eastern parkway and franklin ave.
Comments
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I'd love some folding chairs--I have to go check that out. As far as the starbucks goes, the best thing about it is that it'll be nice to have something open near the slightly intimidatingly seedy Franklin Avenue train stop...On the other hand, Gingerolive and everybody else on this thread, let's open up some better businesses fast before this neighborhood goes entirely sterile and plastic. It seems taboo on this blog to talk in any way about the very things that supposedly make NYC interesting and unique--but Starbucks surely isn't one of them. I have to say that I'm beginning to feel like I live in Chicago. Except that I'd pay much less rent there.
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anniewilde wrote: I have to say that I'm beginning to feel like I live in Chicago. Except that I'd pay much less rent there.
you know, there are independent businesses in chicago, too...it's not just a magical nyc thing :roll: -
anniewilde wrote: I'd love some folding chairs--I have to go check that out. As far as the starbucks goes, the best thing about it is that it'll be nice to have something open near the slightly intimidatingly seedy Franklin Avenue train stop...On the other hand, Gingerolive and everybody else on this thread, let's open up some better businesses fast before this neighborhood goes entirely sterile and plastic. It seems taboo on this blog to talk in any way about the very things that supposedly make NYC interesting and unique--but Starbucks surely isn't one of them. I have to say that I'm beginning to feel like I live in Chicago. Except that I'd pay much less rent there.
People are no doubt aware of how Smith St and Fifth Ave have changed in the past 10 years, and ALL WITHOUT A SINGLE STARBUCKS!
I would say that Starbucks and their franchised brothern are now seen as lower class alternatives to real locally owned and operated establishments. I think Prospect Heights is at a crossroads: will we get the usual corporate, plain vanilla fast food and coffee places, or will we able to attract local entrepreneurs who can give our n'hood a unique blend of establishments appropriate for its unique mix of West Indian, African Ameican and WASP roots?
So far, things look good, as Vanderbilt and Washington Aves seem to have resisted the corporate route.
Someone ought to bring this up at the Crow Hill meeting. -
kind of an interesting take on the subject here:
http://brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2007/01/invasion_of_the.html -
greg wrote: [quote=anniewilde]I'd love some folding chairs--I have to go check that out. As far as the starbucks goes, the best thing about it is that it'll be nice to have something open near the slightly intimidatingly seedy Franklin Avenue train stop...On the other hand, Gingerolive and everybody else on this thread, let's open up some better businesses fast before this neighborhood goes entirely sterile and plastic. It seems taboo on this blog to talk in any way about the very things that supposedly make NYC interesting and unique--but Starbucks surely isn't one of them. I have to say that I'm beginning to feel like I live in Chicago. Except that I'd pay much less rent there.
People are no doubt aware of how Smith St and Fifth Ave have changed in the past 10 years, and ALL WITHOUT A SINGLE STARBUCKS!
I would say that Starbucks and their franchised brothern are now seen as lower class alternatives to real locally owned and operated establishments. I think Prospect Heights is at a crossroads: will we get the usual corporate, plain vanilla fast food and coffee places, or will we able to attract local entrepreneurs who can give our n'hood a unique blend of establishments appropriate for its unique mix of West Indian, African Ameican and WASP roots?
So far, things look good, as Vanderbilt and Washington Aves seem to have resisted the corporate route.
Someone ought to bring this up at the Crow Hill meeting.
When is the Crow Hill meeting? And is Crow Hill part of Crown Heights or Prospect Heights? I'm on Franklin and Pacific, so what is that considered? -
I agree that the Chicago comment makes for a poor analogy. Chicago has some wonderful restaurants, many interesting neighborhoods, and tons of small businesses. Plus, the CTA is far more efficient than our subway system will ever be.
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But it doesn't run 24 hours a day!
