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May 2, 2006
Court Street: Invasion of the Banks
We've gotten word that the slew of mom-and-pop shops in the large building at the Southeast corner of Court and Schermerhorn will soon be replaced by a bank branch--no word which one yet. If that indeed turns out to be true, folks looking for an ATM in the area will be doubly blessed: The Daily News is reporting that, after 35 years of slinging dough, Nick and Joe's Pizzeria across Court Street between Schermerhorn and Livingston is closing shop to make way for a Chase Bank. Gee, we were hoping for another Duane Reade.
Bank Takes Over Pizza Shop [NY Daily News]
Comments
speaking of banks on court, i also heard that there is a chase bank moving in down the road on carroll and court. yes! another bank I am so happy! UGH!
Posted by: aaron at May 2, 2006 9:56 AM
And in the old Dee & Dee department store on 5th at 14th Street, you can now see that a Bank of America is going in.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 10:26 AM
Nick and Joe's was driven out of business by the hordes of teenagers attracted to Bruce Ratner's multiplex down the street -- they go in, buy one slice (at best), and then take up all the booths for hours, having belching contests and similar teenage activities. The last two times I was there, there were absolutely no seats to be had, and very little actual food consumption going on.
Nick and Joe's was an institution; it's sad to see them go.
Posted by: babs at May 2, 2006 10:26 AM
I don't haev much love lost for any of these places. At least a bank will clean their sidewalks.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 10:28 AM
Its a shame that Chase is moving Nick and Joe's out. But its also a bit ironic considering that Chase was on Court Street years ago, only to be replaced by Starbucks. At that time it was heralded as the beginning of the improvement of the Court Street corridor from Atlantic to Montague.
Posted by: Oh Lord! at May 2, 2006 10:38 AM
Babs, what pizza place are you referring to? The one next to radio shack? That's not part of the multiplex, is it?
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 10:51 AM
I'm sad to see the pizza place go (even though My Little Pizzeria down the street is much better), but the bank of stores across the street are pretty much useless and redundant.
Now we just need to work on getting rid of the popeyes and the mickey ds. Last weekend, I passed a hapless popeyes employee trying to clean a pile of chicken guts and gooey fry-batter off the sidewalk in the pouring rain. ALthough I pitied him his task, it was a truly disgusting mess. Of course, passing by an hour later, he had not really managed to clean it up much. There was still a slippery mess on half the sidewalk. At least it was raining.
Posted by: Crankier than i oughta be at May 2, 2006 11:04 AM
I'd be sad to see Zap's wine shop go. They have a decent selection and the people know their wine.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 11:29 AM
Nick and Joe's shutting down is a tragedy.
But if La Bagel Delight closes that would be a catastrophe.
Nick and Joe's space was a little picturesque, but the pizza was the best. Best to Nick in his new adventures.
Would be such a shame if the multiplex burned down. Such a delight that Brooklyn is being reinvented by fine folks who brought us that architectural masterpiece, and who could forget the original Atlantic Center...
Posted by: curmudgeonly troll at May 2, 2006 11:29 AM
While I have no idea what was going on upstairs at Nick & Joe's -- I considered it a take-out/delivery place -- the pizza (and the entrees for that matter) were insanely good. Don't make me go all Chowhound on the garlicky sauce and crusty, tasty dough. When I got off the train last week after a long day, and went to get an alleviating slice, I was in horror to suddenly see paper on the windows and a polite goodbye sign. I would have dropped to my knees and wept... if the street weren't so dirty.
With that in mind, I'd agree that most of the stores on that strip of Court are redundant and not that well-maintained or stocked. I could stand to see all of them go, except for that giant True Value store where you can buy everything under the sun. That place is like a hardware store plus a Kmart plus a Bed Bath & Beyond all in one. Rules.
Posted by: Starved at May 2, 2006 11:41 AM
Nick and Joes was not driven out of business by anything. Like many smart small businessmen, he owns his building, so is not subject to rising rents. Chase wants a presence on Court Street, as all they have there now is an ATM adjacent to the Duane Reade on Montague. They made him a great offer. Given the size of Nick and Joes, I imagine this will be another ATM and not a full service branch.
Carroll Court Pharmacy likely was forced out of business. The landlord hiked the rent and Chase can afford the new lease. That will likely be a full service branch.
Posted by: bored at work at May 2, 2006 11:46 AM
Bank of America going in on myrtle where Adami's True Value used to be
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 12:32 PM
Wow, babs, your post above was quite a stretch, even by your histrionic standards. What's next, blame Ratner's grandparents for having sex, which resulted in the birth of his father, who should be faulted for having sex, which resulted in his own birth? How about blaming Ratner's gradeschool teacher for showing him how to read, which enabled him to learn all about being a developer?
All in the name of pizza...
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 12:35 PM
Anonymous 12:35, it seems like Babs was more upset by the kids in the pizza place, than by Bruce Ratner.
I didn't know he built the multiplex, which I don't think is a bad thing, overall, it's just incredibly ugly. I can't imagine what the architect was thinking, I remember when they were building it, and recoiling in horror with friends. It did replace a porno theatre and a bunch of sleazy stores, abd I do appreciate a decent place to see a movie and I also hate to admit it, but I do do my share to keep Barnes and Noble alive and well.
Posted by: C at May 2, 2006 1:06 PM
Geez, what a bunch of snobs. You don't want a movie theater, a Barnes and Nobles or any fast food. And to hell with the mom and pop stores. Get real- Court Street is a commerical area.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 1:24 PM
Geez, what a bunch of snobs. You don't want a movie theater, a Barnes and Nobles or any fast food. And to hell with the mom and pop stores. Get real- Court Street is a commerical area.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 1:25 PM
Is there anything you wont blame Ratner for Babs??
