This old storefront sits on Waverly Ave. between Greene and Gates. I assume it was, at one time, a retail storefront. Now, it seems to be used as a residence.
Sad, since the window gates are kind of ugly and the windows are shoddily papered up. Though I suppose with almost zero foot traffic, how could it return to being a store?
Wonder what would flourish here...
[Ed. -- A 24-hour pizza place!]
A few months ago, I received a tip that a new cafe might be opening in a brownstone on St. James Place. I checked it out and didn't see much aside from a demolished garden-level space. I revisited this place a few days ago, and there's still no cafe in sight.
However, the owners did put these criss-cross thingies on the windows. Um, is this 1979 Buffalo suburbs? Or Hansel and Gretel?
This falls under the category "on the way to Clinton Hill!" For those of you who switch trains at Hoyt-Schermerhorn every night like myself, you may have noticed a peculiar garbage can near the back end of the platform. For a few weeks, it was surrounded by yellow caution tape, and most recently it sits covered in a giant black plastic garbage bag. Of course, most people ignore the covering and toss their trash on top.
WTF is up with this trash can?? Why has it been covered up for so long?? If there's something wrong with it, why can't it be removed and replaced? What in the world could be inside? Yes, my first thought was along the lines of corpse, but that would be pretty stinky by now.
Seriously, this annoys me.
A few weeks ago, a reader tipped me off to a new TV show he caught on HGTV called Hammered. On the episode he was watching, the show's hosts were filmed walking into Sister's Hardware on Fulton. He implored me to investigate, so I did. I set the trusty DVR to record all episodes. After viewing a few, I saw the guys outside of what appeared to be Adelphi Station:
WOW. It seemed fairly likely that the DiRestas' workshop was located in the area, but where??
After a few days of hard research, I made contact with Jimmy DiResta! And I was RIGHT: the workshop is located on Waverly between Fulton and Atlantic! And even more exciting: The DiRestas are going to do some interviews with us and fill us in on their new season, which begins taping in a few weeks.
Jimmy and John are both Brooklyn natives. Jimmy, an artist, designer and teacher, creates unique items tailored for their users. John, a former NYC transit cop, is a well-known stand-up comedian and actor, and has appeared in major movies as well as starred in his own UPN sitcom. I wonder what they'll make in their new season. This last season's projects included an art table for the Brooklyn Children's Museum, a mailbox shaped like John DiResta and a giant birdhouse for wood ducks in Prospect Park. It's cool enough that they work and film in the neighborhood, but even nicer that they're making creative products to be used in the area!
Did anyone wait on line for a Jive Turkey turkey last week? I saw a fairly long queue both Monday and Tuesday before I left town. Can you not preorder or something? And were those people just waiting for a fresh bird? It seemed the boxes being unloaded from the truck were not-yet-prepared. I may order a fried turkey for Christmas...
(PS- I AM SO EXCITED TO BE BACK IN TOWN!)
Just made a quick stop into Castro's on Myrtle and notice that they've been redecorating and it's starting to look really nice inside. Much better atmosphere now for dining in. Also noticed that this sign:
Where the Gardens use to be. Boiling Kettle LLC?? Hmmm...another bar or a restuarant? Boiling Kettle doesn't sound very "bar-like" does it? Anyone got any info on this?
Saw a new store front and new apartments (?) next to El Cofre (Good Cubanos too).
Wonder what's going to open up in there.
And last but not least, a sneak peek at the Bank of America.
Looks very "bank-ish". (And I should know - I work for a bank.)
Brooklyn Jay
I recently came across this awesome building on Steuben up by Park:
Nice choice of paint color and house number style. Plus, I just love that this is just hidden away, like a treasure.
Do you live here? Email me immediately.
I've always wondered if this is an operating bar.
Turns out, it is. And it's a seedy stripper joint!
Perfect for all the seamen at the Navy Yard. Ahoy.
A reader tipped me off to this restaurant set to open in the former home of Karen's Body Beautiful.
I first discovered the wonder that is chicken and waffles At Mike's Coffee Shop. Who knew such a combo could be so wonderful?
The sign says it's opening in October. It's now November. Liquors on DeKalb still has a sign in the windows claiming they'll reopen in spring. Spring 2006 -- you know, six months ago. Maybe this place means October 2007, which is pretty much how openings work around here.
Just noticed this new awning on Fulton between Waverly and Clinton:
I did a little research, and discovered that they do original clothing design as well as sewing and pattern-making classes! Here's a post I found on Craigslist:
Interested in PATTERNMAKING or SEWING CLASSES, well read on......
We're starting our Fall/Winter '06 semester of fashion classes with an OPEN HOUSE!!
