« House of the Day: 75 Fenimore Street Today on the Brownstoner Backpages »
February 27, 2008
Streetlevel: My Little India Shutting Doors
The sign says it all: My Little India, the home furnishings shop in Fort Greene, is closing down after eight years at the corner of Fulton and South Elliott in Fort Greene. As some readers may remember, the store was also the site of a bad car crash last year. What's on your wish-list for a new tenant? GMAP
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.brownstoner.com/mte/mt-tb.cgi/4035
Comments
this is awful, my little india is such a great store. the owners are the kindest people ever and the products they sold were just wonderful especially the teas. my heart hurts to see this store go.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:32 PM
Lets just hope that Franks doesnt get pushed out too.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:33 PM
so no more my little india at the street fairs this summer?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:35 PM
walmart.
apparently everyone in ft. greene is dying for one.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:35 PM
Gay bar.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:39 PM
Second a gay bar!!!!
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:49 PM
definitely not a gay bar. I think that would be a hell of a downgrade.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:51 PM
Frank's Little India Gay Bar.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:56 PM
How about a gay Walmart?
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 27, 2008 2:56 PM
keep the gay bars in stereotypical chelsea please. the new connecticut.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:59 PM
I'm pretty sure that Frank owns his building, so they aren't going anywhere.
As for My Little India, I'd like to see a Starbucks there.
I kid, I kid. I would love to see a cool record store, given all the good music in the nabe, though I don't know whether record stores are viable enterprises anymore. But a place with good hip-hop, soul, funk, rock and Caribbean vinyl might do really well there.
Posted by: JP at February 27, 2008 2:59 PM
By the way, a gay bar 10 feet from Frank's could get a little bit dicey on Saturday nights. Hard to find two more different crowds, co-mingling over cigarettes at 2am.
Posted by: JP at February 27, 2008 3:00 PM
JP, I wish. Sadly, that's about as likely as an 8-track player repair shop opening.
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 27, 2008 3:05 PM
How about a Dunk-The-What booth? Can you imagine the line-ups?
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 27, 2008 3:05 PM
Bad Car Accident Site? ..and the wish list for a new tenant. Are you thinking what am thinking!
I am sure there are a million and one thing that have happened in or around that spot. why do u have to do a reverse ad with "bad car Accident? WTF
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:09 PM
Biff, I know, I know. But a guy can dream, can't he?
Posted by: JP at February 27, 2008 3:16 PM
My Little Pakistan
Posted by: denton at February 27, 2008 3:17 PM
Brownstone Brooklyn needs more gay bars.
I'm so over Excelsior.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:18 PM
"keep the gay bars in stereotypical chelsea please. the new connecticut."
Time to break up with Tina, my friend. You're not making any sense.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:20 PM
And Excelsior is probably over you, 3:18.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:20 PM
Don't get me wrong...Excelsior is fine. But it's SO crowded.
I have so many gay friends in the neighborhood and we've all been talking about how we need some new places. The clientele definitely seems to be around.
Espeically up in the North Slope. I've noticed so many gay guys around there. Way more than usual.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:23 PM
Agreed. Another fun neighborhood gay bar. Maybe on Flatbush or Vanderbilt?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:26 PM
Flatbush, Vanderbilt or 7th Avenue would be terrific!
I think it could be a real cash-cow.
Something with a great interior space, maybe a small outdoor area, maybe some food and friendly for all.
It's a goldmine.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:28 PM
Gay bar on Vanderbilt hmmmm Will there be chicks, mudd and beer?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:32 PM
Total Wine Bar on 5th near Bergen is basically a gay bar. Wouldn't mind another. Btw, My Little India hasn't been there for eight years. More like four. I think it was a cafe before.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:33 PM
i love all the people who say how much they LOVE this store.
i'd LOVE to know how many of those same people have bought anything there in the last year.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:36 PM
Yeah, Total Wine Bar is great.
Love it. Not necessarily sure I'd classify it as a gay bar per se, as whenever I'm there, it's mostly chicks, but they are fun too.
I'm just looking for a place to meet more neighborhood men.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:38 PM
I'm not gay, but a gay bar would be cool for the neighborhood. They seem to get more police protection after dark than most after hour joints. Would love to see a police cruiser (no-pun intended) to be parked on that corner at night.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:38 PM
I haven't been to Moe's....is that place kinda gay?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:43 PM
3:38 -- I disagree. If you're worried about late-night crime, it's better to have a police cruiser circling the between-Lafayette-and-Dekalb blocks. That seems to be where anything is going to happen. Basically from St. Felix through Vanderbilt. There's enough pedestrian traffic around the triangle that no one gets messed with there. It's the side streets.
