Apartment Therapy (one of my favorite blogs!) has some additional info on the opening of Root Stock & Quade on Myrtle Ave (my original post here). Looks like they're facing a mad rush to open as scheduled, but they plan on maintaining the historic feel of the storefront.
They've had some really stunning art on the walls when I've been in!
Myrtle Minutes has a comprehensive post about many of the deals going on in the neighborhood today, focused around Myrtle Avenue. Check out the shop deals, as well as the prix fix menus for this evening!
It looks like my prayers are finally about to be answered. While I know there are far more practical needs for the neighborhood (cheese shop, bookstore, etc), I've been pining for a really pretty flower / plant shop since moving to the neighborhood. Today, I received word that Root Stock & Quade (who already have a well-established Park Slope outpost) will be opening a store on Myrtle in the old one-hour photo place next to Move With Grace (Myrtle near Hall)!!!!!! If this place is anything like Sprout Home in Williamsburg or GRDN in Boerum Hill, I am going to be one happy patron.
Looks like they also do garden design and event florals!
Received this email from a reader: I thought you might like to know that Cafe Martino might not make it. I had dinner in there tonight and chatted with Martin who runs the restaurant and he mentioned another couple months and he may have to close up. After 2 years, it seems like they are still struggling to bring enough business in. It's a shame, it's one of my favorites in the neighborhood, good food and totally reasonably priced. There's a new retail place opening up next door which could help, but without support from the locals I don't think they'll last. Maybe you could post something and encourage a visit.
I admit, I've never tried it myself! Now's the time.
UPDATE: Sorry! Cafe Martino is located at 559 Myrtle bt Emerson and Classon!
I've actually never eaten here (Myrtle at Hall), but I stopped in for the first time recently to find it was packed, with a wait. Must be tasty. Is it?
I stopped into NYC Pet on Myrtle last weekend (at Washington), and was tre impressed with their stock!
First, they have a really nice selection of cat posts. As someone who owns a large cat who likes to scratch things, I can attest that it can be almost impossible to find an aesthetically pleasing cat post.
Plus, there's plenty of food and pet toys:
I must say, they seem to offer the most comprehensive selection in the hood right now. I didn't look at prices, but I'm sure I'll be back to look more closely.
Myrtle has become a real hotspot in Brooklyn, but it's still home to a surprising number of shuttered storefronts. Some of the more interesting places include:
This place was horribly overpriced when it was open, and often opened late (grrr). It's a pretty large storefront. What should go in here?
And this place, too:
The black spray paint over the awning is fantastic. Looks like it was once a seafood restaurant.
I'm trying to enjoy these mysterious spaces while they last.
Oh boy, people. We're on the cusp of an insane explosion...of chi chi grocers! So far, we have:
Soon, we'll have:
Do you think they'll be successful?
And finally, just a shout-out to the slightly dank but decently-stocked Associated on Waverly between Lafayette and Greene, which has been increasing their inventory of organic foods and "green" cleaning supplies. Plus, the staff is so friendly!
The new laundromat sign is up on Myrtle (at Hall):
(pic by David Velez)
Let's hope it's a nice place!
Starting in just 3 minutes! Square Root Cafe on Myrtle (at Classon) is offering a FREE New Year's brunch from 1-5 pm!
If you've walked down Myrtle recently, you may have noticed some work being done in the corner storefront of the Renken Dairy building at Classon. Maybe you've also noticed the new sign hanging above it, or stopped in to speak with the folks renovating the space. Good news! This new hot spot, a retro-cool restaurant called the Square Root Cafe is almost ready to open!
I stopped in a few weeks ago to get some photos of the progress being made and to talk to the owner, Eda Sanchez-Persampieri. She and her husband Joe are doing an amazing job retaining many elements of the historic space (which has sat empty for years), as well as brightening up the interior. The corner windows are gorgeous! (swoon)
Square Root Cafe will open on January 1, offering FREE BRUNCH from 1-5pm! It'll be the perfect opportunity to feed your hangover and welcome the restaurant to the area!
1. You'll be opening a new restaurant on Myrtle called Square Root Cafe. What's the theme going to be? How about the cuisine? My husband Joe and I are totally stoked about opening in Clinton Hill! The restaurant will feature a casual environment decorated with the mid century antiques & collectibles ( funky junk) that we have collected over the past 10-12 years.
The food will be homestyle gourmet- lots of classic dishes with some updated ingredients. Joe is a 2001 graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. One of Joe's classmates was the then-wife of Richard Dreyfus and he actually came to the commencement- How cool is that?
2. Do you live in Clinton Hill? How did you decide to open the cafe?
We actually live up by the Navy Yard.
We had the idea for a cafe about five years ago and seeing the explosion of independent retailers on Myrtle decided we should go ahead and do it before the neighborhood became oversaturated with cafes!
