The big problem here is that for the past 8 years the government has been wasting money and resources on an unneeded war. Gas prices are through the roof. Food prices are double what they were a few years ago in many cases. And the biggest thing the average work-a-day U.S. citizen has gotten in the past few years? A $600 "economic stimulus" package that was intended to help U.S. consumers buy neat/fun stuff and stimulate the economy. Most of those $600 checks went straight into credit or mortgage payments.

So now the government wants us to bail out a bunch of billionaires who became rich off of conning average working people? Screw that.

Realistically is there anyway to prosecute the heads of these companies for fraud and force them to pay back the millions they took from others?

Well, I know that is unrealistic. But still. There has to be a better way.

Is there anyway that $700 billion could be spent on improving real lives and not bailing out the "smartest guys in the room".

I swear, this whole mess angers me more than you can believe. And I can get angry!

Posted by: Jack at September 27, 2008 4:35 AM in response to WaMu Bailout a Bonus Bonanza for Brooklyn Bigwig

I think lechacal is a bit panicky, but on the right track. What makes this crisis unique is it's based on the fact that none of these junk loans have any money backing them. It's all gone. It's not magically going to get balanced.

So the question is how long this will last, and my feeling is that this will last for years. And frankly, if property values are down and you're in it for the long haul, this is no big deal. Flippers need to be concerned. Also, I'd dare say expect lots of small boutiques and restaurants shutting down. This is not the economy or market for stuff that has a flaky business plan.

Posted by: Jack at September 23, 2008 11:23 AM in response to What Lies Beneath?

i disagree, yes those storefronts with yellow/red "for rent" signs are Pintchik. And as a Brooklyn born and bred NYer let me say this: Pintchik is not that great and is overpriced and their staff is not that helpful.

There are local hardware stores on Smith Street and on Montague Street that have helped me when I needed something. Heck, I found an old school electronics shop on Canal Street that's been helpful to me and they have been around for decades. Pintchik? They are about as useful as Tarzian Hardware on 7th Avenue in Park Slope: Neither are useful and both are "neighborhood traditions" that just stink.

And in the case of Pintchik, the warehousing they do with their storefronts really kill that part of Flatbush. They are not good neighbors.

Posted by: Jack at September 23, 2008 11:20 AM in response to The Borough of Mom and Pop Shops

The kiddie park that fronts the boardwalk is owned by Thor now I believe. The Wonder Wheel itself and other rides connected to Deno's are their.

People, also please realize that Astroland is not the Wonder Wheel park and visa versa. In fact most of the rides and attractions have no connection to one another. That's part of the reason Thor got this far. All the owners there have always cut deals behind the scenes to screw each other over. Now? They screwed themselves over by looking out for themselves and nobody else.

Say goodnight Gracie. But lets hope that Thor goes under. They have no amusement experience and they simply buy land/property and let it sit fallow until a zoning variance comes and then they flip it. Practically all of the property they own in NYC is empty and underdeveloped. They are good for nothing and make Forrest City Ratner look like angels.

Posted by: Jack at September 5, 2008 3:16 PM in response to Night Falls on Astroland

The only annoyance on Smith Street is that cluster of restaurants on Smith and Pacific all owned by the same guy. Seriously, the food is mediocre and it's just not fun. At least Bar Tabac makes sense; those places are worthless.

Posted by: Jack at September 5, 2008 12:00 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Asian Restaurant Coming to Smith

Anyone here remember when the Campus Sugar Bowl was still around? Converted into a Starbucks a few years back.

Does Canal Jean Co. still have an outlet down there?

Posted by: Jack at September 3, 2008 9:20 AM in response to Big Boxes Go to Flatbush

Hey there. Been visiting on an off during the summer, and took some pictures and posted them on Flickr. Enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/6gduwt

Posted by: Jack at August 31, 2008 6:28 PM in response to Closing Bell: Pre-Labor Day Flea

I think that all the hand-wrining about the Park Slope Food Co-op is hilarious and predictable. I am happy that people came to an agreement over their disagreements, but it never ceases to blow my mind how upset people are at the thought of using nearly 3 hours of your life every 4 weeks to help a good community resource grow.

When you come down to it, we all spend much, much, much more time watching crappy TV and movies.

Also, it's a great resource for people who have never thought about what they eat to actually live/experience the difference. I joined the co-op in about 2003 because I was eating like crap and simply wanted to eat better and give myself a reason to. When I first joined, I didn't think much of organic versus non-organic. But as the months and years passed, I learned the difference.

I also learned another great thing about local farming. The co-op really makes efforts to work with local suppliers and providers and the end result is always great. The produce is bought for the members in the co-op. It's not like a supermarket where they stock tons of junk and push it on you. Basically, it's a huge variety and incredible turnover of stock so you always—and I mean always—get the best stuff.

You could go to Whole Foods, Fairway or even local markets, but in my experience the quality has never come close and the price is never the same.

