Ikea, a Big-Box Trailblazer in the ’Hook?

Please, someone start complaining about traffic, congestion, the horror of corporate retailing, the suburb-ization of funky Brooklyn, the loss of grassroots control over neighborhoods, and the ugly aesthetic of the store itself.

Thanks!

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:43 AM

Okay, I'll complain about getting food poisoning from the salmon at Ikea in Elizabeth!

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:46 AM

mark my words: it's gonna be huge.

I predict the restaurant alone will be the largest grossing -- pun intended -- outlet in all of ikea-land. Where else in that area can you get a 99 cent breakfast.. and free child care in the "ball room"

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:51 AM

Why would you eat at a furniture store?

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:52 AM

Will they finish it already.

I desperately need a FLÄRKE Computer desk

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:53 AM

Love it. Bring it on.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:53 AM

What Red Hook needs most is a mass transit system that connects it to downtown brooklyn. I propose a light rail that is built within the existing tunnel at court and atlantic and than turning south and running over the BQE trench along Hicks Street, which can than run into Red Hook. The Mayor's proposal of building housing over the BQE trench is ridiculous.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:54 AM

"Why would you eat at a furniture store?" Because you have (happily) spent so many consecutive hours there that you need a meal (and the chance to sit down) mid-way.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:58 AM

Every time I hear someone pronounce or write an IKEA product name (FLÄRKE) I think of the Swedish meatball chef from the Muppets.

Do love the meatballs with that gravy and berry sauce though.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 11:01 AM

10.54, I'm not trying to be a jerk, but the projects cut off almost every street that runs south into red hook (between columbia and clinton). A light rail would almost have to stick to columbia/van brunt, since clinton near the BQE is pretty impassible.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 11:01 AM

I doubt it will do much for the small, local restaurants. What is the likelihood that after driving there, dealing with the crowds at the store and packing your purchase into your car that you'll want to drive to another part of the neighborhood - or even walk - to sit down for lunch?

If there was better subway access and people were walking to Ikea, I'd say it would help. But once people are in their cars they aren't likely to make multiple stops. (Unless the Ikea parking lot becomes a neighborhood parking lot.)

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 11:11 AM

Eat at home. Shop at Ikea.com.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 11:23 AM

If they would just cut the B61 into parts--like maybe run some buses from Ikea to Jay Street back and forth--it would help a lot. Or have an express during peak hours. Having the B61 start in Red Hook and go all the way to Queens means that whenever there is a problem there isn't much flexibility along the line and the situation deteriorates rapidly. The route serves so many communities and I wish the MTA would rethink it.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 11:30 AM

11.30 is spot on; get the B61 in Red Hook (near the beginning of its route) and you get on-time service. Wait for it coming home, after is has hit LIC, and you are in for a loooooong wait. Splitting the route at Jay St. would be very intelligent. So unlikely to happen, obviously.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 11:43 AM

"I think car services will do very well, like they do at the Atlantic Mall taking shoppers home with their wares."

Exactly. Just like at Lowes in Gowanus.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 12:00 PM

Follow the yellow and blue brick road... I think they should paint the streets blue that lead directly to Ikea from the BQE so that no one will ever venture out into the rest of Red Hook. Maybe an Ikea gas station along the way. Full service so you don't have to get out of your car.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 12:02 PM

You know whos really gonna benefit.

Those central american vendors at the soccer fields in redhook.

Screw the $1 meatballs.

Buy a $30 table then go down the st for the best mexican food you will ever eat in this city.

Im serious..

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 12:26 PM

I think Red Hook is a really nice area that is on the verge of becoming even better

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 12:37 PM

10:51... Why in the hell would the restaurant be the largest grossing in this area? It's glorified fast food with a Swedish touch.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 12:45 PM

"largest grossing"

think about the foot traffic.
fast food or not

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 12:51 PM

I just can't wait to blow my entire day in Redhook with those Swedish meatballs and cinnamon rolls...Yummmmieee.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:11 PM

Are the vendors still in business? I went by here last weekend and saw nothing but a couple of soccer matches

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:11 PM

I think with increased traffic and demand for transportation, the MTA might come up with some expanded service. I visited Fairway last month, and although I have lived in CG for decades, I had never been to Red Hook. I was impressed on how much valuable land there is and how great the potential is to appropriately develop the neighborhood into a vibrant residential and shopping destination. P.S. I don't have a car, so I took the 61 bus to Fairway from Columbia & Union. Not a bad ride, only about 5-7 minutes.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:20 PM

They need to open up a Zip Car location right next door to this place, or have van rentals like other big box stores offer.

About Red Hook in general, it's awesome. Lots of potential, certainly. We've only taken car services there or had a friend drive us. Hopefully they figure out the transportation because bus-61 is not an appealing option for most people.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:31 PM

"I think Red Hook is a really nice area that is on the verge of becoming even better"

Indeed. Red Hook can aspire to be like Elizabeth, NJ one day. Keep chasing that rainbow!

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:34 PM

Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:35 PM

1. I've never been to an Ikea and NOT needed a slice of apple cake and a cup of coffee.
2. People will walk there from the area to eat. There are lots of people in those projects. And yes, throwing the kid in the ball pit and spending a half hour with a cup of coffee will appeal to many.
3. I have a car with a carseat. Think I could make any money running a shuttle btw Ikea and Park Slope?

