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September 29, 2008

Streetlevel: New Market for Bed Stuy

butternut_0908.jpg
Butternut Market, at 366 Lewis Avenue in Bedford Stuyvesant, will be a Provisions/Union Market/Chop Chop-like grocery store. "We will offer a variety of prepared foods..salads, veggies, meat & fish dishes. They will mostly be cold dishes to take home (there will be very limited seating) plus we will have a few hot dishes each day (including rotisserie chickens)." That's the news from this Brooklynian post, and the owners, including a Brownstoner regular and an owner former manager of Solomon's Porch, will take your suggestions of what to stock. Apparently a renaissance is expected for this little corner of the world; word has it a wine bar and florist are coming soon, too. The owners hope to provide healthy alternatives to junk-stocked bodegas and offer residents another shopping venue; the Foodtown in Restoration Plaza is a heckuva walk.




Posted by lisa at 2:02 PM | Comments (42)
Categories: Bedford Stuyvesant, Streetlevel

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Comments

Lisa...a Brownstoner regular and the recent manager (not owner) of Solomon's Porch, who has left to devote full time to Butternut.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 29, 2008 2:06 PM

Dave, best of luck on this venture. I really wish you lots of success. When is it expected to open? What will the hours be?

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 29, 2008 2:14 PM

Yes, good luck Dave. Will stop by when its open.

Posted by: wasder at September 29, 2008 2:16 PM

Hopefully before Thanksgiving but there is still a stop work order on the building preventing the landlord (and us) from beginning work.
We are not sure that we will be open for the morning train rush at first but we will stay open until at least 9PM and perhaps 10.

Do you all want us open in the early morning???

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 29, 2008 2:20 PM

It would seem to make sense to open earlier and close earlier versus opening later and closing later. Of course, that's based solely on my experience as a consumer versus someone who has retail experience.

I would love to see a Butternut Blog to track this. I'm sure it would get more hits than all the other ongoing blogs here given the notoriety of the proprietor.

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 29, 2008 2:28 PM

The neighborhood needs more places for people to pick up food after work for lunch & dinner than it does to get a cup of coffee in the morning. None of the bodegas carry anything more than a wrapped Entemann's for breakfast and some might have apples but virtually no fresh produce, no prepared food for a decent dinner and no higher end pasta, coffee, cheese, etc, etc, etc.

Bread Stuy is on the next block and offers coffee and breakfast items. We also don't want to tax ourselves too heavily at the get go and wind up delivering inferior products or service.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 29, 2008 2:39 PM

Congratulations, Dave. I'm not living there yet, but still working on it. It's great to see the neighborhood expanding. I work from home and will be grateful for another lunch option. You will offer fresh uncooked produce as well as prepared foods. And other organic packaged foods like rice, bread, dairy, etc?

Posted by: Susan Elkins at September 29, 2008 2:47 PM

Yes, Susan...all of that. We are not likely to have fresh meat or fish at the outset but might eventually.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 29, 2008 2:51 PM

Hey Dave I am going to support... This place is needed in our area...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at September 29, 2008 2:52 PM

Now all I have to do is find a house. Not so easy right now when nobody wants to sell. What happened/is happening with the space on the corner of Macon and Stuyvesant?

Posted by: Susan Elkins at September 29, 2008 2:54 PM

Good luck Dave. Great food the other weekend at the street fair!
Next to a wine bar also, good timing.

That is becoming a really interesting corner of Bed Stuy.

Posted by: Aussie at September 29, 2008 2:56 PM

Congrats Dave! It sounds wonderful!

Posted by: TownhouseLady at September 29, 2008 3:08 PM

Congrats on this Dave, and best of luck to you.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at September 29, 2008 3:11 PM

Dave I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay and I miss good seafood. When you do get seafood please get crab.. It is so hard to find in NYC...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at September 29, 2008 3:17 PM

Amzi...we will do crab cakes and they WILL be lump, not those other bad stringy things everyone makes!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 29, 2008 3:29 PM

Dave, Congrat's and all the best.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at September 29, 2008 3:32 PM

Dave you just became my best friend in NYC... I will make sure you guys stay open...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at September 29, 2008 3:47 PM

Dave, you got great reviews from SOLA event. I missed it but was very excited that you were out there and getting such great reviews. I think it's a good idea to open late. There is nothing in the evening to just pick up outside of fast food. I would definetly stop by on my way home to grab something. I eat out at least 3 evenings a week. There is enough coffee options in the am.

