Grammar police now correcting graffiti

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Grammar police now correcting graffiti

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brooklynian
senior admin
Joined: Feb '12
Posts: 242

Awesome new photo from @snowboardqueen on Flickr:

From the related blog post:

On Franklin Ave. I passed, perhaps, an even funnier indication that your community may be in the midst of gentrification - when the “grammar police” start correcting the grammar of the graffiti in the neighborhood.

Ironically, the “corrected” grammar is on the recently closed business – 3D’s West Indian & American Bakery & Restaurant at 743 Franklin Ave. – that may not have been able to financially survive a changing Crown Heights.

So this is adding insult to injury, it seems?

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,385

Well, word has it that 3-Ds will eventually re-open is a gentrified form, so those fears may be overblown.

...but the fear of having to carry a grammar checker while tagging remains real.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 yr ago
xlizellx
rocking it
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,583

I love this. I saw the original tagging and cringed.
That said, the 3D sign as seen in the photo above is now gone. No new signs put up as of yet.

# Posted 1 yr ago
SnowboardQueen
getting it
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 248

I do hope 3D's will re-open.., but I could not verify, so I could not definitively say.

I hope they do, but they had so little traffic every time I passed that. Perhaps if 3D's are remodeling they are also revamping their business?

It would be great if they opened as a high, quality, sit down West Indian restaurant.

I loved what Island Thyme aspired to be and missed the days when they truly hit the mark.

Either way, excited to witness the transformation or renovation of the space.

snowboarding, photography, films, art, counter culture, alternative

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,385

I hope 3Ds avoids the struggles Janelle's on Washington is going thru.

Despite lots of money being invested in the space, it continues to struggle with few customers and really long wait times for food.

.....meanwhile, the 3Ds on Washington continues to be busy. The Islands is busy, and God Is is busy.

My Point: There continues to be demand for jerk chicken, but -so far- no one has managed to serve it in a nice sit down setting in western CH, yet....

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 yr ago
SnowboardQueen
getting it
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 248

Whynot_31 - I could not agree more! Too bad I have -0 culinary skills:(

snowboarding, photography, films, art, counter culture, alternative

# Posted 1 yr ago
laura782
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 10

3D's closed almost 3 years ago (I think? Time flies...but I wouldn't call its closure "recent") and from what I heard it's stayed closed for so long because the son who took it over from the owner hasn't been around much. Nothing related to gentrification, which is blamed for so much these days. I'm rooting for a speedy re-opening! I loved their food!

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,385

743 Franklin has got to be the slowest, most disorganized re-branding and reopening we have seen in quite sometime.

3-Ds has literally been vacant for three years and under (very slow) construction for the last year.

It is to open as Island Cz Cafe, and will feature a beer and wine lic and 40 seats, but the pace of the renovations does not make me believe this is being done by someone with their act together.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 6 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,385

I have since learned that this cafe will Island CV Cafe, not Island Cz.

...but I still get sad every time walk by. Here we have a pretty prime location, that (despite the occasional work being done) continues to remain dormant.

When (and if) it ever opens, it will have to attract customers who may have already loyalties to restaurants. If it had been renovated quickly it would not have these obstacles.

I suspect the owner is very short on capital, and/or credit.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 3 mos ago
Epiclylaterd
getting it
Joined: Mar '12
Posts: 189

Each month that they aren't open, don't they still have to make their monthly rent?

# Posted 3 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,385

Because it has been vacant for so long, I assume the landlord and the tenant are the same.

...or something.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 3 mos ago
Jack Krohn
My Baby's Gone Shootin'
Joined: Dec '05
Posts: 1,075

There is definitely a demand for sit-down, upscale West Indian cuisine. Anyone who has ever been to Sugarcane - easily the most successful restaurant on the Flatbush corridor, where on any given night every table is full and there is a line of people waiting - knows that. If that model were replicated on this corner, Island CV Cafe would do quite well. Janelle's downfall is that they are chronically understaffed, slow, and often out of basic supplies. If they hired an experienced manager, they might be able to turn things around, but, sadly, my hunch is that their days are numbered.

# Posted 3 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,385

Yes, I have been amazed that Janelle's has lasted this long, and written about them before:

http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/new-restaurant-coming-to-washington-janelles

Even once it opens, I am not sure Island CV could replicate SugarCane's success.

SugarCane's location is excellent, and its reputation as a place to potentially meet a select demographic of young, single, well paid, well dressed people is not easily replicated.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 3 mos ago
Jack Krohn
My Baby's Gone Shootin'
Joined: Dec '05
Posts: 1,075

Yes, I agree it would never reach the level of Sugarcane, but following the Sugarcane model would likely prevent it from going the direction that Janelle's is headed. Basic management techniques go a long way.

# Posted 3 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,385

This place is now looking like it is finally going to open within the next few months.

....Time for a new thread!
http://brooklynian.com/forum/crown-heights-and-prospect-lefferts-gardens/island-cz-cafe-743-franklin-corner-of-sterling?replies=1#post-768290

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 mo ago