Connecticut Muffin coming to Nostrand Ave. in Crown Heights

I am pleased to see this. dunkin donuts is the lot place in that area for coffee and to-go breakfast. Also, while they are a "chain", they are one of those only-in-new-York types of mini chains that only people in the hyper local area have. Like AREA kids in BoCoCa and PS

Dunkin Donuts and Connecticut Muffins are franchises. They're not owned by some huge conglomerate. They're owned by individuals. The parent company simply makes it easier to start and run a business by providing an existing supply chain, branding, etc.

The only argument I can see against a "chain" is that you don't like the products they offer. Apparently, they are liked by the patrons of Nostrand Ave, though.

I'd say this is a sign of the avenue's continued resistance to gentrification more than anything. "Mom and pop shops" are an artisanal luxury desired most by those who grew up in the suburbs where there's a Dunkin Donuts on every block.

oh my god! I almost spilled my coffee!!!!! This is great. Now I dont have to go to franklin avenue to get something interesting to snack on.

Nostrand ave. has so little to recommend it. Too many nail and hair salons, 99 cent junk stores and crappy bodegas where nothing healthy or good is ever available. our one historical meeting place - starlite bar was closed down so that we could get a crappy generic metro pcs store and guess what? another 99 cent store or 2 if you count the sock and 99 cent store around the corner.

Thank god we have sakura tokyo and pacific oasis and no bar, its a start. syds sandwiches, the doubles place next to key food and punch line are good. I'm glad dunkin donuts is further away, conneticut muffin is way better. A good mom and pop or young entrepeneur store is always great but the stuff that has opened (and closed) like Joey's and the small cafe between St. marks & bergen , were terrible!!!! SSSSLLLLLLOOOOOOWWWWWW service and crappy food. It shouldn't take 10 minutes to get a cup of coffee while they fill out a form, go to the fridge 3 times and figure out how to run the cash register, try to figure out how to make change etc. etc. and then what do I get - a costco muffin? no thanks. Connecticut may be a chain, but at least they can figure out seating, variety and quality products.

Like many of the new businesses that open, I suspect this place will be quickly packed by existing residents.

The Nostrand area has customers waiting to spend their hard earned $ on goods and services presently no available on the avenue, and businesses are starting to realize it.

Costco, Drakes and Hostess .....it sucks to be you.

Hopefully they won't run out of doughnuts...am I right, xlizellx?

I think a lot of people would be sad if the bakeries start to disappear.

Their best chance of survival may be to reach out to the newcomers who may not be familiar with their products, and/or change their offerings to meet their tastes.

If they choose to remain the same, they risk not replacing "current" customers who are priced out, or whom cash out.

It is tough to compete with the low prices, instant product recognition, and economies of scale that franchises bring. Many people just won't go to mom and pops anymore, because they perceive them as offering an inferior mix of goods and service.

It takes a really good mom and pop to survive and thrive once the chain stores arrive.

A franchised shop has to make hefty payments to the owner of the franchise. That means it usually has to charge more for its goods than does an independent operation.

While I trust Clayfilm's tastebuds, and purchase similar goods somewhat regularly, I must admit that I am hesitant to stop by such places in unfamiliar neighborhoods (ie outside of CH, PS, PH).

To many, "homemade bake goods like this (insert Clayfilms photos)" does not result in a thought of "yummy".

The first thoughts are: " This product may have been cooked in a kitchen that has only the Department of Health's supervision. I feel more comfortable eating somewhere where there is also a Regional Manager and uniforms."

Such thoughts and preferences are hard to overcome.

eastbloc said:

It's generally the "Artisanal" mom-and-pop retail operations that cater to the luxury-goods crowd now, and have higher prices.

That's not the case on Nostrand Ave. The only food franchises on Nostrand (between Fulton & Empire Blvd) are Dunkin Donuts and Golden Krust. Your point may be true on Washington or Vanderbilt or wherever the new artisanal mayo shop is opening, but not on Nostrand.

