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October 1, 2008
Streetlevel: New Realty Office on 7th Avenue?
Brown craft paper covers the windows of the former fabric store on 7th Avenue and Berkeley Place in Park Slope, and a tipster tells us when the paper comes down it will be... a real estate office. Let the growling begin. Can anyone out there confirm?
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Just this once, I'm going to take a new Real Estate office opening as a positive sign! This is a sign of "Spring" as surely as the first robin. Or is it just the first mushroom after a rainstorm?
Posted by: Beau Guest at October 1, 2008 2:13 PM
Bah. I live on this block. I was hoping it would be something interesting or useful - a store, a restaurant, a cafe ... whatever. There's already a realty office directly across the street from it. And two more one block away.
Posted by: cwbuecheler at October 1, 2008 2:26 PM
I was hoping for froyo.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 1, 2008 2:37 PM
I walked by the other evening and asked the construction guy what it was going to be and he gruffly said..."an office"
I also assumed he meant a real estate office, but I didn't push for more specifics.
I have to say though that they are doing a tremendous job with the interior. The paper was down the other evening and they are totally restoring the interior (which had in it's former life been raped of the details and was covered with flourescent lighting). They are restoring the tin ceiling, they put in some really nice new light fixtures and were painting the outside. They are doing a great job.
I'm also going to say that while I was hoping for something more exciting, I will take this over the Peek a Boo kids store which was in there previously. Maybe Berkeley Heights Real Estate is moving across the street?
In any event, the people who complain about too many real estate offices on 7th are crying wolf, in my opinion. There is one Corcoran office, one Brown Harris Stevens, one Prudential, one Brooklyn Properties, one Berkeley Heights, one Warren Lewis and one Berman. To have one of each on 7th is not overkill, especially for a popular neighborhood like Park Slope.
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 2:38 PM
yes, confirmed, I got a mailing the other day announcing it, this stinks, another storefront real estate/mortgage office is all this nabe needs
Posted by: bulla12 at October 1, 2008 2:39 PM
yes, confirmed, I got a mailing the other day announcing it, this stinks, another storefront real estate/mortgage office is all this nabe needs
Posted by: bulla12 at October 1, 2008 2:39 PM
By the way, Lisa...this was a fabric store BEFORE it was Peek a Boo Kids.
They lasted about a year and just closed a couple months ago.
Previous to that, it was a fabric store...
Just fyi...
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 2:40 PM
I live on this block. I can't really think of anything else I would rather have there. We pretty much have everything else we need close by. Might as well look at real estate porn (listings in the window) when I walk by.
Posted by: lechacal at October 1, 2008 2:48 PM
A Real Estate Office is a great idea for this location, let the white flight and blockbusting begin.
Posted by: Xander Crews at October 1, 2008 2:52 PM
confirmed. peaked in last night and saw the rows of little desks with computer monitors already set up. yippee.
Posted by: goldie at October 1, 2008 3:02 PM
lechacal - I think the block could use an old-timey cocktail lounge like The Clover club over on Smith Street ... but then, I'm a fan of old-timey cocktail lounges.
Posted by: cwbuecheler at October 1, 2008 3:05 PM
Actually, I think we could use a fabric store. I miss Sew Brooklyn.
Posted by: lisa at October 1, 2008 3:10 PM
I agree with you lechacal. I live on this block also, and it's very difficult to think of much else we need in this area...
A gay bar, maybe?
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 3:15 PM
Clover Club has tasty drinks, but a little to high-end for me. You are totally right - we need a bar. No, 11217, not a gay bar. All would be welcome of course, I just don't want to feel self-conscious about being a straight fashion mistake when I sit down for a drink.
Posted by: lechacal at October 1, 2008 3:23 PM
Gay bar.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 1, 2008 3:26 PM
Anyone know what real estate company this will be? Bulla12??
Any bar would do, lechacal. I agree.
I'm not a fashion snob anyhow...I like to think it's what's under the clothes that count anyway...
