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Franklin and Union--not a new coffee shop. (Union St Pub) - Page 2 — Brooklynian

Franklin and Union--not a new coffee shop. (Union St Pub)

245

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  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited May 2015
    image

    So, the retro bodega on the corner is to become a Dunkin Donuts, and the retro bodega will take over the left half of Sal's.

    Got it.    Seems worthy of a new thread   http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/45613/classic-bodega-on-the-nw-corner-of-ep-and-franklin-will-soon-be-replaced-by-a-dunkin-donuts

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited May 2015
    Has anyone been able to look in on the coffeeshop being constructed by Alexander Hall at the NE corner of Union and Franklin?

    As a result of operating Bluebird Coffee Shop, Rosella Coffee Shop, Milk Bar, Brunswick PPW and Brunswick BedStuy, it would not surprise me if construction was nearly complete.

  • mcpoet
    mcpoet
    I've been looking at that space every time I walk by and haven't seen any indication of anything going on in there.  Though it's entirely possible that the bulk of the work is occurring during business hours, while I'm away at work.
  • Brooklyneya
    Brooklyneya
    I also have not seen any work being done at all at the Franklin/Union space.

    The bodega is now open already in the space next to Sal's. That was fast!
  • goldemi1
    goldemi1
    LOL at "retro" bodega.  What does this mean?  It sounds beautiful and pricey!  As long as I can get Jolt cola and AbbaZabba or Dots or wax cola bottles and a snap-gun, I'm happy.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    In this case, "retro" means bullet proof plexi glass windows, and a bright yellow tin awning.

    Both store fronts (the bodega and the hair braiding) are going to never be the same.
  • mugofmead111
    mugofmead111
    LOL at "retro" bodega.  What does this mean?  It sounds beautiful and pricey!  As long as I can get Jolt cola and AbbaZabba or Dots or wax cola bottles and a snap-gun, I'm happy.
    i.e. not like Wholesome Gourmet on Lincoln Road and Flatbush or the "bodega" on Washington and Mongtomery. ;) 
  • Schmu
    Schmu
    Sadly Alexander passed on the space on franklin and union and pretty much crown heights in it's entirety. He stated that they were asking 8k for the space. There must be at least 10 empty storefronts south of EP on Franklin. Why are these landlords holding out for unrealistic rents?
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    In short, because they do not believe the rents they are asking are unrealistic.    They know about the Big 16, and have predicted big effect$ on that stretch of Franklin.  

    http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44634/links-to-the-big-16-developments-in-western-crown-heights/p1

    They are willing to sign a short term tenant for a lot of $ per month, or a long term tenant for slightly less $ per month.

    Thanks for the update about this coffee shop canceling.   I would have done the same thing if I realized I would be competing with Dunkin Donuts.
  • terekete
    terekete
    3 out of 4 storefronts on that corner are dead, the entire building's-worth (save for the dry cleaners) just south of there are the same (and have been for years)... 

    we've been walking home from the BBG via Carroll and Montgomery recently, and whynot is right-- it really feels like everyone's waiting for the other shoe to drop.  What with the laundry and the brewery, the stakes are higher, regardless of which side of EP you're on. 

    yikes.
  • dmiami2
    dmiami2
    8k seems out of whack.... the places further down Franklin to the south are going for $3500 or less.  
  • Brooklyneya
    Brooklyneya
    I vaguely remember reading on Brooklynian that the spot just two doors down where Owl & Thistle now is was $4000. I always wondered how they made any profit considering the low foot traffic. I assumed they were losing money and hoping for the neighborhood changes to kick in and bring in more customers. Now $8k for this? That's just plain greedy.

    I wish landlords would just list the spaces for less money and find a tenant faster, rather than leave the spot to rot (unpaid) until some sucker (or chain) leases the space. E.g. The corner spot across the street (next to Butter & Scotch) that has been available for too long. It's perfect for a restaurant or cafe with good food options and some outdoor seating, with B&S next door for post lunch/dinner indulgence.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    I think of it this way: Many of us could do side jobs to increase our earnings. However, we choose not to because such things eat into leisure time, and we are already employed full time.

    Leasing out a property you own to a tenant is similar. It is not merely making the most of idle time/property. It causes one to have to fix up a property, heat it and then deal with the wear and tear that it puts on your accounting and maintenance staff.

    If most of your properties are already leased, your staff is effectively employed full time, and it isn't gong to get around to leasing this site until it has exhausted work on projects that are more profitable.

    P.S. I believe Owl and Thistle survives in part due to its online business, and classes: http://www.owlandthistlegeneral.com/products-page
  • Brooklyneya
    Brooklyneya
    I rarely see anyone there for classes either, but perhaps. Still only adds a few hundred a month of profit.

    Do you know what's up with the storefronts between Carroll and President? I imagine there's more to the store than just lazy landlords. They've been vacant for years.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    I know that those apartment buildings are changing hands frequently, and being aggressively flipped.

    Commercial tenants often want long leases, so it is worth their while to invest.

    Signing a long lease with a commercial tenant in a building that you are just going to flip often is not a good financial move: New buyers often want such spaces empty (because they may have a prospective commercial tenant that is among their investors).

    So, temporary/current landlords just leave those storefronts vacant.
  • dmiami2
    dmiami2
    Someone is applying for a liquor license for one of the store fronts on this building. Not sure if it's the corner space, but would seem a likely candidate.
  • bizybee
    bizybee
    New buyers often want such spaces empty (because they may have a prospective commercial tenant that is among their investors).