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:41 PM

It is SUCH A BITCH to drive to Red Hook from anywhere--that's the thing that freaks me out about all this car-necessary retail going there. Unless you're willing to tolerate the BQE, which of course is always slammed, it's a ridiculously labrythine nightmare.

Would be nice if the city made some changes to street-traffic patterns to deal with this, no?

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:42 PM

mmmmmmmm..........Swedish Meatballs!

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:50 PM

They have already made changes to Hamilton Avenue under the BQE that seem to make the entrance to Red Hook more accessible. I agree with1;42 and i have been there many times. I can imagine all those furniture shoppers one hand on the steering wheel the other holding onto that 300lb flat packed computer desk "tied" to the car's roof with a little piece of twine riding around in circles until they hit the projects or the water... bring back those cobblestones for comic relief!

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 2:03 PM

Ikea in Red Hook was a terrible idea and more big box stores in Red Hook is the continuation of a terrible idea.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 2:05 PM

How can a company that prides itself on its design sensibility produce such an incredibly hideous building.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 2:08 PM

Boy, that store sure does look like it was specifcially desingned for waterfront property and isn't some generic schock drafted by some hack back at corporate.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 2:22 PM

"How can a company that prides itself on its design sensibility produce such an incredibly hideous building."

Because it is cheap. Just like their furniture.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 2:34 PM

Hurrah for Ikea! The savior of Red Hook! We anxiously await the arrival of the masses of particle board worshippers. Red Hook would be lost without you.

You can count on lots more feel good articles like this as the Ikea marketing machine gears up for the opening.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 2:46 PM

Some one had to say it so I guess it might as well as be me, but this is gonna cause a traffic nightmare! I drive all over Brooklyn and, as others have said, Red Hook is a super-confusing mess. I hope they do paint the streets blue and yellow coz people are gonna need the directions.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 3:38 PM

3:38
You're right on.

My peaceful (no one on the roads except those trainee bus drivers) Saturday 10am drive to Fairway aint gonna be quiet so peaceful.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 4:13 PM

The quiet weekends in Red Hook are over once that box opens.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 4:24 PM

Sorry but Red Hook is not going to become nicer or become anything (other then an industrial area w/ Projects) w/o a subway. There is 60 years of history to prove that. Despite optimistic predictions from Barbara Corcoran and incredible views.

Ikea and all these big box stores fit right in with the desolate ugliness that is Red Hook - now and likely forever

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 4:37 PM

I was down at the Red Hook Fairway the other day, and we were marveling at the fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty.
Other cities make there waterfront properties into tourist destinations and upscale housing, with lots of ferries and mass transit options, while NYC has tons of waterfront that has spotty public transport, and is wasted on big box retail.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 4:54 PM

"I think with increased traffic and demand for transportation, the MTA might come up with some expanded service."

Funniest post ever!

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 5:14 PM

And to think I use to like the Swedes.

Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 5:39 PM

Unfortunately, the Central American vendors by the soccer fields may be the first victims of the change in the area. The Parks Dept. is now putting the food vending rights on the fields out to bid and it looks like they are out. They've been there for years, when no one else could be bothered, but now that things are looking up, they've gotta go! I'm all for progress, but I can't really see how Ikea is going to be an improvement.

Posted by: guest at March 8, 2008 6:06 PM

The last thing red hook needs is some ugly, gazillion-dollar light rail system. This is not manhattan, it is brooklyn, people have cars in brooklyn, at least grown ups who are not still mooching off their parents have cars. and if they don't have cars they call a car service, public transportaion in ny is abysmal. it is ok for going to work but not for the weekends or for shopping.
Advice to all the doom-and gloom sixteen year olds out there who think america is at the brink of disaster, stop being such woozes and get out more. have sex, get your minds off al gore.

Posted by: guest at March 8, 2008 8:56 PM

i like to sit in my car at the far end of Loews parking lot and watch them load scrap metal. Good place to eat lunch and say my farewells to all those cast iron bathtubs headed for china. I think Ikea will offer similar opportunities.

Posted by: guest at March 9, 2008 8:37 AM

"A traffic nightmare"

Are you kidding? There's practically no traffic in Red Hook, which is why that's where the DMV does its driver exams, and the truck driver schoools operate there. That area needs traffic! And jobs! When Ikea starts hiring, there'll be a line around the block to get job applications.

And I can't imagine living in Carroll Gardens for decades and never venturing to Red Hook.
Don't you like to go swimming?

Posted by: guest at March 9, 2008 3:24 PM

I thought I was the only one who loved to watch the scrap metal cranes next to the Lowes parking lot. It's mesmerizing.

Posted by: guest at March 9, 2008 5:41 PM

this is yet another disaster for red hook, and brooklyn in general. one of the best waterfront locations given away to a crap-in-a-box. ok, its not woolworths, but why the hell this stupidity? why not build a trolley linking the brooklyn waterfront, then built apartment, parks and areas for small businesses. DUH! it doesn't take a genius, it is called caring for your life and your community. who the hell is making these decisions?

Posted by: guest at March 10, 2008 1:22 AM