Also, I do need to address this incredibly wrong statement:
"I think it's a good thing that highly paid lawyers and professionals want to get their hands dirty and stock shelves, albeit a couple of hours a month."

The Park Slope Food Co-op is truly made up of a cross section of Brooklyn on all levels. You do have the well-heeled, but they are nowhere near the majority. The rest are a mix of middle-class, working class and even unemployed of all races and ethnic groups. Seriously, it's one of the few places you'll see Orthodox Jewish moms, Rastafarians, plain old NYC folk, hipsters, lawyers and even MTA workers mingling without issue.

FWIW, before I joined I held a lot of the same misconceptions. And after I joined I realized how incredibly wrong I was.

Also I think the work requirement is valid. Labor costs are high. And by having members be workers, you actually get much better service than you'd imagine. Yes, there's always one or two stories about the co-op everyone heres. But what about people's shopping experience elsewhere? I've never been treated more like crap than when I had to ran out to Key Food this past week. But do people blog about it? No.

The point is, either you like the idea or you don't. And frankly in Fort Greene I think there will be far more people who love the idea of working than not.

Heck, is there any other place in NYC nowadays where one can actually teach a kid—or a slacker roommate—the value doing basic work?

This is a good thing folks. You hate it, just don't go there.

Posted by: Jack at August 22, 2008 10:24 PM in response to Fort Greene Co-Op Chooses Toiling

The problem with chains is the food is mediocre, and nobody locally benefits.

Applebee's is decent, but a rare exception. How about Junior's expanding and taking over that spot for the lunch crowd on the other side of Fulton Street Mall area?

Posted by: Jack at August 22, 2008 10:09 PM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

The place was indeed abandoned for years. But when they began construction, the whole building was gutted and the only thing that really remains is the brick shell of a facade.

Posted by: Jack at August 22, 2008 10:05 PM in response to Development Watch: 93 Nevins Making Progress

Well, FWIW going to free shows 10 years ago was great. Not too crowded and the cops were not that bad. Now? It's tedious and not worth the effort most of the time.

Posted by: Jack at August 14, 2008 11:13 PM in response to Fencing In Bob Dylan

BK One, no blowback from me. I think people need to understand the goal of some boutiques. Some are setting up shop not so much to sell items, but to have a place to show their stuff. Think of it as a "gallery-tique". They show off their wares, make a name, and then maybe become a designer for someone bigger in the business. It dosn't matter if they make a profit; often times the plan is to spend money to rent and entertain designers and others and leave when the goal is reached or the money is gone. Not justifying $150 t-shirts that are questionably better than stuff from the Salvation Army down the block, but still.

Also, I have two words for Boerum Hill folks who have watched boutiques come and go: Johnny Roo. How long has that storefront stayed closed after that boutique opened and closed in the blink of an eye? Do pigeons in the awning pay rent?

Posted by: Jack at August 9, 2008 12:27 AM in response to Closing the Door on Ouvrez La Porte

"...vendors (not unreasonably) want to make the most money they can and think that only in richer neighborhoods can they do that."

They also want safety and the cushion of a nice/healthy local economy. Fruit carts like this mainly pop in areas that have lots of other walkable retail, but no decent selection of fruit. There's a tipping point to where street vendors come in.

Also, I'm not in the mind that we should pity a stores overpriced rent. I support stores that support me and welcome me; I don't look at their lease before buying something from them. It's not my business and concern.

If you open a business, be an asset to the community and the goodwill and business will flow regardless of rent.

Posted by: Jack at August 8, 2008 11:43 AM in response to Closing Bell: Happy Fruit Men Everywhere

This kind of opening/closing of boutiques on Atlantic Avenue is nothing new. This strip has had its share of openings and closings and I expect it to stay the same. Some people open boutiques to open a business. Some are designers opening storefronts to get a "name" before moving on elsewhere. Those folks stay for 2-3 years. But whatever happens to this strip can only be good. It's been so dead for so long.

Just don't price out the delis on the corners or the dry cleaner. They are vital to the neighborhood and if they closed it would not be good.

Posted by: Jack at August 8, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Closing the Door on Ouvrez La Porte

Mule, a fruit stand will not destabilize anything anywhere. If people avoid Brooklyn Industries because a fruit stand is there, that would be hilarious. It's about as logical a complaint as the church going folks complaining that the Brooklyn Flea ruins their ability to worship. You might as well say that people bottling their own water is threatening to Poland Springs.

Also, Heather's point about under-served neighborhoods is correct, but a business is still a business. After the Gristede's fire and the closing of D'Agostino, the neighborhood is definitely under-served. And the location outside the St. George has lots of foot traffic.

Bedford Stuyvesant, Crown Heights and Bushwick need more than just a fruitstand.