Posted by: JP at February 27, 2008 3:46 PM
i've never seen a police cruiser anywhere near excelsior...
i don't think people fuck with the gays as much as they used to.
isn't practically everyone in brooklyn gay or bi at this point anyway?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:48 PM
OOOHHH...HOW ABOUT A NEW GAY BAR ON BERGEN NEXT TO THE NEW BABELAND??!!!
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:51 PM
Big Daddy on Flatbush. You can even keep the old signage.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:54 PM
Moe's is definitely gay. And not in a good way.
I intend no disrespect to the current owners of My Little India, but in five years I don't think I've ever seen more than 3 people (total) inside that place. They must have been doing mail-order. It's hard to believe foot traffic was keeping that store alive so long.
That location, being at the bottom of the hill's gravity well, ought not to sell anything bulky or heavy...
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:54 PM
"i'd LOVE to know how many of those same people have bought anything there in the last year. "
I LOVE this store and I buy from there all the time. I usually buy their candles which are beautiful and burn nicely so that they won't make a mess. I buy their teas all the time and I bought a carved armoire from there as well. the merchandise they sell is great quality.
my little india is a wonderful neighborhood store its so sad that its closing and worse the best suggestions for a replacement is a gay bar. if this place is replaced by a gay bar it would be a tragedy.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:57 PM
why...you homophobic, 3:57?
they sold nothing at my little india that you can't find at 100 other stores in nyc.
there's a place on 7th avenue near ps. 321 that sells ALL the same shit.
nothing special.
if it were successful, it would not have closed.
end of story.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:59 PM
look 3:59, I am in no way homophobic. don't attempt to label me just because I don't agree with putting a gay bar in this location. I wouldn't agree with putting ANY bar there I don't give a damn who the patrons choose to screw. I think it would be a shame to replace my little india with a gay bar because it was a quality store that offered something great to the neighborhood in my opinion. I find your logic ridiculous since there's also TONS of gay bars in NYC you can patronize this store was different and it gave character to the 'hood. if you don't agree go cry on someone else's shoulder who cares.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:04 PM
more so, I hate the idea of always having to go to Park Slope to find interesting stores. I don't want to have to be in park slope all the damn time just to buy candles. I'd rather go to my little india where the owners are kind and the people are less pretentious.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:06 PM
3:54 never thought about the gravity factor. good point.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:06 PM
4:04/4:06
you don't seem to realize that this store closed because it had not enough business.
your own personal feeling towards gays, gay bars and park slope are unfounded.
yes...there are plenty of gay bars in nyc...you know why??? because people go there and spend money.
they did not on candles that smelled like curry and overpriced chachkes from india.
sorry.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:10 PM
Luckily, YOU won't be deciding what goes in that space, 4:04.
I hope someone puts in a bar (gay or otherwise) just to spite you.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:12 PM
How about a bank?
We ned more banks!
GO BANKS!
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:14 PM
A gravity-fed gay bar would be perfect.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:15 PM
If you guys think FG is a neighborhood of diversity you are greatly mistaken. People only tell you so as a coded way of saying there are black folks around. Oh, and a few self-hating Asian bimbos who think they are whiter than snow white. It's only natural My "Little" India can't survive here, and no way you will see a gay bar here.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:16 PM
As long as this place is gone, something better will replace it.
Don't care if it's a gay bar or not. It was just a suggestion.
There are other gay bars.
Someone sure did like her candles.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:18 PM
"Oh, and a few self-hating Asian bimbos who think they are whiter than snow white."
racist, much??
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:19 PM
"your own personal feeling towards gays, gay bars and park slope are unfounded"
I never once gave my opinion on gays or straight people. I realize its easier to call names than to accept the fact that someone disagrees with you and I don't have a problem with that kind of ignorance. my opinion as to what goes there has nothing to do with someone's personal sexual choice thats just stupid. I'd rather have something that contributes to the neighborhood. perhaps it is closing due to lack of business I don't know for sure and at this point that doesn't matter either because there's nothing anyone can do about it. if this was some shitty chain store that didn't matter it would be a different story. as stated before this was a great addition to the hood and I'd prefer to see something replace it that would also be a great addition to the hood and in my opinion that is NOT a gay bar.
4:12 - perhaps I won't be deciding what goes in that space but I'm almost sure that the chances of a gay bar going there is slim to none, which will satisfy me enough.
btw the candles at my little india were unscented but I guess that curry comment was a joke. a joke from the same person who wants to imply I'm homophobic for not wanting a gay bar there but its quite alright for you to make jokes (however unfunny) about curry scented candles because the store sells products from india? oh please.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:23 PM
OUT DOOR CAFE! BREAKFAST AND LUNCH OR SPANISH RESTAURANT.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:24 PM
unscented candles?
why on earth would someone spend money on that?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:25 PM
I know I ain't racist. I LOVE self-hating Asian bimbos!
