Mountain is closing tomorrow :-(

wbm

I just learned from Tom, the owner of Mountain (Franklin and Carroll) that they are shutting down tomorrow due to financial woes. I will miss them. Be sure to stop by today or tomorrow to pick up some goodies and wish them well.

whynot_31

903 Franklin





They opened about a year ago.

http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/38549/mountain-acupuncture-franklin-avenue-and-carroll/p1

I doubt they were able to recoup their build out costs over that period.

laddhalsey

Oh that's so depressing!  It looked like such a cool and weirdly west coastie place.  They had great food and desserts.

mugofmead111

I am on its mailing list. In retrospect, I should have figured that something was up once its hours of operation were cut back (closing at 7 pm instead of 9 pm).

I liked its frittata (and I don't even like eggs). I liked being able to grab something a la carte that wasn't fast food that was made on site. Now what?

suppleknuckles

that part of franklin seems so weird, empty, and out of the way. every time i ride my bike through it it feels like a ghost town, and i am reminded that Mountain existed. maybe they would do better to move down to Flatbush! ...though i doubt they have any money for a move even

whynot_31

That part of Franklin won't feel that way in 2018.
http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44634/links-to-the-big-16-developments-in-western-crown-heights/p1

mugofmead111

It's a shame this part of Franklin couldn't support it.

Maybe if it were on Flatbush somewhere between the yoga place and Brooklyn Greenery, maybe it could have had a better chance (and it would have been closer to me and closer to the subway AND the bus).

greenegirl

It a shame. The only reason I knew of the place was because I was on my home and decided to walk a new route. I never saw fliers advertising the space. I thought the concept was interesting, but the prices weren't geared to the majority of current residents. My friends believe the chose the location because the rent was inexpensive, and once the neighbourhood got more gentrified they would be able to capitalise on their location.

Brooklyneya

I was excited to hear they were opening up, then their prices (and cafeteria-like seating) were a disappointment. Their prices scared people away, leaving them with few customers. It didn't have that comfy vibe to hang out for a few hours and work or read a book either. Yoga started out expensive, massages were very expensive, juices started out as expensive and then their prices went up even more. Some coffee drinks and snacks as well.

I thought they bought that property and weren't merely renting it. Can't remember where I read that.

I agree that they may have done better further down in PLG, only because there are less choices and they'd have less competition.

whynot_31

I think a traditional sandwich place could have worked in this location, and could work now.

It could be a Subway, or it could be slightly more upscale.

mcpoet

There was a Subway between Union and President a couple years back, but it didn't last too long.  I don't know that the neighborhood has changed enough to support one now.  There's also one a block over on Bedford, right next to Medgar Evers.  Who knows though, I was surprised that the one between Union and President didn't last longer than it did.

mugofmead111

I'm not sure what else can survive, considering that there are several empty store fronts one block up between Carroll and President. What else is there that would draw in foot traffic?

Brooklyneya

Chipotle!

Frankly, I think plenty of things would work. It's right next to a busy supermarket and in an area that needs businesses. I don't think Mountain didn't draw enough foot traffic because of the location. I'm a minute walk away and I barely went, preferring to walk further for better or cheaper options. Same
goes for several friends of mine. I honestly think they didn't do things quite right.

Maybe a multi room restaurant/bar that can use the various rooms to serve different purposes or types of seating. Bar in the front, restaurant in the back, music room perhaps. It's a standalone space so they wouldn't have to worry about neighbors above nor to their left for noise issues.

whynot_31

It may be that few things can survive at the rents being demanded, UNTIL the new buildings are complete.

The question is: Will any new businesses be willing to sign a 10 year lease, knowing that they will lose money the first 3 years (ie until the area changes).

It would take a proprietor with deep pockets, and a really attractive lease.

So, this storefront (and the others) may just remain vacant for the next year or so.

MasTacos

I liked mountain a lot. It was really quite unique and the food was high quality. 

It's a shame they couldn't hold on longer, I feel like their time was coming. 

Also, I'm not sure if I used the right tense... they may still be open but I've moved far away from the neighborhood. 

mugofmead111

I just received Mountain's email, in which it commented on its closure:

"DEAR FRIENDS, SUPPORTERS OF MOUNTAIN 

AND BELOVED COMMUNITY,

ON JULY 27th MOUNTAIN AND THE APOTHECARY KITCHEN CLOSED ITS DOORS. 

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORTED AND PATRONIZED OUR SPACE.

IT WAS AN EXPERIMENT THAT PROVED OUTSIDE OF OUR MEANS TO CONTINUE. 

MOUNTAIN WAS A SUCCESS IN MANY WAYS, THE REALIZATION OF MANY YEARS WORK, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT OF SO MANY PEOPLE.

WE APOLOGIZE DEEPLY TO THOSE WHO CAME TO RELY ON IT AS A PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

'MOUNTAIN ACUPUNCTURE' WILL CONTINUE. 

WE WILL BE PRACTICING IN BROOKLYN FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

COME SEPTEMBER WE WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO SERVE YOU IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE! PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO.

AS WE UPDATE OUR WEBSITE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS CONTACT INFO FOR PRACTITIONERS ON OUR REFERRALS PAGE. THIS SHOULD BE UPDATED BY THE END OF AUGUST. 

IN THE MEAN TIME, AND FOR ANY INQUIRIES, CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT JUSTINE DIRECTLY AT [email protected]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING.

WITH LOVE,

JUSTINE, TOM AND MOUNTAIN

MOUNTAIN ACUPUNCTURE"