Posted by: Jack at August 8, 2008 9:41 AM in response to Closing Bell: Happy Fruit Men Everywhere

Echoing what BrooklynBear says, Mikey's Hook Up is painfully overpriced even compared to other NYC places. Even calling them or e-mailing to ask for basic info results in nothing from them but attitude. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

Posted by: Jack at August 7, 2008 6:07 PM in response to Streetlevel: Mikey's Hooking Up Dumbo

chnewbie, stinks. The deal with setting up something like a food co-op is you really need space and in today's real estate market you'll really need someone who's an "angel" and willing to let the business grow and thrive.

With the PS food co-op, they bought their buildings before the boom. Best move ever.

On topic, Myrtle Avenue is still not too great. Not as bad as the "Murder Avenue" days, but still open air dealing and lots of fronts still fronting.

Posted by: Jack at August 5, 2008 3:19 PM in response to Streetlevel: Chase Gobbles Up Myrtle Corner

BrooklynLove, who said "near future" or put a timeframe of "5 years"?

Regardless, you're convinced this hotel boom is hinged on these hotels staying hotels. I'm not convinced.

Posted by: Jack at August 5, 2008 11:36 AM in response to DOB Green-Lights Cambria Suites Hotel on Schermerhorn

BrooklynLove, the last 20 years are one thing. The past 5 years is another. I don't think it's a radical idea that it would happen.

People laughed at me in the 1980s when I said Williamsburg would be a boomtown: "Who would want to live in warehouses?" Apparently enough people.

Posted by: Jack at August 4, 2008 1:47 PM in response to DOB Green-Lights Cambria Suites Hotel on Schermerhorn

Junkman:
"Point I am making, is that a lot of very smart people see a future in Downtown Brooklyn otherwise they wouldn't all be making such a significant investment."

Hmmm. Well, you have a point, but are these buildings built not only to be hotels but to stay as hotels? Could it be possible that they are opened as hotels but then a few years later they suddenly turn into "luxury" housing?

I'm willing to bet there's a backdoor condo/coop aspect to the sudden hotel boom.

Posted by: Jack at August 4, 2008 1:14 PM in response to DOB Green-Lights Cambria Suites Hotel on Schermerhorn

The food is awesome and a great draw to the flea. And the wait is not that bad at all. What else is one going to do on a sunny Sunday? Stay inside?

Posted by: Jack at August 4, 2008 11:03 AM in response to Closing Bell: No August Slowdown at The Flea

Wait, sorry for the two comments in a row, but looking at the layout of the place and the curb view, it looks like a big diner layout. Like someone took the plans to a diner and then plopped that center piece in the middle.

Since it's a custom job (clearly) I'd also like to see if there are any hatches or false floors in the place. Seriously, something has to be stashed there.

Posted by: Jack at July 30, 2008 11:23 PM in response to Dyker Heights 'Mansion': Yours for $2 Mil

So why was it sold? Some guy's Goomah didn't like it?

Posted by: Jack at July 30, 2008 11:18 PM in response to Dyker Heights 'Mansion': Yours for $2 Mil

Steve is great and has done an amazing job spreading the news about these parrots. And the parrots themselves are awesome!

Posted by: Jack at July 30, 2008 11:10 PM in response to Closing Bell: The Brooklyn Parrot Guru

So, is he renting the apartment or the stuff in it?

Posted by: Jack at July 29, 2008 8:08 PM in response to Closing Bell: Apt. Comes With 'Door, Sufficiently Armored'

itsagas, exactly. There can't be this much demand for a hotel in this part of Brooklyn.

I also wonder if some of these "hotels" are being constructed with an eye to converting them into housing when the economy balances out.

Posted by: Jack at July 29, 2008 9:44 AM in response to Behold, the Latest Gowanus Hotel!

Biff Champion, other stores have this concern as well. I've seen a few notices not barring people from using $20 bills, but warning that counterfeits are in circulation and if you're caught, they will call the cops.

Also, there have been a lot more cops walking a beat out here on Atlantic Avenue than I have ever seen before. Coincidence? Or is the summer just hot and the city likes sending cops out in full gear to hang out on street corners nowadays?

Posted by: Jack at July 28, 2008 8:38 PM in response to Closing Bell: Better Bring Small Bills to Louie's

FWIW, anyone against this flea market—or flea markets in general—need to realize that as retail rents skew higher and higher out of the range of mom & pop business owners, "floating" retail events like street fairs and flea markets are becoming more and more important for small businesses.

Anyone notice how nowadays a lot of "stoop sales" are just folks selling shiny brand new stuff? Or how "holiday markets" are basically the new malls of the 2000s?

There's a desire for people to run their own businesses you can't fight. So either love it or leave it be.

Posted by: Jack at July 27, 2008 7:09 PM in response to Closing Bell: Brooklyn Flea + Urban Arts Festival

Carlton Banks said:
"Nobody cares about your parents and Brighton Beach."

Sorry to bring up an example of my parents being victims of true racial hate and then not acting with racism when Russians came to Brighton Beach. Nothing angers people more than racism NOT happening.

