Grand 275 Closing

putnam-denizen

Unfortunately one of the very special spots in the neighborhood will be closing its doors Friday (or really Saturday when the cops come to shut down the final party). Grand 275, founded, run and owned by Mark and Carmen for the last few years, has been a meeting place for queer folks, artists, people of color, et al. When I first discovered it, my son was still a toddler and he was allowed free range as his daddy got his drink on and flirted with the mighty fine bartenders (shout out to Jason, Demi, Khary and their friends!). In a world where life can seem increasingly atomized and segregated, and people seem to order in their sex partners through the web, it was for me a place where I could sit, be provoked, amused, and humored. Clinton Hill often seems to lack a center, a meeting place, and for many of us Grand filled that gap. Not really a pick up joint (okay maybe a couple of times it was!), it served as an informal community center for grown-ups.

"Mark-and-carmen's" (as my son calls it) will be much missed. Thanks for being there for us.

-Jake

anonymous

This news fills me with a profound sadness that neither delicious bloody marys nor hot black coffee could possibly fill.
Does anyone know the reason?
I have to go cry now.

anonymous

Subject: So Sad!

This is such sad news! Grand was one of the reasons why we moved to Clinton Hill. We love Mark and Carmen and I loved the bloody maries. I hope the closing was due to Mark and Carmen wanting to move on - they are so bohemian, and not some rent increase or complaints from lame neighbors.

I will miss you guys! I still remember having a drink with my boyfriend there before moving into the neighborhood. I remember saying about the place, "This is really cool."

Love you guys,
Sid

anonymous

Brownstoner.com yesterday posted an item claiming that "loud" and "dodgy" people involved in "drug dealing," congregate at Mirrors, a bar across the street, and had something to do with 275 Grand's closing.

The post struck me as one of the strangest ever on that blog. It quickly produced a wave of negative comments. Most questioned what Mr. Brownstoner meant by targeting these particular bar patrons as "dodgy" and "loud," and asked how he knew these people are involved in drug sales. His post, which has since been taken down, even suggested "the 88th Precinct should look into this." One guest opined that Mr. Brownstoner has/had some relationship with 275 Grand.

I'm not a patron of either establishment, and maybe what Mr. Brownstoner said is true, but let's hear what evidence he may have. He made some serious accusations. Does anyone else out there know about what's happening at Mirrors and how it may or may not have impacted 275 Grand? Or, does someone know more about Mr. Brownstoner's relationship with 275 Grand? I ask because he's not talking, and I'd really like to know.

anonymous

Anonymous wrote: Brownstoner.com yesterday posted an item claiming that "loud" and "dodgy" people involved in "drug dealing," congregate at Mirrors, a bar across the street, and had something to do with 275 Grand's closing.

The post struck me as one of the strangest ever on that blog. It quickly produced a wave of negative comments. Most questioned what Mr. Brownstoner meant by targeting these particular bar patrons as "dodgy" and "loud," and asked how he knew these people are involved in drug sales. His post, which has since been taken down, even suggested "the 88th Precinct should look into this." One guest opined that Mr. Brownstoner has/had some relationship with 275 Grand.

I'm not a patron of either establishment, and maybe what Mr. Brownstoner said is true, but let's hear what evidence he may have. He made some serious accusations. Does anyone else out there know about what's happening at Mirrors and how it may or may not have impacted 275 Grand? Or, does someone know more about Mr. Brownstoner's relationship with 275 Grand? I ask because he's not talking, and I'd really like to know.

That was one of the worst things I ever read in my life EVER! As for Mirrors, not a thing is happening there except a regular bar where the clientele is primarily Black. Very sad that it comes to this type of thing in this neighborhood. Interesting that this post comes 2 days after Clintonhillchill's posting about people on Clinton Ave accusing the original residents of running some type of drug thing when they in fact are doing nothing but just hanging out like they have been doing for several decades. I am also reminded of a post from here about the record store on Fulton which also was accused of being a drug place which it definitely is not. Is this what it has come to? Anywhere where a few Black people under the age of 40 are hanging out is a "drug den" now?

anonymous

Anonymous wrote: Brownstoner.com yesterday posted an item claiming that "loud" and "dodgy" people involved in "drug dealing," congregate at Mirrors, a bar across the street, and had something to do with 275 Grand's closing.

