Wedding Vendors

I've been promising these for awhile - the local vendors I am using for my wedding, plus a few more for you brides-to-be looking for resources. Flowers - Root Stock & Quade Ever since John and Kerry opened their shop on Myrtle, I have loved their aesthetic.  The store is gorgeous and they have done a lovely job with arrangements I have had delivered or have had them put together for me on-site.  It was really fun to meet with Kerry and plan out the flower designs.

Cake - Desserts by Michael Allen Perhaps the friendliest business in the 'hood, and the sweets are amazing.  Michael and his wife Marvel sat down with Will and I to plan out a very unique and fun cake, which will include a fruitcake top that we can eat on our one-year anniversary.  No, I am not going to tell you what the design is, but I will post photos after the wedding!

Transportation - Myrtle Car Service Since we're not doing a church wedding and won't have to make any grand entrances or exits, I figured I wouldn't need any overpriced limo service with a minimum hourly requirement.  Myrtle always comes when I call.

Pre-pre wedding dinner - Il Porto I originally looked into Il Porto for our rehearsal dinner, but since our venue is in Park Slope we decided to choose something we could walk to after the rehearsal.  However, since a few close family members are arriving in town on Thursday afternoon, we figured an intimate local dinner would be perfect.  The brick oven pizzas are to die for and owner Joe and his staff always take care of me.

Pre-Wedding Mani-Pedi - Polish Bar The girly atmosphere and hottest polish colors are my go-to for fancy occasions.

OUTSIDE THE HOOD:

Venue : The Montauk Club, Park Slope Located on 8th and Lincoln right near Grand Army Plaza, the Montauk Club is an ornate old mansion and social club that we thought would make the perfect setting for a Brooklyn wedding.  It's a pretty good deal per person, and not too far from the hood.

Special Thanks To...

Fort Greene Park I originally met Will's sister at off-leash hours with our dogs a few years back.  She introduced me to her brother at a BBQ the two hosted in Bed-Stuy in 2007.  Thank you Marshmallow, Buttercup, Martha and off-leash hours!

Choice Market Where Will and I picked up lunch to go on our first date, before heading out to Rockaway beach for a picnic.

Brooklyn Cares Vet: NOT Closed

I happened to walk past Brooklyn Cares Vet on both Saturday and Sunday and noticed the gates were down.  I was worried that they had already closed shop!

Not to worry, though.  I checked the website at home and Dr. Mann, the clinic's vet, got married this weekend and was off.  The clinic will reopen on Tuesday, Sept 1.

Myrte Avenue Partnership Wins Placemaking Award

Congrats to the Myrtle Avenue Partnership on their recognition of the "Home Grown and Locally Owned" campaign.  We look forward to checking out the vendors highlighted in the upcoming Fall 2009 campaign!  (Also looking forward to the loyalty program- read below!)

FORT GREENE and CLINTON HILL, BROOKLYN, July 23, 2009—The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership (the Partnership) received the ‘Placemaking Award’ honor during the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ annual Neighborhood Achievement Awards ceremony at Gracie Mansion last week.  The Partnership was chosen from over 100 city-wide nominations for this honor, which recognized its Home Grown & Locally Owned campaign for the Myrtle Avenue retail corridor in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. According to the city’s criteria for ‘Placemaking’, the award “honors a completed project by an individual or organization which increases the visibility, stature and overall identity of a neighborhood, resulting in greater visitation and economic activity.”

Initially launched in January 2007, the Home Grown & Locally Owned branding campaign was created by the Partnership to showcase the Myrtle Avenue merchants in postcards, print and electronic advertising, and streetlight banners, in an effort to promote the neighborhood commercial strip and encourage nearby residents to support the local economy.  The campaign leverages the historic “Mom and Pop” character of Myrtle Avenue and strives to distinguish its mix of over 150 individual retailers by featuring the personal stories of entrepreneurs who have invested their time, energy and money in building their small business, and therefore the neighborhood, reminding shoppers of the familiar face and the personalized service they experience at a locally-owned business.  The campaign also serves as a call to local shoppers to invest in urban neighborhoods, helping to prevent the displacement of locally-owned businesses while ensuring continued opportunities for first-time entrepreneurs.

