Photo by bitchcakes
This has been covered extensively elsewhere, and it is awesome. Hot Bird is back! Well, not really "back," but there's a new venue called Hot Bird after the sign. Read more on the Examiner, Brownstoner and check it out at Clinton and Atlantic.
I've been having a problem with the CHB comments (meaning they're not getting sent to my email), so I apologize if I am delayed in responding to anything. But I just noticed a comment about a new wine shop on Atlantic, down near where the fresh fruit shop operated briefly. I'll try to check it out this week, but if anyone has any details, please leave them in the comments.
UPDATE: Here's more info from the Village Voice.
Sunday morning I walked over to Choice to enjoy my favorite weekend indulgence- a chocolate croissant while walking the dog. While there, I wondered how Choice Atlantic was faring. I had almost forgotten about stumbling across it earlier this year with glee. So, I headed down to Atlantic, only to find it was closed! A quick blog search found notice of the closure on Eater and Brownstoner mentioned as being "temporary" back in late August - early September. Not so good for an outpost that just opened up earlier this year.
Despite things looking up for Atlantic Avenue in the last few years, it seems to have petered out. Frank White claimed to have just moved just down the street, but I can never seem to find it when I drive by. And remember that fresh fruit shop on Atlantic back in 2008? That came and went like lightening.
Good news - Frank White hasn't left us after all! I just received the following email:
Sunday March 29, 2009 5:00 pm EDT
For all things to grow, they must evolve.
This axiom has become the primary motivation behind Frank White’s transition from café to full- fledged gallery/design space.
Situated just a few doors down from our original location, we’ve streamlined our space and refined our mission to provide a creative outlet for emerging and established artists, authors, lecturers, brands, products, and events.
What to expect:
Exhibitions (art + graphics + product) Film Screenings Open Discussions Fashion Exchange Art Lessons (adult + children) Intimate Performance
The space will also house the offices of Sun in Leo marketing|pr| events, soulwerx design/media, and RoaringBull Publishing and provide the following services: art licensing, Loft paintings, murals, publishing, brand strategy, marketing, P.R., and product design.
We extend our deepest gratitude and acknowledgement to our friends and family who have made Frank White an award winning venture and please know that although the waffles are gone for good, Frank White will continue as THE social and artistic destination for the progressive and global in Brooklyn.
Stay tuned to the spring 2009 re-launch and calendar of events.
Reminisce with images from our past: http://gallery.me.com/suninleony Visualize the future.
Frank White Design Gallery 926 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11238 718.622.0840
I'm very excited to see what the new space will be like. It did seem as though their strength was fun film, media and cultural events, so perhaps they've found their groove and are moving forward. Though I wouldn't be opposed if they decided to bring the waffle bar and the wallpaper with them!
Terrible news! I received a tip that the Atlantic Avenue space that housed Frank White has a For Rent sign in the window. The tipster said that the place had been cleared out, except for the wallpaper.
I haven't had time to go look for myself or snap a pic, but I'm very saddened by this news. The space was gorgeous and unique, and I had no idea they were having troubles.
Anyone have anything further??
Received the following report from a neighbor who lives near Atlantic: It was open [Sunday], albeit not at full capacity yet. Inside the hours say 6am - 9pm, but outside it said something else, I think it was 8am - 7pm. There was only one worker inside, who was transferred over from the Lafayette store for the day, so he didn't really know when they would be expanding to full hours. Right now they have just pastries, coffee and bottled juices, but they'll be expanding to have burgers, breakfast sandwiches and omelettes, and prepackaged sandwiches. Oh, and the best part, no line! There's no room for sitting down, but since its just a few blocks down Atlantic, I see it being a regular place to pick up some croissants for breakfast back at our place.
Another neighbor who stopped in reports:
It would be a great place to stop for someone on their way to the Franklin stop (from Crown Heights) or to pick up some bread or dessert if you are on this side of the neighborhood. It's a welcome addition to our family of great places for small bites (Outpost, Brown Betty & Michael Allen's). I think my neighbors and I might see if they can put a bench out front for quick bites with the dog (not that sitting out on Atlantic is very pleasant).
Here's a short blurb from the Times on the new Choice locale.
Choice Atlantic 999 Atlantic Ave (at Grand) (718) 636-8996
Received these emails recently:
Apparently National Grid is not held to noise pollution rules, and may work 24-7.
Anyone else being kept up late?
A new art show on Atlantic Avenue, with works by five local artists, focuses on the man, the myth, the legend: Barack Obama. The show was organized by Jean Patrick Icart Pierre and included his work as well as pieces by Rico Anderson, John M. Graham, Jean Dominique Volcy, and Nandi Icart Pierre. I spoke to Jean Patrick and he said he didn't take more than a couple phone calls to gather interest and set this project in motion. As you'll see by the photos from the exhibition, the portraits are an eclectic mix that range from renderings of Obama the super hero to a dignified grey scale work.
The opening itself was a very pleasant wine and cheese and vegetable dip affair. The exhibition will continue until February 28th. I suggest that everyone attend and support the local talent that, through their artwork, are promulgating Obama's mantras of hope and change.
The Gallery @ Exotic Home Gardens 1213A Atlantic Ave Brooklyn NY( between Bedford & Nostrand Ave) 718-230-1536 January 17th-February 28th.
They are really releasing an album but they are only sort of local. 1/2 of the group Sparkly Fin live in Clinton Hill. This half of the group is named Emily, who provides the vocals, and she decided to stay in the hood after graduating from Pratt this past May. The other half is tastefully called Joseph, who lives in Baltimore, and he provides all other instrumentation. This week (1/27/09) they are releasing their first album, High Pive.