Because the issue is simple and plain: Racism and self-hate. And not just racism and self-hate in the black community or the Jewish community or the Puerto Rican community or ANY community. It's just simple chip-on-the-shoulder/envy/hate/racism.

"Regardless, that's not the topic we're discussing."

Actually it 100% is and you're ignoring this fact to focus on a tedious detail of the space supposedly being inappropriate for the flea and suggestions that place it well out of any meaningful difference.

Let's for a second believe that what you are claiming is true. That the space used by Brooklyn Flea is inappropriate. Why then did the members of this "community" debate not bring these complaints straight to the organizers of Brooklyn Flea from the get go? This blog, their communication and their efforts to work with the community all speak towards them being open and amicable. Why then the political end runs and the creation of an air of animosity?

Also growing up in Brooklyn I have NEVER heard of any church, synagogue, mosque or ANYTHING complain that a local community event impeded on their ability to worship. If anything I've seen local "houses of worship" embrace these events because 1) they don't happen as often as you claim and 2) they bring people physically near their "house of worship" and makes it a part of the community.

The reality is that if this event was organized by people the "community" saw as "their own" there would not be any issue about anything.

The reality is that if the event were smaller and less well attended you would use that as an excuse to push "them" out.

The reality is you just don't want them there regardless and there is nothing they can do to appease this kind of passive-aggressive racism.

Posted by: Jack at July 26, 2008 12:59 PM in response to Closing Bell: Brooklyn Flea + Urban Arts Festival

Bxgrl, I personally understand exactly where you are coming from, but it's pretty simple: The animosity towards the Brooklyn Flea is based on passive-aggressive racism. Nothing more. Nothing less.

This so-called debate reminds me of the "outcry" against Korean delis in black communities in the 1980s. You know why the Koreans moved in and took over and did well? Because they did a good job and didn't let racism—and self-hatred—get in the way of things. And what was their reward from people in the community they served? Being accused of being "carpet-baggers" by daring to run a business well as immigrants and who ran a business without resorting to the place becoming a drug-front.

What's amazing is the outcry against Brooklyn Flea. Which is an event that happens for a few hours one day a week in a lot that would be empty otherwise.

boricua jack said this:
"...but face facts - you're defenders of Whitestone Brooklyn if anything."
and
"...into a Black community is the way to stop gentrification..."

You know, people like you should not be able to claim anything about anyone. I was born in Brooklyn (Brookdale Hospital) and was raised in Brooklyn (Brighton Beach) and it utterly amazes me to read your self hating crap. Whitestone Brooklyn? Really? Is that the best you can come up with? You have that much hatred of yourself?

Your attitude actually reminds me of people in Brighton Beach who complain STILL about the Russians "ruining" the neighborhood. It's the same racism and hate and animosity that comes from one fact: You spend decades in a neighborhood and can't clean it up or make things better, but then some outsider (White, Russian or Korean) comes in, does something good and what's their reward? Passive-aggressive hate.

Look in my case of Brighton Beach, my parents dealt with a lot of Russian bullshit (Labor Camps, etc...) in World War II, but they never ONCE spouted ONE negative thing about the Russians coming in an cleaning up Brighton Beach. But you know who complained? Old school neighborhood racists who were 3rd generation from any immigrant experience who just hated them for no valid reason.

Also, why complain about a flea market "gentrifying" a neighborhood? Who is selling their homes to these "white invaders" you're complaining about? Or you don't want to face that fact. If racial purity of a neighborhood is so important to you, do what they do in Chinatown or Williamsburg/Borough Park: Just sell to "your own".

You want to save things and preserve what you find important? Stop spending so much energy being a racist and actually do something. But when someone comes in an does something nice and creates a decent environment, don't complain. Just go to a therapist and explore why you're a masochist and embrace squalor and unsafe streets.

Posted by: Jack at July 26, 2008 11:56 AM in response to Closing Bell: Brooklyn Flea + Urban Arts Festival

clintonhillybuyer, get used to certain neighborhoods getting token gestures and others getting showcase renovations.

I grew up in deep Brooklyn and this kind of lip service and inequity in public amenities is par for the course.

Posted by: Jack at July 23, 2008 2:11 PM in response to Boerum Place Median A Wrap

bxgrl, FYI when you say "rebuilding the WTC is to build the tallest building in the world just to show we can." lets be clear that practically no significant construction has happened at the WTC site despite this city being in the middle of the biggest real estate boom in decades.

There's lots of corruption in this city. And the emptiness of the WTC site and the fact they can't even build the 9/11 memorial on time speaks volumes.

Posted by: Jack at July 22, 2008 11:44 PM in response to MTA Looking to Raise Fares Once Again

Why raise fares again? They are already charging riders more by offering oddball "bonuses" on cards.

