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July 31, 2008

Sunset Park's Rainbow Cafe Building Officially For Sale

As Best View in Brooklyn reported at the beginning of June, the Rainbow Cafe in Sunset Park closed after the passing of its owner. A reader now tells us the building is on the market, noting, that "it will be interesting to see who takes it over and if it will maintain its bar/restaurant status....Perhaps whoever takes it over will take the first jab at the Park-Slopification of Sunset Park." The building, on 39th Street and 5th Avenue, is listed for $3,250,000. The old cafe space accounts for almost 4,000 square feet of the property, and, as the listing notes, it's a "Sunset Park Neighborhood Landmark."
Rainbow Cafe is Shuttered, For Now [Best View in Brooklyn]
3904 5th Avenue Listing [Loopnet] GMAP

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What a beautiful building...even with the cheesy aluminum awnings. And the signage is classic.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 10:05 AM

Actually, I think it's a pretty plain building.

The only thing remotely interesting about it are the concrete cast lintels that have a bit more style than the typical slabs. The signage is of course classic, but that's no biggie either.

The cornice is similar to several hundred thousand other buildings in New York City. The storefront wall is hideous, almost worse than the aluminum awnings.

These were two simple buildings built on the cheap a century ago. Nothing special. If there were excess development rights, I'd say bulldoze 'em.

Posted by: Polemicist at July 31, 2008 10:25 AM

I guess I've been told!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 10:31 AM

Hey Dave,

Don't worry. I told Polemicist last night. Go check out the thread from yesterday on the "Resale at the Washington"

Talk about stupid. He thought housing prices dropped 15% in May.

It was .9%, but close enough, right?

Posted by: 11217 at July 31, 2008 10:34 AM

It's a pretty cheesy catering hall with a 50's style bar that comes with barflies. Great space if it had a new look inside.

Posted by: Handle at July 31, 2008 10:45 AM

Lounge lizards too???

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 10:49 AM

11217 and DIBS- I see polemicist is still trying to sound like an architectural maven. wasn't he soundly trounced on lintels once before?

"two simple buildings built on the cheap a century ago."

As if he knows anything about old construction and buildings.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 10:54 AM

I am sure it comes with lounge lizards and plenty of other guests you may care not to meet.

Posted by: Handle at July 31, 2008 10:56 AM

"If there were excess development rights, I'd say bulldoze 'em."

Do not get me started here. Tear them down, build them up.

Resue anyone? Perhaps not best to butt heads with ol' Pole today, I have work I actually need to get done.

It's a featured building in SSP, let it be rehabed into ANYTHING usable (commercial, residential, mixed use, etc.), but do anything but tear it down. Christ!

Posted by: Action Jackson at July 31, 2008 10:58 AM

My old neighborhood of sunset park and this place is old school.if you've never been in the rainbow cafe you can't make negative comment's.

Posted by: janko at July 31, 2008 10:58 AM

Maybe it's hard to see in the photo, but the storefront is beautiful--classic art deco look, gorgeous old stainless doors, great sign. the bar inside could be brought back to mid-century class easily. And we really need a good bar in this nabe, for reals. I only hope the buyer realizes this and tries to keep the facade and open a good bar. I fear chain bank or cheesy Mexican restaurant, though.

Posted by: penandink at July 31, 2008 10:58 AM

Action...Polemicist lists his occupation on his profile as "real estate consultant" Need I say more?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 10:59 AM

Dave,

Consulting in what? Biased-Opinion?

I need to look for a new job then ;)

Posted by: Action Jackson at July 31, 2008 11:08 AM

I had NO idea he was a real estate consultant.

That makes what happened on that other thread even more laughable.

I'm still waiting for the apology too.

Posted by: 11217 at July 31, 2008 11:09 AM

11217- I fear you'll be waiting a long time. And I think we can put his self-defined job title down to "fantasy job I want when I grow up."

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 11:15 AM

Of course. I was being sarcastic.

Posted by: 11217 at July 31, 2008 11:17 AM

I want to see interior pictures. maybe we all get together there for a beer sometime. Like after the pool party at the Dyker Heights open house!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 11:20 AM

11217- I knew that but I bet polemicist doesn't :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 11:24 AM

WOW...there was an interior pic on the listing. That bar could be a really great place. I think of all the bars that have opened up over the past 5-6 years in Hell's Kitchen in what, before that, were always some seedy areas and how well they are doing now. Full of people beginning Wednesday at 5:00 and thereafter.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 11:24 AM

Jackson:

This is literally 4 blocks away from an excellent express subway station. As I've said before, it is an eventual necessity and general moral imperative that medium-density development be allowed near subways. I'm all for preserving some buildings, but these are really nothing special.