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LeeHo wrote: But it doesn't run 24 hours a day!
srsly. I hate public transport that stops. wtf London? excuse me, Boston? get a damn clue - people go out late and stay out late and sometimes don't want to pay for a freakin' taxi! -
gingerolive wrote: When is the Crow Hill meeting? And is Crow Hill part of Crown Heights or Prospect Heights? I'm on Franklin and Pacific, so what is that considered?
Crow Hill is part of Crown Heights
from the CHCA website:
Serving the residents and merchants of Crown Heights for over 20 years in the area defined by:
Franklin Avenue between Atlantic Ave. & Eastern Pkwy
Bedford Avenue between St. Marks Pl & Eastern Pkwy
and:
CHCA meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm
(in other words, last night)
btw:
if anyone is serious about creating a community space that could incorporate arts programs for the community, pm me,
it might fit into a project that is being tossed around. -
LeeHo wrote: But it doesn't run 24 hours a day!
most lines do. (just like here.)
...but i think the trains are better here, honestly. much easier to switch from one to another, and i don't miss waiting above ground in the winter wind at all.
the buses in chicago are better. -
Only the bue and the red lines run 24 hrs a day. Some don't even run on the weekends.
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i stand corrected. i always lived on the red line, so i didn't realize that the green and orange (and new pink) didn't run for a couple of hours. i remembered when they expanded the brown line's hours; didn't realize they didn't go all night even after the expansion.
there is no doubt in my mind that the subway is superior to the el. even though some of the lines here don't run on the weekends or at night, either (i particularly miss the b on the weekends)
but i remain firm in my belief that there ARE independent businesses in chicago, even coffee shops. -
Speaking of CHN and Nostrand...Does anyone know why so many store fronts (3-5) on Nostrand Ave between St Johns and Lincoln on the east side of the street are closed up?
It especially makes me sad to see that great store front in the middle of the block with the pillars. Every time I walk by it I’m hoping to see a sign that something new is going to open up there. From what I understand it burned down a few years ago...wonder when someone will buy it up and restore its beauty (or open another nail salon. )
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margie wrote: We were told that a Washington Mutual was opening on Eastern Parkway (that did happen).
where is this washington mutual??
thanks : ) -
Washington Mutal is on Eastern Pkwy and Bedford on the Northwest corner.
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Anonymous wrote: Speaking of CHN and Nostrand...Does anyone know why so many store fronts (3-5) on Nostrand Ave between St Johns and Lincoln on the east side of the street are closed up?
Years ago that building was a Manufacturers Hanover Bank (now a part of Chase), then Mazon had a discount store there. Then the fire and now -- nothing, for years. I heard they were asking a lot of money for it and kept rejecting offers. I also heard that Birdel's (the record shop on Nostrand near Fulton) owned the building. Just rumors though.
It especially makes me sad to see that great store front in the middle of the block with the pillars. Every time I walk by it I’m hoping to see a sign that something new is going to open up there. From what I understand it burned down a few years ago...wonder when someone will buy it up and restore its beauty (or open another nail salon. )
I'd be interested in some first hand information. Anybody got any? -
oooh and the fire was a SPECTACULAR one, right in the middle of a terrible blizzard! the hydrants were either totally covered by the rapidly falling snow or frozen, either way they had to line up fire trucks down Nostrand ave. My boyfriend and I actually braved the swirling howling wind just to watch it burn, once we realized it wasn't anyone's house. It was really quite a sight.
The next day, snow had drifted waist deep in some parts of the hood, and that big smouldering hulk of a former dollar store reeked of wet-smoke for nearly a year after.
