You guys MUST watch this! SSOOOOO funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV0SxK-OQmo&feature=player_embedded

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Open Thread

Rob,

You definitely won't be embarrassed at either of those places I mention. The people who work at Odd Twin are super nice and very friendly and Monk is super casual and kind of a hole, but there's a TON of stuff in there, so no doubt you'd find something you like, in your size...

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 3:11 PM in response to Open Thread

Rob,

They also have some nice mens pants at Odd Twin vintage store which is one the corner of 5th and Lincoln Place. None of them are long enough for me, but you might find they fit you perfectly. I'd say they are maybe 20-30 bucks or so, but they really have some nice ones.

Also if you keep going south on 5th, you will run into Monk Thrift shop which has pretty cheap stuff to. They are around 16th and 5th...

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 2:54 PM in response to Open Thread

The bakery with the blue sign (Little Buddy Biscuit Company) in the background is heaven on earth. Roasted red pepper and feta muffins!

Actually picked up a ton of stuff there once for a dinner party and it was all outrageously delicious.

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 2:05 PM in response to StreetLevel: South, New 5th Avenue Bar, Opens

Haha Kens.

Yeah, my last post sounds like I took a handful of ludes and washed them down with a bottle of Jackie d. Oh well, I guess it's the flower child in me. :)

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 1:13 PM in response to Open Thread

I don't think it's about funds or taste, I think it's about the fact that people are starting to realize that embracing our (rather short) history as a country is important and there has been a renaissance in this country of finding ways to better connect with that history.

This blog is a perfect example of such a renaissance.

There is more to these houses than just molding and parquet floors. We as Americans have the same problem with not respecting older people like we should or like they do in other societies (Europe, Asia, etc). I think it's good that more and more people in this country are starting to respect where we came from, those who came before us and allow those people and things (yes, that includes old homes) to help move us forward in a more sustainable and peaceful way.

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 1:08 PM in response to Open Thread

Hey Kens,

I'm definitely going to try to make this one if I can. Love the Bell House. I'm leaving the next morning for a business trip, but I want to try to make it.

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 12:56 PM in response to Open Thread

Insertsnappyname:

In my opinion New York is much more like parts of Europe than it is like many parts of the U.S. The history of a city is what unifies it in many senses and grounds the people to a time when things were more simple (something many humans strive for). Look at Warsaw...a city which was completely ruined after the war and then was totally rebuilt as it had been before. Same for many cities over there. I would guess that if Benson would look more to some of the great cities of Western Europe for comparisons instead of some town in Indiana, he wouldn't necessarily feel the same.

I think the majority of people even outside this blog would have preferred the newly restored place on Waverly to that "Garden State brickface."

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 12:49 PM in response to Open Thread

I don't think being well-traveled is an excuse to make nasty comments about a new small business, or anything else for that matter. I would imagine many, many people on this blog are well traveled, both here and abroad.

I've been to every state in the lower 48. Does that mean I can shit on this new cafe too?

(No pun intended given Benson's original comment)

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 12:37 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

FSRG: I agree. I moved to NYC in 2000 and my first apartment was on 5th Avenue and 6th street and I remember what this park was like then. In fact, 5th Avenue in general in 2000 really wasn't all that impressive.

Now, it's made a 180 and this park is pretty great as is, but I also like the look of the new plan.

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 11:30 AM in response to Plans for J.J. Byrne Park in the Slope Unveiled

I just saw an ad on curbed for a 2 bedroom at Viridian for $2995.

So the prices they are claiming are not necessarily the prices they are getting across the board, clearly. Even still 3000 for a 2 bedroom HERE? Uh, no.

I like Greenpoint well enough, but these prices make me laugh.

Posted by: 11217 at November 20, 2009 11:27 AM in response to Viridian Two-Thirds Rented

Flatbush Avenue in this area has been getting a ton of new retail lately, it seems like...

Posted by: 11217 at November 19, 2009 2:11 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Veterinarian for Flatbush

Just stay away from this building and 111 Hicks. When I was looking, these were the 2 buildings that my realtor said were financial nightmares.

With maintenance like this, the place should be priced at 150K.

No joke.

Posted by: 11217 at November 19, 2009 1:50 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 150 Joralemon Street, #5F

The widget doesn't go low enough for my bid on this one.

Posted by: 11217 at November 19, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 150 Joralemon Street, #5F

Did I start this mess up in here? :)

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 5:03 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

420.

Oh wait, nevermind.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 4:52 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 85 8th Avenue, #3R

I'm pretty sure Video Edge closed up...

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 4:41 PM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

DH, Shut up and kiss me. :)

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 3:37 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

I was going to mention that, Denton. I already piss on Williamsburg enough though, so I didn't want to bring it up :)

Also, wasn't the place that is the American Apparel on Flatbush a porn theatre or something? Or did I hear that wrong.

