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Underhill Market closing? — Brooklynian

Underhill Market closing?

smw380
smw380
edited November -1 in Prospect Heights

I heard that the market on the corner of Underhill and St. Johns is closing. Anyone know anything?

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Comments

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited March 2014

    I have heard no such rumor, but will point out that this is the market known as St Johns Marketplace, and formerly known as DisAssociated.

  • arches
    arches

    I heard its the other market on Underhill (bodega on corner of Sterling). That building (340 Sterling) has been sold, and the retail lease was not renewed. I've heard the plan is to turn the building condo, and residents are currently being bought out of rent stab. leases.

    Same guy who owned 340 Sterling owned (owns?) the stalled eyesore at St John and Underhill. Upkeep doesn't seem to be his specialty.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    ^This seems more likely^

  • el syd
    el syd

    That would be surprising as they (seem to) do good business. And disappointing as they're the best bodega in the hood. They'll have a new neighbor, at any rate:

    http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/10/brooklyn-brainery-is-opening-a-second-location/?stream=true

  • smw380
    smw380

    I think that must be the market, the Sterling one. The person who told me this wasn't terribly coherent.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Was he upset over losing his favorite place to buy 40s?

  • jml
    jml

    it's the bodega at the corner of sterling and underhill. i spoke with the owners yesterday and they told me they lost their lease.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Which likely means that the landlord wants more for this site than a typical bodega can afford.

    Which means we will get a new business that can make the payments. While it is an excellent location for a bar, it is across from a church, which would violate Liquor Authority rules.

    How about a bagel/coffee/sandwich place?

  • arches
    arches

    Seems too small for a bar. From the looks of old photos (and the bricked over windows) that space actually used to be residential, but I imagine the value of retail space exceeds residential? http://www.brooklynpix.com/photoframex1.php?photo=/photo1/P/pheights46.jpg&key=PHEIGHTS 46

    I heard the owner of Blue Marble was seeking out the new landlord...maybe they're doubling down on ice cream :-)

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    ^cool photo^

    Yes, it would surprise me if that space was worth more as a residential unit.

    ...mostly because the building has a "grandfathered", existing kitchen venting system, which adds substantial value.

    For example, Pequena had to go through hell with DOH and DOB to open because it had to meet new code.

    So, I'm thinking it will be something with a kitchen, because I imagine lots of homeless restaurants looking for spaces with existing "kitchen venting", and willing to pay a premium for same.

  • steveo
    steveo

    brooklynpix is a fun site. I haven't looked at it in a while.

    I found another one of the front of Espinal Bodega -- yes before there was a store front there.

    http://www.brooklynpix.com/photoframex1.php?photo=/photo1/P/pheights48.jpg&key=PHEIGHTS 48

    The caption is "Underhill Avenue looking north to Sterling Place, 1924", so the bodega building is on the left on the near side of the intersection.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Shelves of the bodega are almost completely empty, and not because of Tropical Storm Sandy.

    ...it looks like they need to be out of that space by Nov 1.

  • steveo
    steveo

    By the way, my building's super tells us that the owners at Espinal were ready to retire anyway, and are not terribly upset that they lost their lease.

  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior

    they should really get rid of the archaic laws like no liquor near schools or churches etc.. what a load of bs.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    steveo said:

    By the way, my building's super tells us that the owners at Espinal were ready to retire anyway, and are not terribly upset that they lost their lease.

    Good to hear!

    If you live in the building that houses Espinal, see if you can get us the inside scoop on whether there is already a tenant lined up, or what the asking rent is.

  • steveo
    steveo

    I don't live in that building.

  • mishaps
    mishaps

    When I walked by last night, there was a note on the security grate that the bodega would be re-opening on Sterling & Classon. So much for retirement, I guess.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Moving East a few blocks for cheaper rent makes sense.

    Hopefully the landlord of Sterling and Underhill has a new tenant lined up and renovations will begin soon.

  • joshb
    joshb

    Yeah, but there's already a bodega at Sterling and Classon. Maybe the same owners? Consolidation?

  • el syd
    el syd

    Any info on what might be moving in?

  • arches
    arches

    According to an email I rec'd this weekend, 340 Sterling is on the docket for liq. license approval (#6).

    SLA & Sidewalk Café Review Committee will meet on Monday, April 1, 2013 at 6:00 PM at CNR-Center Light Health Care Center, which is located at 727 Classon Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (between Park and Prospect Places).

    B. Discussion of the following new liquor license applications:

    1. Gloria's In and Out #3, 764 Nostrand Avenue (corner of Sterling) – Beer/Wine

    2. MSM Bar Inc., 706 Washington Avenue (St. Marks/Prospect) – Full

    3. Establishment formed by entity Witnez Volcy, 865 Atlantic Avenue (Vanderbilt/Underhill) – Full

    4. Underhill Café and Grill LLC, 760 Dean Street (corner of Underhill Ave) – Beer/Wine

    5. Global Square, 893 Dean Street (Grand/Classon) – Beer/Wine

    6. Bierendelli's LLC, 340 Sterling Place (Underhill and Butler Pl) – Beer only (This may be a beer garden with its outdoor space)

  • arches
    arches

    Also, interior demolition in the building is in full swing...although there appear to be a few holdout tenants.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Yes, I have been noticing that there is work being done on the entire building when I walk by.

    Here's some photos just to make this thread a little more picturesque:

    The listing for the site showed a view from Underhill, and gave some details about the site:



    http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17964149/340-Sterling-Place-Brooklyn-NY/

    Here's a view from Sterling:

    Lately, it seems as if local businesses have had great success in securing beer and wine lic's despite there being a church nearby.

  • arches
    arches

    And the only "backyard" I know of it that little below-ground courtyard (visible on the right side of the 2nd image from whynot). Doesn't seem very inviting for an outdoor space (I'm hoping that's just incorrect speculation).

    It's also a landmarked building, which might impact the prospects for an outdoor commercial space.

    Bierendeli LLC is registered to someone who lives in 203 Underhill, for what its worth.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Ditto.

    If the space had a backyard, I think loopnet would have mentioned it on their ad.

    I suspect that they may have meant to type "may become beer garden" by 893 Dean St. ...which I am about to create a post for in the CH section.

  • el syd
    el syd

    So what exactly is supposed to be moving in to the old bodega?

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    For additional details, I suspect we will have to wait until Monday, April 1, when they make their pitch in front of the CB8 subcommittee.

  • arches
    arches

    Not sure...other than the fact that whatever it is plans to serve beer.

    I've convinced myself that Bierendelli is a play on Beer and Deli...and that we are getting a Bierkraft type store for Underhill Avenue (and that it won't have a noisy "backyard" space). Unfortunately, this is based on absolutely nothing... other than my personal preference.

    Also - a little more digging shows that the renovation permits to the building are for 5 of 8 units...guess they have 3 holdouts. And it appears to be a MySpace project.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    I suspect that the tenants of the 3 units were offered a payout to leave, yet chose to stay.

    I wonder what MySpace's break even point is for payouts in such situations.

    Clearly it takes them (and the property owner) a while to recoup any payouts, and the cost of renovations makes this time longer. One would then factor these costs against the increased rent.

  • arches
    arches

    Rumor is that the tenants were offered $50k and free rent until the end of 2012 (offer was made mid-2012)to vacate. I suspect MySpace could pay considerably more and still come out ahead given recent sale valuations in the neighborhood (I'm assuming they are going to try to sell the renovated units...but maybe its going to remain a rental).

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