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March 23, 2009

Streetlevel: New Boutique Opens on Court Street

fork-and-pencil-0309.jpg
A new boutique called Fork & Pencil opened this weekend in the former Brooklyn Artisans Gallery space at 221a Court Street in Cobble Hill (though it appears the signage hasn't been replaced yet!). "Fork & Pencil carries a boutique mix of antiques and housewares, curiosities and children’s toys," says its website. In an unusual business model, the store owners plan to give away the profits to various non-profits that it thinks are making Brooklyn and the New York-region in general better places to live. There was a wine party on Saturday. Did anyone stop by? GMAP




Posted by Brownstoner at 2:00 PM | Comments (11)
Categories: Cobble Hill, Streetlevel

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"give away the profits to various non-profits"

Oxymoron?

Posted by: East New York at March 23, 2009 2:04 PM

Fork and Pencil?

I suggest they begin by renaming the place.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 23, 2009 2:06 PM

Seems like there are a lot of stores on Court selling this type of mish-mosh of random non-necessities. Is there really that much demand? I appreciate their efforts to raise funds and awareness for the charities, but seems like there is knick knack overload already.

Posted by: CG_ups at March 23, 2009 2:35 PM

CG, ITA. Lotsa thingy stores in the area. Personally, I'm not buying a lot of thingies these days.

Posted by: Brooklyn Chicken at March 23, 2009 2:45 PM

I give him 6 months if he keeps the profits, 3 if he decides to give them away.

Posted by: Xander Crews at March 23, 2009 4:49 PM

Hey, the guy has decent taste and apparently good intentions. I availed myself of the free wine and cheese, and took some pictures, which are up on my blog today. You can see the merchandise on http://casacara.wordpress.com and decide for yourself. It's more substantial than thingies, which I agree nobody needs.

Posted by: casacara at March 23, 2009 5:06 PM

Unique business model, risky in this climate but more power to 'em.

I missed the opening party but stopped in on Sunday. I disagree that the stuff is knick knackish, though yes they do have a small amount of new items. Its the older stuff that stood out- actual real antiques at fair prices. No mid century modern ( or the thrift store version so often seen in "antique" shops ) and most merch was priced to move. That said, its not my price point; they may do well with the nouveau riche in the neighborhood and judging from the crop of people I saw on my Sunday walk, the neighborhood seems 'full- of 'em. Where do all these new yuppies come from? I thought banking and Wall Street was dead. Anyways, poke around, this guy has cool merchandise. I hope he has a good stock once 1/2 the store starts selling ( the place is tiny).

Agreed with Stoner, change the old sign!

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at March 23, 2009 6:34 PM

I stopped in on Saturday -- seemed like a very cool place and everyone was really into it. There must have been 40 people inside. The stuff was a mix between classic antiques and more interesting, quirky old things -- but not junk at all. More like the kind of really cool old things you see once in a while and wish you knew where to find for your own place.

More interesting was what the owner, Alex, had to say about the place. It might sound a little idealistic, but he talked a lot about giving to the community that his store is in, and about how much more sustainable businesses would be if they cross-pollinated the community. He said he'd be giving money to rooftop films, and his kids' school, among others.

I was pretty impressed. These are the same things that go out of business, or cut arts programs, in times like these. Besides, anyone noticed lately how many shops are empty along Atlantic these days? I can't think of anything about this store opening that isn't good for the community. I'd rather see it than another Atomic Wings or Lucky Jeans.

Posted by: ASL5340 at March 23, 2009 9:25 PM

"Thingies" and baubles and trinkets is pretty much what the entire Fulton Mall economy runs on and thats the most successful in brooklyn

Posted by: Billiamsburg at March 23, 2009 10:42 PM

Really sad to see the Brooklyn Artisans Gallery gone. My wife and I would buy little things there from time to time as gifts, etc.

Are they just closed down for good or did they relocate to a cheaper rent location?

Posted by: sunspot19 at March 24, 2009 7:42 AM

I loved buying ceramics from Brooklyn Artisans Gallery...to answer another poster the shop closed and didn't move. Now you have to contact the artists individually. If you loved the ceramics of Earth Art as much as I did (beautiful and microwave & dishwasher safe!) you can reach them at:
Judy & Shelly Bieber
Earth Art Pottery
71 Strawtown Rd
West Nyack, NY 10994-1825
Phone: (845) 353-6317
If you're looking for another artist who sold there, maybe Judy could help. Good luck.

Posted by: amybbklyn at March 28, 2009 2:09 PM

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