“The Home Grown & Locally Owned campaign reinforces the reality that the success of our small businesses and the vitality of our neighborhoods are closely intertwined,” commented Michael Blaise Backer, Executive Director of the Myrtle Avenue Partnership, who accepted the award at Gracie Mansion on Monday.  The campaign has increased local awareness of new business openings on Myrtle Avenue, broadened residents’ familiarity with local business owners, and increased daytime and evening foot traffic on the Avenue. A new phase of the Home Grown & Locally Owned campaign will be rolled out in September 2009, during a month-long celebration of the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project’s 10th anniversary.  In tandem, the Partnership plans to launch Myrtle Miles, an Avenue-wide loyalty card program, where shoppers will receive points and bonuses for their local Myrtle purchases.

Fresh Fanatic: A Preview

Finally!  Fresh Fanatic, an organic grocery store, will open in the long-empty retail space inside the Chocolate Factory building in Wallabout.

CHB got a sneak preview of the space on Wednesday morning as the groceries were being arranged on the shelves.

Owner Andrew Goldin lives in the building and has a degree in hospitality management.  That experience, combined with world travel to many of the globe's best markets, led to the unique experience that is to be Fresh Fanatic.  Goldin says that the store will eventually boast an impressive range of international foods - Thai, Japanese and even Russian.  They've already ordered bread from Germany.

Fresh and organic it will be, but Goldin promises it will be much less expensive than Whole Foods.  He also promises the most reasonable prices on prepared foods in the tri-state region.

Goldin's hospitality background has certainly influenced the store's features.  Already planned are a fresh pasta counter, sushi bar and an on-site nutritionist.  A seafood counter will feature a tank of live fish that can be killed and cleaned on-site by staff (lobster, crab and possibly tuna is planned for now).  Digital menu boards will display food facts throughout the store, and fresh produce, meat and a gigantic cheese dept round out the offerings.

I saw a little bit of everything going onto the shelves: organic, vegan, gluten-free and regular run-of-the-mill products as well.

The store will also sell garden plants and offer a 24-hour coffee window.

I am really excited to see how this place turns out.  Will it really be affordable?  Will the prepared food really be the best in the tri-state area?  If you live in Wallabout, you are in for a treat. (Or at the very least, a very unique shopping experience!)

As for me, I will probably stick to my little Associated on Waverly for my day-to-day grocery needs.  (A coworker and neighbor wondered aloud this morning if FF would be able to beat the 15-limes-for-a-dollar Associated special.) But if this place is a mini-Fairway with great service, I will be making regular stops.

Soft Opening: today or tomorrow Grand Opening: Tuesday, August 18

Fresh Fanatic 275 Park Ave @ Washington www.freshfanatic.com

Staying Healthy

CH resident and holistic health counselor  Elizabeth Lamb recently emailed me to extend a 20% discount on her services to CHB readers: I am a dedicated reader of the Clinton Hill blog and would like to offer a 20% discount to fellow readers/residents of the neighborhood.  I moved to Fort Greene two years ago from the Financial District and I’ve been overwhelmed by the friendliness of my neighbors and the sense of community here.  I’m a holistic health counselor and focus on simple, practical and inexpensive ways to get and stay healthy.    I help people to lose weight, manage stress and improve their overall health and wellbeing.  You can read more about me on my website: www.dandelionhealth.com

Another Local Bike Shop

Like many industries in the 'hood, it seems like we've gone from desert to oasis.  Case on point: bike shops.  Bicycle Station has moved from Prospect Heights to Wallabout, while Bespoke opened a few months ago on Lafayette in Fort Greene. A reader recently emailed me endorsing an east-side bike shop:

