Pulp and Bean coffee shop at Franklin and Union becomes insurance office.
The Pulp and Bean on Franklin and Union appears to be cleaned out and closed.
Comments
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Yep. Said due to low foot traffic to my friend who gets (got) his morning coffee from there.
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Hopefully it will reopen when some of the local developments are further along.
http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44634/links-to-the-big-16-developments-in-western-crown-heights/p1 -
It came and went before it made the Deathwatch list. ;-)
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Wasn't it turning into a pet store and moving into the "gourmet market" we've been waiting forever for? I'm still not sure why that hasn't opened. I think it will bring enough foot traffic. With the two corner spaces on Union and Franklin that are in the works, the market opening around the same time will shift everyone's need to cross Eastern Parkway. Especially if they open during the winter, they'll bank on the people not wanting to trek to trader joes or whole foods (since that seems to be their targeted demographic).
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Wasn't it turning into a pet store and moving into the "gourmet market" we've been waiting forever for? I'm still not sure why that hasn't opened. I think it will bring enough foot traffic. With the two corner spaces on Union and Franklin that are in the works, the market opening around the same time will shift everyone's need to cross Eastern Parkway. Especially if they open during the winter, they'll bank on the people not wanting to trek to trader joes or whole foods (since that seems to be their targeted demographic).
I'd willing to drop in if prices are competitive with Trader Joe's. (I am south of Eastern Parkway.)
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Having a Bob & Betty's in that spot would be convenient for me, but I definitely wouldn't invest in the venture. South of EP is still a much more working class crowd than north of EP. There also just aren't nearly as many people walking south of the Franklin Ave station at evening rush hour as there are walking north. Franklin makes it 1 street south before the stores/restaurants catering to Bob and Betty's target market disappear. There are really none after Union despite there being several empty storefronts.
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Having a Bob & Betty's in that spot would be convenient for me, but I definitely wouldn't invest in the venture. South of EP is still a much more working class crowd than north of EP. There also just aren't nearly as many people walking south of the Franklin Ave station at evening rush hour as there are walking north. Franklin makes it 1 street south before the stores/restaurants catering to Bob and Betty's target market disappear. There are really none after Union despite there being several empty storefronts.
I'd have to agree... however to Whynot's point i think that will change with roughly 300 new, likely high-end, apartments coming in the old botanical garden building and the 2 sea crest sites on Franklin. Maybe that's more than 300... I predict significant interest in So-Frank* in the near future.*Trademarking in hopes of a payday.
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By 2019, a coffeeshop is likely to be supported by those new residents PLUS the rapidly changing students of rapidly changing MEC.
....more full time18 - 25 year old students, who are not parents.
...less 25 - 35 year old part time students, who are raising young children. -
By 2019, a coffeeshop is likely to be supported by those new residents PLUS the rapidly changing students of rapidly changing MEC.
Why do you figure that the student body is change?
....more full time18 - 25 year old students, who are not parents.
...less 25 - 35 year old part time students, who are raising young children.
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I have observed a change in how MEC is being marketed, the goals that are being set for MEC by CUNY, and the resources MEC is receiving to achieve said goals.
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When Butter & Scotch opened, I was worried it wouldn't succeed, but it's packed practically every night, even week nights. I think more people will become visible once the businesses are there. Now, residents who could be hanging out here are dispersed among other areas-- some north of EP, some south towards the new businesses in PLG, others on Washington and further west in PH, and others just get on the train and hang out elsewhere.
Plus, it sounded like there would be a lot more going for this place than the other Bob and Betty's (growler station, hot food,...) potentially attracting customers from more than just the surrounding blocks. Besides these big developments in the coming years, the neighborhood is changing so rapidly.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm being selfish. What I do know for sure is that it's annoying seeing that huge, metal covered corner every single day. There are enough empty storefronts down here. Looks depressing. -
I wouldn't open up a large grocery store so close to the Associated - 2 blocks away on Franklin. I'm having a hard time thinking of how they would be able to attract costomers in a competitive environment other than price, and i dont see them being cheaper. The Associated seems to continually invest in their business. When the Pioneer was open it was pretty run down in my opinion, a continual slide down until it closed.
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I've had previous conversations with Tony (one of the principals in the family that owns the business), in which he has stated there is no way he could compete with a supermarket of any kind (high, medium or low end).He left the Pioneer brand/franchise after reaching that conclusion, and has been figuring out how to do something new since.Access to capital is reportedly complicated in light of the business having multiple owners....because the family owns the building, leaving it vacant is not as costly as it would be if they were renting.
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He should split up the space into smaller parcels and rent them out. Despite what people may think spaces on franklin ave south (sofrank) will rent. The building on Franklin and President with all the vacancies is not renting by choice. Every other spot on Franklin is active.
They would rent out... -
I believe the "family ownership" situation is so complicated that no one individual has the authority to enact such a decision....and that no coalitions to achieve same have yet been created, despite the long passage of time.[On that note, I will no longer talk/speculate on a public forum about someone whom I consider to be a friend]
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I am a fan of associated and I do a lot of my shopping there. I do agree that if he were to simply open another average grocery store it wouldn't compete, but the way he made it sound was more like a multifunctional space.
Anyways, it sounds like he's given up on the grocery store idea so now he's back to square one. It's hard to come up with something not commercial that could work in a space that big.
I don't understand why the building on Franklin and President is not renting by choice. It's been years now. -
Every other spot on Franklin is active.
