The Dance Studio- homeless
A fixture in Park Slope for more than 30 years...the Dance Studio of Park Slope will lose its home come June.
the greedy landlord of the building at the corner of 7th and Union has opted not to renew the lease, and has decided to turn the place into offices.
The studio is also home to the not-for-profit organization 'Children Helping Children'. Sad to see one of the last cultural places in the neighborhood again being pushed out so we can have more ATM's, realtors and cell phone stores. It's been a 2nd home to kids for many years.
the greedy landlord of the building at the corner of 7th and Union has opted not to renew the lease, and has decided to turn the place into offices.
The studio is also home to the not-for-profit organization 'Children Helping Children'. Sad to see one of the last cultural places in the neighborhood again being pushed out so we can have more ATM's, realtors and cell phone stores. It's been a 2nd home to kids for many years.
Comments
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It's sad that the Dance Studio of Park Slope might die, but the fact that I've never heard of it until now is sadder.
I didn't know that the Dance Studio of Park Slope or the Children Helping Children organization existed. When I think of that corner, I envision Bank of America, a real-estate office, Slope Fitness, Seven Nails, Tasti Delight, a newspaper shack, and a pharmacy. Maybe I'm blind, but my questions are, "where are you hiding?," and "why haven't I heard of you before?" Maybe if you were more visible, you'd have more clout in the lease battle.
It's also sad that I can see four banks on the corner of 7th Avenue and Union Street without having to turn my head. -
Yeah it is sad, but I have never noticed that place either and I walk by that corner everyday. I see 7 nails, an ATM haven and real estate offices..
Does anyone use that Bank of America ATM facility? I've never seen anyone in it. Ever -
I took gymnastics at that studio as a little kid. Sorry to hear things didn't work out.
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Been here 9 1/2 years and never heard of it or noticed it.
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they have a sign - you have to look UP
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xxxx
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Well, it must not be a very appealing sign, since I'm pretty observant and make a point to notice things (buildings, stores, animals, etc.) on the street - often taking a different route each time in hopes of discovering something new.
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If you walk by in the summer months you can sometimes hear some drums playing. Thats the only reason why I know it was there. I heard drums and an instructor counting so I looked up. It was great because atleast one person at the bus stop would be dancing to the beat. Sad that it has to close its doors. I hope they get a new space.
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Too bad. They did well by my child.
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Flexichick wrote: Well, it must not be a very appealing sign, since I'm pretty observant and make a point to notice things (buildings, stores, animals, etc.) on the street - often taking a different route each time in hopes of discovering something new.
you might want to re-evaluate your skills - it's about half a block long, 2nd fl on the Ave.
:roll: -
Well, seems I'm not the only one who never noticed it.
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That's sad. My daughter took dance classes there when she was a little thing. It was a nice place, and it would be a shame for Park Slope to lose it.
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I had a store on the 2nd floor for a couple of years (where Hair Concern is now) and I have had a few discussions about people not noticing 2nd floor stores. It''s pretty common actually. We all tend to be pretty neighborhood oriented though so i suspect we are more likely to notice them.
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Subject: Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink.
ilovecarbs wrote:
I would use Bank of America if it featured human employees, instead of only ATM machines.
Does anyone use that Bank of America ATM facility? I've never seen anyone in it. Ever
Chase Bank on 7th Avenue (across from Key Food, which is more efficient at giving customers cash via ATM card) has a wacky computer system that failed to correctly process transfers between accounts. Repeating the same conversations for months with Chase's incompetent staff who keep saying that they will eventually correct the situation is taxing.
Shitibank on the corner of President Street and 7th Avenue hasn't earned a gold star either. Any time I attempt to walk into Citibank, I’m accosted by at least one homeless person demanding money. Such a greeting makes me feel so safe!
With so many banks, at least one should offer working computers, excellent customer service, security, full hours of operation, and financial solutions that benefit the customer, not just the bank. -
steve wrote: I had a store on the 2nd floor for a couple of years (where Hair Concern is now) and I have had a few discussions about people not noticing 2nd floor stores. It''s pretty common actually. We all tend to be pretty neighborhood oriented though so i suspect we are more likely to notice them.
Would big, colorful banners and glowing signs help? Second-floor business Seven Nails has a neon sign that pops out. I think a clothing store exists next to Seven Nails, but I couldn't tell you its name if my life depended on it. -
There are a lot of second floor places that I notice(d) - T Thai (or whatever it's called), Rancho Allegre (even though I don't know anybody who has ever eaten there), Holy Cow (now gone), the gym on 5th Ave btw. 14th/15th, Seven Nails, etc. etc.
Of course a first floor place is more likely to get your attention, but it still seems that this place was not well-noticed -
but the point is that this place, a fixture for children and parents is out of a home. the place existed for more than 30 years and has been packed with classes and children since then. Hopefully they find a new place in the neighborhood. Sounds like money is the driving issue, not retaining asset to the neighborhood.
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it has nothing to do with being well noticed. it has been successful year after year...and families with children wanting to take gymnastics/dance classes knew where it was. the fact is their lease is not being renewed because the owner thinks offices are better suited for the neighborhood, but not because it wasn't noticed.
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guestfrombrooklyn wrote: it has nothing to do with being well noticed. it has been successful year after year...and families with children wanting to take gymnastics/dance classes knew where it was. the fact is their lease is not being renewed because the owner thinks offices are better suited for the neighborhood, but not because it wasn't noticed.