* A FREE Sewing lesson for Adults and teens * Demonstrations * Door Prizes and give aways * Tuition discounts (if registering during Open House)
Where ? ESAIE COUTURE design studio 915 Fulton Street, 2nd flr loft (btwn Clinton Ave & Waverly Ave) Brooklyn, NY 11238 718-284-2942
When ? Saturday October 14, 2006 12 noon to 4 pm Missed it or can't make it? Then call for a brochure and class schedules
About Us & our classes: Novice to experts are welcome. Adults and teens can sew and fashion design. ALL sewing skills are covered. There's also a separate class for flat patternmaking fundamentals. We will help you progressively build your skills, as each level’s lessons builds on the knowledge of the previous lessons.
Nothing is left out!
Our instructors are designers in the fashion industry working with Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Eileen Fisher, Beyonce Knowles, etc.
If you are interested in learning a skill, building on your skills, or fine tuning your skills...see you there on Saturday!
Registration is on a continuous basis. New classes open every 6 weeks.
Call to RSVP for the OPEN HOUSE.
Guess we missed the open house- crap. But I've been wanting to take sewing for years now. I'm going to investigate further.
Location: Willoughby at Hall
I know people live here, but this owl sure is spooky. It is always watching!
Location: Grand Ave at Park
There are some mysterious things in the top two windows of this place. What could they be?
Location: Classon between Gates and Quincy
I've been meaning to get a photo of this one for awhile now, but only just walked over this past weekend. This is, by far, one of the most hauntedest places in Clinton Hill! Earlier this month, Brownstoner reported good news: The Pratt Area Community Council has purchased the building and is set to turn it into affordable housing! Nice to know this place will be saved.
(Stay dry, everyone! I'm headed to Jersey for a wedding, though I'd rather stay curled up in my bed. Pics to come from RePop's party in a day or two...)
Location: Gates between Irving and Classon
I'm not sure what Native American Artifacts have to do with this place...
(PS- I will continue the Haunted Houses through the wknd, bc I have soooo many!)
Thanks to the reader who tipped me off to a new bar on Waverly between Fulton and Atlantic! (And to all readers who email and comment -- I like to think that I am magical and can be everywhere all the time, but I can't.) I checked it out this morning, and I'm not quite sure what's going on there.
First, I saw this, closer to Fulton:
I peeked inside, and it looks bar-like.
BUT, I continued town towards the old site of the Training Academy, and it looks like there's a bar/restaurant in there called Cover Shot:
Could it be that TWO new establishments have opened on this block?
I almost joined the Training Academy when I moved to CH, but I was concerned about the safety of the block at night. It's really industrial there, and I didn't know if there'd be enough foot traffic to make me feel at ease. Anyone been to either of these places yet? Have the 411?
Looks though that the street is becoming a little less warehouse-y though. Check THIS out:
Ew. Also interesting is that it looks like Hasidic housing based on the second floor window cages. This could get interesting...
Location: Classon at Quincy
This is actually a haunted bar, but I stare at it every time I pass by. What's with the purple curtain in the window? I wonder if drinks still get served inside... Anyone know?
What, praytell, is this going to be?
I've also heard that these two places are going to close, and be combined and turned into a gourmet grocery store:
Perhaps that's related to this MARP Survey.
And one more note on Myrtle...
This is why we need a flower shop:
Location: Classon between Greene and Lexington
This ghost is either super girly, or drinks a LOT of Pepto. There's something about the fact that someone took the time to paint the plywood here bright pink that makes me smile.
(Today I was going to write about my concern over the lack of decoration at 313 Clinton, but I see this morning that they've started. And it's gonna be good!)
The northern end of Wallabout is where the Brooklyn Navy Yard lies. Doesn't the Navy Yard seem extremely mysterious? Steiner Studios is there now (and any time now, the amenities of the area will need to catch up to meet the needs of studio employees -- I'm sure the Hasidic-diner-in-a-trailor on Flushing won't be enough). The studios seem pretty cool, but aside from The Producers, has anything been filmed there? I wish there'd be more action there. The studio website details plans for a screening room and catering services. Wouldn't it be cool to have events open to the neighborhood there?
And speaking of open, it annoys me that a regular pedestrian can't just walk into the Navy Yard. It would be great if the area was open for small shops and such. There are artists working there, and they occasionally open their spaces during the annual SONYA stroll. It would be wonderful to revitalize the entire area.
A controversial aspect of the Navy Yard's future lies with Officer's Row, a collection of crumbling buildings that once housed high-ranking navy offcials and their families. There has been discussion of demolishing these homes to make room for a "big box" grocery store, and some have deemed the homes structurally unsound for revitalization/renovation.
Brooklyn bloggers and historians Corie Trancho-Robie and her husband, Alexis, have started their own Officer's Row project with the aim to document and preserve its history. Read about their project here, and some history of Officer's Row here.
The Fort Greene Association is also pushing for the preservation of the area. Read about their efforts here.
(I think we should do an entire week on the Navy Yard! Too much for one post.)
Location: Washington between Lafayette and Greene
This haunted doozy really confuses me. It's right next to the library, and it looks pretty uninhabited to me. Look at that ivy growing over the front steps! Plus, there's a board in the front door and you can see a dead-ish plant in the window on the top floor. YET -- the front bushes look like they've been pruned! These ghosts selectively landscape.
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