Huh? There are many empty spots on Franklin from EP to Montgomery. Owl & Thistle and Butter & Scotch are really the only two new, higher-quality/priced places. And while new places popular with the newer crowd are opening every month north EP, the only spot south of EP apparently even close to seeing a similar opening is whatever is going in on the northeast corner of Union@Franklin.
New places will open south of EP over time, but right now... not so much. I don't blame Tony and family for keeping the place shuttered for now. -
Yeah, there are two or three other other empty storefronts besides that one building that come to mind. Reclaimed Home (though not directly on Franklin) is closing in December as well.
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I believe the building on President with 3 empty stores is empty by choice. The space Tony owns is empty by choice. Take those two out of the equation and the only store with a consistent "for rent" sign is the old African Market.
There are a few other spots that are hard to tell... the old Bakery building next to the laundry off Carroll. One or 2 beauty supply/hair places that may be closed.
My point was simply that if Tony decided to split up the old Pioneer and rent smaller store fronts I bet he’d be able to find renters. Although I am somewhat surprised the old African Market hasn’t rented out yet, I believe they are only asking $3600 and it’s a good size.
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We may also want to consider the effect that Tivoli towers being emptied is having on the commercial strip.
IE We not only have lots of landlords betting that it is worth their while to leave their storefronts vacant under the new residents arrive, we also have the phenomena of their being fewer long term residents with no immediate replacements.
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Maybe I'm tired and don't understand.
Per whynot, it's "working class" people south of EP? I didnt realize the majority, black/white, on the north side are retired, trustfunders, students, or wealthy people-who-lunch. maybe its because i leave to work in the dark, and return after dark and never see them.
And "25 - 35 year old part time students, who are raising young children". Really curious where these stats come from.
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My comments were not intended to describe stark trends, just subtle differences and shifts.
With that in mind, a coffee shop does not need the support of the majority of its neighborhood.
It merely needs "enough".
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fair enough, and agreed.
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Speaking of which, Tony seems to have had another tenant lined up before he closed Pulp and Bean 2:
INSURANCE SALES / ALLSTATE (BROOKLYN)
compensation: Base salery plus commission
employment type: full-timeLooking for a great sales opportunity? We are seeking a passionate, self-driven, natural born sales person with a desire to make a difference in people's lives. The majority of activity in this role is directed toward the generation of new sales to existing and prospective clients. Success in this role is based on an individual's motivation with a hunger to win.
Total Compensation will be a base salary plus sales commission. The potential is unlimited.
To learn more about our agency and how we can help you reach your financial goals APPLY TODAY! Please go to the following link to apply!!
https://dashboard.idealtraits.com/career/Allstate-Insurance-Company/14471986694twt
Job Responsibilities
* Meet new business production goals and objectives as established.
* Solicits for new business via telephone, networking, and other lead sources.
* Develop insurance quotes, makes sales presentations, and closes sales.
* Develop ongoing networking relationships with Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Lenders, Title Companies, Auto Dealers, etc.
* Develop new Financial Services opportunities.
* Prospecting and generating new business through leads & referral sources.
* Be outstanding at relationship building.
Job Requirements
* Be able to obtain or currently possess a property & casualty insurance license.
* Possess an upbeat, positive and enthusiastic attitude.
* Confident, self-starter who works well independently.
* Must be awesome at opening doors and getting appointments from a cold start.
* Must be highly self-motivated.
* Bilingual- fluent in both English and Spanish is strongly preferred.
If you are motivated to succeed and can see yourself in this role we would like to have you aboard!!
Good Luckhttp://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sls/5310311864.html -
For those who need it spelled out:
Allstate Insurance Company is presently accepting applications for an office that shares the former address of Pulp and Bean 2.
I don't know if they are taking just that storefront, or part of the larger space.
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Today, I got a chance to catch up with Tony, the owner.It seems that in addition to running Bob and Betty's, a few rental buildings and 2 small coffeeshops, HE IS A LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT.As a result, he closed Pulp and Bean 2 to make it into an Allstate Office (as described above).He hopes to open in early January. He continues to have no firm plan regarding the larger space (formerly a Pioneer supermarket), but is regularly approached by supermarkets and other businesses seeking such a space.....the fate of the larger space seems constrained by time, energy and control over it being divided among several family members.
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Photo of Tony, insurance agent:
I’ve gotten to know many local families as an Allstate agent in Brooklyn. I enjoy being a part of the community, and building local relationships is one of the best parts of my job. I know what life is like here in Brooklyn – that you choose your car and your home to fit your lifestyle and your budget. I also know how important it is to do the same when it comes to insurance. I look forward to getting to know you and helping you to find the solutions that meet your needs.
Part of what I like best about my job is that I can offer customers options for a wide variety of coverage and services. You can depend on me to help you look at the big picture.
I’m committed to helping Brooklyn residents assess their immediate and long-term needs and choose options that will help them achieve their goals. When you want to explore options for protecting your home, personal property, or financial future, I’m available to answer your questions. If you’re already a customer, I’m ready to review your coverage so that you can make any necessary adjustments to fit your changing needs. Call me today."
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No sarcasm. I love Tony Fisher.
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I like the owner too, but I'm perpetually confused, is his name Tony Fisher or Ahmad Rabah? I thought it was Tony.
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Some Arabs as well as other immigrants change their names to assimilate (and be easier to pronounce), so I wouldn't be surprised if his real name is Ahmad. Not sure where Fisher would come from. It's usually the first names that are changed.
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