;-)
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 3:34 PM
I live on this block, too! (Howdy, neighbors.) How can we possibly need yet another real estate office on Seventh Avenue? Too bad -- I ilke the idea of the old timey cocktail lounge!
Posted by: Park Sloper at October 1, 2008 3:37 PM
Who wants to quit their jobs and go in an a little neighborhood bar?
Mostly kidding.
Posted by: lechacal at October 1, 2008 3:39 PM
The space next door could be perfect if it's not too small...
How about a beer joint like Beer Table up on this end of the slope...?
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 3:44 PM
How about an old timey gay fabric store?
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 3:46 PM
All bars have the potential to be gay bars once the patrons have had too much to drink.
It looks like it would make a great corner bar. Reminds me of the Polk Street Gulch in San Francisco!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 3:47 PM
Dave, I've been drunk, but never THAT drunk. (Not that there's anything wrong with it).
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 3:50 PM
"All bars have the potential to be gay bars once the patrons have had too much to drink."
... quote of the day? :)
lechacal - One of my dreams is to eventually open my own bar, but I can't afford it yet, alas.
Posted by: cwbuecheler at October 1, 2008 3:50 PM
Straight guy + six pack = bisexual.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 1, 2008 4:01 PM
Can we stop talking about it. I'm getting overheated at the office.
Unless one of you have someone to set me up with...
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 4:09 PM
Straight guy+ 3 six packs = John McCain
Posted by: billyboomer at October 1, 2008 4:10 PM
Bisexuality is a rest stop on the highway to Gay Town.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 4:15 PM
Dave, are we all on for the 16th? SnarkSlope, we'll be having drinks in your area if you're interested.
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 4:17 PM
Sounds good. Anybody heard from Nokilissa in awhile???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 4:19 PM
Dave, she's been on today and is around. I'll see if she can make it out. I've asked 11217, wasder et.al. to email me if they're interested. Anyone else who's interested, let me know: biffchampion at yahoo dot com.
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 4:24 PM
"Bisexuality is a rest stop on the highway to Gay Town."
Take Exit 69.
As for the 16th... hmmmm... could be fun...
Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 1, 2008 4:37 PM
Between Dave, 11217 and SnarkSlope, I guess that makes me the token straight guy. Dave, just make sure they cut me off after 5 drinks!
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 4:46 PM
We got your back Biff.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 4:49 PM
Corclosures.
Posted by: DOW8000SP800 at October 1, 2008 4:49 PM
you guys slay me, "an old timey gay fabric store"
that is pretty funny.
Posted by: sam at October 1, 2008 4:52 PM
Biff, I emailed you earlier about the End of the World thing, but now I'm wondering if a disco ball is suddenly going to drop from the ceiling while everyone starts dancing to The Village People (11217, that's what all gay people do, right)?
Posted by: lechacal at October 1, 2008 4:52 PM
Different decade lechacal. Is there a disco ball anywhere in NYC these days?? Maybe someplace near those Dyker Heights and Mill basin houses.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 4:55 PM
One thought re: the new office -
7th Avenue is primarily a commercial strip for those of us in Park Slope, no? Sure there are a ton of new arrivals from Europe that I've noticed, but it's not a tourist mecca, by any stretch.
I have to believe that even in this economic crisis, there are homeowners in the neighborhood who might be looking to take advantage of the market and trade up while prices are low. I know I might consider it, even if it means taking a loss on my current place. I also think that there are more than a few renters in Park Slope who would LOVE to dive into the market, should prices drop.
So I don't necessarily think that opening this office at this time is a false economy. Certainly they missed the boom, but there is still business to be had, no doubt.
At least when the credit markets stop freezing up. But I don't know...I feel like I'm receiving more credit card offers than ever before and I'm seeing a lot of people (maybe more than usual) checking out the listings on the 7th avenue real estate offices lately...like hawks swooping down on its prey...