11217

If I am wrong about something, I will certainly apologize for the mistake. I don't really read back over threads too frequently, but I'll make a special exception just for you.

Posted by: Polemicist at July 31, 2008 11:28 AM

Hey daveinbedstuy take my word on this the rainbow cafe would be a great place to hang with the young self centered losers that are moving into sunset park.

Posted by: janko at July 31, 2008 11:30 AM

"it is an eventual necessity and general moral imperative that medium-density development be allowed near subways"

Spoken like a real estate consultant.

WHY?????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 11:31 AM

janko....sounds like there might be a self-centered loser already there. What did you post yesterday on Dyker heights that brownstoner censored it?????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 11:37 AM

"general moral imperative"

Moral imperative? from the guy who wanted to send American Black activists back to Africa?

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 11:40 AM

The interior of this bar is awesome and classic and it would be a travestry whoever bought this building just tore it down. it torn down, i guarentee it would become a bank, or some other run-down chain (i.e. similar to all those that litter 5th ave between 50th-60th streets). what if they retained the bar and turned the back (or even the above apartments-which are included in the sale) into a music venue. there tons of possibilties and it would be a shame for the rainbow cafe building to be turned into something that doesn't offer anything more than a bank account, or fast food, to the community.

the simple fact that this location is just blocks from the express train into manhattan (it's faster to get to manhattan from s.p. than from park slope) should enhance its value to a potential buyer. also, if some of our beloved park slopers were ever courageous enough to venture to sunset park, they'd know that there are pockets of ridiculously beautiful rowhouses that line the streets just waiting for the 'gentler' folk to come and gentrify them.

needless to say, park slope is great and i have nothing against the people who live there, but sunset park really should not get such a bad wrap.

Posted by: lala at July 31, 2008 11:51 AM

and lets not forget his take on baby boomers: "You're really going to consider euthanasia when people in my age bracket refuse to pay inflated prices for your investments or even you house."

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 11:52 AM

Lala,

Where does Sunset Park get a bad wrap? I hear great things about it, and come down there often to visit two friends and to have some terrific Mexican. You are right...there ARE some great houses down there!

I'm just curious...why do you single out Park Slope? Just because we live in a neighborhood adjacent to yours, we are supposed to love it more than anyone else? That part I don't understand. People in Park Slope are not the only ones who like beautiful homes and gentrify neighborhoods.

Posted by: 11217 at July 31, 2008 12:01 PM

I like Sunset Park and I imagine the slopers and many others will discover how lovely it is, and in the not so distant future.

The Rainbow looks so cool inside- does anyone know how business was there?

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 12:02 PM

Dave:

Why? Why don't you ask the millions of people who can't afford a modern, spacious home for their families or live near the subway?

11217:

You are right, I did err in reading the headline for that article. That said, I have to continue to point out how a disproportionate number of your posts always involve a personal attack or a denigrating quip. Feel free to keep at it, but trust me - I really don't give a fsck what you or anyone else on this site thinks about me.

Posted by: Polemicist at July 31, 2008 12:02 PM

And yours don't, Polemicist? If anything you've set the bar for that as low as you can possibly go. You've made it your personal mission to attack me - I never did that to you so you're full of BS when you complain about anyone attacking you.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 12:05 PM

Polemicist:

Most of my "quips" are meant to be sarcastic. And you are the only person I believe I've ever made a personal attack towards and that's because I think you are ignorant, racist and a know-it-all. At least your online persona is.

For someone who doesn't care what everyone else things, you sure are sensitive.

Posted by: 11217 at July 31, 2008 12:06 PM

There is a difference between allowing medium density development near subway access and saying it would be a good idea to tear down a perfectly attractive building with a potentially great restaurant/bar space. Preserving mid-century-style commercial spaces like this is VERY popular right now so I hope it will happen. (This place kind of reminds me of Florent (RIP), actually. There is something that you are leaving out, Polemicist, which you obviously do not value highly: the uniqueness and history of a building. You see this as "common" but others see it as something that was preserved against all odds and if torn down would be a loss. It is not like there isn't development going on in the area on other lots.