Seriously, try this little experiment. Grab a pile of discarded MTA cards at any station. Swipe them or have them read by the MTA machine (which I find works better) and about half the cards I find have SOME amount of money on them. Whether it be a nickel, $1.50 or even more.

So the plus side is if you find these cards, you can have any MTA token booth clerk combine the values onto one card. But the negative is can you imagine how many $$$ in unclaimed or discarded fares are out there? Especially when you factor in tourists who have no investment in understanding fare structures and just discard or keep cards with fares as a "souvenir".

Posted by: Jack at July 22, 2008 3:02 PM in response to MTA Looking to Raise Fares Once Again

Caitrus, here is my message plain and simple:
Most people don't know anything about anything in their neighborhood and suddenly act shocked like quivering biddies when someone brings up something "shocking". There are tons of offices for all kinds of stuff spread out all over this city. And you know what? It's not an issue. The idea that NYC or any city is a homogenous location that is 100% "safe" is nutty.

"Not the other way around that Jack sounds like he believes."
Petebklyn, I have no idea what you mean. See my point above.

The reality is this: You cannot keep yourself any "safer" by moving things you perceive as "bad" away. It's all panic and fear based on little facts and based on the idea that somehow someone visiting his probation officer is somehow going to go, "Well, I have 1/2 hour... Time for some crime!"

And FWIW, when it comes to child abuse/molestation crimes it's predominantly done by people the child knows and not some random stranger. The image of a flasher is shocking and hilarious to an extent, but better keep tabs on nannies, school teachers, bus drivers and others and not worry about the magical "stranger" who is out to get you. They simply don't exist.

Posted by: Jack at July 16, 2008 6:26 PM in response to Federal Probation Officer Defends Proximity to St. Ann's

If you walk down Court Street on any given day you're passing by—and might be interacting with—tons of folks at various stages of dealing with the criminal justice system. It's just a fact of life. And it doesn't mean the area is less safe. If anything it's MORE safe because what idiot is going to do something right there with cops and court officers all over the place.

In general folks, clam down. Because I'm sure that everyone lives at least one block away from something or a place that houses folks of questionable backgrounds.

Posted by: Jack at July 16, 2008 1:25 PM in response to Federal Probation Officer Defends Proximity to St. Ann's

Are they owned by Aldis? If so, that's scary because when I lived in the midwest, Aldis was one of the scariest markets ever... Makes C-Town look fancy.

Will say the interior looks like Union Station in L.A. Wonder if anyone in charge of leasing the retail space at One Hanson Place will look to this rehab as an example.

Posted by: Jack at July 16, 2008 12:19 AM in response to Closing Bell: Breathless TJ's Progress Report of the Day!

They seem to be organizing:
http://www.clintongreenefoodcoop.com/

Posted by: Jack at July 15, 2008 2:30 PM in response to CSAs, Food Co-ops Take Root All Over Brooklyn

Amanda, the East New York Food Cooperative has a website here:
http://www.enyfoodcoop.com/

Address and phone numbers:
419 New Lots Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11207
Phone: 1-718-676-2721
Fax: 1-718-385-7505

Posted by: Jack at July 15, 2008 1:57 PM in response to CSAs, Food Co-ops Take Root All Over Brooklyn

Oh, dare I make an on-topic comment, but today's flea was great. The variety of sellers is much better than before. And the Pupusas were really good and very affordable.

Posted by: Jack at July 13, 2008 8:26 PM in response to Closing Bell: Fair Weather Flea?

"The right software can create a thousand of these for you with the click of a button."

The threat of people registering thousands of "fake" e-mails is nonsense. I do this professionally and it's one of the modern myths of the Internet.

Force people to register and block guests and things will be better right away. They do it on tons of site and the signal to noise ratio is tons cleaner.

Funny that the only people claiming it "doesn't" work are cowardly guests posting nonsense in this comment thread and others.

Posted by: Jack at July 13, 2008 8:23 PM in response to Closing Bell: Fair Weather Flea?

"Typically, the non-guest comments are at least as hateful and nonsensical as the guest posts."

Anonymity makes it worse. Most people don't want to connect an e-mail to an account. Simple as that.

You know how you control hecklers at a show? You charge at least $1 at the door. You'd be amazed at how many chucklheads you get rid of that way..

Posted by: Jack at July 13, 2008 4:27 PM in response to Closing Bell: Fair Weather Flea?

BROWNSTONER: Please get rid of guest logins. This stuff is informative until the clown "guest"s show up. Make this site better by just forcing people to sign up.

Posted by: Jack at July 13, 2008 10:17 AM in response to Closing Bell: Fair Weather Flea?

Eric,

"The floor is yours."

I can't tell you how amazingly hilarious your tone and arrogance is. "The floor is yours." Really? This isn't your floor to be clearing. This is a public blog that reports on local neighborhood events and news. And it's very accurate and on the ball. As a local business owner you have no superior right to dictate what/how people talk about your business for the simple reason that you OWN your business and you have power that none of us have. You have the power to affect change to your business and work with the neighborhood to be a "good neighbor". The reality is you don't. And while you are claiming that they lot is not connected with the Brooklyn Lyceum, this is clearly a "lovers spat" between land owners and architects with petty differences standing in the way of larger good.