    So, temporary/current landlords just leave those storefronts vacant.
    Not entirely true - I work with a developer that exclusively buys pre-existing structures and rehabilitates them (rather than tearing down and starting from scratch).  If a building comes with commercial tenants it's actually a lot easier on us.  Current tenants act as a guarantee that the space is desirable. If one space out of many is empty it's NBD.  But if multiple empty spaces that makes us question our ability to attract and keep tenants - a current owners temporary issue is a potentially long term money loss for us. 

    We can also write in to our leases with tenants that they are responsible for renovations beyond basic structural issues.  So the cost of owner renovations is actually quite low (most tenants want to brand and rework the floor for their own specific needs anyway).  

    I get it from the temporary/current landlord stand point/way of thinking.  But as a buyer, multiple empty storefronts are a red flag that indicate and issue re-cooping my investment.
  • mcpoet
    mcpoet
    Someone is applying for a liquor license for one of the store fronts on this building. Not sure if it's the corner space, but would seem a likely candidate.



    http://www.communitybrd9bklyn.org/meeting/community-board-meeting-5/

     

    "Corey Noble, Union Franklin One, Inc., 829-835 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11225 – new application for a Liquor, Wine and Beer License.

    http://www.bizapedia.com/ny/UNION-FRANKLIN-ONE-INC.html Company was founded in March. 

    The address is weird, as 835 Franklin is the mini-mall/cell phone place.  The Owl & Thistle is immediately to the left, which would be the lower address (829).  But unless this business would include that space this address can't possibly be right, can it (maybe the Owl and Thistle isn't doing so well?)?  Perhaps it's the two corner spaces there?  Either way, it looks like something is on the horizon.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    The building has many addresses, so the storefront being considered is not clear.

    "•Corey Noble, Union Franklin One, Inc., 829-835 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11225 – new application for a Liquor, Wine and Beer License."

    It could be any of the storefronts between the midblock bodega/deli and former hair braiding place. Look at the roofline of the building to see what I am talking about.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    I think it is safe to say that the NYPD is going to look out for the interests of entities like "Union Franklin One", as opposed to some of the other entities in the area.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=40&v=Qs35wzAn5Hk
    (language not safe for work)



  • mike dunlap
    mike dunlap
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=40&v=Qs35wzAn5Hk
    (language not safe for work)



    Nice find. I saw them filming that a few weeks ago.

    More gunshots from 2 cars rolling down the block tonight. Franklin to the 9's indeed...

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    Last week, I'm pretty sure I saw a handgun in the waistband of one of the guys who hangs out on Union near the car on the shuttle overpass.

    Some of the buildings have hired part time doormen to keep unauthorized people out of their lobbies.

    ...lots of efforts are underway to make this a place where upscale coffee shops and bars are willing to locate.   

    For the sake of Corey Noble, I hope the battle is over by the time he gets his liquor lic ...perhaps a year from now.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    Corey Noble's first battle is tonight, when he has to endure the dynamics of CB9.

    http://www.communitybrd9bklyn.org/meeting/community-board-meeting-5/

    Note, even if CB9 decides not to support his application, he can go forward with it anyway.

    The Q at Parkside chimes in:

    "If controversy is your thing, tonight there will be a crowd opposing the granting of a liquor license to a new bar at Union and Franklin. Despite the fact that we met with the owners and determined they are highly qualified to run such a place and have no history of criminality or disorderly conduct, some in the community will assert that they are a bad influence on rising rents. child safety and gentrification. And while the landlord of the building is clearly on a mission to remake the corner, in my view the business itself is hardly liable. Trying to control the economic activity of the neighborhood is not the way to keep people in their homes, legally speaking. There simply aren't the same regulations against running a business of your choice as there are for harassing tenants."

    http://theqatparkside.blogspot.com/2015/06/tonight-cb9-elections-tomorrow-meeting.html

  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    Godspeed, Corey Noble. Keep your cool!
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    The owner of Pel's Pies (Allison Pel) had to endure a guantlet when she requested CB9's support for a beer and wine lic.

    Over the objections of the "neighborhood preservationists" (one should note that they concern themselves with demographics, not architecture), a majority of the CB9 members supported the application.

    It is now a yummy place to get a piece of pie and have a beer.

    http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44870/pels-pies-and-co-new-beer-and-pie-shop-to-open-on-rogers-between-lefferts-lincoln/p1
  • whatchuwant
    whatchuwant
    how long do you think the meeting will run? I have something to do this eve but would like to try to pop in...
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    CB9 is usually smart enough to tell attendees that they only have the mtg space until 9:00.

    However, they often are not smart enough to adhere to the order of events as listed on the agenda. This not only leads to conspiracy theories, but also causes no one to be able to attend only the specific part of the mtg they wish to endure.

    Yea, I know that wasn't what you wanted to hear.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    Mr Noble operates two other pubs, one on Fulton and one on Fourth Ave. There will be no live music. One of the other principals stated he holds 6 alcohol licenses.

    In objection to the lic, a rep from the tenants association spoke, stating they had no input over what businesses the landlord is renting to. He also used the opportunity to state the landlord was aggressively flipping the building.

    Other members of the CHTU made a similar speech, talking about how the landlord is displacing small businesses by charging them more rent then they can afford. And, repeating that they resent not having larger input re: what happens in the building.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    The owners seek to be open from 3 PM - 4 AM on Sun - Thur, and 1 PM - 4 AM on Fri and Sat.

    They would use the building courtyard. So, we might be talking about a storefront in the middle of the row.

    They would have a capacity of 61 people.

    It appears the board will vote on whether to support this application at the end of the mtg after all of the other other applications are vetted, and all other business is discussed.

    Perhaps as a package?

    Perhaps individually?
  • Schmu
    Schmu
    Good luck Corey Noble.
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