Organic Food Market for Fulton St!

anonymous

Just noticed this walking down Fulton between Washington and St James.

"Green Planet" is coming soon to the space next to Crown Fried Chicken. It's an organic food market and juice bar.

Hip hip.

leffertsgirl

i walked by about an hour ago and noticed the sign, too. SO EXCITED.

anonymous

That sounds awesome!

jocelyn

Subject: WOW!

How amazing!

But funny there was a juice/smoothie/natural food place across the street from this location 2 years ago that went out of business! (now a dominican hair salon). I miss their veggie burgers . What a difference two years makes...

But I am VERY EXCITED about this news!

anonymous

Subject: yay!

I just walked by and said hello to the owner who was working on the place. He said it's going to be an "organic market" and should be open by the end of the month!

God I am SO excited. Even if it's just an upscale bodega with a few apples and lemons and organic milk it'll be a great boost for the area. Even the kraft dinner is expired in the joint across the street.

anonymous

I wonder what "organic bulk food" is, as the sign says. A cart of fresh fruit would be a nice development on Fulton, anyway.

45py7x forever!

pitu

st jameson wrote: I wonder what "organic bulk food" is

That probably refers to bins of organic grains, flour, beans, cereals etc
that don't come pre-packaged. Instead, you buy the amount you actually want, which is general cheaper by the pound.

Just fyi, there's a newish food cooperative in Bed-Stuy, the Kalabash Food Co-op. I think it's more of a buyer's club than a full blown Coop; it was started by some members of the Park Slope Food Coop.
http://www.bedstuyblog.com/2007/08/31/what-is-the-kalabash-food-co-op/

anonymous

Subject: it's open!

It's open! Fresh produce (esp. greens), bulk bins, organic dairy, etc. I'm looking forward to this joint, let's keep it open.

bknest

It will be gone in a year...

putnam-denizen

Bknest - not having a good day? Do you dislike this kind of sore, do you think it is subpar, do you think this area can't support a more upsclae market? I have just galnced in and it seems undercapitalized compared to the spots which have just opened up in Fort Greene. Also seems heavy on supplements etc and less on food. More similar to that Karrot place.

anonymous

Just stopped by and picked up a bag of granola, some soy milk, and a bag of organic string beans.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

stuygal

Very cool..

What are the prices like? Are they comparable to PathMark or Whole Foods?

bknest

Putnam-denizen wrote: Bknest - not having a good day? Do you dislike this kind of sore, do you think it is subpar, do you think this area can't support a more upsclae market? I have just galnced in and it seems undercapitalized compared to the spots which have just opened up in Fort Greene. Also seems heavy on supplements etc and less on food. More similar to that Karrot place.

My day's going fine, thank you sir/ma'am(?). I think once the novelty wears off it won't get patronized enough to sustain. It does appeal to a certain segment of the hood. At the same time I think it would also need the patronage of the segment it doesnt appeal to, to maintain. We shall see...I may be wrong.

bolletje

I think it will do well if it has fresh produce, is clean, and the prices are reasonable.
That stretch of Fulton needs a better option than the Met, which I think has terrible produce and I brought a roach home in my grocery bag from there once.

anonymous

I think it's a little early to say this place won't succeed, especially since they haven't even finished stocking the shelves. Every time I have walked by or shopped there, it's been full of shoppers. I think if a Whole Foods popped up next door, then they would have some competition, but they seem safe for now. We don't have many options on this side of CH, so I, for one, am thrilled to have an organic food store open.

bknest

There's not too many businesses that make it on fulton if they don't also appeal to the ppl that patronize the 99 cent store, bargains r us, crown fried chicken, barber shops, beauty salons, nail shops etc. ..You know the businesses that alot of the nouveau ppl in the neighborhood could do without but provide a service for many others in the nabe. Like I said we shall see...

anonymous

I don't know bknest...

Olivino, Kush (on Putnam, granted), OutPost, even Brown Betty on Grand, all do well enough. Some of the old salons etc. are closing shop too (e.g. Kinky Krowns - the braid shop). Joloffe recently upgraded its appearance etc. I think the needs are changing. Old time life long residents on my street tell me they welcome some change, that it used to be a much nicer street with a variety of shopping, not just nail salons and 99 cent stores. We shall see. I wish them luck.

anonymous

2.46 here - Also, for the time being, it is not a mutually exclusive proposition. However, as commercial rents rise, which I understand they are already doing on this stretch of Fulton, the make-up of the the shops may change even more.

bknest

Anonymous wrote: I don't know bknest...

Olivino, Kush (on Putnam, granted), OutPost, even Brown Betty on Grand, all do well enough. Some of the old salons etc. are closing shop too (e.g. Kinky Krowns - the braid shop). Joloffe recently upgraded its appearance etc. I think the needs are changing. Old time life long residents on my street tell me they welcome some change, that it used to be a much nicer street with a variety of shopping, not just nail salons and 99 cent stores. We shall see. I wish them luck.

