Open and Shut

Park Slope
All About 5th posted a handy roundup today of all things happening on 5th Avenue. Some highlights: Beauty Bar and Backyard opened at 249 and 388 5th Avenue; Southpaw and Blue Ribbon Sushi are officially closed. Closer to the Barclays construction, Park Slope Parch reports on rising rents for nearby commercial spaces. Here’s Park Slope checks in on construction at the Ozzie’s space, where it looks like all the old woodwork has been torn out. It will be a cafe run by the owner of Couleur Cafe, also in the Slope. Burger Bistro has signage on 5th and the Barrio/Mix spot at 7th Avenue and 3rd Street is trying for a third restaurant. Last but not least, Christie’s Jamaican Patties got a lot of press in the last week after settling a dispute with the landlord. The place was expected to close after 45 years in business. Glad it’s sticking around! Photo by ekonon via flickr.

Williamsburg
Did you read about the secret bar behind the boarded up storefront at North 5th Street and Berry? Lost NY reveals the totally preserved bar, called the Ship’s Mast, unused since its closure in 1993. Bellwether has opened at 594 Union Avenue….besides the live DJs playing music throughout dinner service, the joint serves up a lot of shareable small plates. Mast Brothers Chocolate opens its factory to the public this Saturday, and it will remain open seven days a week.

Elsewhere
Burger King has closed in Gerritsen Beach. PLG children’s center ConstructionKidsis leaving its warehouse building on Flatbush and Empire for bigger space at the Navy Yard. Fork in the Road checks out David’s Brisket House in Bed Stuy, which reopened after a shiny interior renovation. Pizza wars are brewing in Dumbo. And the Qathra expansion into the old Whisk space is a done deal in Ditmas Park. The new cafe should open in a few months under the name “Milk and Honey Cafe.”