Oh, thanks, Rob - I never would have thought of that.

The couple of times I have been to the Flea (without my dog), I wasn't terribly impressed. Too much overpriced junkyard furniture. Sorry.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at October 26, 2009 1:28 PM in response to Martha Does The Flea

Hey - did they let her bring her dogs in? I have been boycotting the Flea because of the "no dogs allowed" policy... does anyone know if that has changed?

Posted by: brooklynfamily at October 26, 2009 12:02 PM in response to Martha Does The Flea

That is a really great photo.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at September 4, 2009 9:25 AM in response to Friday Links

Wait a minute - it's only 6 units?

Posted by: brooklynfamily at August 27, 2009 9:48 AM in response to Development Watch: 174 Clermont Avenue

I think it's pretty. My husband thinks it looks like a station wagon. I'm also just happy the scaffolding is finally gone.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at August 27, 2009 9:47 AM in response to Development Watch: 174 Clermont Avenue

Has anyone ever used All American movers? How are they? Anyone have any moving companies that they do recommend?

I used Athletic Movers a couple of years ago and they were TERRIBLE. They showed up 3 hours late, were really rude, opened the bedroom door after I told them not to because my dog was in there, and they stacked all our boxes to the ceiling. Bleh.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at August 25, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Closing Bell: Woman Vs. Truck

Was anyone else super jealous of her? I mean, her father bought the apartment for her in cash. Sheesh.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at August 24, 2009 11:51 AM in response to An Italian's New York Dream

Thanks, brickoven. I am a little sad to leave Ft Greene, but not so sad when I think about our new 1300 sf apartment with access to gym, pool, etc., for under $2k. :)

Posted by: brooklynfamily at August 20, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Clermont Greene Adopts Hybrid Model

I don't think the building looks too bad (a bit hospital-ish), and I admit I am jealous of that courtyard... but the rents are way too steep.

It is kind of funny how on the Streeteasy site you can see how it is right outside of the Ft Greene historic district...

Anyhow, I am leaving Brooklyn for greener pastures (and a huge apartment with tons of amenities for less rent than I am paying now) in NJ. I imagine I will remain addicted to reading about the neighborhood on Brownstoner, though.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at August 20, 2009 11:19 AM in response to Clermont Greene Adopts Hybrid Model

At 31, I'm too old to sit on the ground to watch a free movie, even if it is in Brooklyn Bridge Park. I just can't do it.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at August 18, 2009 5:44 PM in response to Closing Bell: The New Yorker's Nod to Brooklyn

What is the point of the skinny tower with windows? The speckly brick makes the whole thing look like it's made of particle board. And the clock bothers me more than anything.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at August 6, 2009 2:51 PM in response to Aesthetically-Challenged on Columbia Street

I just walked by while walking my dog and I peeked in - looks like it is just a place to store garbage cans, or at least that's what's there now. Has anyone ever seen that shuttered building open? I can't remember what it is.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at July 31, 2009 1:59 PM in response to A Most Curious Fence

I think it's been there for a couple of weeks. It's totally weird. Maybe it's a place for their garbage cans? I wish it blocked that stupid mural completely..

Posted by: brooklynfamily at July 31, 2009 11:56 AM in response to A Most Curious Fence

What exactly about the facade is beautiful? I live pretty close to this, and it looks like it is just going to collapse at any moment.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at July 30, 2009 2:09 PM in response to House of the Day: 78 Adelphi Street Revisited

Anyone have details on these apartments - rent, etc.?

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 24, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Catsimatidis' 218 Myrtle To Open in September

That's pretty awesome. And it's putting my tiny balcony vegetable garden to shame.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 24, 2009 10:18 AM in response to Try This Green(point) Roof on for Size

I think this is the Farmer and the Deli's new location - wasn't this mentioned on the "Local" Ft Greene blog?

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 23, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Deli for Myrtle Avenue

I loved Lou Lou and we went as often as we could afford (not that often, unfortunately). They were my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood and we will really miss them. They had such a nice, low-key ambiance and the food was always delicious and very fresh. Ici's nice, but I don't think they are nearly as good as Lou Lou.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 22, 2009 3:04 PM in response to Streetlevel: Loulou No More

Wow - I never had a bad meal at Lou Lou. I'm really surprised to hear that.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 22, 2009 10:48 AM in response to Open Thread

I am really sad about Lou Lou closing. :(

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 22, 2009 9:25 AM in response to Open Thread

I agree, MM - and can't imagine how awful it must have been to lose this place.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 15, 2009 3:52 PM in response to Quote of the Day

I would threaten to sue, citing exact clauses from the lease about how it cannot be broken without penalty, etc. That worked for us when our tenants tried to break their lease a couple of months early - they very suddenly had a change of heart when they were informed that they would be responsible for court costs, at the very least. (They didn't realize that we weren't actually going to sue them - the threat was enough.)

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 15, 2009 12:03 PM in response to Tenant Breaking Lease?

Costco has "moving kits" that contain boxes (of different sizes), packing tape, markers, and foam padding for dishes/glasses.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 3, 2009 3:24 PM in response to Cheap Moving Supplies?

Costco has "moving kits" that contain boxes (of different sizes), packing tape, markers, and foam padding for dishes/glasses.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 3, 2009 3:22 PM in response to Cheap Moving Supplies?

Heather, I think I know what you mean but I just wanted to point out that the owner does mention on her blog her interest in paying her staff a "living wage". I don't think that Barnes and Noble or Borders staff are actually payed all that well. I just googled "starting pay at Barnes and Noble" and it looks like they generally pay just a tiny bit above minimum wage, which is $7.15/hour in New York. So I don't think assuming the big name stores pay better is always correct.