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 27, 2008 4:25 PM
RESTAURANT WITH LIVE MUSIC...PREFERABLY JAZZ!
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:25 PM
Karaoke bar...Yeah! I believe I can sing and everyone is invited gay or straight
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:26 PM
I believe a gay bar was just a suggestion, 4:23. You need to calm down. I think the chance that this will be a gay bar is slim to none.
But after your insane comments, I'm just glad you have to keep going over to Park Slope to pick up those delicious unscented candles.
Don't knock over the gays on your way over.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:28 PM
How about a gay outdoor karaoke bar with unscented self-hating Asian bimbos?
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 27, 2008 4:30 PM
"I wouldn't agree with putting ANY bar there I don't give a damn who the patrons choose to screw"
As a gay man, I take offense at that!!!
I prefer to make love.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:30 PM
How about a gay outdoor karaoke bar with unscented self-hating Asian bimbo waitresses?
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 27, 2008 4:31 PM
4:30 - thank you for that much-needed levity.
Posted by: JP at February 27, 2008 4:35 PM
you sound pretty stupid 4:28
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:44 PM
4:16 did an asian woman take your partner?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:44 PM
Are you all going to talk about gay bars all day? Why don't you hook up and talk about it face to face so we can discuss what really needs to go in the space.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:46 PM
GAY DRUNKS...THATS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED IN FORT GREENE. I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER PLACES PEOPLE MEET BESIDES BARS....
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:51 PM
Um....no one on this board has any power over what goes in that space, 4:46.
Unless you open it yourself.
You are so incredibly ignorant, it's laughable.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:52 PM
4:46...more people on this thread from what i can tell suggested a gay bar than anything else. so why is it so outlandish?
maybe that's what the community wants. i haven't seen any better ideas.
except maybe a walmart.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:54 PM
ITS A DISCUSSION 4:52, A DISCUSSION. MAYBE YOUR TOO IGNORANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS....GO BACK TO SLEEP.zzzzzzz
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:55 PM
It's maybe YOU ARE or YOU'RE too ignorant, 4:55.
LOLOLOL.
Love it.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:59 PM
It's really only one Gaylord that's posting all this.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:02 PM
how about a sex club?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:03 PM
Forget the gay bar - that corner needs something for the kids.
All the Ft Greene kids stores seemed to close last fall (I forget the names, but there was the one on Dekalb nr. Adelphi and the other one on Fulton nr. S. Oxford). The only decent ones are now 1/2 mile away in Boerum/Cobble Hill.
Yes there are some in the Atlantic Center, but those are disgusting and there are also 3+ bars that are even closer. And bringing back a kids retail store will keep the stroller mafia off the sidewalks.
Finally, most commercial leases are in 5 yr. increments, so this place probably could not pay the rent. Given their overpriced and poorly made furniture, I am not surprised at all that they are closing.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:06 PM
How about a $.99 store?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:08 PM
how about an unscented candle shop?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:10 PM
Or how about a store with poorly made furniture from India??
Oh wait...
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:14 PM
How about a New Era cap store? Lots of money to be made with the stadium and all its wonderfullness coming to the area.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:14 PM
Nathan's hotdogs?
Name for the gay bar or the actual food joint...
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:15 PM
"bringing back a kids retail store will keep the stroller mafia off the sidewalks."
How does that work? Does Ft Greene have a hovercraft service?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:20 PM
Stadium? What stadium?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:21 PM
How 'bout a gay bar/jazz club. Call it LE JIZZ HOT!
Posted by: GHB at February 27, 2008 5:26 PM
how about an Asian lesbian carpet munching bar?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:32 PM
already have one of those, 5:32.
it's called cattyshack.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:37 PM
Cattyshack, huh? What's the address? (It's for a friend, I swear!)
Posted by: Biff Champion at February 27, 2008 5:48 PM
4th avenue and president.
excellent lesbian bar/club.
best around.
seriously.
i'm gay (male) and go all the time.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:53 PM
hot lipstick lesbos?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:57 PM
"i'm gay (male) and go all the time."
WHA?? My gay pal Gary told me in no ncertain terms that that queers and lesbos definitely do not mix. I'm confused. Can anyone enlighten me?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:59 PM
Very hot lipstick lesbos. Nice rooftop area as well and a great dancefloor.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:02 PM
Gaylord if you do go all the time... why not just sample the sushi? It's a lot better than shots of man yogurt.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:05 PM
"Sounds like, no."
Cool. I don't really care that much, anyway. Peace!
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:06 PM
I've sampled the sushi...I still prefer a nice Chicken Sausage.