The post struck me as one of the strangest ever on that blog. It quickly produced a wave of negative comments. Most questioned what Mr. Brownstoner meant by targeting these particular bar patrons as "dodgy" and "loud," and asked how he knew these people are involved in drug sales. His post, which has since been taken down, even suggested "the 88th Precinct should look into this." One guest opined that Mr. Brownstoner has/had some relationship with 275 Grand.

I'm not a patron of either establishment, and maybe what Mr. Brownstoner said is true, but let's hear what evidence he may have. He made some serious accusations. Does anyone else out there know about what's happening at Mirrors and how it may or may not have impacted 275 Grand? Or, does someone know more about Mr. Brownstoner's relationship with 275 Grand? I ask because he's not talking, and I'd really like to know.

Link please?

daver

Anonymous wrote: Link please?

other Anonymous wrote: His post, which has since been taken down,

So one Anony-mouse says to the other...

putnam-denizen

No, let's not hear. If you want to start a thread about Mirrors/Brownstoner or what ever, feel free. But this one is about the passing of another great institution - Grand 275.

I was at Grand last night, and the vibe continued to be great. Folks were talking about how blessed they were to have met each other. As Toshi was setting up for her set, the women were flowing in, reminding me how few truly women-friendly spots there are in the neighborhood. People were plotting about what could replace Grand. Some mentioned Pillows on Myrtle (which apparently now has a liquor license), Outpost on Fulton and Irving (which only has a beer/wine license because of the church next door, but Khary dj's there on Sundays), and some spot on Vanderbilt south of McDonald's in Prospect Heights. There was much laughter about the prospect of a funky afro-fantastic queer-friendly crowd, sometimes with kids in tow was just going to show up at some unsuspecting neighborhood locale.

I pulled a fast one and had my six year old ask Carmen why she was closing the bar. She paused, then quietly told him that was time to do new things. He seemed to get that and asked for more milk. I asked for a refill of my wine.

MOD

Putnam-denizen wrote: No, let's not hear. If you want to start a thread about Mirrors/Brownstoner or what ever, feel free. But this one is about the passing of another great institution - Grand 275.

I was at Grand last night, and the vibe continued to be great. Folks were talking about how blessed they were to have met each other. As Toshi was setting up for her set, the women were flowing in, reminding me how few truly women-friendly spots there are in the neighborhood. People were plotting about what could replace Grand. Some mentioned Pillows on Myrtle (which apparently now has a liquor license), Outpost on Fulton and Irving (which only has a beer/wine license because of the church next door, but Khary dj's there on Sundays), and some spot on Vanderbilt south of McDonald's in Prospect Heights. There was much laughter about the prospect of a funky afro-fantastic queer-friendly crowd, sometimes with kids in tow was just going to show up at some unsuspecting neighborhood locale.

I pulled a fast one and had my six year old ask Carmen why she was closing the bar. She paused, then quietly told him that was time to do new things. He seemed to get that and asked for more milk. I asked for a refill of my wine.

That's sad. I've never been to Grand but the sweet picture you paint makes me feel like I trully missed out on a wonderful place. I hope something equally amazing fills that spot. What a loss to the community.

putnam-denizen

I invite all who are interested in what it means to build a positive and inclusive community to join Mark Chung and Carmen Grau in celebrating almost five years of a successful business in the community. It will be sad to see a predominantly Black, artistic and gay-friendly spot close, but I have great hope that it will serve as a model for new and exciting ventures in the neighborhood.

jaha127

Putnam-denizen wrote: I invite all who are interested in what it means to build a positive and inclusive community to join Mark Chung and Carmen Grau in celebrating almost five years of a successful business in the community. It will be sad to see a predominantly Black, artistic and gay-friendly spot close, but I have great hope that it will serve as a model for new and exciting ventures in the neighborhood.

I had my birthday party there earlier this year...
I can't believe its closing... is the goodbye party tonight (Sat)?

pitu

Yes, great spot. Very sad to see it close, but I guess it *is* time to do new things.
Would someone like to take this space on as their new thing? That would be awesome . . .