Posted by: Carol Gardens at July 31, 2008 12:15 PM

11217- i wasn't singling park slope out, just using that neighborhood as an example (had nothing to do with the fact it was adjacent and that made them competitors, but in the fact that gentrification often occurs in the same way if you drop water, the liquid continues to slowly expand outward from the epicenter...). my comment could apply to any neighborhood that was gentrified... harlem, burg, the undergoing bushwick...

as for sunset park's 'bad wrap.' most of it i think is the fallacy that it is much more dangerous than other areas in brooklyn and than it really is. yes, crime occurs, as it does in the east village, or upper east side, but it does not impact 'quality of life.' sunset park, overall, is a very family oriented neighborhood.

bxgrl: the business at rainbow cafe before it's closure was steady. it wasn't the kind of place that attracted young, hipsters from outside brooklyn neighborhoods, but it had the potential.

you had the 'regulars' at he bar, but the restaurant side attracted the MTA workers (big MTA hub- jackie gleason bus depot, is right around the corner). the MTA workers actually have a strong influence on the success of the surrounding restaurants.

Posted by: lala at July 31, 2008 12:21 PM

I once got a bad wrap at Macy's during holiday season. I ended up having to repackage the gift myself!

Posted by: Biff Champion at July 31, 2008 12:21 PM

Polemicist...you sound like you're headed down the "entitlement" road which is at odds with your generally racist and classist attacks everywhere else

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 12:22 PM

Biff...pretty late to the game here today. Were you out drinking too late last night?

I don't like wraps. Give me a sandwhich on rye or a Kaiser.

I would bet most of the MTA workers wouldn't order a wrap either.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 12:25 PM

Then we agree Lala. I think Sunset Park is terrific and has HUGE potential. I've been spending a lot of time in Williamsburg lately (dating somewhere there) and I have to say, I see so much more potential in Sunset Park for an integrated neighborhood where the younger and older generations can live side by side with beautiful housing stock, express trains to Manhattan, big parks (and cemetaries) nearby and some great loft, studio and industrial areas.

I think it's only a matter of time...

Posted by: 11217 at July 31, 2008 12:28 PM

Dave, I wish! I was at home rearranging the paper in my sock drawers. It was long overdue. I prefer rye to Kaisers. (I also prefer Tsars to Kaisers, for that matter).

Posted by: Biff Champion at July 31, 2008 12:30 PM

Lala- believe me, there's nothing like a great neighborhood bar in any case. With plenty of other places for the young,hip crowd to go, nothing wrong with the rainbow's clientele growing but not catering to the hipsters. I've seen neighborhood bars change so much that what attracted the hipsters as "cool" in the first place disappeared under all the trendiness.

Ooh Biff- a rewrap. It must have been terrible for you :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 12:33 PM

It wasn't that bad. At least I had fun kibbitzing with the boxgirl.

Posted by: Biff Champion at July 31, 2008 12:38 PM

Do they still have the old wooden escalators at Macy's 34th Street? Unfortunately those were the cause of many deaths during the London subway fire of 1987.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 12:38 PM

probably a no on the elevators, but the mattress show room on fulton street is one creepy place.

Posted by: lala at July 31, 2008 12:48 PM

In the vein of this thread...really? The old wooden escalators at Macy's 34th Street were the cause of many deaths during the London subway fire of 1987?

And we need a few hundred words on the subtle distinction between the medium density housing which should replace this and the high density housing that P thinks should exist elswehere as featured randomly on many previous threads.

Posted by: jawbreaker at July 31, 2008 12:48 PM

and here I was worried you were so wrapped up in, you would feel boxed in. A tsar-ry state of affairs.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 12:54 PM

lala, I've been there!! Tim Burton could have a field day filming a surreal horror movie in that basement with all that old miscellaneous furniture. It gave me the heebie jeebies.

Posted by: Biff Champion at July 31, 2008 12:55 PM

bxgrl, that was so corny, it made me blush. My cheeks are as red as Judy Garland's shoes. Somewhere, over the Rainbow (Cafe Bar and Grill)...

Posted by: Biff Champion at July 31, 2008 12:57 PM

bxgrl:

You're a special case. You and 11217 both fall into the easily excitable category that is simply too much fun to provoke.

11217:

I look forward to the many future times you'll be able to point out which of many comments offend your sensibilities.

I'm not particularly sensitive, but I must say it does sadden me that the level of discussion on this site has really descended into meaningless claptrap that has more in common with Craigslist than a serious real estate site. At least I get cheap entertainment out of it!

Posted by: Polemicist at July 31, 2008 2:32 PM

Daveinbedstuy:

I normally don't respond to the pathetic personal attacks, but in this case - I gots to know: what precisely is the "entitlement" road? Could this provide me with even more giggles?

Posted by: Polemicist at July 31, 2008 2:35 PM

A 6'2, 185lb man who runs 60 miles a week and giggles.

That's a fun thought.

Posted by: 11217 at July 31, 2008 2:38 PM

11217, actually, I believe he said he cycles 60 miles a week; presumably on his tricycle.

