A few new stores could go a long way to boosting Montague Street’s cool factor, according to an article in the Real Deal. Brokers and neighborhood boosters say the shops—which include beauty supply/sex toy emporium Ricky’s, a Housing Works branch, and Greek makeup brand Korres’ soon-to-open storefront—are welcome additions to Montague’s retail scene. They argue that the Heights’ main shopping drag needs to get hip in light of stepped-up competition from Smith and Court streets. Despite the new leases, thousands of square feet of retail space remain vacant on Montague, which has the highest rents in Downtown Brooklyn after the Fulton Street Mall. When we think cool, Montague Street doesn’t exactly spring to mind, and it’s difficult to see how the addition of a few new chain stores is going to change that. Anyone feel differently?
Brooklyn Heights Retail Gets a Twist [The Real Deal]