StreetLevel: Empty Nest in the South Slope

I don't think it has anything to do with the South Slope as a retail destination. There are plenty of businesses even further south on 7th Ave. than Nest that do very, very well. I have no idea why they closed, perhaps it wasn't that they went out of buisness financially but that they were just ready to do something else? I do know that they had very little merchandise in the shop and it rarely if ever changed, so in that way it was a difficult place to shop regularly which a retail business needs to do well.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 2:37 PM

not a comment on south slope retail, which is moving along just fine, but rather a reflection of Nest's poor management, which seemed content to keep the same items in stock, year after year. i bought stuff there, but, when the same stuff stuff stayed on the shelves month after month, i stopped dropping in to check it out. still, sorry to see it go. i got a cool bookshelf there, a nice windshade and nice task lamp.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 2:41 PM

Union Market is opening at 13th and 7th Avenue this Fall.

I think any remaining vacancies in this part of the Slope will fill up fast after that happens.

Otherwise, I think retail on both 5th and 7th Avenues in Park Slope have really been going gangbusters over the past year.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 2:41 PM

When stores on 5th Ave and (so)7th Ave stop catering to a non-existent 'hipster' aesthetic and instead start catering to the Upper-Middle Class working Moms and Dads (yes BORING) who actually have $ to spend in the area - they might actually last more then 2yrs.

It is somewhat sad that small business owners in this area are so poor at reading the (real) market and what will end up happening is chain stores will end up filling the need.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 2:55 PM

There's not enough room in this comment section to explain how ignorant your comment is, 2:55.

Would LOVE to hear your definition of the term hipster.

Anyone who uses it, immediately shows their ignorance in my view.

And clearly you've never been to Commonwealth, on any number of bars on 5th Avenue where there is always a very large contingency of young creative people.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 2:59 PM

2:59 - But they arent the people buying homes/apts and spending $ in the area.

If you want to get a sense of who really lives in a neighborhood - don't go to a bar - go see who is getting off the subway at 6pm.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:03 PM

That's funny...I bought a home there and spend money in the neighborhood probably every day. Single, gay, work in music, sometimes wear tight jeans, didn't get any help from mom nor dad.

I think you just need to open your eyes a little bit.

Park Slope is filled with all walks of life.

Not just the upper class families you speak of.

And p.s. I do get off the subway in Park Slope every day, in fact. More like 7pm though. And it's mostly single men and women in their 20's and 30's.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:07 PM

"Park Slope is filled with all walks of life."

Somewhat true, but the 'walk of life' that isnt being catered to (in terms of retail along 5th and so 7th)is the HUGE number of working PARENTS who cant shop at stores that close at 6pm and don't by kitchey-ironic ultra-modern knick-knacks or recycled home furnishings.

Personally the only reason I care is that I am going to be annoyed when all of you people, plus that rag the "Brooklyn Paper" - start screaming that the apocalypse is upon us because a Pottery Barn, J. Crew and Anthropologie are opening in various parts of the neighborhood.

Its a shame that some independent merchant doesnt try to fill that niche 1st.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:16 PM

I completely agree with you, 3:16.

I also would love to see more independent shops in the neighborhood. I'm not sure why you assume I'd prefer a chain.

I actually loathe most chain stores.

I'm one of those sickos who prefer to spend a couple bucks more at the hardware store down on 5th, than ever set foot in a home depot.

And I skip the Duane Reade in favor of Neergaard and Super Savers.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:27 PM

Oh, actually after re-reading your post, I'm not sure I agree with you.

In one sentence you seem to be in favor of chains coming to Park Slope and the last you say you'd prefer to see independent stores.

Maybe I agree, maybe I don't.

See post above.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:29 PM

Nest was open for at least 5 years, if not longer, so the person that said something negative about "make it for more than 2 years," doesn't know what they are talking about. Having a small, local retail business isn't as easy as some of you may think. Kudos to them for giving it a good go, even if they missed the mark a little it's better than another bank or real estate office.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:31 PM

agreed, 3:31.

5 years is a long time and it was a great store while it lasted.

this is one of those wonderful brownstoner moments when i can't fugure out why people get so nasty.

it was a nice store. it's closed now. we're sorry to see it go and hopefully something else nice will replace it.

if we're lucky, a non-chain.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:39 PM

Poster 2:41 was on the money. Nest had some nice design merchendise but didn't change it's stock much and the prices were just too high. I wished they had included a few design pieces for the common man. Still, I hate to see it go.

Please don't let it be replaced by a women's clothing store!

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:43 PM

The store Matter on 5th Avenue, while somewhat similar to Nest has much better design offerings I think...very original stuff and they seem to change the merchandise out quite frequently.

I never go in there and don't see about 10 things I want.

It's still a little pricey, but the stuff is so unique that I never feel bad about paying up for it.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:46 PM

What I am saying is simple,
I prefer a local operator to run a good, efficient store that caters to the (ever changing) marketplace to a chain store - b/c since chain stores tend to have a 'formula' system they all look the same and are generally boring.
HOWEVER
As 3:31 said running a retail store is hard and unfortunatly it seems most merchants arent very good at it, and it isnt helped when rather then catering to the (larger) marketplace, they cater to their own personal asthetic.

People can post all they want about how they 'hate' chains and want eclectic, unique merchandise but the reality is for 90% of the population (especially the working, parenting kind) this desire only translates into sales AFTER they spend 90% of their discretionary income on the "basics" that they buy at the Container Stores, Duane Reeds, Costco's et al....

So my point is simple - if you want to be a successful merchant (in a high traffic, high income= high rent area) you have to start selling more stuff that fits into that 90 percentile of spending and try to sell less of the stuff that fits into the 10%.

So either local merchants will figure this out or the national chains will move in....as far as I'm concerned recycled home furnishings, meteorite sculptures and doggie desserts stores is simply not a viable choice for the long run.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:47 PM

I've started doing a little comparison shopping myself lately.

Mainly on household items...shampoo, moisturizers, soap, etc.

As it turns out Duane Reade is NO cheaper than places like Super Savers and Neergaard Pharmacy in the neighborhood.

Prices on most things are almost the exact same and in fact Neergaard seems to be slightly cheaper on some things that Duane Reade. Super Savers about dead even with the Duane.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 3:53 PM

pleez pleez pleez a starbucks!!!!

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 4:20 PM

Please do not shop at Duane Read at Flatbush and 7th. The pharmacist got into an argument with my wife's doctor about some stupid paper work problem, the doctor practices at NY Hospital on the Upper East Side, He said in all his years practicing he had never had this problem. Plus they never have Vytorin in stock. Idiots. Shop at Mom and pop stores. They need your money. Duane Reade sucks.
Sorry to see NEST go, but you can probably blame it on the Landlord raising the rent. I know a 5th Ave merchant whose rent almost doubled one year, they had no choice but to raise the price for their services. They are still in business and god bless em.
MOMMY hang in there some day you will move to the suburbs when you realize how expensive it is to send you kid to private school good luck to you too. I love MOMMMYS. Bye to the hipsters because you are not hipsters at all you learn how to dress from MTV please go away with your piercings and tattoos,, please please you all look the same not very hip. boring. Now back to real estate, Wanna buy my brownstone? I am leaving..

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 4:24 PM

Do you have mulitple personalities, 4:24.

You were goin strong and then went off the deep end.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 4:35 PM

As a working parent who has lived in Park Slope for 4 years and came from the UWS, I totally agree with 3:16. I'd be happy to get some chains if it meant stores that are open past 6. I remember how shocked I was the week we moved that I couldn't buy some picture hangers at Tarzian Hardware at 6:30 because it was closed. WTF? I still haven't gotten used to that. I will also go out on a limb and say that I find that many of the independent shop owners in Park Slope are really rude. I have no idea how many of them get business. Don't get me wrong, some are great, but overall no one is bending over backwards to get your business. Of course, no one, except perhaps the shrews at Tarzian Housewares, can compete with the general rudeness found at just about any Duane Reade or the Atlantic Center Target, but you want to put a Banana Republic in that burnt out space where Zuzu's Petals and the only decent fruit stand in the neighborhood used to stand? I say bring it on! PS -- I don't mean to start rumors, there are no intentions to do so with that space, I'm just sayin'...