I ride a bicycle...I think bicycles are the most efficient means of transportation in the city...And bike shops should be our hero's.  All too often we walk into bike shops and are met with cocky owners and mechanics who once realize you're not REALLY going to spend any money ignore you or give you some lip.  I take pride in my purchasing power as should everyone when penny pinching becomes the standard...anyway...Lit Fuse Cyclery is located on Willoughby and Walworth right across from the Home Depot...The owners there are the most down to earth guys I've ever met...It's the only shop that has couches everywhere to just hang out...and they can fix any bike you can possibly get your hands on...not to mention if you hang out while they fix your bike they'll most times coach you on proper bicycle repair and SHOW you what's right and wrong...that may seem counterproductive on their part but these guys aren't in it for the money...they are all about self sustaining and believe in empowering everyone to fix their own rides they've invested money in...like I said...they actually care...

Bike shops come and go....and these guys don't deserve to go.  If you ride a bike you should stop in yourself.

The services are cheap...product installations are almost free...and they have all the cool stuff you need...fenders, baskets, accessories, etc.

Has anyone checked out Lit Fuse?  If so, is it as heavenly as my tipster reports?  Anyone with a bike on the eastern end of the 'hood might want to check it out.  Per their website, they also rent bikes, which is pretty cool.  Not sure if any of the other local shops offer this service - and what a great thing to do locally when you have out of town guests visiting!

Brooklyn Brew Shop

Recently, I spoke with Erica and Stephen, the insanely nice brain children behind Brooklyn Brew Shop - a do-it-yourself beer brewing operation. They are spreading the gospel of the home brew from right down the street in Prospect Heights, and I implore them to preach on.  They're putting the craft back into craft beer, and the inspiration for their booze based endeavor is multi-faceted; Erica's family tradition, a 7 week jaunt in Europe and a New Yorker article about Dog Fish Head helped them take the plunge towards experimentation with hops.

Their philosophy caters directly towards the modern day Brooklynite, or any other borough dweller for that matter.  BBS offers attractive 1 or 5 gallon kits that will enhance the decor of any corner in your apartment, and it will fit no matter the size of your domicile.  They provide detailed instructions with every kit that allow even first time brewers to approach the task with confidence.  Currently, they have a lineup of two beers to create: Grapefruit Honey Ale and Chocolate Maple Porter.  I was lucky enough to sample their Blueberry Red Ale, which is still in experimental stages of development, and I must say that if anyone could convert me to fruity beers it is this talented twosome.  For those who are more experienced with the art of libation making, BBS offers a plethora of special yeasts, grains and fermentables and hops to keep the creative process alive and well.

In terms of taste, they favor beers of the Belgium persuasion.  Ommegang, brewed in Cooperstown, NY, is a favorite of theirs.  Their current flavor offerings are a little off the beaten path, but Erica and Stephen have high hopes for much more unorthodox brews.  This includes a Lobster Beer, brewed with Lobster shells and inspried by an Irish Oyster Stout, and a Bourbon Dubbel that will be brewed in a bourbon barrel.  The excitement with which they told me about their beer hopes and dreams was contagoius and a real pleasure.

You will see this power couple at the Brooklyn Flea on both Saturdays and Sundays selling their goods; I suggest giving them a visit.  You can also place orders on their website for pick up at the Flea.

The Brooklyn Brew Shop deserves your attention.  They offer you an experience that others in the city do not and it is an experience that you can be proud of.  Also, lest we forget, good beer ain't too shabby.

www.brooklynbrewshop.com

Capital One Opens on Fulton Street

Capital One Bank celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, last week.  Their press release stated that the area has been designated a Banking Development District by New York State: Section 96-d of the Banking Law, entitled 'Banking Development Districts' is designed to encourage the establishment of bank branches in those areas where there is a demonstrated need for banking services. An aim of BDD’s is to enhance access by consumers, who may have no banking relationship, to become part of the financial mainstream and to promote local economic development. It is further anticipated that the establishment of a bank branch will provide a foundation to stimulate the local economy by enhancing access to capital for local businesses.

The Local was on the scene.  (The grand opening was held at 11am on a weekday, so CHB was unable to attend.)