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 4:56 PM
"Is there a disco ball anywhere in NYC these days??"
In my bathroom.
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 4:57 PM
Wow, sam and lechacal, I'm sincerely glad to know we can still be friends after some recent lighthearted blog sparring! I hope you can both make it on the 16th as well.
lechacal, hilarious re: the disco ball. This started as a casual gathering for Brownstoner regulars and is slowly turning into a Judy Garland fanclub convention. Thank goodness I'm addicted to Kathy Griffin and will have something to talk about with everyone!
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 4:59 PM
I never understood the Judy Garland thing. Or even worse, the Barbara Streisand thing. But Cher's a completely different story.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 5:01 PM
What about Bette Midler...? She kinda rocks.
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 5:02 PM
She does. It's that foul mouth that we like so much. Ever been to a Margaret Cho show???
We're way off topic here and someone's going to bitch slap us soon.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 5:04 PM
Margaret Cho is performing in NYC on October 4th. I'm going.
Her Notorious C.H.O movie is one of my most played.
So freakin hilarious!
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 5:07 PM
lechacal..."I just don't want to feel self-conscious about being a straight fashion mistake when I sit down for a drink."
Quote of The Day
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 5:07 PM
I don't think I could pick Cathy Griffin out of a lineup. Or Judy Garland for that matter (isn't she a really old actress?) I could pick out Cher, but that's like saying you can tell horses apart from humans.
No idea what the cool kids do these days (disco balls or not). The last time I went out dancing I think they were playing Ace of Base and someone was wearing Hammer Pants.
Posted by: lechacal at October 1, 2008 5:10 PM
Mine would be the original "The Women" 1939
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 5:10 PM
Hammer Pants...Now thats a fashion mistake.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 5:12 PM
So who's dressing up as Sarah Palin for Holloween????
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 5:13 PM
Dave, my friend Annida from Lucky Cheng's already owns the role of Sarah. Tina Fey, eat your heart out:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09262008/entertainment/weekend_hot_picks_in_entertainment_130735.htm
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 5:17 PM
Understatement of the Day:
"We're way off topic here and someone's going to bitch slap us soon."
Yep, I see this one coming down Broadway in a cab...
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 5:18 PM
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09262008/entertainment
/weekend_hot_picks_in_entertainment_130735.htm
Hmm, I guess you have to paste this link together for it to work.
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 5:21 PM
The drag queens always overdo the hair. Biff do you know what Lucky Chengs location was "back in the day?"
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 5:24 PM
"We got your back Biff."
That's what worries him, heh heh.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 1, 2008 5:26 PM
Goes well with the sign outside some buildings...
"We only accept packages in the rear"
Now that's a motto to live by.
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 5:28 PM
SnarkSlope, you had to go there, didn't you? I was intentionally avoiding that comment, and you know how hard it is for me to restrain myself from responding!
Dave, dare I ask? I really am friends with Annida, but she never told me the history.
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 5:30 PM
"I never understood the Judy Garland thing. Or even worse, the Barbara Streisand thing."
I hate show tunes and musical theater. The Committee keeps threatening to revoke my queer card, except that I've seen nearly every Bette Davis movie ever made.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 1, 2008 5:30 PM
It was a gay bathhouse.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 5:33 PM
Go there, Biff?
I live there.
I bought a house there.
(To steal a bit from Margaret Cho)
Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 1, 2008 5:34 PM
Ahh, it's been so longs since we've had a good ole fashioned hijacking of a thread. It's quite refreshing.
Mr. B, will you be joining us on October 16?
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 1, 2008 5:35 PM
And no one has told any of us to "Get a room!"
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 1, 2008 5:35 PM
Has 11217 ever been wrong? I'd love to buy him a beer. Or an architectural artifact ;-). Back on the subject: personally, for this space I'd love to see a decent non-yuppie bar, toy store, even cobbler shop; anything but another realtor, sushi place, or pseudo-italian restaurant! If a realtor does open here, how bright are they to open when others are panicked about closing in a market where no-oner wants to sell and buyers have a tougher time getting mortgages?
Posted by: brikenny at October 1, 2008 8:57 PM
It is indeed a real estate office. The grand opening was tonight...quite a few people in there and the wine was flowing. Really nice looking place and friendly people.
They have a lot of rentals and they look like they are rather good "deals," I have to say. Quite a few 2 bedrooms for 2500...
The vibe is really fresh for some reason. I'd even dare use the word hip.
They are called ideal real estate...
I think the website is www.idealpropertiesgroup.com
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 9:00 PM
Are you asking me out, briknny??
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 9:29 PM
For all of those who are on this block, were you at the block party Sunday?
Posted by: lechacal at October 1, 2008 9:35 PM
I was out of town Sunday...didn't even know about it.
I'm sure it was fun. It's a good block...
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 9:38 PM
The Jackal family likes the block very much.
Posted by: lechacal at October 1, 2008 9:48 PM
was at the place tonight, chatting with two of the team there, a husband and wife team. from the brief chat they seem quite nice and not stereotypical brokers. there was zero sell, i actually had to push them to tell me bout what they do, the place, etc. its mainly all rentals (good call in this climate), and a nicely designed place compared to the other r.e. joints on 7th.
i live on berkeley, and while would have hoped for a bar, gay or breeder, this is a more pleasant looking place than its neighbor on the northern corner.
i know, they gave me a leftover bottle of champagne from their party and now i sound like their whore. im easy i guess.
Posted by: goldie at October 1, 2008 10:58 PM
OHMIGOD!!!! Has anyone actually seen this new office!? Fab design! It doesn't even look like a real estate firm. Couldn't take pix, but whoever passes by it next should do some picture taking!
Posted by: DKent at October 1, 2008 11:05 PM
Why is it this thread keeps getting sexual? Gay bars, champagne whores, "getting Biff's back." It it a full moon or something?
Anyway, it sounds like these people are getting mad props for good design and general coolness. Good for them. We need more groovy people in the real estate world. Do they have any sales or is it just rentals? It sounds like I should check this place out, but I'm looking to buy only.
Posted by: lechacal at October 1, 2008 11:23 PM
I agree, DKent...it's very slick!!
It's a much needed bit of style to this neck of 7th Avenue...even if it is a real estate office...! With the renovation of Oshima and La Taq, this part of 7th is really being spruced up nicely.
Let's hope something great comes in next door and they get that place next to Park Cafe fixed up and rented soon!!
The Korean Grocery two doors down (love that place) could stand to get a new awning and if they sold fresh flowers, it would be even better.
How about a Vietnamese sandwich shop in the storefront next door to this place??
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 11:27 PM
They do have sales, lechacal. I thought the same thing because it seems as though all the listings on the windows are rentals.
I looked at their website though, and indeed they do have sales...
www.idealpropertiesgroup.com
No, I'm not a shill or real estate agent...just always excited when something new nearby opens...no matter WHAT it is! As long as it's not a Starbucks...
or Walmart.
Posted by: 11217 at October 1, 2008 11:30 PM
I really do envy the passion Park Slopers have for their neighborhood. I know some people like to hold it against them (let's please not get back into the sexual references), but I admire their love of the area and interest in continually improving it. Unfortunately, I don't get anywhere near the same feeling with my Brooklyn Heights neighbors, which makes me continually consider making the move to PS.
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 2, 2008 9:21 AM
Do it Biff!!!
I agree with you...I've never lived in a place where so many people care about their neighborhood. It's reassuring in times like this as well to know that so many are enthusiastic about their hood. It's contagious!!
Posted by: 11217 at October 2, 2008 10:33 AM
I live on this block and I came home from work last night to find this place open for business. I stood outside gaping at yet another real estate office in the neighborhood when a voice behind me says "damn, another one?" I told my fellow Park Sloper that he had just literally voiced the thought in my head, and we muttered something else to each other about it being a waste and then went our separate ways.