3. What did you do before the restaurant? When did you decide to take the plunge?
Actually we are both continuing to work.
I work in apparel production/sourcing and my job stints have included being on the teams that launched the Sean John & Daisy Fuentes brands.
>Joe is a 25 year veteran of FDNY but he plans to retire next year.
We decided in June to take the plunge and looked at a lot of available storefronts but we knew we definitely wanted to be on Myrtle!
4. Will the restaurant be in the building with the milk company sign? Any info on the history of that place?
Yup we are in the milk building. Renken Dairy owned a number of buildings in the area. Our building was actually home to the corporate offices and retail storage. The basement has this cool old-fashioned walk-in refrigerator (which is now our office) and another smaller room was used as the vault -- there's a real vault door you have to walk through!
5. Tell me about the thriving community of Myrtle Ave merchants. How did you decide to open there?
Myrtle has just exploded in the last 3-4 years, We moved to the area when it was first stating to pop and the energy in the streets is inspiring. We definitely wanted to be on Myrtle hands down over any other street -- even Dekalb!
6. What's your favorite local hangout in the neighborhood?
Mojito's
7. How long have you lived in Clinton Hill? How has it changed since then?
We have lived as a couple in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill/Wallabout area since 2004, first in a loft in the Choclate Factory and now over on Cumberland down the street from the Sweet & Low Company.
What we love about the area is that it is so diverse and that the residents embrace the diversity.
8. What kinds of events will the cafe be hosting? Art exhibits ( painting and photos) , live music (most likely Jazz, Blues or Jazz Fusion 2-4x a month) and weekly Movie/TV night with classic vintage movie& tv shows. We might do an open mic night 1x a week. I am also kicking around the idea of a film festival- showing local artists films.
9. What else would you like to see open in the neighborhood?
Gourmet Deli- Like Fourage in Dumbo Gourmet Cheese shop- Like Stinky's in Carol Gardens/Cobble Hill>
We would love to open a gourmet deli- If Square Root is successful, we might give it a go.
10. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why?
Joe is definetly chocolate ice cream because just about everyone likes chocolate ice cream and everyone immediately likes Joe!
I am green tea flavor -- an acquired taste but once you like you love it.
***
Square Root Cafe 584 Myrtle Ave. at Classon 718-230-7077 www.squarerootcafe.com
Thankfully, the Starbucks rumors were wrong. They will NOT be moving into the storefront on Myrtle across from Kum Kau (at Washington). Instead, NYCPet.com will be moving in.
(photo by David Velez)
They already operate two stores in Park Slope and offer delivery and online ordering. Word has it that they will also be offering veterinary services!
We do have a few vets in the area already (at Kiki's on DeKalb and Brooklyn Vet Hospital on Vanderbilt), but anyone who has had to lug an overweight cat to the vet in an unwieldy carrier will surely appreciate the convenience of additional services in the area.
TWO DAYS ONLY!
(off of Myrtle)
Congrats to Trishalee of Polish Bar Brooklyn, who was recently named Entrepreneur of the Week by Black Enterprise! Hats off to Tricialee! We love our locally-owned establishments :) (PBB is located at 470 Myrtle bt Washington and Hall.)
Trees and wreaths are now available for sale on Myrtle at Hall. Selection looks decent, and they have a large selection of Charlie Brown-sized trees perfect for studio apartments!
Did anyone stand in line for a Jive Turkey last week? I was tempted to order the Jive / Greene Grape dinner and wine deal, but you could only get a dinner for a large amount of people (and I was only hosting 4). When I called to simply order a turkey, they told me I had to wait on line for one. This explains the long lines there every year on Thanksgiving. I'm kind of bummed that I wasn't able to try one. Anyone have a fried turkey?
Two separate readers have recently contacted me, lamenting that their usual clothing donation drop boxes have disappeared. (Specifically, the box at Grand and Fulton, and the box on Myrtle near Tamboril.) Where else can one drop a donation? Personally, I bring stuff to the Goodwill on Fulton near Franklin. They take clothing, books, appliances, etc, and they also provide you with a receipt - key for tax season!
Other options include the Salvation Army on Quincy between Downing and Classon (near Broken Angel), and the library on Washington between Greene and Gates - I noticed a clothing donation box at the circulation desk a few days ago (I think they're collecting clothing through December).
Hope that helps!
I stopped into Barking Brown on Saturday morning while running errands to check them out. The store is filled with VERY reasonably priced goods -- knit hats, cool tote bags, jewelry and t-shirts. If you need some affordable holiday gifts for the trendy people in your life, I suggest checking them out. Plus, they were actually open around 10 am! On a Saturday! Big ups for the convenience factor.
Barking Brown 468 Myrtle Ave (bt Washington + Hall)
Website's still not working, though.
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
