StreetLevel: New Restaurant Opening on Court Street

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A restaurant called Cafe Mei Mei is opening in the Court Street space formerly inhabited by Jill's Cafe. The restaurant also shares a wall with the shuttered Miriam, which is being revamped, but the two ventures appear unrelated. Cafe Mei Mei's placeholder website says it will have a seasonal menu. GMAP

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Is anyone else extremely impressed with the way CG, Prospect Heights, Ft. Greene and the Slope seem to be handling the recession in terms of retail?

I kinda thought 6 months ago when the world felt like it was coming down that these strips would be neglected and half abandoned by now, but the opposite seems to be true....shuttered spaces seem to be scooped up and re--rented in a shorter amount of time than ever before, and the new things that are replacing the old seem to be more interesting and of higher quality.

Quite the opposite of what seems to be happening in many parts of Manhattan. Some areas of Broadway on the UWS, Murray Hill, Nolita, Harlem and Madison Ave are starting to really get that eerie abandoned look on some of the commercial stretches.

Posted by: 11217 at July 29, 2009 2:06 PM

Agreed that there seems to be a second wave of businesses coming in to replace some that have departed. In CG, on Court Street, we have Union Market for the long vacant Blockbuster site and some activity in the former Shakespeare's Sister. But there are lots and lots of vacancies and "Last Days" signs on Smith Street. I dont think one can draw any conclusions.

On the work at Miriams, I walked by yesterday and saw that the contractors were framing a new smaller doorway and eliminating the lovely glass front with cast iron columns. It does not bode well for that spot. (No permits visible, either).

Posted by: very bored at work at July 29, 2009 2:14 PM

lots and lots of vacancies and "Last Days" ? I suppose all what you mean by lots and lots. When I see the same empty storefronts month after month after month tells me landlord is holding out for too much rent. (old Bonania site and also corner of Baltic/Smith).

This spot seems cursed as nothing makes it. Why someone felt they needed to add another commercial front around corner on Baltic is a mystery.

Posted by: Petebklyn at July 29, 2009 2:20 PM

I think a large part of it is that we (who live in the area) are not longer automatically thinking of Manhattan for dinner, brunch, shopping -- as most of us did even 5-10 years ago. Many of our local shopping streets/reaturant rows have reached a critical mass so many will survive even if a few falter.

Posted by: BH76 at July 29, 2009 2:27 PM

I agree with that completely BH76.

I purposely try to buy everything I can as close to home as possible, even if I know it will be easier to pick it up in Manhattan during the workday.

As far as eating goes, I barely go to Manhattan anymore for that.

Posted by: 11217 at July 29, 2009 2:33 PM

I also agree with BH76.

It's very rare that I'll go to the city to shop and let alone to eat anymore.

I always try to take advantage of the great local restaurant's in Brooklyn Heights & Cobble Hill especially Tenda on Montague Street. It's gotten to the point where they owners know every Wednesday I'm calling them for lunch.

If there's one positive thing that has come out of the recession and that you don't have to go out of your neighborhood to get things you really want or need.

Posted by: bktrainer at July 29, 2009 2:48 PM

MAny of these new businesses may BE stArtEd by PEOPLE WHO NO LOBGER UGH MY KEYBOard.. have jOBs BUt have savINGs So THEY OPEN A BUSINEss HOPING FOR THE BEST> doesnt meaN anyone is PatRoniziNG them tho. next year this ttime should be the rEAl telling. THO I HOPE THEY SUCCeeed.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 29, 2009 3:35 PM

There are a good number of mediocre restaurants on Smith St without any obvious appeal that I've been surprised have made it through all this. But happy in general the neighborhood's held up so well. I do my part to support it, rarely have gone to Manhattan on weekends since moving to bklyn--first out of laziness, then because I really just dont like going out in Manhattan any more.

Hadnt heard that about Union Market at the old Blockbuster, is that a fact?

Posted by: woodys at July 29, 2009 3:39 PM

rob I laughed out loud when I read your post

Posted by: woodys at July 29, 2009 3:40 PM

the cafe mei mei website is a bit terrifying but i'll hope for the best -- as long as it's not another throwaway japanese restaurant i'll be happy.

Posted by: duckumu at July 29, 2009 4:49 PM

There is a stretch of Smith St.-- I think it is DeGraw? that is almost completely vacant on one side of the street, accented by an abandoned construction site. Not to mention empty Patois or Banania, which is beginning to look like a headstone. I don't know if this is just the ebb and flow of retail, or a sign or real recession, but either way I don't think it bodes well for the neighborhood.

Posted by: lizabklyn at July 29, 2009 5:10 PM

I think there are still plenty of empty storefronts on Court and the Columbia Street area is looking mighty sad. Although people keep opening restaurants and some do quite well, especially if they are cheap and casual (Calexico) or destination dining (Buttermilk Channel).

And then are those puzzling places that never seem to open, like the one in the old OTB space. (Of course Lucali's took forever to open and it turned out more than okay!)

Posted by: Carol Gardens at July 29, 2009 5:20 PM

« House of the Day: 156 Hicks Street Revisited Development Watch: 49 Duffield Street »

July 29, 2009

StreetLevel: New Restaurant Opening on Court Street

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