Right, I don't think the second-floor location hurt them, because they weren't dependent on walk-in business. If you have a little girl who wants to take dance classes, you know about places like that. I vaguely recall my son taking tumbling classes there too. They have classes for adults as well. It was definitely an asset to the community. -
Subject: 7th avenue dance studio getting booted
i am personally quite dissappointed to read the article in the ny times today about the dance studio on 7th and union closing up shop because the landlords (George and Nicholas Kotsonis) have raised the rent and brought in an office. i've heard such negative things about these guys.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/nyregion/thecity/18danc.html
i'm not a parent nor do i take classes here, but it seems like such a great thing to have in the neighborhood and i'm not at all pleased with filling 7th avenue with places that close up shop at 5 or 6pm.
the article says that the owner of the dance studio is looking for a new place in the neighborhood that she can afford.
thought this might be a good place to get the word out... -
Do not be so hasty to judge.
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i'm not judging. i know a few people who have done business with you and they have all had very negative reactions. i'd personally like to know exactly what office you plan to bring in. i'd also like to know how it serves our community in a positive way, like the dance studio did for many people.
will you keep the upstairs empty like the downstairs has now been for a few months?? i'm curious at what point your greed for astronomical rents and empty storefronts helps you or the neighborhood. there is a list a mile long of people looking to open stores along 7th and 5th avenues. would be nice if you'd actually think about something than your own bank account next time you look at that list.
without answers to these questions, i personally will continue to have a negative impression of you. -
Is this the same as Spoke the Hub?
[no] -
If negative reactions mean that I am a tough negotiator and conduct myself in a manner that is beneficial for my business. I have no argument for that. If you are referring to departed tenants who I have had to chase, because they owed me money, again I cannot argue that point as well. If you are referring to residential tenants who have abused the rent stabilization /rent control system, I once more cannot argue that, because I will protect myself to the fullest extent of the law. As to keeping store fronts empty. We will rent the locations at market value for the area. Owners have to judge what the location is worth, and also have to predict future market value when entering into long term leases. That is usually why a tenant may find themselves below market very quickly if the deal is not properly evaluated. I would rather keep a store empty rather than rent it to a business that would not enhance the area. By the way, keeping a store empty is a financial drain not a surplus.
As to the use of the second floor, please refer to the other posts in the other areas of this forum for your answer. -
no, actually, there is no answer to the question about what it taking over for the dance studio. since you are the landlord, you should be the person to answer that question. and unless you were lying when you were interviewed for the nytimes, you already have an office tenant in place, so it should be a pretty easy question to answer. if it was indeed a lie and you are unable to produce the name of the tenant, i will be more than happy to contact the nytimes and try to get an answer myself. i have more than one connection there.
i will only assume that your lack of an answer, means this will be another empty storefront sitting on 7th avenue along with many of your other properties in the neighborhood.
you are clearly not a very good businessman. if you are waiting to rent your storefronts at market rent and they have CONSISTENTLY stayed as empty storefronts for months and in some cases, years have you ever thought that perhaps the market has changed??? your idea of market rates are clearly not in line with the neighborhood given all of your properties that sit empty.
you are what they call a slumlord. just for commercial properties instead of residential. -
My response to the Times was no comment.
I have also stated elsewhere in this forum, that I am taking over the space for my own operations. I am also on record with the tenant, the only other party that matters in this business, that I am taking over the space for my own operations.
As to name calling, that is a bit beneath you. However, fire away. -
Subject: Re: 7th avenue dance studio getting booted
belzjm wrote:
That end of 7th Avenue is looking more and more like Montague Street all the time. Soon there will be nothing to do there but buy a cell phone, visit an ATM, or look in the windows of real estate offices.
i'm not a parent nor do i take classes here, but it seems like such a great thing to have in the neighborhood and i'm not at all pleased with filling 7th avenue with places that close up shop at 5 or 6pm. -
no comment. interesting....
considering the place below has sat empty (and ugly) for more than a few months, i'm sad to say that i know what using for your own operations means. so if i see a sign up on there that says for rent in june, i'll know you were indeed lying. if you were using it for yourself, i'm pretty sure you would have said so to the Times. that would actually make sense. But to not renew a 30 year beloved business in the neighbohood for the off chance that you might be able to get more rent...well yes...i can see why no comment was the better option.
oh and i know a number of people who have contacted you regarding the space below the dance studio looking to rent. none were banks, starbucks or real estate offices, so i now know why you've thus far decided to keep it vacant.
you, my friend are doing park slope a serious disservice.
the way you operate your business affairs is on a small scale what is ruining the face of a once creative, unusual and dynamic new york.
keep up the poor work. -
clearly you are a behooved distorted person. A pity really. But please rant away.
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notice you just changed your last response. also interesting.
i don't think caring about my neighborhood is distorted. i'm sorry that you do.
and witnessing your dealings not only on this website and elsewhere, it would appear that i am certainly not the only person to be offended by your poor business sense.
perhaps you could spend some more time marketing your rental properties and less time on the park slope message boards making comments anytime anyone says something about you.
i can see how that would be a full-time job in and of itself, but i would personally rather see all the empty storefronts you own rented out instead.
it's pretty simple actually, given the number of small businesses that would like an opportunity to set up shop in the neighborhood. if there weren't a list a mile long trying to get space, i would understand, but this is not the case at all.
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