Posted by: bkny at September 29, 2008 4:47 PM

Susan - there is a house for sale on Stuyvesant (Chauncey & Fulton) it's on Corcoran for $850k. it's a great location. Right next to the children's park. You mentioned that you had kids. It looks to be in move in condition - needs upgrading.

Posted by: bkny at September 29, 2008 4:51 PM

Best of luck, Dave. I'll put on my hiking boots, grab my recyling bag and head over this fall. I sincerely admire that you are putting your money where your mouth is, and investing in Bed Stuy's future. Good luck to you!

Posted by: Montrose Morris at September 29, 2008 5:04 PM

Congratulations, DIBS, it looks like it will be a valuable addition. I know my husband and I are always looking for good take-home food options in the nabe.

Posted by: blowfish at September 29, 2008 5:39 PM

Is this place going to be somewhat like Key Food in scale on Flatbush near Park Pl in Prospect Hts?
Susan there are two houses a block down from me on MacDonough between Throop and Marcus Garvey in the landmark section. I think they both need work but they look great from the exterior...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at September 29, 2008 5:48 PM

Dave, yes I already saw that house. Great location if noisy. Not great inside and definitely not worth the money. Needs some work and has no yard (10 feet or so to the adjoining building), therefore no light coming in the back, no detail except for what's in shots. It would make a fine dentist office. Btw, I have no kids. But thanks for thinking of me!

Posted by: Susan Elkins at September 29, 2008 5:49 PM

Thank you Amzi, we're shooting to be near the Utica stop. Our pickiness is part of the reason this continues on. As I recently told a realtor, we are simultaneously patient and anxious (but serious none-the-less).

Posted by: Susan Elkins at September 29, 2008 6:01 PM

How about the house on Decatur btw Lewis and Stuyvesant that century21 has on the market.

Posted by: Amzi Hill at September 29, 2008 6:32 PM

Susan:

If you are up for a challenge and have no issue low balling, there is a house at 578A Halsey Street (between Stuyvesant and Malcolm X). FSBO. They are asking $675K. They are nuts once you see the inside. It needs work. IMHO, I think it is worth $500K. It has been in the same family for decades and just needs to be upgraded.

I know that there is no mortgage and the seller is the former owner's daughter or niece. I seriously think they need to be more flexible on the price. Lot is 20 x 100. Three story with a basement. 2 family, but was being lived in as a one-family. Some hidden details like original shutters in the front windows, paster relief on the walls and ceiling, stain glass skylight, some fireplaces (not working).

If you are up for that challenge and can afford to work on the house before you move in, I think it is a diamond in the rough.

And you can live near Dave. What more can you ask?!

Posted by: 11233 at September 29, 2008 8:07 PM

I rarely post, but I'm inspired by this thread. Dave- we'll be there! Some feedback: agree on staying open later. Being able to pick up quality dinner food is definitely what is needed. Items of interest: Good cheeses, coffee beans, organic snacks & crackers, organic veggies/ fruits and- of course- prepared foods. Fresh meat/ fish (when you can do it) would also be great. Basically anything organic/ high quality above and beyond what Foodtown stocks.

Great idea and good luck!

Posted by: JeffersonAveMom at September 29, 2008 8:29 PM

I think this is great. It's not easy starting a business and I commend Dave and his efforts. This, and the other developments on Lewis Avenue, could be transformative for the neighborhood. Any updates on the flower shop and the wine bar and their opening dates? I walked by the place on Halsey that's supposed to be a pizza place and I saw them making pizzas inside - practice I guess. I spoke with a guy painting chairs out front and he said their goal is to open next month (thouh he thought it might take a little longer than that). Yet another place on Lewis avenue to look forward to.

Posted by: MaconStreetMan at September 29, 2008 8:40 PM

I would vote for your staying open late in the evening. I don't even get home from work until 8:00 and if I don't want to cook, I have very few dinner options. A place in the neighborhood where I could pick up some prepared foods, cheeses, nice bread, fruit, etc. would be so wonderful. I will definitely support you guys. I can't wait for you to open!

