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March 13, 2009

When a Candy Store Isn't a Candy Store

The Times' new blog The Local tries to go where few, if any, bloggers have gone before—inside the Putnam Candy Store. Contrary to what the store's web site says, there is no candy to be found. Here's the play-by-play:

So the other day, at 12:30 on a brilliant afternoon, I tried the doorknob. Notwithstanding the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours listed on the Web site, the door was locked. After a bit, though, it opened slowly from the inside. A 50ish man in a work uniform of some sort, holding an open tallboy of Bud, peered quizzically out from behind the door.

“Um, is this the store?” I asked, trying to peer past him. In the shadows I could make out the figures of two or three other men sitting and talking. The beer in the greeter’s hand was the only visible merchandise.

“No,” he said. “Across the street.” He lifted his chin in the direction of an open bodega cater-corner across Putnam and Grand and gently closed the door in my face.

The blog also gets City Councilwoman Letitia James to go on record about the store. “There’s a lot of traffic, people going in and out,” she told The Local. “I don’t know what you’d attribute that to — a lot of people buying milk, or people buying something stronger. Grand and Putnam has been a challenge since I first got elected. It’s improved greatly but we still have our challenges, and the candy store may be one of them.”

Have any readers ever been inside?
At a Local Candy Store, But Where Are the Mars Bars? [NYT/The Local] GMAP

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Comments

leave them alone. (seriously). what does she mean the candy store might be a challenge? um it's local lore. leave it be.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 13, 2009 9:42 AM

I think its a book club

Posted by: dittoburg at March 13, 2009 9:46 AM

Letitia James comment is total bullshit. She should be ashamed.

By the way, for those who have come to Brooklyn in the last 10 years or so, you might not know. Drug/ crime fronts were -everywhere-. These kinds of stores were on every corner. They were in -every- neighborhood. Nowadays they still exist but arent quite as um, obvious.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at March 13, 2009 9:48 AM

Wow, there's still a "candy store" left in the area?

Sheat, in the 80's we had 4 per block. Fierce competition to sell "candy."

I was always amused at the time, pick up a dime bag, but make sure to grab a lollipop or a bag of chips on the way out!

But I show my age...of course we used to call Myrtle Ave "Murder Ave" back then as well.

Ah, the old days...

Posted by: Action Jackson at March 13, 2009 9:56 AM

OK Rob and Prodigal Son, do you know this corner? It is a BIG problem and has been for the 20 years I have lived nearby. And it stubbornly intractable. So please, comment on what you know. And so what if these kinds of stores were in every neighborhood? They didn't make life safe for the law abiding residents.

Posted by: Schultz at March 13, 2009 9:59 AM

Schultz-

Yes I DO know the corner. I have friends on St James, 2 blocks away and walk by this place every time I head over there. Maybe you didn't read my comment correctly when I said Letitia James comment is bullshit. If she truly wanted to shut this place down she could do it in a week. If it were in the Heights or Carroll Gardens it'd be closed in a day.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at March 13, 2009 10:08 AM

"OK Rob and Prodigal Son, do you know this corner? It is a BIG problem and has been for the 20 years I have lived nearby. "

How long have you lived at that location?? Did you noticed the Candy Store when you first moved into the neighborhood???

"And so what if these kinds of stores were in every neighborhood? They didn't make life safe for the law abiding residents."

Why is that this Candy Store is unsafe?? Why is it unsafe for "law abiding residents.", Hee hee???

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at March 13, 2009 10:11 AM

Prodigal_Son I agree the Letitia James comments are garbage because she is just bending over for the Asshats! The funny thing is they will vote her ass out next year and I will not shed one tear for her...

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at March 13, 2009 10:13 AM

Alright, so tell us, Prodigal Son, I am not defending Letitia, but what should she do? Why doesn't it happen in the Heights or Carrol Gardens? I sincerely would love to see that corner cleaned up.

Posted by: Schultz at March 13, 2009 10:23 AM

I love that a "candy" store needs a website. If this isn't the ultimate asshat move, what is?
Why not send postcards to the precinct captain?

Posted by: Maly at March 13, 2009 10:23 AM

so what the hell is this place? drug den, gun store, social club, candy store? someone please clarify.

