of these beautiful townhouses, and they're all starting to get boarded up. Rumor has it they're owned by Pratt, who's just waiting to get everyone out so they can raze them. This one has already lost its front door.
A reader thinks she may have seen actor Daniel London in and around Fort Greene Park:
Can anyone confirm or deny? Do you think he'll be invited to hang at Adrian Grenier's denim-insulated house?
So I walked by Liquors tonight and noticed that all the appliances were out in the street being moved. Looks like something's finally going on in that space. Good thing too because that's a really nice space with a beautiful garden. Also noticed that the wine store next to Urban Spring, the corner of Dekalb and Carlton, has been busy. It was brightly light with some empty wine racks lining the wall. Looks very close to being opened for business. I'd say in about week or so?
Last but not least...The Smoked Joint now delivers! Unfortunately it's only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and only if you're fairly close by. Lucky for me I'm in the delivery range!
If anyone's got any additional information on what's going on in the Liquors space or the wine store let us know.
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