Biff, you are right, we care. But if this weren't a real estate office, it would have, if history serves, become another bank atm location. The criticism of Park Slope becoming overly Mahattanized is true I'm afraid. The character of the place is eroded daily.
Posted by: jimmyhaha at October 2, 2008 10:46 AM
11217, I'm going to sit on the sidelines during this tumultuous time and wait until at least some of the dust settles. I'm fortunate enough to own a good sized place in BH and am hoping it continues to hold value (not absolutely but in comparison to other areas like PS) so I can at least get something of equal size/quality.
jimmyhaha, I hear you, but on my trips to PS, I find so many unique shops, bars and restaurants (and of course the Park) that, while perhaps losing some of its original character, still seems a far cry from the blandness of many other neighborhoods.
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 2, 2008 11:00 AM
The character is not eroding. It's changing. It's what makes New York special. None of these changes are permanent. Bank branches are going to start closing soon (after a few years of people shouting that all the opening were the end of the world).
You people don't seem to understand what the next few years are going to bring...it's going to get REALLY BAD.
I'd rather see this place than an empty storefront, and I think the days of many, MANY empty storefronts is around the corner.
I'm curious what it is you find lacking that you would have liked to have seen on this corner? Are the 500 bars/restaurants/delis/kids stores/boutiques/dry cleaners in a 1 mile radius not enough for you?
You have no idea how lucky we are to live in a neighborhood where you never need to leave to find anything you could ever want to find without getting in a car.
Posted by: 11217 at October 2, 2008 11:07 AM
Thanks Biff, but please make purchases at all those businesses, because when they go down, we get another Bank of America
Posted by: jimmyhaha at October 2, 2008 11:55 AM
There's a Bank of America on this block already. I highly doubt we'll be getting another.
Posted by: 11217 at October 2, 2008 11:58 AM
What about all of those empty storefronts on Seventh Avenue between Berkeley and Union? Anyone know why they're just sitting there? If the owners were holding out for higher rents, they really missed the boat!
Missed the block party, but glad to know so many of my neighbors are on this blog!
Posted by: Park Sloper at October 2, 2008 12:02 PM
This storefront IS on 7th between Berkeley and Union!!
There is one more next door where Diane Kane was...a very tiny space.
Then the building two doors down is being renovated, but the building still needs some work.
That's it on that side.
The the other side is all filled except for the space next to Ace Supermarket, but that space is not for rent. As I understand it, the owner has just been sitting on the property since a fire.
So there are TWO vacant storefronts on 7th between Berkeley and Union if you include the one that still isn't completed.
Posted by: 11217 at October 2, 2008 12:05 PM
Park Sloper / 11217, I actually had a convo with a guy last night while standing on Berkeley & 7th, about that place, and he said that its zoned for something like a 6story building, and is not within the landmarked zone, so possibly a future eyesore developement(?)
Posted by: goldie at October 2, 2008 2:34 PM
Goldie,
Yes, I think I heard that also. You'd think though, that if the developer didn't build anything in the largest housing boom in U.S. history, he/she may not have plans to do so in the foreseeable future.
I wish they'd do something with it though. My dream (and no offense to Ace Supermarket) would be to take over their space and this one and make it a Gourmet Garage, Garden of Eatin' or a Trader Joe's. It would be a goldmine in this area for those of us who do not belong to the Food Co-op and hate Key Food (of which I think there are many)...
Posted by: 11217 at October 2, 2008 2:41 PM
Yeah, 11217, I kinda know where this place is located, that's what prompted my question. There are still two empty storefronts on both sides of the block, for a total of four, which is a lot on such a short block. A bit of true blight in the North Slope.
A Trader Joe's on the east side, where the old Korean market and ZuZu's Petals were located ... THAT would be awesome! (And would probably drive Union Market out of business.)
Posted by: Park Sloper at October 2, 2008 4:59 PM
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