Don't people realize that if you're going to make fun of PS for having so many kiddies, you must also at least realize that the people there are probably having a moderate amount of sex as well...?

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 3:34 PM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

I'm in agreement on both your posts, Rob.

The description of those items do not sound in any way appealing. I think a dildo might be something you want from all NEW materials. There's a time to be green, and then there's a time to be sensible. But that's just me. :)

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

Why are we allowed to overgeneralize about Murray Hill, Upper East Side and East Village and not about Williamsburg?

Is it because they are in Manhattan?

If so, I'm fine with it...I just wanna know the rules. :)

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 3:24 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

BKRE:

I've always been under the impression that people think housing values may decline, but retail around the area would increase. That only makes sense, right?

This is very close to AY and probably will do just fine even without it, but might be a gold mine if/when it gets built.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 3:23 PM in response to Streetlevel: Vinnie's Styles Opening New Store on Flatbush

Off topic, but speaking of Babeland, I just read this "article" in Racked.com, and it mentions it. You can also see that the Williamsburg/Park Slope battle rages on. :)

"It's funny that Park Slope got a hipster sex shop before freewheeling Williamsburg, but over a year after Babeland opened on Bergen Street, Shag Brooklyn is following suit on Roebling and North 6th. Based on Time Out New York's report, the shop sounds like it will replicate Babeland's earnest, helpful approach to moving vibrators. They sell things like eco-friendly dildos made from recycled materials, and they plan to hold workshops on erotica writing and sexy sculpture. Still, there's a certain Williamsburgishness about the endeavor: The space doubles as an art gallery, and products sold include things like "vagina doorknobs, cast from real vajayjays by artist Rebecca Loyche." Get a vajayjay of your very own Thursday, November 24, when the store officially opens."

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 3:21 PM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

I love Williamsburg, VA. Lovely architecture. :)

And yes, she's definitely a douchebag.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 3:09 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Sorry, I meant you don't KNOW trust fund hipsters...?

So many typos today. Late night.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 3:00 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

You don't don't trust fund hipsters, DH?

I'd say at least half the people I know under 30 living in Williamsburg are doing so off either a trust fund or money deposited to their bank account every month by their parents...

Maybe more like 75%. It's weird. A girl in our office lives in Williamsburg and mentioned casually that her Dad helps her by depositing "a couple thousands dollars" into her checking account to help her pay her bills.

Don't know about you...but a job AND a couple thousand dollars a month would be like hitting the lottery for me...

The fact that she even mentioned it makes me dislike her. She's 27.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 2:56 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

"jester, it's where all the billyburg wannabees sans trust funds are moving."

In other words, the kids who have to work for a living, which in and of itself makes them far more interesting than most of the kids who live off their parents up in Billyburg.

Greenwood Heights is way cool, great vibe and I know a ton of interesting people who live down there. Real people.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 2:42 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Just in case you're curious, this is where the former Salvation Army was...

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 2:03 PM in response to Streetlevel: Vinnie's Styles Opening New Store on Flatbush

Just fyi...A 1 bedroom in this building sold in January 2008 for $425,000 (was asking $399,000). Not sure if that sheds any light on this pricetag or not. We'd probably need to see the floorplan.

From what I usually see, the 2 bedrooms in PS which are priced below 800K, are either:

1. Not in PS. 321
2. Have a tiny 2nd bedroom
3. Are not that close to trains
4. Have higher maintenance

This one might be a combination of 2 and 4...

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 1:25 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 85 8th Avenue, #3R

Looks very homey. Don't like the painted red woodwork, but otherwise it looks nice. The price doesn't seem bad either. Location is great.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 1:20 PM in response to House of the Day: 22 Sidney Place

Was wondering the same thing, greenwood.

Yet Lucali 2 on 6th Avenue and 20th Street is South Slope...?

5th and 18th is firmly in what most call Greenwood Heights or South Slope now, yes...?

It's not even all that close to Windsor Terrace. While the boundaries of Park Slope seem fluid these days, I always thought the boundary for WT was pretty cut and dry.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Agree partially wasder...and certainly I prefer this place to the other one, but you have to realize that some people would prefer to pay a premium to live in a larger apartment building than in a 5 unit co-op. Some people want no part of such a small co-op.

The other place also had an elevator, a doorman, an attended lobby, and a garage with your very own parking space.

These aren't really even the same set of buyers looking at that place compared to this one. Totally different.

I love this place.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 12:52 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 85 8th Avenue, #3R

Well the thing is...my mortgage company wants to charge me about $3500 for closing costs to refinance, which means that it will take 3 years to recoup the costs of the reduced monthly mortgage payments. It doesn't seem worth it, even though I could get a decent rate just under 5%.

Does that sound right? $3500 to refinance? We're only talking a studio co-op here...

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 12:29 PM in response to Mortgage Broker Recommendation

P.S. As far as I can tell from the company website, it says "vintage furniture" not mid-century specifically.