Listen people who frequent the places I mentioned do patronize Kush, Olivino(just because I patronize the 99 cent store or barber shop doesnt mean I dont like a good bottle of wine or good meal!)..Outpost I don't think so much (though I'm sure their rent is much less based on their location). The places I mentioned also are able to maintain w/o appealing to the people who yearn for a place like green market. Now can a business prosper when its the other way around we shall see...I too remember when there was a fish market, fruitstand and other businesses on this stretch. But if the various nail salons, barber shops, 99 cent stores didn't provide a service that people in the area needed then they wouldnt be there. The needs aren't changing it's that the nouveau people have different needs. Personally I wouldn't never eat crown chicken but obviously there are plenty who do, so it serves its purpose.

anonymous

bknest - Okay, then my point at 2.53 about it not being a mutually exclusive proposition is a valid one. I occaisionally go to the dollar store, as well as Olivino, Outpost, Kush etc. Sounds like you do too. So what is your point? The organic food store would never appeal to someone who goes to the nail salon? I don't think that's the case, and even if it was, there are plenty of others who would frequent one or the other establishment. You seem to be agreeing with my point that it is not a mutually exclusive proposition.

anonymous

Also, with the neighborhood becoming much whiter, nail salons and barber shops will ultimately not be as successful, though their closure will not occur terribly quickly unless rents start to rise quickly. Other places (dollar stores, fried chicken joints) appeal to everyone, so I'd say they will be around longer... It will be nice to have more variety for everyone.

bknest

We shall see...Like I said there are more than a few businesses in the hood that are able to maintain with mostly if not all minority consumers. We have yet to see if it can work the other way around on this stretch of fulton street. Now I know there are plenty of minority ppl that shop for organic food. But most of the ppl I know in the nabe(30 plus yrs) really could give a fuck about organic food, Amy's brand soup or whatever. We shall see...And those nail salons, barber shops aren't going anywhere anytime soon..trust me!

queencallipygos

bknest wrote: I too remember when there was a fish market, fruitstand and other businesses on this stretch.

....If you remember when there was a fish market fruit stand, then what's your objection to a new market? Because the organic market is selling the exact same stuff.

Unless you're just complaining for the sake of complaining, and if that's the case just let me know so I can get about ignoring it.

bknest

queencallipygos wrote: [quote=bknest]I too remember when there was a fish market, fruitstand and other businesses on this stretch.

....If you remember when there was a fish market fruit stand, then what's your objection to a new market? Because the organic market is selling the exact same stuff.

Unless you're just complaining for the sake of complaining, and if that's the case just let me know so I can get about ignoring it.

Oh boy...here we go..Please tell me where I objected or complained. I simply said time will tell if it will be able to sustain w/ the core group of people who will most likely be patronizing the market. I didn't complain at all. It was just a thought...a valid one I may add.Is this not a discussion forum about "the nabe"?! Damn whenever someone speaks on something that doesn't go along w/ the peanut gallery on here people get...nevermind. I'm not even going there. Like I stated previously...We shall see...

anonymous

Well, I think there are plenty of white and non-white people in the neighborhood who will like this place if it is good. Going to work this morning I saw several older black women (middle aged) in the store, so I don't think it is entirely correct to say that this place will be almost exclusively frequented by whites, just because bknest's old friend "don't give a ****" about organic food. Come on, the neighborhood is not monolithic in it's tastes, even within racial groups.

bknest

Anonymous wrote: Well, I think there are plenty of white and non-white people in the neighborhood who will like this place if it is good. Going to work this morning I saw several older black women (middle aged) in the store, so I don't think it is entirely correct to say that this place will be almost exclusively frequented by whites, just because bknest's old friend "don't give a ****" about organic food. Come on, the neighborhood is not monolithic in it's tastes, even within racial groups.

Did I not say that PLENTY MINORITY people eat organic?! Of course ppl will stop in now, it's a new store!! The test will be when the novelty of it being a new store wears off. Guest why don't you sign in?! I don't even know if your same person from earlier. If you are relax, it's not that serious. Why are ppl gettin so offended by me saying time will tell if the market will prosper? In my 2nd post I said I may be wrong..we shall see. I mean damn are people that emotionally tied to a store that hasn't been in the community a month yet?! Relax it's not that serious. I wonder if ppl were this emotional when the book store closed. Actually I don't even have to wonder.

queencallipygos

bknest wrote: Why are ppl gettin so offended by me saying time will tell if the market will prosper? In my 2nd post I said I may be wrong..we shall see. I mean damn are people that emotionally tied to a store that hasn't been in the community a month yet?!

I don't think people are reacting because we're tied to the store.

I think people are reacting because your justification for "the novelty may wear off" was based on a racial stereotype.

You didn't say it at first -- "the people who patronize the nail salons and 99 cent stores" was what you said -- but the fact that you're now talking about "minority people" makes it pretty clear what you're actually thinking underneath, and THAT is what people are reacting to.

bknest

queencallipygos wrote: [quote=bknest]Why are ppl gettin so offended by me saying time will tell if the market will prosper? In my 2nd post I said I may be wrong..we shall see. I mean damn are people that emotionally tied to a store that hasn't been in the community a month yet?!

I don't think people are reacting because we're tied to the store.

I think people are reacting because your justification for "the novelty may wear off" was based on a racial stereotype.

You didn't say it at first -- "the people who patronize the nail salons and 99 cent stores" was what you said -- but the fact that you're now talking about "minority people" makes it pretty clear what you're actually thinking underneath, and THAT is what people are reacting to.

I'm a realist, I deal in reality. What stereotype are you referring to? That the majority of black people don't eat organic food?! Or that people on certain socioeconomic levels aren't clamoring for a green market, whole foods, etc?! Like I said before although plenty do MOST black people don't eat organic food! It's simply a fact. I'd challenge anyone to prove me wrong. Just like MOST white people aren't cooking coo coo(not to be confused w/ coos coos), saltfish and dumplings, oxtails, old country boil, pernil, pasteles, empanadas etc.; most don't cook w/ smoke meat in their greens. Pointing out these differences is not feeding stereotypes, simply stating facts. And the novelty I was referring to was it being a new store so people will stop in to see what it has based on that alone. I really don't know what you referring to or how you can guage what I'm thinking underneath. I'm thinking exactly what I'm posting. If you have some type of mystic power please let me know the numbers for the next mega millions! Clinton Hill would appreciate it.
Once again we shall see...

anonymous

Hey, what's 'coo coo' and 'old country boil'? Never heard of either. Yeah, I'm white, but I'm also a bit of a meat and potatoes kinda guy- I'd never heard of a chayote or a sunchoke until recently,either. Working on it...

Anyhow, I'm happy the new market's there ( haven't been in yet) simply because it's something close to my house that I'm more likely to get some value out of. That said, I wish the place was more of a standard Korean Greengrocer the sort of which you find all over most nabes in Manhattan. The one on Fulton and S Elliot is EXACTLY what I'd like- a place to dart in for spices, milk, produce, coffee. Vitamins and hemp milk are a bit less attractive to me, but I definitely didn't want another creepy steam table restaurant or mysterious realtor with ads in their windows for apartmants in "Clinton Hills" or nail salon or haircare outlet ( Why is that one called "Respect For Life"? Is that a pro-life barber? And does anyone remember the inscrutable "Prowessive Cuts"?).

Anyhow, if I had to bet I'm afraid I'd bet with Mr (or Ms) Nest, who believes Green Planet has a year or so to survive. Would love to be wrong, but my bottom line is that (as with so many other new businesses in the neighborhood) a simpler concept (ie greengrocer/deli) would better serve the block. When the simple needs are met, THEN you move in with your specialty markets.

End of sermon. Please note the collection plate on the way out and give generously...

bknest

Anonymous wrote: Hey, what's 'coo coo' and 'old country boil'? Never heard of either. Yeah, I'm white, but I'm also a bit of a meat and potatoes kinda guy- I'd never heard of a chayote or a sunchoke until recently,either. Working on it...

Anyhow, I'm happy the new market's there ( haven't been in yet) simply because it's something close to my house that I'm more likely to get some value out of. That said, I wish the place was more of a standard Korean Greengrocer the sort of which you find all over most nabes in Manhattan. The one on Fulton and S Elliot is EXACTLY what I'd like- a place to dart in for spices, milk, produce, coffee. Vitamins and hemp milk are a bit less attractive to me, but I definitely didn't want another creepy steam table restaurant or mysterious realtor with ads in their windows for apartmants in "Clinton Hills" or nail salon or haircare outlet ( Why is that one called "Respect For Life"? Is that a pro-life barber? And does anyone remember the inscrutable "Prowessive Cuts"?).

Anyhow, if I had to bet I'm afraid I'd bet with Mr (or Ms) Nest, who believes Green Planet has a year or so to survive. Would love to be wrong, but my bottom line is that (as with so many other new businesses in the neighborhood) a simpler concept (ie greengrocer/deli) would better serve the block. When the simple needs are met, THEN you move in with your specialty markets.

End of sermon. Please note the collection plate on the way out and give generously...

Oh the new clinton hillers..You gotta love it!! "Creepy steam table place"?! "Mysterious realtor"?! My how I love this forum!

anonymous

Oh, OK Lothar. Sorry I tipped my hand and ID'd myself as a newcomer with my callous insensitivity. I know that TRUE, OLD SCHOOL Brooklynites LOVE dank, cavernous catering hall-sized restaurants with dirty chipped linoleum floors and banks of steam tables ladling out leathery food of questionable origin under the welcoming flicker of florescent lights. I don't know how I managed to resist the allure of the hand-scrawled and misspelled signs taped to the window that advertised the culinary delights awaiting me within. And when I'm looking to lay down somewhere in the realm of a million dollars on a home I ALWAYS look for the realtor most likely to creep off under cover of night, leaving nothing but a padlocked gate on the seediest stretch of road in the neighborhood.

Honestly, I find the uber-sensitive PC heckling that seems to be the currency on these message boards from anyone who considers himself a TRUE Brooklynite alternately hilarious and exhausting. Why O why is it in any way laughable to desire legitimate businesses? I didn't condemn anyone for their race or class ( although I know you'll accuse me of it, that's ALWAYS the M.O.); I just like to patronize clean and welcoming businesses with at least the illusion of legitimacy.