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 4:37 PM

MOMMY, I'm curious as to what kind of store do 'HUGE number of working PARENTS need'? What is it specifically that you would like to see in place of Nest?
I am a working parent in S Slope. I need food, diapers, daycare, a drug store, a toy store, a couple of good bars - check, we got all of that nearby. One thing I can think of - it would be nice to have a good hardware store so we don't have to trek to 5th ave - or 10 blocks up 7th Ave to Tarzian.
I can think of lots of things that I would like but don't need - a French resturant, a decent bagel place, an Indian resurant that pulls me in, AND a few cool design stores that I can afford to make an occasional purchase at!

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 5:10 PM

Yes, retailers in Park Slope are totally out of touch with the residents of the community. Until retailers start staying open past 6:00 so the residents can actually shop there, I say fark them.

It really boggles the mind - so much wealth, so much potential, but they just don't care.

A Banana Republic would totally get my business. On the weekend, I just don't feel like trucking to Montague Street let alone Manhattan just to buy some slacks for the summer.

Let's hear it for Razor though - they got great threads in there, even if it is a bit pricey. And they are open until 8.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 5:34 PM

5:10 PM

Leopoldi's Hardware on 5th Avenue b/w 8th and 7th Streets. They are friendly and they have everything.

And yes, I agree. We need a good Indian restaurant. Kinara is just adequate.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 6:18 PM

Joy isn't too bad, but probably neck and neck with Kinara. Just better at delivery. FWIW, we go to La Bagel Delight because it's close, but I think the Bagel Hole makes decent bagels.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 6:30 PM

Bird was lame. Put in a gun shop!

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 6:35 PM

I always thought that Bird, Baby Bird (both on 7th ave btwn 13th and 14th) and Nest were all a part of the same retail family. Baby Bird also closed this summer and is now a playschool. Could this be related?

(Baby Bird was also totally overpriced in my opinion.)

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 9:16 PM

As a frivolous Manhattan SAHM transplant, I would like to see a European style apothecary open in that spot. Neergaard is ok, but something more beauty oriented would be nice.

OR, how about a coffee shop/hangout other than Parco? Somewhere like Marlowe and Sons in Williamsburg...

OR, a nice bookstore w/ some good magazines and design books.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 9:28 PM

I'd like an Asian hand-job parlor there.

"Happy endings" all around!

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 9:50 PM

9:50, grow up and stop watching so much Entourage.

But, speaking of Asian, a nice Vietnamese restaurant would be fantastic!!!

I would also like to echo the posts of those who thought the Nest was empty... Too few things that change so infrequently and for so much money. Nice candles, though.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 10:08 PM

original post is incorrect: was one of the first places to grace the barren south slope strip ..that's just not true. Nest opened in 2003, at least 3 years after the commercial strip bw 14th and 15th aves boomed, in fact the owner of the very first south slope shop "Bird" bristled when Nest opened bc the association of names, and Btw, the Bird spin-off Baby Bird closed this spring and was replaced by a child care center "Parker's Place"

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 10:55 PM

And the old-time Park Slopers who remember the bar "The Roost" are all gone now that Bird is here. What will fly the coop next?

Posted by: guest at September 21, 2007 12:15 AM

Brenda,

I remember Pro Bike being there also sometime circa late 80's.

Does anyone really shop at Tarzans?

Posted by: guest at September 21, 2007 10:15 AM

tough retail? Maybe, but I counted about 5-6 new retail stores south of 9th opening this year. Plus Union Market soon and great restaurants like Scalino's to create an Applewood/12th Street Grill/Scalino trifecta. I also like the new, redesigned gourmet deli that opened on the corner of 12th/8th. Totally cute awnings and healthy stuff.

Posted by: guest at September 21, 2007 11:17 AM

Did anyone hear that Amish Market is looking to expand 10 new stores or something?

Anyone know how we can get in touch? I think one would be a great addition to the mid/north slope area.

We are sorely lacking a good grocery store.

Posted by: guest at September 21, 2007 11:28 AM