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July 9, 2009

Union Market Coming to Court Street!

After at least a couple of years sitting vacant, the former Blockbuster store at 288 Court Street has a new tenant, and it's one likely to put a smile on the faces of Carroll Gardeners: According to a tip and the confirmation of someone familiar with the proceedings, at some point in the last few days Union Market signed a lease after months of flirtation and negotiation with the new owner who paid $3.7 million for the building last year. The space consists of 4,500 square feet on the main floor and another 4,500 square feet of space on the basement level. We hear that the rent was around $20,000 a month but have not been able to confirm. Hot stuff!
Court St. Blockbuster Changes Hands; Future Unclear [Brownstoner]GMAP

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why can't something like this open on myrtle!!!???

Posted by: Return of Randolph at July 9, 2009 9:36 AM

cuz myrtle is ghetto and no one in the area can afford a rip off yuppie supermarket like union market?

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 9, 2009 9:37 AM

uh, racist much rob?

Posted by: Return of Randolph at July 9, 2009 9:42 AM

Tough one to have opinions on, yet.

I know for a fact that for 3.7 mil he didn't get build rights because you can't build up on that space. So will the 3.7 will be paid back with 2 floors in an already saturated food neighborhood? I don't know.

I know that many old timers and locals will continue to support Mastellone 1/2 a block away. Even though their produce is dreadful, their meat is solid and affordable and for staples they have everything you need. As well there are loyalists to Paisanos and Staubitz. I can't imagine that Union Market will exceed the quality/price combo of the K and Y produce store directly across the street. Local yuppies will likely stay loyal to Stinky for their cheese. How much better will Unions cheese selection be? And how much cheaper? Cheaper i the key word here. In a down economy, all I can think of when I think of Union Market is how damned expensive they are.

Perhaps fish will be where they can succeed. Fish Tales is Manhattan pricing and the place by Carroll Park is hit and miss.

Imagine the double parked delivery trucks on Court Street!

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at July 9, 2009 9:44 AM

so explain Union Market... what does it offer...
and what kind of pricing? since I live very close to this.

Posted by: Petebklyn at July 9, 2009 9:44 AM

"so explain Union Market... what does it offer...
and what kind of pricing?"

They ripoff Asshats...

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at July 9, 2009 9:47 AM

quote:

uh, racist much rob?

shut your trap. im white AND im ghetto. what does race have to do with it.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 9, 2009 9:47 AM

"already saturated food neighborhood"? are you calling us fat?

Posted by: Petebklyn at July 9, 2009 9:48 AM

Very high end, Pete. Very good, but very expensive. Unlikely to be able to beat Fish tales or Los paisanos.

There's no good bread around there in any quantity or quality so that will be good.

They should have picked another location without so much offerings already. This is probably going to cannibalize the original store.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 9, 2009 9:49 AM

Hey What...if it's a ripoff for the Asshata, imagine how bad it is for "others."

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 9, 2009 9:51 AM

oh, yeah rob. how ghetto are you? racism is more than black and white, asshat.

Posted by: Return of Randolph at July 9, 2009 9:51 AM

Paisano selection & particularly prices are much better - I traipse miles past Union Mkt on Union to go to Paisano's.

Posted by: Arkady at July 9, 2009 9:51 AM

Union Market fish isn't very good. Often a bit old and not much selection. Fish Tales is a bit pricey, but they buy really well and know their fish. Save your money by going downscale (no pun intended) on the fish. I'd rather buy some fresh local bluefish at fish tales than a tuna steak at Union.

Posted by: slopefarm at July 9, 2009 10:13 AM

I'll take Union Market any day over a dark, empty, abandoned looking storefront.

Posted by: jwald at July 9, 2009 10:13 AM

Yikes... $20,000 a month. Now, that's a serious nut to cover! Man o' man.

Triple net lease, i'm sure. So, what's that gonna work out to be, about $400,000-$500,000 a year just to maintain the basic requirements of the physical plant. (Not to mention the crazy $$ required for the build-out)

Good thing they have crazy prices! Hope their profit margin is healthy too!

Posted by: tybur6 at July 9, 2009 10:14 AM

Those of us in Prospect Heights desperatly need something like Union Market...

Posted by: clintonhillbuyer at July 9, 2009 10:15 AM

What kind of bread are you looking for over there DIBS? Threre's Caputo's, Mazzola's, and one or two others. Carroll Gardens is so blessed already with great food from a variety of sources I just see Union Market there as de trop -- I guess it will be good for those who want to buy everything in one (overpriced) place instead of going to one store for your meat, another for your produce, etc.

Posted by: babs at July 9, 2009 10:20 AM

babs...where are Caputo's and mazzola's...perhaps I just haven't wandered far enough south on Court.

slope....the bluefish is great, though seasonal. Have you ever tried skate??? Very cheap and delicious...FT usually has it.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 9, 2009 10:24 AM

"Those of us in Prospect Heights desperatly need something like Union Market..."