Sparkly Fin fit nicely into the cotillion of contemporary bands who embrace the electro-acoustic spectrum with heart and soul. Their myspace page used to proclaim that sounded like "Kate Bush kissing a pinball machine." While I agree with their self-diagnosis, I will offer my own egregious (yet loving) analogy: Otis Redding making out with M. I. A. at a bris hosted for any male offspring of Thom Yorke. What I'm saying, in lay terms, is that they are very sensitive to their tone, which usually doesn't get such attention in predominantly electronic music. Also, they have an undeniably eclectic pop sensibility that contains sincerity as well as irony in a seemingly unpretentious way. This sets them apart from the ideas that usually seem to spring out of the invisible retinues that follow around many a BK band. Plain and simple, it's electro-pop music that is built to last. As a final addendum, they encourage dancing.
To celebrate the release they are going to be having an intimate performance this coming Saturday (1/31/09) at Emily's apartment on Atlantic at 10pm. Email the band for address/directions.
If you missed any of the hyperlinks:
www.sparklyfin.com www.myspace.com/adingsparklyfin sparklyfin@gmail.com
In conjunction with the opening of the film, NOTORIOUS, Frank White will host the 'WE LOVE BIGGIE BRUNCH' - an afternoon of waffles and the freshest BIG music tributes EVER, featuring music by: REGGIEMENT J. PERIOD DJ MISTER CEE
$5 waffle specicals + complimentary lil' kim size coffee all day!
This week has been the NOTORIOUS @ FRANK WHITE week.
-Actor/MC Gravy who plays BIG in NOTORIOUS did his NY Times photo shoot + interview @ Frank White (Thanks Jon Caramanica!)
-Frank White featured in Time OUT NY feature on Brooklyn BIG walk
frank white 936 atlantic avenue @ st. james brooklyn, ny 11238 718.622.0840 www.frankwhitenyc.com frankwhite@frankwhitenyc.com
Received two emails from readers regarding an intriguing building on Atlantic Ave. This is one of them- On my way to JFK yesterday, driving up Atlantic Avenue, I saw a red building called Choice Atlantic, which seemed to be a coffee shop/bakery. Is this the same people as Choice and Choice Green? It was somewhere around the Bedford or Nostrand intersections.
Could it be? I checked it out yesterday afternoon. Sure enough, there's a large, red building on the north side of Atlantic just west of Classon. I came up on artist Aimee Leigh German painting the signage on the outside of the building.
It IS a new Choice location, and is slated to open in a few weeks. Aimee told me the Atlantic location will be more focused on catering and baking (and some of the current cooking will move from the Grand location here, which is great, because does that mean there will be more seating at Grand??), but will still have a walk-in eatery.
Wow. What will Atlantic Ave look like in one year? In five?
This looks rather awesome. The weather is unseasonably warm, making it the perfect night to check out some local, walkable events.
936 atlantic avenue @ st. james (between washington av & grand) brooklyn, new york 11238 map
Kim is Frank White's official graphic designer and the first woman to exhibit in the gallery!
Join us for the opening reception and meet the artist.
I hosted a Brooklyn Blogger Meetup at Frank White in January, and it was lovely! They're offering a Holiday Event discount for booking early. This just in from them: receive 20% discount off space rental @ frank white for your holiday/special event if booked by october 20, 2008.
frank white is a perfect location for private/intimate special events up to 200 guests with indoor/outdoor space.
birthdays, baby/bridal showers, engagement party, bar/bat mitzvah, going away, private brunch/dinner, film screening, photo/video shoot, listening party, etc....
corporate events (reception, meetings, etc.) have included: reebok, ciroc, baccarat/brooklyn fashion week, audi, dream home, vp records, clinton hill blog, etc.
for availability/rate info:
frank white 718.622.0840936 atlantic avenue @ st. james brooklyn, ny 11238 --------------------
Looks cool...
Frank White is, hands down, one of the most beautiful establishments in the neighborhood. They have a huge back patio area, and are now open later (7pm!) for people who want to swing in after work.
They also have a greatly expanded menu!!! This is happy news:
Sandwiches, smoothies, waffles (which they've had for awhile and which are a-m-a-z-i-n-g). We must patronize our Atlantic Ave pioneers!
(Frank White is located on Atlantic Ave at St. James Pl.)
There's a gallery right next door to Frank White on Atlantic (at St. James):
Anyone ever been inside? What's the story?
Brownstoner hypothesized yesterday that Atlantic may gentrify before Fulton Street. Veeeeery interesting. Could it happen? Methinks not without some traffic calming measures and a renovated median (which could be very pretty!).
A few days ago, a reader sent me this intriguing email: as bizarre as it is, i just noticed that a fresh fruit and vegetable market is opening on atlantic avenue right around grand (towards classon on the prospect heights/crown heights side of the street). it's the produce equivalent of frank white -- meaning, they're putting a lot of work into the space and it's going to be really nice, but it will probably ultimately suffer from its atlantic ave location (zero foot traffic).
i can't understand why they wouldn't choose fulton for this very necessary place, i guess the rents are a lot cheaper on atlantic.
Readers, this is why I love you. Because I would probably never, ever be walking around in that particular area and this is a very exciting tip!
It was not easy to find. I walked down a very desolate section of Atlantic, populated only by auto repair and restaurant equipment retailers, all completely shuttered on a Sunday afternoon. But then, I saw it: two gorgeous wooden planters with green fern spilling over at a storefront on the south side of the street.
The beauty of the fruit (both standard and exotic), as well as the interior renovation was shockingly gorgeous. Where on earth did this place come from?!
The owner (whose name escapes me, since I didn't write it down), said he expects to be fully operational within the next few days. He is also open to suggestions on what people would like to see him carry!
People, check it out, NOW.
Atlantic Tropics Atlantic Ave. nr. Grand
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