There's a huge market for either in this neighborhood I believe, but vintage furniture is much more broad, obviously...

**
Grandma's Attic is a full-service cleanout and removal company. Based in East Meadow, it has been in business for over twenty years, with clients all over the metro New York area. Grandma's Attic also specializes in vintage furniture.

We offfer free estimates for cleanouts and removal projects. Client references are available upon request.

Diego Benitez is antique specialist and is the owner of Grandma's Attic. Visit Diego and Grandma's Attic at his new store in Brooklyn for unique vintage furniture and antiques.

Grandma's Attic is located at 456 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 12:17 PM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

I'm sure they never had a sign listing rentals and sales at a real estate company before the tough times.

Before the recession, the windows were covered with black paper, and you had to knock a secret code to get into these brokerages.

Wow, things are BAD when these places start advertising like that. I'm scurred.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 12:10 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Haha, NorthSlope.

There's one only a few minute walk away on Vanderbilt now... :)

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 12:01 PM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

Curious to check out Roman's too...

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 11:57 AM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

LUCALI 2!!!! Bring it on!!!!

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 11:53 AM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Agreed, Santa. City Subs is one of the best places in the hood. Melt ain't half bad either, and Bark is one of my absolute favorites. I eat there at least once a week.

For that matter Organic Heights has AMAZING smoothies, salads and coffee.

But we all know Rob hates anything with the word "organic" in it.

Was just in the bike shop over the weekend looking for a new one...the guys there are really nice.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 11:38 AM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

Question for someone...must you use the same person/company to refinance your mortgage as the person/company your original mortgage is with or can you shop around...?

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Mortgage Broker Recommendation

They also clearly oversaw the remodeling of the exterior of each of these stores, where each is painted a different bright color...no two are alike. Each one is pristine.

The strip is very quaint, yet right off of busy Flatbush Avenue and 5th Avenue.

I know some here seem to hate Pintchik Hardware, but they done good, in my book.

Rob, Bump is a maternity store. I'm guessing we can put you down for "lame" on that one too.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 11:28 AM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

Given that there are no dry cleaners, nail salons, or other things of that nature and given that they filled many of these spaces during the recession, no Snark...I don't believe they just accepted the first check handed to them.

I think they sought out some of these businesses and put together stores which would compliment each other, have some eating establishments, one men's store, one women's etc. and not allowed for duplicates.

Perhaps I'm overly optimistic, but I can't see how there wouldn't be a nail salon or other such store that opens in most dead spaces to be in there if they just took whatever they could get.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 11:22 AM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

Well that completes what is one of the nicest little shopping strips in all of Brooklyn as far as I'm concerned...

Hardware Store
Bark Hot Dogs
Lululemon
Ride Brooklyn (bike shop)
Comic Store
Eponymy (women's boutique)
Bump
Babeland
Organic Heights
Private Stock (men's boutique)
Mid Century Furniture
City Subs
Melt

Gotta give Pintchik Hardware props for putting this strip together so nicely. They really curated it well.

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

Not too shabby looking!

Posted by: 11217 at November 18, 2009 10:37 AM in response to Atlantic Terminal Station: So Close!

I find mentioning references to where people live to be extremely creepy. If you do as well, I suggest you write Mr. B about stevieb, because it's better to be safe than sorry and nip a potential crazy person off before it gets too far.

Posted by: 11217 at November 17, 2009 12:48 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

No discount at all on the Prospect Heights house and the Sunset Park price seems high too...no?

Although admittedly I'm not well versed on housing prices in Sunset Park.

Posted by: 11217 at November 17, 2009 12:41 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

MM is too busy working to be reading this thread, anyway.

And she'll make sure to tell us how busy she is when she does come post on this thread, tell us she needs to get back to work because of her busy schedule and then continue posting on another thread for 2 more hours. :)

But she's part of the fam.

Posted by: 11217 at November 17, 2009 12:37 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

>>she's an expert and was wrong by 200K on the appraisal of this house.

Evidence?

I posted the "evidence" at 11:45. Why you don't see that is beyond me.

You want to talk about nasty, stevie...you need to take a good long hard look in the mirror first. Unless you'd like me to post some of your comments here towards me from the past few weeks...

Now please stop referencing me. I have no interest in trying to have a conversation with someone who a. doesn't read the posts and b. doesn't seem to understand the posts.

Posted by: 11217 at November 17, 2009 12:32 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Brokedeveloper:

You know what, there are a handful of people who jump on back about every post I make here. I'm allowed to post a couple of comments from someone who speaks like she's an expert and was wrong by 200K on the appraisal of this house.

It's not disparaging...it's showing a fact.

I'm glad you find her posts informative, but that doesn't change the fact that the information you are receiving from her many times isn't lining up with the actual real estate market.

Posted by: 11217 at November 17, 2009 12:26 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales