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June 5, 2009

Streetlevel: Flatbush Salvation Army to Close

salvation-army-flatbush-0609.jpg
After 18 years, the Salvation Army at 241 Flatbush Avenue is getting ready to close. A sign in the window, noticed by a reader, says that June 13th is the last day for drop-offs. The store will close for good one week later. Does anyone know what will take its place? GMAP




Posted by Brownstoner at 2:01 PM | Comments (39)
Categories: Park Slope, Streetlevel

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Why would this place close in this environment????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 5, 2009 2:05 PM

nooooooooooo! this makes me sad. ive never been to this one, but so many of these stores have closed. there was a small salvation army right around the corner from me at work that i would stop in everyday at lunch and got such great stuff. then it closed and what opened up in it's place? a ridiculously overpriced novelty shop that sells junk like pencil holders that smell like oranges, spoons and forks with plastic frogs on them, etc. so stupid. so not needed.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 5, 2009 2:07 PM

It was always crowded when I was in there - their book selection was often quite good.

Posted by: Arkady at June 5, 2009 2:16 PM

"Why would this place close in this environment????"


I LOVE salvation army, but this one stunk. I think they are closing because the people in this area seem to get most of their used clothing from a few far superior sources...Beacons Closet, the new Odd Twin (just named one of the 4 best vintage stores in NYC by Time Out Magazine this week), Monk and a couple others.

Granted, they are more expensive than SA, but as an avid used clothing shopper myself, I've never once found anything worthwhile at this particular location. From people I've spoken with, this one was notorious for having a poor selection of merchandise.

That being sad, I'm sorry to see them go. Never like to see a long time business close up shop.

Posted by: 11217 at June 5, 2009 2:17 PM

it's too bad this location is closing, though i will NOT miss the trash that people regularly dumped on the street there. it seems to me the salvation army down on atlantic (10 minute walk) has a better setup for selling, displaying and receiving donations, so maybe they're just consolidating to eliminate duplicate rents. i hope they have a new tenant already, or soon, although i can't say that the other stores on the street lead me to believe that anything very interesting will go there.

Posted by: i disagree at June 5, 2009 2:20 PM

I'm sure high rents have something to do with its closing, but there is also another, large Salvation Army store on Atlantic between Bond and Nevins, not to mention the huge Goodwill store on Bond and Livingston.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at June 5, 2009 2:21 PM

I've read that it's been too hard lately for thrifts to get decent second hand clothes cuz no one's buying new ones. Also the rent over their must be getting pricey.

Posted by: denton at June 5, 2009 2:21 PM

quote:

I LOVE salvation army, but this one stunk. I think they are closing because the people in this area seem to get most of their used clothing from a few far superior sources...Beacons Closet

i KNEW it was going to be you before i scrolled passed that.

im sorry but Salvation Army >>>>>> Beacon's closet

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 5, 2009 2:30 PM

"Does anyone know what will take its place?"

Aw man. By the headline I thought this was bad news.

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at June 5, 2009 2:30 PM

"im sorry but Salvation Army >>>>>> Beacon's closet"


Salvation Army is closing and Beacons Closet just moved into a space twice as large as its old home this year.


Posted by: 11217 at June 5, 2009 2:33 PM

When I first moved to Chicago in 1980 there was a vintage clothing store on Webster St. that truly sold exceptional vintage clothing. To this day I regret not spending $90 on this incredible shirt with a sailfish across the back.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 5, 2009 2:34 PM

The Salvation Army has been closing many stores recently. I would think that rent pressure is the main reason. There was one on the Lower East Side that is now condos. The one on Fifth in the South Slope is also a condo (or maybe luxury rental building?) And they shuttered the location farther down Fifth in Bay Ridge.

I love thrifting but their NYC stores are usually shabby and poorly run.

Housing Works has changed the entire thrift scene in the city in recent years.

Posted by: Carol Gardens at June 5, 2009 2:37 PM

My favorite thing about this store was the sign that read:

"Please" don't leave doantions on the sidewalk.

Why was the please in quotes?

Posted by: bkre at June 5, 2009 2:59 PM

rob- there's still a big Sallie Ann on Atlantic Ave. At least it was a few days ago- don't remember exactly which cross street but up above 3rd Ave. Try there.

Posted by: bxgrl at June 5, 2009 3:02 PM

"Why was the please in quotes?"

Because it was nicer and more succint than saying "Don't leave your f'n crap that should be in the dumpster on the sidewalk in the middle of the night so we have to throw it away in the morning when we get here. We are not the sanitation department and want to at least see your crap before we decide if we want to bother to take it or not"

Posted by: williamsburgguy at June 5, 2009 3:58 PM

williamsburgguy - you missed the point. The sign says:

"Please" don't leave donations on the sidewalk


not

Please don't leave donations on the sidewalk

Posted by: bkre at June 5, 2009 4:18 PM

The "blog" of "unnecessary" quotation marks

http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com/2007/12/diverse-services.html

Posted by: Biff Champion at June 5, 2009 4:28 PM

"Does anyone know what will take its place?"

Probably a Pintchik For Rent sign. May it will say "Please" Rent.

Posted by: soundfreak at June 5, 2009 4:32 PM


Somebody REALLY pissed off williamsburgguy.

Posted by: East New York at June 5, 2009 4:39 PM

Good riddance, homophobic a**holes.

It boggles the mind that so many otherwise liberal Brooklynites support homophobia by donating or shopping here.

Posted by: zinka at June 5, 2009 5:01 PM


The Salvation Army is homophobic?

Posted by: East New York at June 5, 2009 5:02 PM

uh what?

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 5, 2009 5:08 PM

Yes. It's a very conservative religious denomination that has gone to court for its right to discriminate against gays. Google for more info.

Posted by: zinka at June 5, 2009 5:09 PM

Good to know. I had made a donation to that Salvation last week and saw that they weren't taking donations after 6/13 but had no idea the store was closing, too. They recommned that donations now be made to their Quincy St. location. I, too, nover saw much to buy at the Flatbush location and the last time I went to Quincy crack was big and walking on the sidewalk was like walking on bb's.

Posted by: bessie2 at June 5, 2009 5:22 PM

Is Coors still homophobic??? Not that it matters, the beer sucks.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 5, 2009 5:33 PM

zinka- not for nothing, but the Salvation army does a lot of good, non-sectarian work with people of all creeds and colors. I worked for them after 9-11 and I don't agree with their policies, but when it comes to offering their services they do not discriminate. Their hiring policies are different- yes, and I think it's wrong but the services they provide to anyone needy is more important. Their disaster relief services are first class and worldwide- and they are not allowed to proselytize when doing disaster relief.

They are also known for putting the greatest percentage of funds into providing services, not maintaining a bloated adminstration.

Posted by: bxgrl at June 5, 2009 5:33 PM

Good response bxgrl!

(But I confess my Salvation Army donations have tended to be driven more by the need to clear crap out of my apartment than a great charitable impulse.)

Posted by: etson at June 5, 2009 6:06 PM

That's a very fair point bxgrl, and you're right. But I can't separate the policies from the mission. Salvation Army has actually fired people for being non-Christian. That's not my America. That's George Bush's America and I won't support it.


Posted by: Johnny at June 5, 2009 6:39 PM

I'd much, much rather support Goodwill -- which also does very good work -- than hold my nose through any dealings with the SA.

Posted by: zinka at June 5, 2009 6:47 PM

johnny- I'm Jewish- without going into it- legally I can't say more- I can only tell you yes, that's true. And I like it as little as you (we're completely in agreement about George Bush too.) And usually I can't separate the policies from the mission but in this case it's really hard for me because I've seen the outreach and the work they do and I've met many people they well and truly helped. But it is a huge conflict for me and I am just trying to weigh my priorities and act in a way I hope will be the most helpful. But its only because they provide so many services to those desperately in need.

I also donate to Goodwill, zinka but they don't have the disaster relief program the SA does. Its funny, when you meet SA people (and one of my best friends in junior high was in the Salvation Army too), they aren't as cut and dry as the policies suggest. And some downright disagree. But you're very right- as is Johnny.

Posted by: bxgrl at June 5, 2009 7:05 PM

Ah, many a bag of stuff has left my apartment for this salvation army. First, park slope loses it's last used book store. Now it loses a good place to dump bags o' stuff.

BTW, has everyone here seen/read Major Barbara? If not, you have something worthwhile to do before you die. I recommend the old B&W film with Rex Harrison.

Cheers.

Posted by: northsloperenter at June 5, 2009 9:15 PM

I miss the old Domsey's.

Posted by: HmmWhichNeighborhood at June 5, 2009 9:18 PM

I miss Domsey's on Kent too! A cashmere 60's coat for 15 bucks, that was my store back in the day. And I hated the Sally Am on 7th & Bedford. Crappy overpriced furniture, I had such a hate on for that store.

I wanna know why bxgrl can't legally speak of her Jewishness. That is weird, child ;)

Posted by: pattunia at June 6, 2009 3:00 AM

I've avoided shopping or donating to SA for years because of their intolerant policies. Basically, if any charity is religion based, count me out. Take your stuff to Housing Works. They have a location on Montague Street. Parking (even long enough to load or unload) is incredibly difficult there; they should grow and move elsewhere in Bklyn.
And yes, I miss the big Domsey's too.

Posted by: CommodoreStephenDecatur at June 6, 2009 7:33 AM

Good Riddance to Salvation Straight-Christians-only Army.

Drop of your clothing donations at the Grand Army Plaza farmers' market, where there is a Second Chance Clothing & Textile Recycling van. Receipts are provided for those who want the tax deduction.

http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/grandarmyplaza/events/168135

Posted by: Atomische at June 6, 2009 8:32 AM

Dompsey's moved to up on Broadway near Myrtle, right?

Posted by: Heather at June 6, 2009 9:43 AM

pattunia- my jewishness I can talk about. What happened with the SA in regards to that I can't. :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at June 6, 2009 12:34 PM

i bought a nice kodak camera from here the other day for 10 bucks. It was a X-90 from '72 that apparently retailed for 150 bucks then.

zing!

Posted by: Santa at June 7, 2009 5:30 PM

You used to see such goodlooking guys there, shopping for women's clothing. What a loss.

Posted by: Andchamir at June 8, 2009 11:01 AM

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