The Vacant spot left by Climax, 775 Franklin (corner of St Johns)

whynot_31

A few weeks ago, this space was vacated.

Readers, what would you put there?

Or (more specifically) what kind of business do you think would be supported by the neighborhood to the degree that it could survive?

chloeroyale

TD bank, dunkin donuts, Starbucks, a spa, NYC pet, dog grooming, Zumba classes, a Greek restaurant any of those are good to me. You little mom and pop stores better watch out your rents will most definitely rise after your lease expires!!!!

whynot_31

If I was able to use the prior sign, I would totally make it a porn or sex toys store.

chloeroyale

Now we all know where your head is at why not!

whynot_31

You can't expect me to act like I am older than 14 when given a florescent sign that says Climax and the local success of Babeland. http://www.babeland.com/

Returning to the subject at hand, I don't think I would open a pharmacy or a bank, because I think we will get one of those in the building that is being constructed at Franklin and EP, and I don't want that much competition.

chloeroyale

I want competition! Competition is good for the consumer!! Bring on more coffee or maybe a full fledge liquor store it's obvious the people in the area love to drink !

whynot_31

Competition is definitely good for the consumer. ...However, I was thinking from the proprietor's point of view. Whoever rents this space will likely take a similar view.

I don't think the neighborhood would support another "no name" coffee place in that location. However, a Starbucks might survive there, and get a few of the other places to either "up their game" or go out of business.

I would definitely open up the side that faces St. Johns. Glass all around.

A good housewares/kitchen store might be able to make it, like the one operated by Tarzanian in Park Slope.

terekete

tbh i'm bummed that climax(xxx) has closed. Was always a nice-looking store and, at least up until a few years ago, seemed to do ok business. It seemed to be an anchor of the strip back in 01/02...

chloeroyale

The house ware store closed about 7 years ago after my good friend retired now it Dutch boy burger with their dry rolls! I say we need a big name coffee shop let's leave the imitators and go for the real thing. What I would really love is for a supermarket to come and provide delivery service that would be the day and it would bring jobs love it

missd90

I don't think Climax is actually closing. Is had a sign up stating it was closed for renovations. Or is that supposed to be code for going out of business?

whynot_31

Missd90-

Yes, I saw that sign too. However, I have not seen any renovations, all the merchandise is gone, and I can't imagine renovating a clothes and shoe store to that degree.

When Old Navy "renovates", it just moves stuff around. Hence, if we are going to reach Climax, I believe we need a new partner.

....one who can move their things around in a new, better way.

chloeroyale

Climax is now on Fulton st between Nostrand and beford next to pretty girl.His customer base is down there now he wants to rent the Franklin ave location. Please note the new location is much larger with more inventory. He is making his money he tells me things are going really well!

tsarina

Coffee is coffee is coffee. I dont want a chain store here on Franklin. No to Starbucks and that horrible french roast. Lets keep the small innovative stores going along for as long as we can before the kiss of death of chain stores. IckY! wE have a great liquor store between stm Marks and Prospect, by the indian rest. also Wino(t). More Dining and drinking would keep franklin Ave a Mecca for consumers. This is a good size shop for a sit down place.

chloeroyale

The chain store is coming whether we like it or not! I see another 7 th ave with Barnes and noble and high price rents TSarina I hope u can afford a 1 bedroom at 2,800 per month. Trust me its happening in crown heights

pulpandbean

I hate to be the thread killer but everyone is way off. The lardlord is not renting the space. They are using the space for themselves, cant say what. Sorry. Not for rent, no bar, no coffee, no book shop, etc. BTW Bob and Betty's does deliver just call in 718-778-45-42

whynot_31

Thanks Pulp and Bean!

....I look forward to whatever it becomes, and hope they have a very profitable idea/plan.

....some of us need a lot to Climax.

chloeroyale

Would never go in the pulp and bean he is racially insensitive He always looked down on blacks and was never very nice that's why is core business is non black.

chloeroyale

Well lets hope the landlord of climax opens up a 24 he coffee shop or bagel shop I have to lobby him for that!

tateinbk

Compare also happily delivers. I would love a really good pet supply store in the area somewhere.

chloeroyale, if you have never and would never go into store, how would you know what race it's clientele is?

chloeroyale

I have been here a very very very long time I knew the father too. The blacks never really supported him. Trust me I know his clientele plus he admits to the other merchants in the area that the blacks never supported him

whynot_31

Most of the places opening (and upgrading), seem to be making their places more expensive. I suspect that this is out of necessity, because low income people are being replaced by higher income folks. One has to adapt to continue to make a profit....

I suspect the owner of Climax will come back in a fancier, more expensive form.

I wonder if he will still do clothes and shoes....

chloeroyale

Why not what happens is gentrification pushes out the minorities .

whynot_31

In situations where the minorities don't have as much money as those who wish to move in, it certainly does.

...but you'll get pushed out no matter whether you are a minority or not if you don't have as much money, as good of a credit rating, or as good as of a job as the person you are competing with ...regardless of any minority status.

Money, money, money.

chloeroyale

Why not money does dominate and usually the minorities don't have it! Last hired first fired!

whynot_31

Money doesn't always dominate, but I have concluded that the smart business owners and landlords see only one color:

Green

chloeroyale

Why not please that is not always the case most of the time it is but not every time I been doing this since I was ten and was never trained to think that way thank GOD for that .

chloeroyale

If business owners and landlords only saw green a lot people who are struggling would be on the streets and hungry we would have to step over them on the streets many landlords took in people for free after sandy

whynot_31

I agree, it is silly to do everything for money alone. Doing things for family, morals and friends counts for a lot in my book.

However, when you don't do things strictly on the basis of money, things get very complicated very quickly.

....people wonder why you did not sell to (or serve) the person with the most money, and then they reach conclusions about your motivations that are not necessarily true.

When you do something for the highest bidder, no one makes incorrect assumptions about your motivations. You want money.

alwayslookaround

From whynot_31: "Money doesn't always dominate, but I have concluded that the smart business owners and landlords see only one color"

Really depends on your definition of "smart", don't you think? Sounds to me like you equate "smart" with the acquisition of money. That's a belief many have, our society has trained us that way for a loooooong time. But that view will have to change, otherwise....we all become extinct. A change in values is the only thing that will save us and our planet. That has to begin with the re-evaluation of our obsession and lust for money.

You can be a pusher of your own bad learning, or you can help re-educate for the tomorrow that we all need for survival. The choice is yours.

To me, compassion and happiness and the well being of all our brother/sister humans and respect for the planet we depend on for survival...that is all smart. Extremely smart. Much smarter than money.

whynot_31

Alwayslookaround,

Eventually, we will all become extinct. Every animal eventually becomes extinct, no matter whose definition of "smart" it uses.

See you at the new, "improved" Climax?

I don't think it will meet our needs for sexual and self actualization, but hey, it isn't my store.

...businesses are allowed to change to better serve their customers and/or their bottom line.

eastbloc

I suspect Climax was not on that corner to be a charitable organization. Their goal was to make money, and they apparently failed to make it.

May the next one prosper.