Posted by: Biff Champion at July 31, 2008 2:40 PM

If I have to explain that to you Pole then you're far worse than I thought. And the "giggles" thing really put the icing on the cake.

Thanks 11217 for your comment on that too.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 31, 2008 2:42 PM

My god, are you people paid to read every post on this site and reload the page every five minutes (or less?).

Don't any of you have a real job?

The uniformity of this regular cast of characters is uncanny for a site such as this.

jawbreaker: Missed your post before. On principle I believe density restrictions should be abolished. But, in the spirit of working within the system, I do adopt more typical urban planning jargon. Medium density apartment houses are the most economical in terms of price per unit. They are the fairly common buildings about 10 stories in height.

Posted by: Polemicist at July 31, 2008 3:20 PM

Pole, did pre-k just get dismissed? Actually, we're just responding to your request above:

"I look forward to the many future times you'll be able to point out which of many comments offend your sensibilities."

Posted by: Biff Champion at July 31, 2008 3:28 PM

Polemicist - You have 6 posts on this thread

I have 7.

Biff has 6.

Bxgrl has 9.

Similar number of posts, all in all. You are digging yourself a hole by criticizing the things you are most guilty of...personal attacks and now quantity of posts.

BTW, Yes I have a real job. And I'd be HORRIBLY embarrassed if I worked in Real Estate and actually said that U.S. Housing prices dropped 15% in May when the actual number was 0.9%.

Not only said it, but outlandishly said how foolish I was for not recognizing your data as the gospel.

Nothing you say holds any validity after that. If you work in the industry and actually believe housing prices would come down 15% in a single month, you should be fired today.

I would be, if I not only made a mistake like that, but believed it so vehemently.

Posted by: 11217 at July 31, 2008 3:31 PM

So, How about that Bar & Grill.

Posted by: Handle at July 31, 2008 4:09 PM

11217

I wasn't referring to the quantity of posts, but to the speed in which my replies are answered (3 responses from 3 people within 8 minutes of posting). It is unusual, and a trend for you and a few others.

In my defense, I don't really follow national real estate trends and really don't work in any capacity that involves residential real estate. Can't be an expert in everything. Considering how infrequently anyone here backs up their statements with a citation - be happy I made your job so much easier and admitted I was wrong.

In the end though, it is still remarkable how these brownstoner posters get so fired up. I love it. It's really like shooting fish in a barrel.

Posted by: Polemicist at July 31, 2008 4:22 PM

You didn't admit you were wrong.

I told you, you were wrong.

Posted by: 11217 at July 31, 2008 4:34 PM

Actually, what you don't know Pole is that Brownstoner Platinum members like Dave, 11217 and I receive a pop-up message on our screen when someone posts something that's that's particularly off the wall and incredibly easy to shoot down.

It's ok, don't worry, we all take our lumps here. You just happened to get served worse than usual. As for shooting fish in the barrel, I'm quite sure the only thing you're shooting right now is the bad guys on your Playstation 3.

Posted by: Biff Champion at July 31, 2008 4:37 PM

11217

Whatever you say.

Biff

I really only use my PS3 for blu ray movies, although I do like GTAIV. Good call though.

Posted by: Polemicist at July 31, 2008 4:52 PM

Shooting fish in a barrel, Polemicist. they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. glad you liked my phrase since you've reused it. And now I have a really good idea of who the ass is who constantly went after me. And again, not very well.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 5:03 PM

bxgrl:

As long as you keep providing me with daily laughs, you can believe whatever you like.

Posted by: Polemicist at July 31, 2008 5:52 PM

On topic folks! (especially you Biff).

Saw a post and poll on brooklynian.com from this thread

http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44451

New-sh post, but not popular I guess. Poor Rainbow!

Posted by: Action Jackson at July 31, 2008 6:23 PM

Always glad to make a moron happy. You have so little in life.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 7:25 PM

the link to brooklynian.com is good, however.... their quiz is innaccurate because the sale already includes four 2-bedroom walk-ups-- there would be no 'conversion to residential above' because currently, the building is bar below and residences above.....

Sunset Park Neighborhood Landmark
Includes Retail Space (3800 sq. ft.)
Restaurant
Full Professional Kitchen
Vintage Bar and Catering Hall
Includes Furnishings & Equipment
Entertainment Area
Four, 2-Br Walk Up Apts.
Ideal for Large Retail Chain, Bank,Fitness Center, Fast Food
Ideal location with high foot traffic

Posted by: lala at August 1, 2008 12:51 PM

« Asbestos Warnings Near Public Place: Too Little, Too Late? Changing of the Guard »

July 31, 2008

Sunset Park's Rainbow Cafe Building Officially For Sale

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