Can someone please tell HSBC about this so-called banking district?

(ALSO- this new bank was allegedly robbed on Saturday.  So much for a welcome wagon!)

CHB Interviews: Helen Lim, Massage Therapist

I've been having a few very rough weeks at work, leading to sleepless nights and sore back muscles.  When I heard that a neighbor certified in massage therapy had an at-home massage service, I jumped at the chance and invited her to come by.

Helen showed up on the dot, toting a giant padded bag containing a portable massage table (when set up, it was just as sturdy and comfy as a table at a spa).  She set up in my bedroom and, after asking me what was bothering me (pinchy neck, tight shoulders), proceeded to give me one of the most intuitive massages ever.  What could be better than having the massage come to you after a long day at work?

Being that Helen is a CH resident, I couldn't resist asking her some questions about massage, as well as her background and experiences in the neighborhood.

1. How long have you lived in the neighborhood?  What brought you here?

I have been living in Clinton Hill since 2005 with a small break in California for about 9 months.  I am a native New Yorker so I have always been here.  I have lived in Astoria, Greenpoint, Williamsburg and now Clinton Hill. It has been my favorite place to live so far and I hope to stay. 2. How did you become a massage therapist?  What did you do before this?

I went to an accredited school called the Swedish Institute and received an associate's in occupational studies.  Before that I was working at a music venue called N6.  Massage therapy is my first career where as many people who enter the profession do it as a second or third.

3. Tell us about some of the benefits of massage.  How can regular massage be helpful? The benefits depend on what the client needs.  The overall benefit is stress reduction.  Regular massage is a great way to prevent injuries, heal a recent injury quicker or to manage a chronic condition.  I recommend a certain amount of sessions based on the client's needs.

4. You're currently doing house calls.  What does a client need to do to prep for a visit?

Not much. Just make sure there is enough space for a massage table. If the client wants to have music, set that up.  Its really up to them.  I bring sheets and the oil.

5. You'll be opening a home office for massage appointments in August. Did you have to set your place up creatively to accommodate for your business?

I haven't set the home office up yet but I am imagining that I will need to be creative in setting up something professional in my home. I want it to remain warm and inviting but feel like you are still coming to a place of professionalism.

6. What kind of massage do you?  How does that compare to the massages classically offered at a spa?(shiatsu, deep tissue, hot stone, sports, etc)

The massages offered at a spa are parallel to what I offer.  I do deep-tissue, swedish, shiatsu, pre-natal.  I just do these services in the comfort of the person's home as of now.  when I have the home office, I will offer the same services but all these treatments are geared to be therapeutic as opposed to a "luxurious treat" which spas tend to offer more of that.  Spas are a once every year or twice at most.  I would really like people to think about incorporating massage as a monthly regimen.  The results are amazing when you are consistent with it.  I guess that goes for anything that is good for you.

7. What is your favorite place to hang out in the neighborhood?

I have to say I find myself dropping dollars at Choice Greene these days.  The sandwiches are heavenly and the nice back yard space makes for a serene lunch break.  The ladies at Sweet Revenge are awesome and I like to grab a cocktail from time to time. 8. What's the one thing (if any) you feel the neighborhood is missing?

A korean restaurant!  I love the food of my people and if I didn't have to go to Queens to get it, more power to the nabe.  I am sure other people would agree, right? [Ed. YES!  Great idea!]

9. Atlantic Yards: Yay or Ney?

I say ney for a few reasons.  I don't think all the promises that have been made by the developers and the city to give the people they are goingto displace a home is true.  I actually went to ask questions about this project a few years back to the councilman in prospect heights and he advocated all the jobs it would create to first help build it and then to run and maintain it.  I do think that more jobs would be positive.The traffic would be horrible as it already is pretty congested on Atlantic ave.  It seems like a very complicated thing.

10. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why? Ben and Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup. I won't hand over all the goods of me at first.  You need to work and dig to find the rewards; as it should be.  And when you do, you'll be glad you did.