In this case, this blog are reporting the the rotting, rat infested hulk of an old SEPTA trolley that you might have a receipt of ownership for but that has clearly been abandoned on that lot. There is a basic concept in property law known as abandonment. By having that SEPTA trolley sit there in the state it's in for years with no effort to do anything, it's easy to see why the courts would consider it abandoned property.

FYI, I am no blind "flag waver", but this is America. Neighbors in your community and all over this country have the right to say what they feel and express opinions. My apologies if this rubs you the wrong way.

But if it's any comfort, there are hundreds of businesses in this city that thrive with nobody making any issue about anything. Wonder why? Wonder what their secret is?

J

Posted by: Jack at July 8, 2008 12:12 PM in response to The SEPTA Train is Leaving its 4th Avenue Station

Just realized something: Does Montague Street ever have a street fair of some sort? I literally don't recall ever seeing one when Court and other nearby streets have them.

Posted by: Jack at July 8, 2008 12:33 AM in response to Car-Free Montague a Bust?

@ guest at July 7, 2008 5:19 PM
"Let's address the real problem here - Montague Street is not doing so well."

During the weekends, no. During the weekdays when court and civil service workers are around, it's doing fine.

There's no way to "connect" Montague to anything but the immediate neighborhood. If you want boutiques, I say having them placed near the Saint George Hotel is the best way to go. Makes that area a destination, and the walk between than and Montague is short.

Posted by: Jack at July 7, 2008 9:19 PM in response to Car-Free Montague a Bust?

WonTon said what I would have said: This is really sad. And in general I'm not liking the loss of small retail spaces across the city. I don't know of any new developments that actually have simple spaces a small startup can use. And the only ones left seem to be in this part of Brooklyn; makes it all sadder.

I think in 10 years the future of small boutiques are floating mini markets like the Brooklyn Indie market combined with online sale. Work at home. Make your goods. Sell them online. And if you're luck and have the time, get a card table and set up shop on the street when you can.

It's like this city is going back to being pushcart merchants.

Posted by: Jack at July 7, 2008 3:59 PM in response to Closing Time on Smith Street; Redevelopment Comin'

You Lyceum folks need to get your story's straight. First, Eric says there were never any issues. Then "Gio" says there WERE issues, but now they have worked it out.

Look, let me lay it out straight. I've ben to hundreds of venues—large and small—in NYC and with the advent of blogs and review sites one thing has made filtering the wheat from the chaff a lot easier. How much time the "owners" spend during a day to defend their business defaming the posters versus owners who simply acknowledge the issue and admit that maybe the "customer" has a point.

The sheer endless volume of screeds posted by Eric and others who works with him speaks volumes. Instead of actually doing something positive to a vacant lot and—by that example—showing a true spirit of working with the community, you guys spend endless hours berating ANYONE who says ANYTHING about the Lyceum with the fervor of an over-defensive failing business owner.

Also, personally, anyone who considers my stint as a comedy writer for "The Onion" as being a "journalist" is just a bit shy of being nutty. Do I have to explain how ridiculous that is? And how stalkerishly menacing that is?

Please folks, take the energy you spend arguing into fixing up the Lyceum. And maybe invest in a basic customer service course.

Posted by: Jack at July 7, 2008 3:43 PM in response to The SEPTA Train is Leaving its 4th Avenue Station

Eric,

In all seriousness, with each knee-jerk post you dig your own hole. For example:
"as a journalist you wouldn't get away with unresearched/unsubstantiated snark."

Indeed, you are 100% correct. But I am not a journalist and have never been on ever. Might as well say that I'm a doctor, because I'm not that either!

"as to being anonymous, its all out there for someone to see."
Not really. Until this post you didn't identify yourself. And having a login for a site to post as a valid user would enhance your credibility. And is not as difficult as you make it sound.

You're seriously building straw men and avoiding issues. And in this behavior proving by example what lots of people have said about your behavior and style.

Take care,
Jack

Posted by: Jack at July 7, 2008 3:32 PM in response to The SEPTA Train is Leaving its 4th Avenue Station

Excellent reporting on the "satellite" sellers and the local school cooperation. Truly making a effort.

Posted by: Jack at July 6, 2008 11:25 PM in response to Stoopefying!

FYI, I also am continually amazed at how people are criticizing that ANYONE who comments against the Brooklyn Lyceum somehow wants "luxury condos". That's a canard point at best. As someone who grew up in Brooklyn, I can assure you I don't want to see the Brooklyn Lyceum torn down to make way for another glass tower. Not at all.

But you know there is a middle ground. Like with Atlantic Yards. People want development in that area, just not THAT much development.

So please stop polarizing this into a gentrification argument. It insults us all.

Posted by: Jack at July 6, 2008 10:48 PM in response to The SEPTA Train is Leaving its 4th Avenue Station

Dear Pseudo-Anonymous Lyceum Manager,

"We have found, as stated earlier, that rockish events are mostly served better by other venues."

The straw man building doesn't stop. Why do you keep bringing up this point when nobody said anything about the type of shows and types of bands? Where do you get the idea that somehow the Lyceum would be loved if they were a "rock venue"? Who ever said that?

"Second, the "petty fights" you speak of are the result of acts(save the high school graduation) that refused to follow sound ordinances. And they were acts all about how big a guitar amp they can get into the building."

Actually if you read what I wrote I was referring to you tendency to get into petty flame-wars on any blog/site that dares to make any comment regarding the Brooklyn Lyceum. I don't know anything about the conflicts you're talking about in any way, but your need to confess speaks volumes.

"If that makes someone angry enough to hold a grudge, they can operate their own venue."

Obviously there are issues you need to deal with (see above) such as your own anger and grudges. Good luck!

"You are(obviously) welcome to patronize whatever venue you like, but understand that a venue that doesn't speak to you may very well speak to others."

I think you're continually mixing up content of a venue and style of the management. I think the content of the venue is admirable. The style of it's management is confrontational, combative and doesn't work with it's immediate community. Thus the comments questioning the venue.

Now please explain to everyone one simple thing: How exactly does a vacant garbage strewn lot and a rotting rat infested SEPTA trolley contribute to the NYC community? And I find it unbelievable that not one person has ever asked anything about the SEPTA trolley in any way.

Jack

Posted by: Jack at July 6, 2008 10:45 PM in response to The SEPTA Train is Leaving its 4th Avenue Station

You know when you go to an Asian neighborhood, go to a dumpling stand and get some delicious food for little cost and little hassle. That's not Eton at all. Incredibly disappointed. I've never waited so long for 5 measly dumplings in my life. And when they arrived all I could think is I could have gone to any decent supermarket, gotten a sack of dumplings and cooked them quicker on my own. They were quite mediocre and not worth the trip.

Interesting idea, but am baffled. Has anyone who works there actually worked in a food service job at all.

FWIW, I've gotten Banh Mi faster from Hanco's on a slow day.

Posted by: Jack at July 5, 2008 6:07 PM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

@ guest at July 3, 2008 7:35 AM (aka: manager of the Brooklyn Lyceum):

"I am truly sorry if your friends event got shut down."

??? I never said I knew anyone who was shut down.

"But the building is about more than hipster rock attitude. There are so many better places for that elsewhere."

Seems like you're building a straw man here since I never said anything about "hipster rock attitude".

"Also jack, if you really care to know anything more specifically than this, you can always stop by the lyceum and ask for a manager."

Not really. I'm simply a person who lives in the neighborhood who has seen shows there, and have heard stories, and generally it seems the Brooklyn Lyceum is a mismanaged mess filled with good intentions and management more hellbent on fighting petty fights than making real change.

The "manager"'s passive aggressive defensive posts here and elsewhere speak volumes. And his complete lack of respect towards his own neighbors is amazing.

For those who care, right around the corner is a community garden that is built on a vacant lot that works with—and for—the neighbors. And what is right next to the Lyceum? An empty garbage strewn lot with a rusty hulk of a Septa trolley. Which brings us back to this post.

It's dubious for anyone to claim ownership over that rotting rat infested mess of a trolley only AFTER foreclosure.

You're have more support in the neighborhood if you actually did something with the building.

And FWIW, the variety of shows you have is impressive; how many people come back after dealing with "management" the first time and then go elsewhere afterwards.

Just a thought.

Posted by: Jack at July 4, 2008 8:08 PM in response to The SEPTA Train is Leaving its 4th Avenue Station

I don't know if 1:15 is the owner of the Brooklyn Lyceum, but sounds like them. The Brooklyn Lyceum is an utter waste of resources and space. The owner claims that he runs it as an eclectic arts venue and shouldn't be held to the same standard as other venues. But you know, being varied/eclectic doesn't mean that the place has to fall apart and be an nuisance to neighbors. People were complaining about the "Don't Pee Here" place on 5th Avenue being an eyesore and should be torn down. Completely agreed on that. The Lycuem? It has tons of potential and it's not clear why it's as "nutty" as it is now. And stories of artists performing their and having their acts shut down arbitrarily by the owner are very common.

Don't know what the solution is, but given the overly dramatic explanation about a rotting hulk of a SEPTA trolley about it it seems they would like to spend more time debating petty points and criticizing other New Yorkers for not being "open" enough rather than actually doing something with what they have.

Posted by: Jack at July 2, 2008 10:56 PM in response to The SEPTA Train is Leaving its 4th Avenue Station

"All the businesses got kicked out. Has nothing to do with how good business was or wasn't."