Posted by: martis at March 13, 2009 10:25 AM

OMG!!! I have always wondered what the story is with this place. Despite the fact that it looks pretty sorry, if they are doing shady business in there they keep it pretty well to themselves. I walk past this place every day and it has never impacted me negatively. That being said, it is super hilarious and bizarre that they have a website and that makes me feel like there is more than meets the eye there. Good on the NYT for trying to figure it out though. It took a lot of cajones for that guy to knock on that door.

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 10:37 AM

It's sort of like a social club in an Italian neighborhood. Some guy, maybe a retired city worker, owns the building, doesn't have any particular incentive to fix it up, and invites his pals over to drink and hang out. His son or some young person of his acquaintance designed the Web site as an ironic calling card. I'd doubt drugs are being sold there - the place would quickly become hot and get shut down by police. Apparently, nothing of serious consequence has occurred there, although I could be wrong. Doesn't look to nice but in the big scheme of things likely harmless. These are simply my hunches based on personal experience.

"It took a lot of cajones for that guy to knock on that door."

Not really. What was going to happen?

Posted by: East New York at March 13, 2009 10:46 AM

"Not really. What was going to happen?"

you are right in hindsight ENY, but I can tell you that it is made clear that random people are not supposed to knock on that door.

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 10:50 AM

I do agree ENY that if it was a drug front it wouldn't have lasted as long as it has. I would imagine that your prediction of what it is is probably close enough to the truth. Its just that they don't seem to want just anybody going in there and that is why I think the Times guy would have been or should have been a bit nervous knocking.

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 10:51 AM

Wouldn't it have taken a lot of cajones to knock on an Italian social club door? I think it would.

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 10:52 AM

It's really all about the website for me. How in the... I would love to know who created it, and why. It simply defies explanation.

Posted by: Lothar of the Clinton Hill People at March 13, 2009 10:53 AM

"Its just that they don't seem to want just anybody going in there and that is why I think the Times guy would have been or should have been a bit nervous knocking."

We had places like this when I was a kid in East New York. The same guys went in and out, and hung out there, but nothing ever happened. You knew that if your father didn't hang out there, and you didn't know anyone who did, you stayed the hell out of there. But it wasn't like they were threatening anyone. They weren't. They just wanted their own street hangout. It looked like crap, but they're GUYS. What the hell do they care? The guys who hung out there knew the cops would shut them down if anything too bad happened there, and why would they want that? Like at an Italian social club, at the most that would happen to an undesirable is he'd be told to mind his own business and get the hell out of there. Anyone who grew up in my neighborhood, when I did, would know all of this.

Posted by: East New York at March 13, 2009 11:06 AM

I hear you ENY. I was just pointing out for a totally unknown person to go up to that door and knock would have taken some gumption, as you point out if you are not a regular there you are not wanted. But as I also said, I walk past there everyday and have never have never witnessed anything violent or threatening happening, despite its less than stellar appearance (which I kind of like in an old school NYC kind of way).

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 11:16 AM

"for a totally unknown person to go up to that door and knock would have taken some gumption"

Yes, you're right. The place would definitely be intimidating, particularly for someone not from the area who doesn't know the score. But I was once a reporter, it was my job to knock on doors that at times were less than inviting. I was definitely unnerved at times. Anyway, it seems you catch my drift. I'm not saying the place is good or bad, just describing what's probably going on there.

Posted by: East New York at March 13, 2009 11:26 AM

I totally hear you and as an almost neighbor of said Candy Store I have no agenda to get rid of it. I have always been curious and think that the Times guy has more balls than me thats all. I have never been a reporter and been professionally obliged to knock on doors when uninvited.

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 11:29 AM

When a million-dollar-plus brownstone isn't a million-dollar-plus brownstone. Sobering.

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at March 13, 2009 11:58 AM

A friend of mine from out of town was touring around Bay Ridge and walked into what he thought was an innocent Pizza shop for a slice. As he described it - it was a scene out of The Sopranos. Five "connected" looking men sitting around the table, all with linen pants, lace-up shoes and silk button-down shirts, untucked, not doing much of anything. No other customers were coming in or out, and no piiza was to be found. Suddenly one guy looks at him and said (no joke) "pal, whadda you want, a f___in pizza pie? Go over ta grimaldis." And they all laughed.