(Want to try out your own massage at home?  Email her for pricing and appointments at helen.massage-at-gmail-dot-com.)

The Bourne Townhouse: Unique Event Space

In planning our wedding, I'm trying to use as many local vendors as possible (more on that later!).  Originally, I had hoped to actually have the ceremony and reception in Clinton Hill, but it didn't work out (Abigail Kirsch at Stage 6 in the Navy Yard was out of our price range, but a very unique venue if anyone is looking locally).  With less than a year to plan (we decided not to draw out the process), we ended up picking a location in Park Slope.  (I'm glad, at least, to be having it in the borough!) While looking, we came across the Bourne Townhouse on Clinton north of Myrtle.  The owners transformed a lovely townhouse into an elegant bed and breakfast (two large bedrooms available), with event space on the parlor floor (holds 75-100 people) and rooms upstairs often used for children's classes.  Additionally, the back yard will be available for groups starting in 2010.

It's ideal for a smaller wedding, or a special party.

(Also a great resource if you have friends / family in town and they need a nearby place to stay!)

The Bourne Townhouse 137 Clinton Ave. 718-797-1353 http://www.thebournetownhouse.com/

Myrtle Pets

I often drive past it, but hadn't ever stopped in.  On a recent sunny weekend, I noticed they had caged birds on the sidewalk.  Intrigued, I stopped in one early Sunday morning. Small but well-stocked (you can buy all of the high-quality stuff here), the owners were very friendly.  Unlike other pet shops in the area, Myrtle Pets actually sells pets -- on my brief trip inside, I noticed fish, colorful birds and even a few puppies.

The birds were really lovely - worth a stop in to look at them for a few minutes if you're passing by.

The awning says they also deliver.

Myrtle Pets 642 Myrtle Ave bt Kent and Franklin 718-783-6298

Another New Flower Shop

Readers are reporting that there is a new flower shop in the former art gallery space on Vanderbilt just south of Myrtle.  Readers report that "They don't have a sign yet," and, "They had some nice stuff at much fairer prices than Rootstock & Quade. The clerk in there on Tues or Wed wasn't super-knowledgeable -- and they don't have nearly the depth of merchandise that RS&Q does -- but I think it's definitely worth checking out!" Has anyone been?  I'll get over there this week, but if you've been, leave a comment.

Oso Industries

Taking a walk on Sunday morning down Myrtle into Bed-Stuy, I passed a curious door.

I assumed that, like many businesses on that particular block (near Skillman), it was a long lost business from yesteryear.  For the heck of it, I Googled it to find that it's acually a custom concrete furniture design company! Too bad there isn't an obvious showroom - it might be an interesting spot open to the public.

Fresh Fruit on Kent Ave.

In a most unlikely place for a fresh fruit stand, a small building on Kent Ave just south of Myrtle has been painted bright orange and transformed into a makeshift produce shop.

I stopped in to check it out and as promised, prices were good.  And I mean GOOD.  A selection:

potatoes: 35 cents / lb red onions: 49 cents / lb garlic bulbs: 5/$1

The folks running the place, who said they'd been open for four weeks now, were very friendly.  If you live nearby, it' definitely worth stopping by.

Grocery Store for Wallabout

The long-empty space at the ground level of the Chocolate Factory rental building is finally being filled!

The store, which will take up both the front retail space and the side space where Kiki's doggie day care and boarding used to be, appears to be a grocery store.

They also have a very basic website set up.

I wonder what the prices will be like.  It would still be a hike for many of us, but still closer than a trip to Fairway.  I bet the building tenants are psyched.

Fresh Fanatic corner of Washington and Park

Cl(ink)ton Hill

Black Lotus Gallery, the new tattoo studio/art gallery over on Grand and Green, is all about custom work. I had a chance to speak with the owner, Jaz Toeque, who is also an artist at the shop, and he explained that Black Lotus offered something that this neighborhood has never seen before: top of the line tattooing. It has been a long journey for Toeque, who previously had a shop in Crown Heights and recently spent a lot of time on the convention circuit; however, it has all led him to settle in Clinton Hill (he grew up in Flatbush) with a shop that is ready to blow minds. One way that Black Lotus intends to do this is by highlighting the artistry of their staff, an all star team of tatto artists from around the country.