It was the second best fire I had ever seen. But I was rather inconvenienced until the newer mazon opened. -
My "Chicago" comment was based on the fact that both of my parents are from there, and I've lived there. Of course, Chicago has some great stuff--but it's also not--New York--or what New York once was. There's good and bad in any city, blah blah blah, but New York was once a place known for an edgy, funky, interesting type of thing--found all over Brooklyn, Manhattan, etc.--and that seems to be vanishing, even according to the mainstream press, which has noted our lack of dancing, vanishing artists, and generally suburban/bland new feel. Even at its best, Chicago was always sort of hoping to be as hip as NY, with massive exceptions--the cool black progressive culture of the South Side, some aspects of the queer/artsy North Side, etc.--but in general, Chicago never felt like the Bohemian big city that used to characterize what was meant by "Downtown" in NY. If you look at what the East Village in particular has become, I don't think that "Downtown" really means much anymore. What I do think is that Starbucks isn't what New York should be moving towards--I agree with Greg--it's a grossly inadequate alternative. It would be interesting to look at how, specifically, places like 5th Avenue and Fort Greene's DeKalb avoided this fate.
And as far as this blogspace goes, I've noticed that it, too, tends to push away people who don't agree with a certain pov--does anybody remember YoungSnitch? It's getting duller and duller around here... -
Two quick comments:
1) Not sure the Smith St. is a good example of a nabe "keeping it real." Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens is yuppifying and Manhattanfying by the minute (which is why I was forced to leave): There's a brand-new 'Bucks on Smith & Wycoff, and an existing one 'round the bend on Court St. Plus, I heard another one is going up on Court & Sackett. Not to mention not one, but TWO Dunkin' Donuts. One even has the nerve to suck up a beautiful courtyard space. Unfortunately, that's what's become Park Slope lite, only less crunchy and dykey. But the Bugaboo population is burgeoning and conquering.
2) I, for one, remember Young Snitch and miss his dialogues. A bit abrasive for some, but it was lively and substantive conversation. If he's lurking, come on back! -
anniewilde wrote: And as far as this blogspace goes, I've noticed that it, too, tends to push away people who don't agree with a certain pov--does anybody remember YoungSnitch? It's getting duller and duller around here...
I know some people have tried to get in touch with YoungSnitch to ask him where he's gone and encourage him to start posting again. He had some really interesting things to say and many of us miss his input. I don't think it's fair to assume or imply this site -- which is a discussion board, not a blog, by the way -- pushed him away somehow when nobody seems to know why he left. -
Good point, Apollonia. You know what they say about people who ASSume... I can fully imagine (with fingers crossed) that Snitch's imaginary comeback post would say, "The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated..." Besides, you'd think someone with an Ivy League PhD would know the difference between a blog and a discussion board. (I kiiid, I kiiiid...)
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You would think, wouldn't you--but the truth is that they hand out those PhD's for nothing--you don't even have to know how to tie your shoes, let alone what to call a website. I actually fake the PhD, being a professor, and all the rest of it. It's harder to fake being a full time professor at CUNY, but I manage that too--I just get my diplomas at the Bodega and there I go!!!!!! I know, I can be a pretentious ass on this BLOG (I really do think it's a group blog, sorry). My apologies. I love you all. I'm on another group chat about "Living in France," which is a slightly meaningless tangent, but amusing. Currently, a Dutch woman and a Finnish guy (who live in France) are attacking each other (in English) and threatening lawsuits over an exchange about the French tax code. Here in NYC, we just insult each other and move on.
So go ahead, make fun of me. I probably deserve it. -
Hey! I can tie my shoes! From which bodega can I get one of dem der PhDs? Does it come with a free phone card? Alas, I'm only a Latina with a lowly B.A. from a tony West Coast private liberal arts college. Look, all I'm saying is lighten up--just a tad. Truthfully, I agree with about 50% of your comments, then it turns into diatribe and I tune out. Some constructive criticism (and I hope you can take it as that): If you insist on staying on the pulpit, then perhaps you should consider putting your credentials in your profile or sig file. After all, it must get tiring typing your bio all the time. We get it.
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Heya Anniewilde,
anniewilde wrote: I know, I can be a pretentious ass on this BLOG (I really do think it's a group blog, sorry). My apologies. I love you all.