Posted by: semigli at September 29, 2008 9:18 PM

I'll be there too (grumble grumble- why can't we have one of these closer to me? grumble grumble...)Best of luck DIBS!

Posted by: bxgrl at September 30, 2008 12:17 AM

Another place that's been on the market for awhile is 325 Stuyvesant, adjoining the 327 Stuyvesant building on the corner of Macon. 325 is listed at $699 and will go for less. All the units have had a decent renovation however the kitchens are a bit low-end. Corcoran has the listing. In the low $600k range it's very attractive and requires no real work.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 30, 2008 8:04 AM

I'm always excited when someone has a good idea and executes it well. If anyone is going to be sucessful at a venture like this, it's you DIBS. I'm so looking forward to coming home from work, looking in my fridge, feeling uninspired and then remembering that right around the corner (sorry MM and Bxgrl) awaits delicious food that is healthy and dare I add reasonably priced?! Not only that but I get to support a member of this fantastic community in the process. Way to go!

Posted by: MacD at September 30, 2008 8:33 AM

I'm catching up now... Will be more specific soon. Dave's, neighbor,yes that's why we picked this area!

Posted by: Susan Elkins at September 30, 2008 10:33 AM

Thanks Amzi, 11233 and Dave. Amzi, that's an ideal block, I'll look into it. We've seen just about everything that repped by a realtor, but I can't remember if we've seen this. I'll have to walk by Halsey, and I saw 325 Stuy. We're holding out for detail, and that house was unfortunately cleaned out. Also, we would want a triplex with rental or just a triplex. (One floor for office and cats.)

This is better than a realtor!

Posted by: Susan Elkins at September 30, 2008 10:47 AM

we hate you, MacD . It's not like you had to rub our noses in it .....sniff.....sniff :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at September 30, 2008 11:43 AM

Let's channel that energy into greet, bxgrl, it's better for the economy. Better for DIBS. Let's not lose our focus on petty little things like the ability to get fresh, delicious, reasonably priced food within 2-blocks of where we live. Besides, you've got ... well, I'm sure you've GOT something over there (feel the burn).

Posted by: MacD at September 30, 2008 11:53 AM

greet = greed, you know I need glasses. Happens over 40, or so I hear.

Posted by: MacD at September 30, 2008 11:54 AM

I am EXCITED! My suggestions are the same... I like what Choice Market in my old neighborhood offered... prepared dinners or sides or rotissary chicken is great... Also yummy desserts. How about organic baby food like Earth's Best? Organic Milk too... Seventh Generation supplies?

Posted by: brooklynisis at September 30, 2008 12:14 PM

susan - i posted last night - not sure what happened to it. there is a house on bainbridge (lewis & stuy) that i believe is still for sale. the owner kept taking it on and off the market. it was last listed by brooklyn properties for 1M. it is 4 stories. the parlor has amazing details the other floors so/so. i don't remember the house number but it's closer to stuyvesant -maybe someone here knows what house i'm taking about. i believe it was once owned by Robert Fulton or some other famous nabe resident.

Posted by: bkny at September 30, 2008 1:25 PM

The florist, wine shop and kids place space are all being hampered by the stop work order from landmarks. Another couple weeks to wait before construction will resume. The florist and wine bar may open by Thanksgiving. The play space early next year. Gotta love SoLA (The Shops of Lewis Avenue)!

Posted by: bedstuygirl at September 30, 2008 2:15 PM

There is also a stop work order existing on our space. Every day there is a new issue that pops up that costs more money...the basement has asbestos, the old wiring needs to be removed, etc, etc, etc. The required investment grows the more you get closer to pulling the trigger and, of course, some of the smaller financial backers getting the jitters.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 30, 2008 3:22 PM

bkny- Are you referring to 119 Bainbridge? That finally sold/closed through Brooklyn Properties just this past month. I saw that house just over 1 year ago when I first started looking and because we weren't ready, passed it by. Great house, and one that got away. If that's not the house and you know of another, I'll be lurking around Brownstoner.

Posted by: Susan Elkins at September 30, 2008 6:13 PM

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