Posted by: saminthehood at March 13, 2009 11:58 AM

Not sure exactly what goes on in there but I've had some of their fabulous "corn whiskey" (aka moonshine). Delightful.

Posted by: WrathOfGates at March 13, 2009 11:59 AM

When a million-dollar-plus brownstone isn't a million-dollar-plus brownstone. Sobering.

***Bid half off peak comps***

Wrong thread BHO?

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 12:03 PM

No, wasder. Think hard. You can do it.

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at March 13, 2009 12:11 PM

"pal, whadda you want, a f___in pizza pie? Go over ta grimaldis. And they all laughed."

There you go.

Posted by: East New York at March 13, 2009 12:24 PM

No idea what you are talking about. I do like talking about weird and interesting things in my neighborhood though. Do you have anything to say about the topic at hand?

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 12:24 PM

If this "Candy Store" was in Bensonhurst, an italian front or a jewish front he would have left the place alone. Letitia James or any other council person would not have been contacted to close the place.

I wish something had snatched him out of existence when he went in there The people in that place are harmless.

I'll make it a point to let Letitia James know this.

Posted by: The Who at March 13, 2009 12:26 PM

Who--i would be curious to know what her response would be. I agree that if it was a Jewish or Italian front nobody would go snooping.

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 12:28 PM

I said it already. That candy store puts the market in perspective. The hood is resilient and won't just change overnight.

Happy Birthday, man.

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at March 13, 2009 12:29 PM

I know, The Who. Can we get some affirmative action in the underworld?

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at March 13, 2009 12:32 PM

Thanks for birthday wishes. I said in the party thread that I would be happy to see you at the party. I think it would be a great conversation, no horns. As for this, I really don't think the Putnam Candy Store has much relevance to the value of my home (which I have been quite open about acknowledging is likely decreasing--I just don't think this particular place has anything to do with it--the macro factors that you know so much about are much more the cause). All that being said, I got together with a couple this weekend who are buying on Downing (contract signed) and my house was the comp that determined their price. So folks are still buying in the same ballpark, though I know what you will say about keeping the camera rolling. You are right for you and I made the decision that was right for me and we should be able to keep it to that.

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 12:36 PM

It's only mysterious and inviting because of the sign.

There are a million of these social clubs all over the city. Not to mention every town has its bars and restaurants that won't serve most of the people who stop in.

There's a cafe in my area in Bushwick I'm afraid to go into. A glance through the windows shows there is virtually nothing for sale inside. It's a holdover from the Italian era of Bushwick that basically functions as a social club for old Italian guys who like to smoke cigars. I'd like to try the espresso but I'm too intimidated.

Posted by: mopar at March 13, 2009 12:43 PM

BHO--I really would appreciate it if you would respond to my last post here. You can't have it both ways--ie saying there should be "equal opportunity in the underworld" and then suggest that there is some reason why Putnam Candy Store would be a drag on house values in the area. Its inconsistent and disingenuous. Be real my friend.

Posted by: wasder at March 13, 2009 12:50 PM

That rates up there with the "high technology news stand" on Classon and Greene. Now closed, it was open for years and seemed to have a few men sitting around but nothing in the way of technology or news.

It is equally plausible that they're doing a brisk business in "candy" or that they partner with the business chops moved to an assisted living facility ten years ago and now dude hangs out there with his old buddies from the neighborhood. Someone's goddaughter set up the http://putnamcandystore.lbu.com/ site back when the shop was still in business, and since it is free, no one has had to decide whether to take it down or keep paying.

Posted by: serpentor at March 13, 2009 1:06 PM

there's a pigeon coop supply store near me, the first time i walked into to find a circle of old italian guys hanging out. one saw me and started saying (facetiously i assume), "hey, hey check it out, FBI guy. FBI!" chuckles all around. no one is trying to shut them down (though maybe they should, I think they've been trapping pigeons and selling them to fancy restaurants!)

