NW corner of Franklin & Union: Crow Bar

terekete

specifically directy @ Mr. Whynot:

you know the rumor you posted that a sizeable entity was interested in the corner shops, provided the bodega was willing to vacate?

just walked by last nite-- they've moved to president street.

and speculation in 3,2,......

whynot_31

talk to me.

dmiami

Who is "they" that are moving to President St.?

whynot_31

820 Franklin

A few months ago, I had heard that a large restaurant/bar was in conversations with the landlord that controls the storefront on the west side of Franklin, between EP and Union.

The entity can not be named by me.

Terekete seems to be stating that this entity is now considering similarly large space on President.

It is clear that "they" are very interested in Crown Heights, but it is not clear whether they will find a place that meets their preferences.

dmiami

There are 3 small store fronts on Franklin, between President and Carroll that have been vacant for years. They are all in a row and would make one large space assuming they could be combined. TeReKeTe, is that what you are referring too?

dmiami

Speaking of this area... i noticed that Nino's rebranding of themselves has happened online but not in real life.

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/italian-passion-pizza/menu

whynot_31

I can confirm that the entity that was looking at the corner of 820 Franklin, along with the adjoining storefronts is no longer interested.

As stated above by terekete, the bodega moved. The corner storefront is now for rent: 

http://www.cpexre.com/system/assets/properties/documents/684/original/820_Franklin_Ave_-_Setup.pdf?1389817723

mike dunlap

I heard the Bob & Betty's/Pulp & Bean team is considering a second spot on that block... maybe this location?

mike dunlap

..

whynot_31

Bob and Betty's owns the former Key Food on Franklin near Union that is presently dormant, and has been for a while. If the neighborhood changes enough to support an upscale food market, they will make it into one. 

If they get a better offer, they would take it.

However, they are not interested in 820 Franklin Avenue.

whynot_31

One month later, 820 Franklin is still listed on CPEX's website as being available.

This landlord took a gamble and vacated several storefronts (820, 818, 816), under the belief that the entity referenced above (or a similar entity) would snatch them up and make them one unit.

As of now, this move has only made them vacant;   The entity that wanted to combine them is no longer interested, the corner location is still on the market:

http://www.cpexre.com/assignments/all

whynot_31

7 months later...

820 Franklin is still on the market.

http://www.cpexre.com/system/assets/properties/documents/684/original/820_Franklin_Ave_-_Setup.pdf?1389817723

As regular readers are aware, 2 of the storefronts to its right are in the process of becoming a dessert bar:  http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/38912/butter-scotch-dessert-bar-in-crown-heights/p1

whynot_31

10 months later....

CPEX may no longer be assigned to this corner. Here's my rationale:

It no longer appears on their list of properties presently for lease: http://www.cpexre.com/assignments/all

The pdf links above are now dead.

It does not appear on properties they have successfully completed: http://www.cpexre.com/assignments/all_completed

Here's a photo I took of their staff outside of the corner a few months ago:


Now, of course, it could be that the folks at CPEX are about to announce that they have closed a deal and we are just in the phase that is between the listing and closed phase.....

But I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a Massey Knakal - Cushman Wakefield sign here soon.

mike dunlap

In early December a MySpace sign went up but came down shortly thereafter.

whynot_31

MySpace = Shawn Mullahy

...they seem to still have the listing:

http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/18992939/820-Franklin-Ave-Brooklyn-NY/

Hopefully he is able to get it filled.

whynot_31

This sounds promising:

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that part of the article, which was the whole reason I was going to post  it in the first place.  Good catch.

The relevant passage: "an entirely new upscale dining concept tenant to be announced shortly." (at 1045 Union, the old Bodega).  That'd be nice, as that block and the block between Union and President has been a lot more desolate (at least on the west side of Franklin) without the old grocery store, bodega, etc.

whynot_31

One month later, and it seems to be still be for rent:

http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=18992939&AID=El31OXu1g&FromLocation=&NoBrandingView=&fname=Shawn&lname=Mullahy&18992939=FEQ7QlO7Q&PgCxtCurFLKey=&ProfileFromLocation=professionalprofile&PgCxtGuid=1bd282f0-165d-4080-b606-e19efbe49005&PgCxtFLKey=&PgCxtCurFLKey=&PgCxtDir=Down

For those counting, this place has been for rent for more than one year.