And the publishing industry is hardly "healthy"! I actually take the opposite point of view about big name stores - the lack of selection at the big stores, discount chains, etc., are all contributing to the failure of the industry. In Germany and France, for example, it is illegal to discount books in the interest of protecting the small publishing houses and small bookstores, as well as the promotion of a variety of publications.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 3, 2009 12:04 PM in response to Greenlight Bookstore Location Revealed!

Selection at Barnes and Noble, etc.: mainstream, bestsellers, books you can find anywhere, generally not browser-friendly or terribly interesting

Selection at independent bookstores: eclectic, intelligent, you generally stumble across something you had no idea you would be so interested in

I am really excited that we are finally getting a bookstore in the neighborhood, and I am really happy it's not a dime-a-dozen chain store.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at June 3, 2009 11:34 AM in response to Greenlight Bookstore Location Revealed!

I have to admit I have a little bit of a hard time believing there will be quite this much demand for housing on that block, given the distance from the subway and amenities, etc. I do live nearby, and I deal with the hike to the Q, but something that really bothers me is a lack of a decent grocery store in the area. And is anything really ever going to happen in the Navy Yard?

Posted by: brooklynfamily at May 22, 2009 11:12 AM in response to CB2 Land Use Committee Hearing Recap

Thank you so much for this recap of the meeting! I have been wondering what is going to become of that empty lot (Navy Green's site) for years, and although I think it would be much better as a grocery store site, I am just happy that something is going to be built there at all!

Posted by: brooklynfamily at May 22, 2009 9:52 AM in response to CB2 Land Use Committee Hearing Recap

I agree. A very cute store, but ridiculously expensive.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at May 21, 2009 2:12 PM in response to StreetLevel: Flight 001 Leaving the Slope

There is now a Connecticut Muffin on Myrtle Avenue. I think that speaks volumes.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at January 20, 2009 12:49 PM in response to 'Notorious': How the Neighborhood Has Changed

How about cashiers saying "Hello"? Or acknowledging you exist whatsoever? Or am I revealing myself to be not from New York here, that I would expect something so outrageous?

And there is NO racial subtext here, as far as I am concerned.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at January 6, 2009 5:12 PM in response to Closing Bell: FIPS Goes Undercover

DIBS - I have never had a good experience at Atlantic Mall. Still, I go there.. because it is walkable from my apartment. But I keep my expectations very low.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at January 6, 2009 5:08 PM in response to Closing Bell: FIPS Goes Undercover

Hooray! We have been in a bunch of times already and it's great. Yay for national standards on Myrtle Avenue! Hopefully some of the more disgusting bodegas in the neighborhood will clean up their acts to try to compete.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at January 6, 2009 5:01 PM in response to Streetlevel: Walgreens on Myrtle Finally Open

Bessie: "I'm always kind of amazed when the big discount chain stores feel more like a Salvation Army after a bag sale than a store store."

Totally. And that Old Navy in Atlantic Center also always reminds me of going to a thrift store.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at January 6, 2009 4:58 PM in response to Closing Bell: FIPS Goes Undercover

This Target is a disgrace. It is always a mess, the shelves are unstocked, and the lines are usually really long, with employees full of attitude. I have lived in other major cities and their "urban" Targets are not this bad. That is no excuse. It feels like there is a "Brooklyn effect" that makes everything and everyone have lower standards, and a bad attitude to boot.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at January 6, 2009 4:33 PM in response to Closing Bell: FIPS Goes Undercover

I think 65 degrees at night is more than reasonable (we set our thermostat to 62 from 11pm - 6am).

Posted by: brooklynfamily at January 6, 2009 12:24 PM in response to Tenants Driving Me Crazy

I think simply posting about these muggings is not "fear mongering", it is reporting a fact. The language used in the Brooklyn Paper article was much more sensationalist. I like to know what is going on in my neighborhood, not because I am going to panic but because I want to be aware.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at January 2, 2009 10:48 AM in response to Another Mugging in Fort Greene

Do you know what time of day the mugging occurred?

Posted by: brooklynfamily at January 2, 2009 9:35 AM in response to Another Mugging in Fort Greene

Does it seem like there has been a surge in violent crimes in this area lately?

And why on earth is that crackdealer and murderer "Ben" glorified on the recently restored mural on Myrtle Avenue? The ignorance of whoever painted it and whoever leaves candles beneath it pisses me off whenever I walk by it.

I honestly don't know if the benefits of living here outweigh the risks.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at October 27, 2008 4:31 PM in response to Breaking: Shooting in Fort Greene

There is a sign on the door at Walgreens that says: "Walgreens will be opening soon. Sorry." Lame.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at October 27, 2008 3:10 PM in response to The Clermont Reborn As Rentals

It seems like there are a few vacant storefronts on Myrtle in Ft Greene. It would be so great to have a bookstore in the neighborhood.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at September 19, 2008 12:40 PM in response to Fort Greene Bookstore Has Support, Needs Space

The Walgreens finally has stocked its shelves (as of last night).. so it has got to open soon, right?

Posted by: brooklynfamily at September 19, 2008 10:18 AM in response to Zoinks! The Clermont Going Rental

If you see anything in the final walk-through that needs to be addressed WRITE IT DOWN (make a list) and give it to your lawyer. You should have your lawyer and the seller's lawyer sign the list.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at August 4, 2008 1:06 PM in response to Advice for the closing

Can anyone tell me why the enormous vacant lot between Park and Flushing at Clermont isn't a viable candidate for a new grocery store?

Posted by: brooklynfamily at July 16, 2008 11:58 AM in response to James Opens Door to (Partial) Admiral's Row Preservation