Try RTFA, then you could learn why Nick and Joes closed.
Sad cause they are nice guys but My Little is MUCH better and if you want to walk Fascati (Henry St) is the best of all.
Personally I have no idea why these banks need so many retail locations - other than ATMs (which could be located in other stores like Chase does with Rite Aid) what actually generates $ at a retail location? - Do people actual walk into a bank for loans etc...?
Posted by: David at May 2, 2006 1:31 PM
I'm shocked- 2 threads regarding my old street in one day on B'stoner. I lived on Schermerhorn betw Court and Boerum for over 20 years and I saw a lot of changes. COurt St. has come so far it's unbelievable. Don't see why anyone objects to those little stores- most have been there forever and I know I was pleased when the corner deli/bakery opened up since there were open 24/7. Made it a little nicer when I walked home late at night to see them open. Court St has something for everyone and a lot of those businesses are good viable businesses so what's to object to?
Nick and Joes used to have a little upstairs eating area. They would get packed at lunchtime but I have to say I liked My Little Pizzeria better, and Queen used to rule.Zap is the photo store. Oddly enough there are long stretches of COurt St. where there were no ATMs other than the little bodega ones. Chase's corner ATM is always busy and not kept up well, so often I would use the Wash. Mut on the corner one block up.
Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at May 2, 2006 1:46 PM
Did Queen close? If so, that's too bad, good food and nice waiters.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 3:27 PM
Queen is still open and Zap wines isn't going anywhere either. The only spaces affected by the bank are the car service (which moved out weeks ago), bakery, the insurance place (which is nmoving into the old video-rental place), nail salon, and presumably the dry cleaner and barber shop (tho I don't know the last two for a fact) but since the build out is starting with the car service I don't see how they could build around them
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 3:56 PM
I can't beleive the car service is gone. I used them back when they first moved to Schermerhorn and before their latest takeover, I knew all the drivers nad the owners. They were great. Not these last owners- rude, and always charged outrageous prices to come to Bed-Stuy or Crown Hgts. My faves are Eastern and Promenade. Nice, usually prompt and reasonable.
Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at May 2, 2006 4:26 PM
the car service moved to henry street.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 4:38 PM
What on EARTH is fueling the addition of so many retail bank locations, especially in this day and age of online banking? Honestly, can anyone here remember the last time they had the need to see a real live bank teller? I can't. And yet these behemoths are replacing mom-and-pops all over the city, not just in Brooklyn.
For shame.
Posted by: amanda at May 2, 2006 4:45 PM
Amanda, you may not go to a bank, but small businesses go every day. Banks on court street are logical as they are close to attorney's offices and handy for real estate closings. I am a landlord and go to the bank often for transactions. Maybe you need to look around a little and not generalize the world from your specific situation.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 7:02 PM
Admittedly, while I'm not thrilled with all the banks and chain pharmacies, its at least a step better than the XXX theater, and very low dive bar that were on court by this block 20-25 years ago.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2006 10:32 PM
And who could forget Pandora- the x-rated bookstore with the psychedelic window painting?
Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at May 3, 2006 1:59 AM
I agree with some of the people above in that Nick and Joe's was not the best pizza in the nabe; it's more for the sentimental value that I'm sad to see them go. The Queen is still around, vut they don't have that front area anymore where you could get just a slice, probably to avoid the teenage hangout syndrome. And Fascati rules! I stopped off there last night for a chicken parmesan hero -- so good! I don't know how much it cost 25 years ago when I first ate there, but at $5.75 today it seemed totally cheap to me. However, at that time I paid $600 a month for a half of a floor in a brownstone on Columbia Heights (facing the street, not the river!), which was more money than anyone I knew had ever heard of anyone paying in rent. How times have changed!
And Bruce Ratner is indeed the source of all evil, but I don't blame him for putting up a multiplex that attracts teenagers from all over -- that's the fault of the theatre's owner (I forget which major chain). I blame him for his usual utter lack of taste in building what is surely one of the all time ugliest buildings ever here. The Rex porno theatre was way better (and the reason for Pandora's)!
And has no-one on Brownstoner mentioned the sudden departure of Cambodian Cuisine from Fort Greene -- truly a tragedy! But 93rd and Third -- what, is the Upper East Side the new Brooklyn?
Posted by: babs at May 3, 2006 8:31 AM
Ohmig-d Babs! We lived in the same neighborhood for years. Sigh- I totally agree about the building being the ugliest (oh wait- there is that monstrosity on Fulton St. with the doors to nowhere and the facade of leftovers). I watched in utter disbelief when it went up and then I read that article in the times about the architect's rationale for that schizophrenic facade (I call it the Sybil Style). I remember seeing some beautiful metal columns on the exterior of the old theater and always wondered what the interior must have been like.
Have to say I did love having the theater so close by and still go there. And the Barnes & Ignoble. And the Starbucks...and... But I loved the diversity of Court St. I would hate to see it all become the Upper East side. I don't really see that happening because there is such a huge office and working population in the area. With the courts, law and RE offices, etc. I think there is too much going on for that to happen.
Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at May 3, 2006 9:10 AM
there used to be a dive bar on Court? We could use a dive bar. And when it comes to the aesthetic of the b&n building--even the nice buildings on the street are hidden by hideous store fronts. Look at that disgusting deli between Scherm and Livingston. That's one of the most beautiful buildings on the street. You'd never know it, tho, unless you walk with your head facing the clouds.
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