Lots of entities are looking at the place, but it doesn't seem anyone has signed YET.

whynot_31

The pitch:

"This corner location directly on Franklin ave offers an excellent
opportunity for savvy restaurateurs and business owners to join the
influx of new retail flooding the area. From neighborhood favorites like
"Owl and Thistle", to Williamsburg residents "Butter and Scotch", this
booming section of Franklin ave has proven lucrative enough to attract
national tenants such as "Starbucks".

Location includes basement storage, a walk-in cooler, and potential for cafe seating.

Only one block from all of the trains (2,3,4,5) at Eastern Parkway,
and around the corner from the Botanical Gardens this entire block is
now home to the transformation that has already occurred on Franklin
Avenue across the Parkway.

Huge demographic changes in the neighborhood and influx of consumer capital have created new markets waiting to be tapped by the savvy restaurateur and/or retailer at only a
fraction of the cost for the similarly situated space across Eastern
Parkway."

source:  http://m.s.lnimg.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=18992939&AID=YTv8LDT5A&FromLocation=&NoBrandingView=true&fname=Jae&lname=Manion&18992939=Htb1hDO7w&PgCxtCurFLKey=&ProfileFromLocation=professionalprofile&PgCxtGuid=4ccd3166-ca80-449f-a54c-53337a02aeed&PgCxtFLKey=&PgCxtCurFLKey=&PgCxtDir=Down

Rumor:    An unnamed entity is presently flirting with the landlord.   

mike dunlap

The junk in this place is now being cleared out.  It's going into a rental dumpster currently parked on the corner.

whynot_31

Hopefully they are doing mechanical upgrades and getting it to "white box" level.

A presently hesitant tenant might sign if the space had already upgraded its electrical and installed central A/C.

...the landlord is not flirting with Dollar Stores or nail salons.   They do not have the kind of figure he desires.

mike dunlap

...the landlord is not flirting with Dollar Stores or nail salons.   They do not have the kind of figure he desires.

Thanks.

whynot_31

He seems to be holding out for a figure that is not petite, and has a lot of curves.

People have different preferences.

yesbrooklyn

Any updates on this space?  It'd be great to have something in that space

mcpoet

This morning there were people working in this space, as well as the space directly across the street.

whynot_31

Yup, I saw that as well. Here is the link to the one across the street. As previously discussed, it is in the process of becoming a bar: http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/45213/franklin-and-union-not-a-new-coffee-shop-maybe-a-bar#latest

As far as I know, this corner has yet to secure a tenant, but it is safe to say that one of the potential suitors will eventually consummate the relationship.

mike dunlap

It truly looks like a bomb went off inside this space. There is a big crater in the cement floor inside and piles of boards, wiring, metal, etc. They've been hauling truckloads of junk out of there for weeks, and it still looks as if they just started. They are also renovating two ground floor apartments in the building as well.

whynot_31

A bar has begun the process of applying for liquor lic on this space:

Crow Bar, Inc. d/b/a – TBD, 820 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225, new application for a Liquor, Wine and Beer license.

http://www.communitybrd9bklyn.org/meeting/community-board-meeting-12/

Brooklyneya

Three bars on one corner is a little much. I hope they at least serve food to distinguish themselves from the others. I was hoping a restaurant or nice coffeeshop would open there.

whynot_31

For those not aware, the other two bars are Butter and Scotch, and Brooklyn Union One (under construction).

http://brooklynian.com/discussion/45213/franklin-and-union-not-a-new-coffee-shop-maybe-a-bar#latest

mcpoet

Incidentally, they were working on Brooklyn Union One across the street last night and it looks pretty much done. I'd imagine they'll be open within the next couple months.

whynot_31

Yup, In this photo, Brooklyn Union One will be on the NE top right corner, and Crow Bar (if they keep that name) will be on the NW top left corner.