Then move to Park Slope! It's thataway--->

The What (Broke ass poser)

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at July 9, 2009 10:26 AM

We haev more than enough places to get great food in the neighborhood. This is crazy times ten (Caroline -- RHONJ)

Posted by: BH76 at July 9, 2009 10:27 AM

Union Market is RIDICOUSLY overpriced
my favorite moment in there:

I go in for my first time around to look around, so I pick up a package of frozen spinach pies(12 in a box)
1 bottle of 20 Oz organic lemonade

I go to checkout and the cashier tells me that will be $17.43?

Me: WHAT? for what?
Cashier: well the spinach pies are $13 and the juice is $3.50
ME: - thank you but you will need to void both items! sorry bye!

Posted by: gemini10 at July 9, 2009 10:34 AM

I use Union Market to buy prepared salads or side dishes when attending a cookout or dinner party, and to buy beef or pork chops or various other "hard to find quality" items. Otherwise it's usually a lazy man's way of buying needed groceries and not wanting to go to the ATM to get cash to buy them from a bodega, since UM has a debit checkout option.

Posted by: infinitejester at July 9, 2009 10:39 AM

lol gemini. maybe the spinach pies had pearls in them?!

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 9, 2009 10:40 AM

Mazzola's is on Henry and Union (and was reveiwed here just the other day) and Caputo's is at Court and Sackett, but even the local bodegas carry its bread. Pastries at both are excellent too. And how could I forget Monteleone's (now Monteleone and Cammareri -- incorporating the late lamented Cammareri Bros bakery (remember Moonstruck? That wasn't a made-up name or place!))? Good house-made gelati there too!

Posted by: babs at July 9, 2009 10:43 AM

DIBS--you can also get good bread at Stinky, the cheese shop, and the French place next door to Stinky--I think it's called La Boulangere.

Not quite as close, but I've checked out the newish Brooklyn Fare at Hoyt/Schermerhorn a few times, and both times it's been totally dead. Nice store, though. Maybe they get a good weekday lunch crowd....

Posted by: tinarina at July 9, 2009 10:44 AM

Thanks babs & tinarina. I pass Brooklyn Fare coming from the subway on my way to Smit & Court Streets. I haven't had to shop there yet but will check it out. I've seen it busy...it's probably a good location witth nothing else around.....

Yesterday's ROTD, the Fast Deli with the great Mexican food is just down the street.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 9, 2009 10:54 AM

as someone said earlier, BEWARE the fish. i purchased trout that was way rotten , but didnt realize till later in day when i threw it on the bbq.

its not a full-line market for people who actually do most of their cooking from scratch. pricey, and ok for fill-in, or in my case when the co-op line is too long.

Posted by: goldie at July 9, 2009 10:57 AM

I live extremely close to one of 2 Union Markets in Park Slope, and I NEVER go there. It's entirely too expensive. I'd much rather go to D'Vine Taste for such things, or BKLYN LARDER or even Blue Apron. The latter might be just as expensive, but I'd rather give my high end food dollars to those smaller places than to Union Market.

Union Market SUCKS big you know what!

Posted by: 11217 at July 9, 2009 11:00 AM

I live across the street from here. It'll be nice to have the option to get whatever I dont pick up from the Mastellones or the produce shop. All my food shopping can be done even easier now!

Posted by: adamsa at July 9, 2009 11:11 AM

There are some great food purveyors in the area - Caputos bakery (and the original Caputos), The Pork Store on Court, Stinky Cheese, the fish store on Court near Starbucks, etc, etc.

There are also tons of really mediocre shops on both Smith and Court... This is a welcome addition to the Nab that will hopefully push everyone to step up their game. Then the market will determine which market prevails as people vote with their wallets.

If you don't want expensive high end food, dont shop at Union Market.

Posted by: march1 at July 9, 2009 11:16 AM

Is this the fall back location being that they pulled out of the dollar dream space on Fulton? Or was this location always planned?

Posted by: ReMiXxd at July 9, 2009 11:24 AM

time to join the park slope food coop-cut your bills in half!

Posted by: jib at July 9, 2009 11:42 AM

tybur6 not sure what you think is so expensive - if you ignore the basement space (which you shouldnt totally) it works out to be $53 a sq ft - hardly a crazy number especially when virtually all of it can be used for selling (remember you have a basement for storage and prep). The guy who isnt doing so well is the LL who is maybe making 7% on his money.

Posted by: fsrg at July 9, 2009 11:51 AM

quote:

time to join the park slope food coop-cut your bills in half!

oh hells to the no. id rather pay 50 bux for a jar of peanut butter than have to deal with the co-op loons.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 9, 2009 11:52 AM

Would love to join the Park Slope food coop. No way to get there.

Posted by: mopar at July 9, 2009 11:55 AM

I think I'm going to be breaking down and joining the Food Co-op soon.

The prices and quality are just too difficult to resist for much longer.

