Struggling bodega corner of Franklin and Park Pl is again for lease. What should replace it?

whynot_31

I am just pointing out tomorrow is April 4th; This all may be moot.

goldemi1

I'm running in there yelling "the banks exploded! Money is worthless!"

mike dunlap

My favorite conspiracies are the ones that come up unexpectedly from really kind, genuine neighborhood people that you already chat with. It starts off like "why yes, this weather sure is great", and "oh sorry, go ahead and pet him, my dog is really friendly", and "oh, that's good that the deli is open so late" and then you're like "man, I guess I didn't know that about the Jews".

Ha.

I work at 7 WTC.  Which 9/11 Truthers have long had a serious boner about for whatever idiotic reasons. Whenever the "where do you work?" question comes up, I'm happy when people just say, "cool" or "ok" or whatever else.  Because whenever the response is "oh, really..." or "interesting..." I know I've encountered another one of those morons and that it's time for me to begin shutting down the conversation so I can get away from them.

whynot_31

Happy April 7th.

I believe we are all still here.

goldemi1

I dunno.  You smell that fire coming?   Beginning of the end, just a few days late.

whynot_31

January 7, 2015.

Since opening in Feb 2014, this place never became fully stocked, and (I believe) continued to have the aforementioned cashier/owner.

Both he and it are about to go away.

Space is for lease.

http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=19027124&AID=El31OXu1g&FromLocation=&NoBrandingView=&fname=Shawn&lname=Mullahy&19027124=Qmh49K44A&PgCxtCurFLKey=&ProfileFromLocation=professionalprofile&PgCxtGuid=0672c0a9-60df-4f03-b3bc-2125a27010af&PgCxtFLKey=&PgCxtCurFLKey=&PgCxtDir=Down

whynot_31

I wish to state that the photo used in the above listing speaks volumes about the business savvy of the outgoing proprieter:



Who would go in there and buy upscale items, when there is so much competition in the area?

epiclylaterd

Not sad about it. I found the deli across the street to be much better and has delicious sandwiches. Let's hope, whatever opens, it's not another Mexican restaurant! (Half joking)

whynot_31

Yes, needless to say, one can go to the newly remodeled deli on literally the other side of the street without the issues visible and described:

http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44167/710-franklin-at-park-pl-is-becoming-a-deli-grill-park-place-deli/p1

joshb

Not surprised. That place always looked half closed, and storing their beer in the window—in direct sunlight—was enough to make me never go in.

xlizellx

I lived on Park and Franklin for 5 years.  We loved that place -- went almost daily.  Great beer selection -- weirdly great.  Sad to hear.

whynot_31

This version of it has only been open a year.

I assume you loved the prior green awning version that came before it (seen on far right of photo)

  

eastbloc

The most recent incarnation was definitely amateur hour.  

It looked modern, but they lacked basic staples and didn't really have anything special that would make me want to go in.  I'd stop there on occasion for beer when I was picking up from Silver Rice because it was the only place on the way.  

whynot_31

Here's a photo of the inside:


If I was passing by and new to the neighborhood, I would not expect to see such a nice interior in light of such an ugly exterior.

Also, one can see that there is not much stock in there. Not only are shelves empty, but the shelves that are filled are filled with the same few items.

Maybe he lacked the funds to stock more items and renovate the exterior?

The day the store at 710 opened, it probably took most of the few customers this one had.

superhero

I've lived on Park & Franklin for over 5 years and never even bothered to enter this establishment. I am still desperately hoping for a bagel shop.

whynot_31

Franklin briefly had bagels in the form of Cafe Allegria

http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/37981/cafe-allegria-closed-bagels-for-st-marks-near-franklin-june-2013/p1

My sense is that it closed for reasons other than demand. IE If someone was to open a "real" bagel shop in the area, it could do well.

There are bagels available at the local bodegas and coffee shops on Franklin, but they are not "real". They don't yet meet the demand.

...one can not eat in and choose from 14 varieties of cream cheese.

crownheightster

A real bagel shop (a la Bergen Bagels!) would be amazing.

xlizellx

This version of it has only been open a year.

I assume you loved the prior green awning version that came before it (seen on far right of photo)

  

correct!

...also, doesn't Pulp and Bean have fresh bagels daily with a million shmears?

whynot_31

P&B does not compete with Olde Brooklyn Bagel on Vanderbilt, Bergen Bagel, Lula Bagel or Nostrand Bagel.

...It also does not offer seating, or bagelwiches.

Davina

Although not a bagel store per se, P&B on the south side does offer seating and have some very tasty bagels and lots of cream cheese to chose from.

whynot_31

Hopefully this store will be re-leased and filled with something new by June 1.

Until then, we wait...

whynot_31

June 1st has come and gone.   Still it sits.

http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/19099705/718-Franklin-Ave-Brooklyn-NY/

Awaiting a chain store able to sign a long lease?      Quizno's are you reading?

pragmaticguy

Quizno's would never generate the kind of sales needed to pay the rent and bills. At $7000/mo rent you would need to gross about $6000/wk to pay for supplies, rent, bills and take home a little in salary. I have a friend who used to own a Blimpie and his best days he did about  $500 and that came out to about 100 sandwiches a day. And that's only $3500/wk.

booklaw

Ah... Blimpie.  Where have they all gone?  I liked them so much better than Subway!

dac545

There is still a Blimpie near my work.  It is very small and a footlong sandwich is about $12, with many fewer toppings offered than Subway.  Not sure how it pays any bills.. it's almost empty even at lunchtime..

whynot_31

A small chain, like Blimpie, doesn't have the economies of scale required and their remaining locations end up "circling the drain".

A big chain, like Quiznos or Subway, has a better shot. A nearby upscale place that focuses on sandwiches (Cafe Forte, I am looking at you) seems to be doing ok.

Retail and boutiques seem to be a really bad idea.

pragmaticguy

The fact is that Quiznos is franchised and by the time they take their cut there's not a whole lot left for the franchisee. And since all stores have to look the same the furnishings have to come from Quiznos and they're not cheap. A sandwich shop like that wouldn't last long at all. I know of two Quiznos stores that have closed and ever since they dumped the talking kid in their advertising nothing much has been seen from them.

dac545

I know that Quiznos and Coldstone are two of the riskiest franchises.  It's amazing how often one will open and then close in 1-2 years..

whynot_31

Many bars and restaurants face a similar fate.

I don't think there are enough of us (or that we are wealthy enough) to get a Hot and Crusty location.

http://www.seamless.com/food-delivery/hot-crusty-lexington-ave-new-york-city.7052.r

Brooklyneya

Out of all chains, I think a Chipotle would probably do well and be the least despised by new and old residents.