You heard all that news about the bad tuna going around anyway?
Gotta lay off the stuff.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:09 PM
Maybe if they put a gay bar there, gay men would not have to meet after hours at the top of Fort Greene Park to have their jerking circles or what ever they are called.
And don't write denying it. It has been going on, peacefully I might ad, for many years. Everyone who has lived here for any significant time knows it.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:10 PM
Ralph Lauren Boutique
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:11 PM
Pizzeria...
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:12 PM
Dry Cleaner
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:13 PM
Hair Salon with threading...
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:13 PM
Gay bar - Langston's Atlantic at Franklin.
Is the Starlite still open on Bedford (?)
Gay very friendly spaces - Outpost, Fulton at Irving (white gay owned)
Grand 275 - Grand at Lafayette (black gay and lesbian owned)
Black gay bar owner owned house for sale (I think) 258 (sic) Dekalb - one of last week's HOD.
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at February 27, 2008 6:14 PM
Christmas Tree Shoppe...
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:15 PM
It happens in every major park in America, 6:10.
Central Park has the rample in the west 80's. Prospect Park has a similar area.
And it has nothing to do with the lack of gay bars.
It has to do with some men not feeling as though they are able to be fully and openly gay.
It's a problem, but one that is less and less these days.
Homophobia...like racism and sexism, has a way of making people doing things they might not ordinarily do. If people were a little more accepting, this might not be the case.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:15 PM
"Maybe if they put a gay bar there, gay men would not have to meet after hours at the top of Fort Greene Park to have their jerking circles or what ever they are called."
OR in Prospect Park! Get a room, you guys!
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:16 PM
CVS
Rite Aid
Godiva
Brookstone
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:17 PM
"It has to do with some men not feeling as though they are able to be fully and openly gay."
I thnk it has to do with horny bastards who want to get thir rocks off and don't have enough respect for everyone else to get a f**ing room, OK?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:18 PM
Petland Discounts
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:18 PM
Li-Lac Chocolatier Bklyn branch
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:18 PM
a new Bodum Flagship Store
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:19 PM
mmmm...circle jerks...
can you tell me exactly where in ft. greene park these horrible things are happening????
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:20 PM
WHAT THE FUCK...6:15 pulling your pants down and exposing your dick in a circle with other men IN PUBLIC is not an act of insecurity about being openly gay. It's an illegal act known as indecent exposure. People who meet in dark corners and alleyways to have sex with strangers are suffering from something other than homophobia my friend.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:22 PM
I'm confused. if you're out in the open in a public park and you're having chicken sausage for dinner? Are you not openly gay?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:23 PM
I agree with 6:22 and I am a gay man. Gay people do not have to participate in this kind of sexual activity because we feel so separated from society that we have to have sex in dark corners in the park.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:25 PM
It has nothing to do with homophobia or anything else. It's sexual role playing and fun, plain and simple. My wife and I recently had a role play where I pretended to be a mugger. I grabbed her by the tennis court and dragged her behind that large tree on the hill and we had great sex. The only problem was I brought the dog and he kept disturbing us.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:30 PM
How about a nice cafe? There's nothing nearby.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:31 PM
Dear Penthouse Forum...
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 7:02 PM
What about an old-school video arcade/bar with games like Donkey Kong, Zaxxon, Space Invaders, Asteroids, Joust and Galaga?? You know, make it ironic hipster serving PBR and absinthe. Ok, ok, we'll throw in a glory hole for you gay folks.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 7:12 PM
Trader Joe's Old Tyme Apple Emporium by WalMart
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 7:19 PM
At least it is in dark corners. Boys will be boys...
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at February 27, 2008 7:28 PM
AREA Kids in fort greene! I am tired of leaving the hood to buy kids stuff!!!
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 7:46 PM
you had me at glory hole.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 7:48 PM
there's habana outpost, brooklyn moon, night of the cookers and that thai restaurant all on virtually the same block I don't think another food joint is necessary.
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 7:54 PM
Countrywide office?
Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 9:50 PM
How about a bookstore?
Posted by: guest at February 28, 2008 7:43 AM
The Republican Party headquarters.
Posted by: guest at February 28, 2008 9:17 AM
Greene Grape "Sex Toys" Annex
Posted by: guest at February 28, 2008 9:18 AM
This is the strangest thread I have ever read on this site.
Posted by: Polemicist at February 28, 2008 9:19 AM
I also have bought many things at My Little India since moving to the neighborhood, and I think it is healthy to have places around that are nice to walk by, browse in, and feed the aesthetic appetite. I am sorry to see it go, on the heels of "Circle of Art and Enterprise". I'm hoping ft green isn't on the way to blandification.
Posted by: guest at May 11, 2008 1:08 PM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.