I can totally understand how you would view this site that way, and go for it if you really feel you must, but I want to just explain why some people (like me, admittedly) bristle when someone calls this site a blog. I'll use the Wikipedia definitions, as they seem pretty accurate to me. There are similarities between discussion boards like this site and blogs, but also key differences.
"A blog is a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order."
Posts on this site aren't made journal-style. This isn't a blog.
A discussion board, like this site, is "a facility on the World Wide Web for holding discussions and posting user generated content, or the web application software used to provide the facility. Web-based forums, which date from around 1995, perform a similar function as the dial-up bulletin boards and Internet newsgroups that were numerous in the 1980s and 1990s. A sense of virtual community often develops around forums that have regular users."
Calling this a blog is kind of like calling a daily newspaper a monthly magazine, or calling a grapefruit a lime. They're just two different things; it's simply not the right nomenclature.
For what it's worth, I think you have some pretty damned interesting insights a lot of the time, and I hope you'll understand I'm typing all this hooey out the spirit of trying to suggest a way to keep others from getting distracted from what you're really trying to get across when you post.
Call Brooklynian.com a blog if you really want to, and I promise I won't bust your chops over it again, but you should know that using the terms interchangeably will drive a lot of Internetty folks batty. And I realize I'm totally being an example of that by derailing this topic myself, but I figure you may not have known why some people get ruffled feathers when you use the wrong term for the site. Fair enough?
Man, I can get long-winded when I'm holed up on a cold Sunday afternoon.
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Anyhoo, back on topic... did you guys see this posting over on the apartments and real estate board?
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32577
It lists three retail spaces that are available on Franklin. The first is a larger retail space described as:FranklinAve wrote: Particularly good for new restaurant/bar/lounge/coffee as the neighborhood is exploding and the need for good business is in high demand.
It also has an open lot in the back ("Great for outdoor seating, smoking lounge, etc.")
And then there are two other places, side by side, 1000 square feet:FranklinAve wrote: Pizza place, bakery, flowers, I dunno...you tell me.
All three of these spaces are on Franklin Avenue between St John's Place & Lincoln.
So, what would you like to see in those three retail spaces? I'm going to PM the realtor who posted it and let him know this thread would be a great place to see what kind of businesses people in the neighborhood might want to see, and maybe he can let people interested in the properties know. -
Oh shit! That may be Elcorno Martin. I posted a bit about him a few weeks back. He owns a lot of that stretch on Franklin and he is a scumbaaaaaag! I truly hope that isn't him. If people rent from him they will find rats, bugs, bedbugs, caved in floors, etc. If the contact number on the posting starts with 773, or 733 that is bad news!
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Actually, a *good* pizza place would be wonderful. OR (or and) a good BAGEL place. It is impossible to get a bagel in the 'hood (I remember my first post here, when I moved to CH, I got attacked for asking about them. Now there is Saje, and they have bagels, but I assume they are not as good as bagelshop bagels - anyone had them?)
Hmm, I'm sure we could use more useful things, too. Can't think right now. -
OK, looked at the post and it doesn't seem to be him, but he does have a couple of sons. Anyway, those prices are kind of outlandish. I know for a fact that a restaurant on Washington Ave. pays $500 less per month for their rental space with the same 1,000 sq. footage and basement storage to boot. I mean, 5th Ave. storefronts are $5,000 a month.
Hearsay also has lots of people bemoaning about the storefront rent on Wshington Ave as well. There are plenty of underutilized storefronts here becasue the rent is way too high. Just to count: Bodega on St. Johns and Washington, Old tatoo parlor on between Park and Prospect, Island Taste, and more, but can't think of all of them. Landlords need to get a clue and stop over-appraising the value of the neighborhood already. -
how about a good fish store? A nice deli/supermarket with organic food? A bookstore (oh yeah!!). A shoe store? Bakery? Office supply store?... i can think of so many places!!! oh...a great Thai restaurant? Tapas place? well-supplied hardware store?/
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amen to that kenieva!
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