Jaz, who also pracitces in the medium of paint, stressed that all his artists were, foremost, exactly that, artists (duh). The gallery section of Black Lotus will highlight visual art created by tattoo artists (as well as other New York talent). On June 13th, there was an opening reception for an exhibition of work by Ramon Silva.  There will be events every month that highlight new art. It is fairly simple, if you are serious about body ink then Black Lotus Gallery is the place to go in Brooklyn. Also, I forgot to mention that Jaz is an extremely nice guy, and extremely huggable.

(Also, C. Zawadi Morris did a great little piece on The Local about Black Lotus)

Black Lotus Gallery 212 Green Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11238 Blacklotusbk.wordpress.com

New Flower Shop for Fort Greene: Stem

The Real Fort Greene mentioned it recently, and someone left a comment on CHB about it - Fort Greene has a new flower shop called Stem!

I walked by this morning and it wasn't open yet.  However, I'm liking their potted-plants-in-old-cans display.

Stem is located on S. Oxford bt Fulton and Lafayette.

Has anyone been inside yet?  What are the prices like?

UPDATE: More coverage on the Local and Brownstoner

Details on Donation Policies at the Brooklyn Public Library

In an earlier post, many readers commented about how they were disappointed that our local library branch wouldn't take donations for the (small) branch collection. Turns out it is not a branch-specific policy. This is the response from the branch's children's librarian, Alexis Gutierrez:

"As far as I know (and what I tell people on the phone) is that we do take donations-- they just can't be put in the library's collection. This isn't Clinton Hill branch's personal policy, it's a systemwide one that doesn't make a lot of sense but unfortunately we are bound to it. (Also we don't take old mildewy stuff or encyclopedia sets before 1990, but that's kind of obvious :)

When people donate books, they go in our Donation Bins by the front door. They are for the community to benefit from-- and by that, I mean it's a simple Free Pile. I do have a Donation Receipt I give for folks who'd like something for tax purposes, but the donation process is pretty simple."

Changing that policy is another situation altogether, but why not use the community donation box anyway?  I ask every person to donate five books to the pile, and to pick some up next time they go.  When you're finished, put them back in the box.  It'll be like a micro-library within the library!

We'll hear more from Alexis in an interview soon.

Clinton Hill Dentistry

Drs. Philip and Daniel Epstein have been serving the FG / CH community for 43 years at their dental office on DeKalb Avenue between Washington and Waverly, and now they've seemingly closed up shop.

I called the phone number listed online, and it seems to redirect to Charles Grannum, DDS, on St. James Place.  Maybe he took over the practice?

TOMORROW: Free Shuttle Between BK Flea and other BK Destinations

The Brooklyn Flea has become a hotspot for NYC bargain hunters near and far. This Saturday, May 30, Brooklyn Flea visitors can score another deal: Heart of Brooklyn’s FREE hop-on, hop-off shuttle to the cultural attractions near Grand Army Plaza will be running from the Flea in Fort Greene between 10am and 6pm. The HOB Connection stops at Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park/Prospect Park Zoo, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Brooklyn Children’s Museum. A full schedule with times can be found at http://heartofbrooklyn.org/connection. The Connection will depart the Flea at 10am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 4pm on Saturday.

More than just free transit, the shuttle features on-board tour guides providing information about the restaurants and shops in nearby Prospect and Crown Heights, summer calendars with suggested activities and coupon books full of local discounts (also available to print online at http://heartofbrooklyn.org/couponbook).

The HOB Connection regularly offers free transit to the cultural attractions in the Heart of Brooklyn from various neighborhoods in Brooklyn (Bay Ridge, DUMBO and Williamsburg) each Saturday, and from Manhattan’s Museum Mile each Sunday.