Posted by: Jimmy Legs at March 13, 2009 2:03 PM

Hey kids Andy from The Local here. At least one piece of the Candy Store puzzle is now solved. See: http://fort-greene.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/two-small-mysteries-solved-two-zillion-to-go/

Also, @ the commenters on Tish James's speculation about the store, I should mention in fairness that she did say to me that it might be merely a social club, too, and that I inadvisedly left that quote out of the piece. In fact, the social-club explanation now seems like the most plausible one to me.

Posted by: andynewman at March 13, 2009 3:08 PM

If they actually sold drugs, they'd also have more candy. I would think.

Posted by: Heather at March 13, 2009 6:42 PM

This is the problem when "outsiders" move into another neighborhood. How about the Times, L. James, and everyone else MYOFB. Sound like a plan? If the OP wanted candy then go to the new duane reade on nostrand and myrtel or the corner bodega. Just sounds like some nosey MF minding someone else's business.

Posted by: BIGD_at_BKNY at March 13, 2009 7:11 PM

outsiders are always moving into neighborhoods.

west side story was already made into a movie 50 years ago.

Posted by: Santa at March 13, 2009 7:34 PM

Unfortunately the real story is across the street in the T-shirt shops.

And yes, there was a shooting in front of the Candy Store a few months back.

Coincidence or not, that corner has long been a drug dealing corner. And too many people have been complacent for too long. It may be a few people just trying "to make a buck", or the way "its always been" but it has generated a number of shootings in the last few years, and ultimately the neighborhood is changing to people who won't let a small group of people control the neighborhood for their petty gain. I don't want drug dealers and I don't want Starbucks either.

Also remember, this neighborhood wasn't always black, or a drug dealers haven. So people should let their history extend further back then the mid 80's.

And like all things, change happens...deal with it.

Posted by: vespasolo at March 14, 2009 11:53 AM

At least the "club" next door was closed when a new owner purchased 14 Putnam, the newly installed store-front is one step forward in changing this corner. let's hope the down economy won't stop progress

Posted by: bk8 at March 14, 2009 6:06 PM

A group of exhausted neighbors living on Grand Avenue and Cambridge Place near Putnam Avenue in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, are fighting to control noise coming from Lox Lounge at 15 Putnam Avenue between Grand Avenue and Cambridge Place, a property zoned as a C2-4.

Over the last 12 months, many neighbors have tried individually to solve the problem by calling 311 and the 88th precinct, and by meeting with the club’s owner, Roy. Additionally, some of the frustrated residents (a combination of home owners, landlords and tenants), have met with Lox’s landlord, Waquim Waddi, owner of the entire block of buildings between Grand Avenue and Cambridge Place, as well as owner of Met Grocer on Fulton, nearby.

The neighbors have experienced very loud music, voices and vibrations coming from Lox, weeknights and weekends, especially from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. The Lox owner claims to have little control over the people he rents out the space to, primarily party promoters.

Additionally, Lox appears to be operating illegally as a nightclub and creating a fire hazard by using the basement as a party space without proper means of egress required by the Fire Department. There have been further records of violations of plumbing and electrical codes.

A group of concerned residents is circulating a petition to be sent to Letitia James (NYC Council Member), John Dew (Chairman, Community Board 2), Daniel Boyle (Chairman, NYS Liquor Authority), Captain Anthony Taso (88th precinct), and Delia Hunley-Adossa (President, Community Council, 88th precinct).

The group is also asking neighbors to take immediate action if they hear unreasonable noise. Important steps are:

* To get immediate action, call:
Community Affairs Officer Braithwaite.
88th Precinct
298 Classon Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205
Direct PHONE: (718) 636-6526

* Call “311”, the City’s help line for non-emergencies. This is important because the City tracks complaints for specific businesses. Having these calls on record is vital for any future actions. You can make an anonymous call and also receive a complaint # for your records. Please keep a record of your calls; the City will even email it to you.

* Register a complaint at the NYS Liquor Authority website: http://www.abc.state.ny.us/ or call them: 212/961-8378
Click on “Register a Complaint” on the left side.
The liquor license # for LOX Lounge is 1198812.
Their address is 15 Putnam Ave.
Or call them: 212/961-8378

Posted by: kcf at March 15, 2009 6:43 PM

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March 13, 2009

When a Candy Store Isn't a Candy Store

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