Posted by: 11217 at July 9, 2009 12:00 PM

we need a BoCoCaCoOp

Posted by: duckumu at July 9, 2009 12:37 PM

11217 you are willing to give up your soul to save a few cents on some crappy organic grapes?

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 9, 2009 12:37 PM

"co-op loons"

i dont get many of the ppl who rage against big corporate chains like sbux or walmart, but then when there's the bipolar opposite structure such as the community run co-op, they bitch about it and its people.

Posted by: goldie at July 9, 2009 12:40 PM

I haven't been so far, Rob. And and I'm the ONLY person in my entire building who doesn't belong. I'm almost ashamed when they see me walking home with my Key Food bag.

Thing is...it isn't a few cents...it's nearly half the price. and Key Food is pretty bad. At least the one up on 7th. (The one on 5th is much better).

Anyway...I'm thinking about it.

Posted by: 11217 at July 9, 2009 12:42 PM

Re: Bread: I sometimes bother to walk down to Tazza on Henry and Atlantic to pick up Balthazar bread, which is great. I shop at Espositos, Staubitz, etc. and for something special Fish Tales or Stinky Brooklyn. But I'm sure I can't afford to buy much regularly at Union Market. Still, there are lot of richies around here these days so it could work out.

Posted by: Carol Gardens at July 9, 2009 12:53 PM

nobody has mentioned the awesome (Chinese-run) fruit & veg store right across the street. It is a hidden gem - huge variety, very fresh produce and CHEAP!

To locate Union Market here seems very odd, given all the local stores within a few blocks and TJ's further down...

Posted by: realitycheque at July 9, 2009 1:40 PM

Union Market is lovely but take it from me you DO NOT want to get in the habit of stopping in on a regular basis. It is absurdly expensive and we over use it because it's open until 9. In looking for ways to cut back our monthly expenses--two words: "Union Market."

Posted by: 20thstreet at July 9, 2009 1:45 PM

> deal with the co-op loons.

Quick question for ya Rob... Have you ever actually been inside the Park Slope Food Coop?

Posted by: DitmasSnark at July 9, 2009 2:27 PM

Just how much cheaper is the coop? I've always been told by the members I know that it's not much.

I would never buy a jar of pasta sauce there, but they have certain things I can't get elsewhere: premade tikka masala sauce, and the meat counter is the only place I buy beef.

Garden of Eden is very comparable, I do a lot of shopping there for meats and prepared soups.

Posted by: infinitejester at July 9, 2009 2:27 PM

I got so inspired by this thread, I went and bought a large coffee: 1.94.

Posted by: infinitejester at July 9, 2009 2:34 PM

quote:

> deal with the co-op loons.

Quick question for ya Rob... Have you ever actually been inside the Park Slope Food Coop?

.. no not inside, but ive seen them wandering around the neighborhood in their crossing guard outfits pushing shopping carts with creepy soulless bland children in toe.

but i have nothing against them. just my casual observation i guess. and it's fun to pick on the crunchy~!

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 9, 2009 2:44 PM

".. no not inside, but ive seen them wandering around the neighborhood in their crossing guard outfits pushing shopping carts with creepy soulless bland children in toe.

but i have nothing against them."

ROTFLMMFAO

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 9, 2009 3:04 PM

> .. no not inside...

[Snarky rolls eyes and sighs]

Posted by: DitmasSnark at July 9, 2009 4:44 PM

How would you get allowed inside? You get nasty looks if you just peep in the general direction of inside... Don't you need a court order and a handcuffed escort?

Posted by: tybur6 at July 9, 2009 4:57 PM

""co-op loons"

Goldie, it's called 'walking the middle ground'. Not digging the chains, not digging the socialists. Just trying to do the right thing and support the local businesses.

Posted by: denton at July 9, 2009 5:10 PM

Goldie and Denton - I have a great method of dealing with the conundrum - I support businesses that offer me what I want - be it convenience, price, service, merchandise, etc... - those businesses that offer the best combination of these factors gets my business and those that don't - dont.
Of course that sometimes means I am spending money at large chains and sometime as small mom and pops and even on occasion at some non-profit community type business.....

Seems to me the most 'fair' way to allocate the resources that I work my ass off to collect and for the life of me can't figure out how people try to impart some sort of moral component to which retail establishments people frequent.

Posted by: fsrg at July 9, 2009 5:18 PM

> not digging the socialists.

[Snarky rolls eyes and sighs]

Posted by: DitmasSnark at July 9, 2009 5:19 PM

i agree, co-op sucks, please dont join. too crowded already.

Posted by: goldie at July 9, 2009 5:25 PM

why do people get mad when u make fun of the co-op and uber spensive supermarkets, yet those same people bash bodegas and stuff? hippo much?

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 9, 2009 6:36 PM

Great news! There're no decent grocery shops in the area at all. I shop at UM on Union weekly, they are sometimes pricey, but the selection and quality is top notch.

Posted by: Taksa at July 10, 2009 8:19 AM

« Open Thread BQE Rehab Comments Due Later This Month »

July 9, 2009

Union Market Coming to Court Street!

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