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March 24, 2009

Lots of Stores For Rent on Flatbush

While occupancy rates at the Fulton Mall looked very high when we rode through a month ago, the same cannot be said of the strip of Flatbush Avenue that forms the border of Prospect Heights and Park Slope. More specifically, we counted nine empty storefronts on the three blocks between Dean Street and Prospect Place. Nine.
Fulton Mall Appears To Be Bucking Retail Downturn [Brownstoner]

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Are the storefront rents astronomical or are the stores that set up shop aren't attracting customers?
This strip sees countless foot traffice at all times of the day so it surprises me that many of these stores go under unless of course they are selling things no one really wants or needs...

Posted by: gemini10 at March 24, 2009 9:31 AM

As much as I love Franny's, I loathe this stretch of Flatbush Avenue. I'll go several blocks out of my way to avoid walking along Flatbush-it's a clusterfuck of exhaust fumes, noise, out of control drivers, etc... Godforsaken cars!

The sad part is this will be incredibly hard to change, as the street is a major north-south thoroughfare in the borough. This is a stretch of road—from GAP to somewhere past Atlantic Center-that would be an awesome Big Dig project.

Posted by: Fjorder at March 24, 2009 9:38 AM

It's a mixed bag. The vacancy at the former Royal Video location can be attributed to the landlord seeking an outsized rent increase from a long term tenant. Clearly, the landlord did not get the memo that with a WaMu, BoA (ATM) and Chase locations this was not a likely new tenant. I have heard that several businesses have either relocated or are seeking to relocate along Washington Avenue because of or in anticipation of a large rent increase.

Posted by: BrooklynIsHome at March 24, 2009 9:39 AM

I'm always amazed at the stretch of Fulton Ave between Nostrand and Lewis in Bed Stuy....how many nail salons, hair braiding, 99 cent stores and low end clothing places are necessary in that short strip???

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 24, 2009 9:40 AM

Dibs - you would be surprised at how well 99cent stores do

Posted by: gemini10 at March 24, 2009 9:44 AM

and that's not even counting the storefronts that seem occupied, but are ever open or never have customers, and places that have closed but aren't visibly for rent. someone here once mentioned that pintchik, which owns a bunch of these stores, is "warehousing" rentals. i asked what that meant, and what the purpose of it is, but got no response.

that said, the shop next to flatbush farm (bottom center) is going to be occupied by a liquor store. not that it means much, though, because the liquor store is moving from a half-block away on flatbush.

Posted by: i disagree at March 24, 2009 9:47 AM

I believe the top middle storefront is the future home of Brooklyn Larder. I think those are work permits to the right of the door.

Posted by: deen at March 24, 2009 9:51 AM

and in the yuppie enclaves, walk Court going South from Atlantic to Union, cut down to Smith and walk North back to Atlantic. I bet there's at LEAST 50 vacancies.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at March 24, 2009 9:53 AM

quote:

-- well IM always amazed at the stretch of 5th and 7th avenues in park slope... how many overpriced fro-yo shops, designer boutiques, organic fauxdegas, and high end children's boutiques are necessary in that short strip???

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 24, 2009 9:55 AM

gemini...yes, they are good value and necessary but there are at least 6 or 8 of them along that stretch, all of varying sizes, some quite poorly stocked.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 24, 2009 9:55 AM

Ugh. Okay, look. Not everyone wants to open a small business that sells goat cheese and bells made by Tibetan monks. When you see a viable retail district, it usually means one very simple thing: the rents in that district are in line with what it takes to make a profitable business. Customers are coming.

I still find it curious that nail salons and bodegas are offensive to so many brownstone readers, and yet a wine bar every three blocks is a sign of "progress."

Posted by: Heather at March 24, 2009 9:59 AM

And yet, better to have the nail salons and clothing stores than the vacant lots and storefronts we have in Clinton Hill on Fulton. Maybe with the construction done...

Posted by: Putnamdenizen at March 24, 2009 10:00 AM

Heather...do you get the glitter or the stars on your nails? :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 24, 2009 10:04 AM

quote:

I still find it curious that nail salons and bodegas are offensive to so many brownstone readers, and yet a wine bar every three blocks is a sign of "progress."

QOTD!!!!!! SO true.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 24, 2009 10:06 AM

Yes Heather the ONLY thing that impacts on the success of a retail strip is the rent -

-it is irrelevant what products the retailers are selling

- it is irrelevant the hours & service the retailers provide

-it is irrelevant what the markup the retailers are demanding

-it is irrelevant the acumen, efficiency and productivity exhibited by retailers and their employees

-it is irrelevant how the retailers look and how they merchandise themselves and their products

-it is irrelevant that demographics, incomes and the economy may affect shoppers

The ONLY thing that matters is the RENT!

You are a genius!

Posted by: fsrg at March 24, 2009 10:12 AM

See, Rob? You and I do occasionally agree :)

Dave, I get a manicure once every five years, just to remind myself how weird it is. Usually glitter.

BTW, looks like another bar is going up next to Olivino. I guess it's probably too much to ask that they not serve crudite and tapas, huh?

Posted by: Heather at March 24, 2009 10:13 AM

oooh, rob & heather, you go!

Posted by: southbrooklyn at March 24, 2009 10:17 AM

fsrq- touche

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at March 24, 2009 10:19 AM

Rent and operating expenses vs. profits, yes. What is mind-boggling sometimes on this site however is how everyone has become convinced that Brooklyn can handle an infinite supply of Area Kids, Bird boutiques, wine shoppes, and generally adorable stores that sell only sustainable products (cough, Moon River Chattal), in every neighborhood -- and any failure in that regard is completely the fault of the plebs who only support the nail salons, meat stores, pharmacies and the bodegas -- who, by the way, are just as small and local... but no one cares about that.

Also, for the record, if one were to do a block-by-block count, I would suspect the number of nail salons, day spas, and hair places in Park Slope is equal to the number on Flatbush or Fulton.

Posted by: Heather at March 24, 2009 10:20 AM

Many of the stores on this strip are perplexing. There is a juice bar and a vegetarian restaurant - I've lived a stone's throw from this strip for nearly 7 years now and I've never been to either, nor to Harriet's Alter Ego.

Fjorder, I agree with you 100%.

Posted by: infinitejester at March 24, 2009 10:21 AM

This stretch has had multiple empty storefronts for years.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 24, 2009 10:32 AM

I think the stretch of Flatbush from GAP to the Atlantic Mall has had quite a few vacancies since at least 1989. Sure there's foot traffic but no where near the level of, say, 7th Ave. As someone said above, it's just not a great stroll on Flatbush. I can't think of a single destination store I like to frequent, except maybe Mitchell's or the laundrymat.

I wish someone would open a 99 cent store on that section of Flatbush. There's an awesome 99 cent super store in my home town where you can get everything from fancy little wrapping boxes to the usual discount Bounty paper towel to my favorite, a 10 inch tall, clear plastic man that snaps open to allow one to remove his brightly colored stomach, heart, intestines, etc. Brooklyn needs a store like that

Has anybody noticed how much retail has picked up on Bergen from Flatbush to 5th Ave.? I took a stroll there this past weekend and was surprised by the change. That block used to have quite a few vacant storefronts but now it's a nice little retail community.

Posted by: Bessie at March 24, 2009 10:36 AM

I know I'll regret jumping in here, but part of the reason nail salons seem to pop up like mushrooms is that they are usually family businesses with a very low overhead. The rent really is the largest expense. I watched one go into the corner of Nostrand and Pacific, formerly occupied by a very nasty bodega, whose loss is not lamented. After they gutted the space, cheap panelling went in, followed by standard florescent lighting, vinyl tile and formica tables and some cheap chairs. Add the manicure stuff, low paid or family workers, and open the doors.

They are successful, as are hair salons, because they cater to lower income women, who rightly or wrongly, depending on your point of view, have a long tradition of spending a little money to look good, no matter what else. Black hair has always presented challenges that need professional help for most of us. Most hair stylists have been "doing hair" since they were teenagers, and a cosmetology degree is as viable a way to make a living as any. Most hair braiders, especially the African ladies, have been doing that since childhood. Again, in a world with few options, it can be a good living wage. The first black millionaire in the United States, Madame CJ Walker, at the turn of the century, made her fortune on hair salons and products for African-American hair. It can be quite lucrative, and there is no reason not to try to be the next Madame Walker.

I might also add that most lower and working class neighborhoods have a lot of hair and nail places, not just black neighborhoods. Most high end neighborhoods do too, their salons just look more posh, or are hidden behind better facades.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 24, 2009 10:41 AM

> "Has anybody noticed how much retail has picked
> up on Bergen from Flatbush to 5th Ave.?"

Quite an impressive little enclave. I hope they maintain momentum. That reminds me, I should get back to Melt some day soon.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 24, 2009 10:41 AM

MM is totally right! there's a gazillion nail salons at every strip mall and intersection all over lawn guyland!

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 24, 2009 10:50 AM

My last observation about that strip: (and yes, perhaps my rent comment was rather, "d'oh," but considering the number of failing retail districts in Brooklyn lately, it seemed appropriate... even though I'm not convinced that retail rents are that different from gentrified to non, actually.)

Anyways, my last observation, bear with me, I barely slept: from what I remember about that part of Flatbush ages and ages and eons ago, is that it had a grocery store, a movie theater, a few irish pubs, and a blockbuster video. I would suspect that these businesses did a great deal to prop up the district, make it appealing to foot traffic, etc. I think the grocery store is still there? But nothing else is, correct?

Posted by: Heather at March 24, 2009 10:57 AM

You know your neighborhood commercial strip has "made it" when there's at least one real estate agency on every single block! 7th Avenue fo life, yo!

Posted by: cwbuecheler at March 24, 2009 11:06 AM

Sorry to see Harriet's go. My brother bought a custom frame there for one of his pieces of art. But I'm not surprised it didn't survive. You know, although this stretch is mostly bereft of stors, I have always liked it. It's just a nice block for strolling straight into downtown. Grab a patie at the top of the hill and walk down. I always seem to run into someone I know. It's much better than 7th Avenue, which is usually full of posers. But that's just me.

Posted by: East New York at March 24, 2009 11:15 AM

I live on 7th Avenue ... unsure about posers, but in my experience it's usually full of old people and young couples with kids, except for right at rush hour.

That said, I would not pick 7th Ave for an enjoyable stroll. The sidewalks aren't very wide and everyone there (see above) moves at a snail's pace.

Posted by: cwbuecheler at March 24, 2009 11:19 AM

Bessie, I love that block. A comic store just opened, and there's a veterinarian opening soon I think too. North Slope rules!

Posted by: infinitejester at March 24, 2009 11:19 AM

Heather don't feel bad - I was sort of picking on you because the "rent as the most important factor in retail viability" is a common theme that people around here and elsewhere love to cite....It is sort of like bonuses being the main point of discussion on the Financial meltdown - it makes it easy to find the villains (Landlords or rich people) and voice outrage in terms people can understand - unfortunately the reality is often far more complex and difficult to grasp, deal with and solve.

But to put it into a more "street level" thought - I am always amazed how people walk past CLOSED retail stores on their way to work at 9am and then again walk past the same stores on their way home at 6pm as the stores are CLOSING and then later mourn the loss of a mom and pop store and blame the LL or chain stores.

Posted by: fsrg at March 24, 2009 11:35 AM

This is a consequence of insanity. The Asshead perception are distorted by the Mutant Asset Bubble! In the MAB up is down, left is right and black is white. The Asshead never factor time=money and while they are waiting for the "Greater Fool" they lose revenue in the long run. The only we can get back to normalcy is economic punishment where fool pay for their mistakes...

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at March 24, 2009 12:35 PM

There is still a supermarket on this strip and the blockbuster's is also still there. The movie theater is now an AMwercian Apparel. There are also quite a number of relatively nice looking wine shops. Here's my take on what happened here. This block used to be the end of where the yuppy park slope ended and the significantly more grungy prospect heighhts began. Also, the constant flow of traffic gives the street less curb appeal despite all the pedestrian traffic and the existense of subway stops at both ends (bergen and GAP0). All of those factors combined to make this strip erlatively grungy and low-rent. Now that prospect heights has gotten less grungy and more yuppy, the landlords were thinking they could raise rents and attract shops to the yuppies on both sides of the corridor. The problem is, those folks would rather shop on streets with more curb appeal (5th Ave, 7th, Vanderbilt, etc) ans the landlords overreached on rent, causing alot of the old grungier shops to close without being able to attract the newer yuppie shops. And then of course you have to factor in the meltdown in the economy. At the end of the day, if someone can figure out a way to increase the curb appeal of this stretch of road (a planted median, more trees, etc) then there's no reason that this corridor shouldn't succeed as a high end retail strip. It's got way more pedestrian activity than vanderbilt and it's got subway stops that attract people everyday.
Just my $0.02

Posted by: bkre at March 24, 2009 2:01 PM

Actully, if you want to go back to the "bad" old days. The anchor for that strip of Flatbush Avenue was andPintchik. The family was able to pick up several adjacent and nearby buildings as "they" tried to kill Brooklyn. You would also have to cite the conversion of the old Carlton theater to the first home of Brooklyn Tabernacle. (For reference, that location is now the site of the WaMu bank.)

Posted by: BrooklynIsHome at March 24, 2009 2:55 PM

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March 24, 2009

Lots of Stores For Rent on Flatbush

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