park slope when

I moved to the corner of 3rd St. and 7th Ave in 1976 when that was near the edge of the "good part" of Park Slope. Herzog's Deli was downstairs and Al's Toyland was across the street. My rent for the whole floor (now a dentist's office) was $250 at first, but for two years my landlord, Mr. Herzog, lowered it to $225 because I was going to school at NYU, his alma mater
For several wonderful years into the early 80's, there was lots of live music in bars on 7th Ave. You could walk down the street and choose between 3 or 4 places to hear jazz, blues, folk, etc. Even on weeknites. And no cover charge.
An old man came around on trash nite with a horse and wagon picking up stuff. He kept the horse in a lot near the Smith/9th St. F train stop.
I got priced out, of course, but now I'm in Windsor Terrace where people measure their time in the neighborhood in terms of generations, not years. I'm sorry I missed John's Bargain Stores. For the current version, try Bobby's on Church Ave near the D train. Especially for housewares.

Foreman's hardware store on 5th between 13th and 14th street, next to the Lucky Buck bar. There was the 5th avenue gym on 15th street and 5th. Partially owned by an ex cop, who actually lives near us hear in Florida, family friend. He also owned the video store on 5th between 12th & 13th streets, Dawson's video. There was a small jewelery store next to the corner of 11th and 5th, which the owner was robbed and killed in the store. I remember walking by after it happened and seeing his body on the floor, he was a nice man. Pizza parlors galore all over 5th avenue, run by real genuine Italians. Platts toy store which I spend a nice chunk of my childhood. The fruit stand on the corner of 12th and 5th, always had fresh fruit.

Burger King on the corner of 10th and 5th, was always dingy and had sketchy people hanging out in there, mostly homeless whom only offended by scent. There was a candy store on 12th and 5th called Get Even. Sort of a candy store slash diner with video games. It was plagued by the people who went to the OTB right next door on 12th and 5th.

Just a little history which is long forgotten and only remembered by few.

Oh that Burger King! (Where Astoria Federal is now.) I just remember it was really dark and scary, at least for a 5 year old. There was some scare at one point that the fries had mice in them. Of course a friend of a friend of a friend was the person who found it.

i360 wrote: There was the 5th avenue gym on 15th street and 5th. Partially owned by an ex cop, who actually lives near us hear in Florida, family friend

I loved that gym - I was good friends with Joe who was a trainer/manager there. I think I met the owner once or twice he is a really funny guy right?

Here's the story we've been hearing about Snooky's (being across the street we get asked about it alot). There were 2 owners, one sold their half to someone who owns a bunch of restaurants. They have completely gutted the place and are turning it into (wait for it) another italian restaurant. More upscale and Park Slopey. Bar moved to the back so people can eat in the window.

Out of the many people who've asked about Snooky's, there have been the few saying how glad they are it's gone. Because it was such a dive, and not PS worthy, blah, blah, blah. But most people have been upset, it was a neighborhood fixture and it was what it was. I sent people over there all the time who just wanted to go somewhere for a beer. It was a bar that had bar food, it wasn't expensive. I'm sure when the new place opens the salad I used to get from Snooky's for $5 will end up costing twice as much.

Snooky's is on 7th Ave between Garfield and Carroll. It used to be a great place.

filmlover44 wrote: Ah. What was the bar on Prospect Ave? I know there was one, because there is a big "PUB" sign on the building but no Pub.

ah, lauerbach's formerly owned by alice and tom guarded by their pet shitsu/wolf ginger, an old haunt for druid, gnomes and clerics, live music, burgers, fries, good times

but then came the plague of insects and all changed forever

Plague of insects?

I know nothing about this.
About 6 years ago I almost bought this property from one of the sons in the family. Long story.. bottom line..it didn't happen. He did tell me some good stories about the bar and what things were like in the days of prohibition. There is a hidden back staircase in this building.. no kidding!

I think for a while it was open under NO NAME PUB.
Anyone know if I am right.
I must go and explore the tunnel!!

When I think of how close I was to buying this property I can only thank the godesses for preventing me from doing something stupid. Actually... it was a male architect who did an evaluation for me and advised..."""Run quickly in to the forest and do not look behind you. Run Holding your checkbook firmly in hand.!"

His post was 7/3/06. Hope he sees your response.

Subject: Things were great

I've lived in the neighborhood since I was a kid in the early 80's, and grew up on President betw. 4-5th ave. I remember a toy store being on Fifth Avenue near Union street where Beso used to be. Across the street where there is now a wine store was a hardware store which was there for ages. I remember when the Body Reserve was Metropolitan bank. There was an italian bread bakery where the pet food shop is next to Associated and where the thrift shop is on President and Fifth was a bodega.
Moutarde used to be a funeral home, my mother jokes that she wonders if the patrons are aware of that little fact as they eat

I went to elementary school at PS321 and we used to practically live in Al's Toy Store on 7th and 2nd street, along with Pino's which is still there. Little things used to be a larger store where the Starbucks is currently.

I remember BurgerKing on 5th and 11th, and that scratchy microphone they'd call the orders into. We'd also go to Dolly's Sweets on Fifth near 8th street to play quarter video games and eat as many jolly rangers as we could every day.

Subject: Re: Things were great

NativeSloper wrote: I've lived in the neighborhood since I was a kid in the early 80's, and grew up on President betw. 4-5th ave. I remember a toy store being on Fifth Avenue near Union street where Beso used to be. Across the street where there is now a wine store was a hardware store which was there for ages. I remember when the Body Reserve was Metropolitan bank. There was an italian bread bakery where the pet food shop is next to Associated and where the thrift shop is on President and Fifth was a bodega.
Moutarde used to be a funeral home, my mother jokes that she wonders if the patrons are aware of that little fact as they eat

I went to elementary school at PS321 and we used to practically live in Al's Toy Store on 7th and 2nd street, along with Pino's which is still there. Little things used to be a larger store where the Starbucks is currently.

I remember BurgerKing on 5th and 11th, and that scratchy microphone they'd call the orders into. We'd also go to Dolly's Sweets on Fifth near 8th street to play quarter video games and eat as many jolly rangers as we could every day.

Every time I go to Moutarde I can't help but remember the funeral home that was there years ago, LOL. Al's Toyland I loved and still miss. And, a friend and I used to go to that Burger King all the time, some weird characters used to hang out in there.

Hello all you Slopers. I was born in 1933 and lived on 12th Street between 5th & 6th aves from then until June 1960 when I got married and moved to NJ. Now I am in Florida but I Have wonderful memories of the old neighborhood. I have been writing in the "Brooklyn Back When" blog. They are all a lot younger then me and they lived between 16th Street and Greenwood cemetary. I remember Germains, Palace Meat Market across form Germains (Worked in the meat market after school and on Saturdays while I went to manual Training HS (NOT JOHN JAY) as they now call it.) Belmont's clothes, Trunz cold cuts, Oneil's cards Michaels & Co, Michael brothers (Both furniture stores.) Woolworths and Kresge's, Whelans Drug Store etc:. Went to PS 124 & PS 40's. Played stick ball all day in the street and at night Ring-O Leeveo & Buck, Buck how many horns are up. Ebbets Field, Park Circle Baseball and Skating ring. Anybody out there remember any of this? Did any of you live on 12th Street between 5th and 6th Aves, Did any of you go to 12th Street Church? If so, please answer back.- Old Goat