To many, "homemade bake goods like this (insert Clayfilms photos)" does not result in a thought of "yummy".

The first thoughts are: " This product may have been cooked in a kitchen that has only the Department of Health's supervision. I feel more comfortable eating somewhere where there is also a Regional Manager and uniforms." Such thoughts and preferences are hard to overcome

I guess that's that suburban worldview. To me, the very sight of uniforms bring to mind careless, apathetic employees who toil for a mammoth, faceless food corporation and could care less about the quality of the food that they serve.

Growing up in NYC, your everyday experience is buying goods from businesses whose employees own that business.

Last post on this...

When you pay $5 for one scone and coffee at Connecticut Muffin, you're paying for the ambiance and the ability to sit down while eating. But don't get it twisted, that same $5 will buy you a 1/2 dozen freshly baked pastries that were baked that morning (on site) from any of the mom & pop bakeries on Nostrand.

In this instance, I am the choir that doesn't need preaching to.

The challenge to the mom and pops is that many of the area's newcomers may actually be from the suburbs, and or have the non-NYC mindset we are describing. As they move in, and replace departing residents, the businesses must tread very carefully. Once a CT Muffin is present, it may slowly capture the increasing tide of newcomers.

In this worst case scenario, the older businesses then end up fighting each other for an ever shrinking pool of long term residents.

Just a correction. Connecticut Muffins is not a corporate franchise (where a stranger can purchase the rights to use sell/operate a store under the corporate name a la Dunkin Donuts). All of the CM stores in NYC are owned and operated by two brothers. Whether they are planning on selling franchises in the future is a question I can't answer, but the same guys that own the one on 7th, own the CM on Myrtle and will be operating the one on Nostrand.

umm should i mention seeing a connecticut muffin near Fairfax VA to the owners? cuz Im sure then now more than ever its illegal.

Hello everyone!  We the Abdelhadi family owners and proprietors of Connecticut Muffin are really happy to be a part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. Thank you for all the years of support many of you have given us.  We are ecstatic to provide our products and services to the community.  We would like to start by telling you a little bit about ourselves, and our company.

We are local entrepreneurs that started from a small shop in Park Slope over fifteen years ago.  Slowly and steadily we have grown our business to 6 units throughout Brooklyn, where we were raised.  We also bake our products in Brooklyn with pride from scratch everyday in our very own bakery in Ditmas Park.  We buy and source locally when we can.  We select and roast in small micro batches the best Arabica coffee beans that we can find.  We are a family business and not a franchise.  We are hands on and come to work daily to insure your experience is what you expect it to be.  Great service, fantastic coffee and tea, and remarkable sweet treats.  This cafe will be a depart from prior designs as we plan on building a LEED certified sustainable cafe, with design in mind. This will be the most exciting Connecticut Muffin to date, paying homage to the neighborhood's great charm and architecture.  Connecticut Muffin - Crown Heights will be an evolution of what we have learned over the years and what we believe people long for, a place that they can call their own. 

So thank you and we can't wait to be part of the neighborhood.

Article in Brownstoner today: http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/07/connecticut-muffin-expanding-to-nostrand-avenue/

They sound bullish.

I grew up in the suburbs, but have lived my whole adult life in Brooklyn. I have to say that one of the best things about moving to here was no longer having to rely on chains or the mall for the majority of my shopping needs. In fact, whenever possible I have always patronized locally owned businesses, even if it meant spending an extra buck here or there. So I don't think that being born outside of the five boroughs automatically should be associated with a strong desire for chain stores/restaurants to follow us. We like good food and good people too! But what I would like to see are less 99 cent stores and Chinese restaurants without seating (I'm looking at you, Kingston Avenue) and more business that offer quality products and variety. Hopefully if Connecticut Muffin can come in and be successful, it will inspire other independent businesses to also consider a location other than on Franklin Avenue. Welcome to the neighborhood, Abdelhadi family!