So now it all gets torn down, and flipped to someone else, and some big glass monstrosity with a Chase and a mortgage vendor takes over the space.

Seriously, this city feeding on itself and it's not pretty.

Posted by: Jack at June 25, 2008 10:48 PM in response to StreetLevel: Smith Street Losing Its Flirt

"Has this been interesting to anyone?"

Yes, it has. How many people actually document the process of transforming something? Few if any. These pieces remind me of the old days of the Internet where people shared detailed stories and there were far less chuckleheads raining on their parade.

But if you're bored, there's a great site called Google. They have the 411 on some more interesting sites that you might be into. Dial 311 and ask for the URL.

Posted by: Jack at June 20, 2008 10:50 PM in response to Bird Blog: Week 7

Wow, a lot of anonymous hate from commenters tonight. Let me clarify it a bit:
I think that building SHOULD come down. It's a mess.

But I'm as sick of the word "eyesore" as I am about the word "luxury". Just another stupid shorthand phrase that's used in pikcu-up debates. You know the Atlantic Center is an "eyesore"—and a "legsore" if you want to walk to Circuit City—but it's not the same as this storefront.

Also, most of the apartments being sold—oversold?—in Brooklyn South are far from "luxury". Especially if it's new construction. They're just apartments.

Posted by: Jack at June 20, 2008 10:46 PM in response to Slope Eyesore May Have Timely End

You know, I know know specifics of these buildings, but I'm sick and tired of people calling things "eyesores".

Unless you lived in NYC in the 1970s./1980s and saw REAL decrepit buildings, you have no idea what you're talking about when you call these places eyesores.

Of all the issues this city faces with in real estate, "eyesores" are right at the bottom.

Heck, the old NYC apartment I grew up in was called an "eyesore" back in the day. Nowadays it's a lovely pre-War building with old fixtures.

Posted by: Jack at June 20, 2008 11:58 AM in response to Slope Eyesore May Have Timely End

OMFG! The infamous "Coming Soon: Laundromat" is actually opening after OVER A DECADE of threatening to be "coming soon"?!?!?!?!

This has got to be the coolest thing ever!

Posted by: Jack at June 18, 2008 1:40 PM in response to StreetLevel: North Slope Gets Loaves, Lingerie, Laundry

First, it's sad the Albee Square is now coming down. I always liked visiting it in the 1980s. And the last time I visited it was a year or so ago when there were barely any stores left.

But to the anonymous asshat:
"Who would want to move into a luxury condo when the neighborhood itself is a warzone?"

It's not a warzone. Just different stores.

Posted by: Jack at June 3, 2008 11:14 PM in response to Development Watch: Whole Hog at Albee Square

@ guest on June 1, 2008 4:42 PM:
It's bad enough that you started this Flea Market without consulting with the neighborhood residents.

Forest City Ratner "consulted" the neighborhood residents and look at what it got everyone. The world's worst mall (aka: Atlantic Center) that doesn't have ANY entrances facing the "neighborhood residents" it supposedly caters to.

Are there board meetings to discuss the opening of check cashing services, store-front psychics, car-services and other *cough* fronts?

Some of the flea booths are a bit "twee", but overall it's a positive. A schoolyard being used during non-school days to do something other than gather dust.

Posted by: Jack at June 2, 2008 12:50 PM in response to Onward March!

"magnolia cupcake would do well."

Yes, the market for overpriced cupcakes is vibrant now that Sex & the City is back in the news thanks to the movie.

How about opening up a Tulip shop? I hear the Dutch go nuts for Tulips!

Seriously, the points made about Red Hot Schezuan & Tea Lounge having lots of customers yet closing are on the money. These were not businesses looking for markets. They were solid, established and had a reputation.

At some point the only folks who can pay high retail are chains nobody wants. And then what happens? Would I pay a crazy price to live in Park Slope just so I can go to a Papa John's Pizza or a Dunkin' Doughnuts.

Keep on squeezing out the mom & pop stores and you'll soon find more and more people want to leave this city because at a point it just becomes a case of "Why do we live here again?"

Posted by: Jack at May 23, 2008 11:34 PM in response to Slippery Slope: Two Down on 7th Ave.

What "Brooklynnative at May 23, 2008 1:45 PM" posted is right.

I simply don't understand rent hikes for retail nowadays in the current market. Since the whole mortgage mess was based on lending money to people who couldn't pay, where is the magical money that to fill these inflated rates come from?

Soon enough—I say Spring 2009—you'll start seeing more and more people moving and related yard sales, stoop sales and such.

And while realtors will still try to squeeze as much as possible out of their portfolio, at some point they are going to have to realize the waiting game only hurts them.

Also, anyone charging high rents for foot-traffic based retail in the South Slope is nuts. There's no natural traffic flow outside of businesses that cater directly to the neighborhood.

Which is why forcing Tea Lounge out is nuts. Nobody comes from another neighborhood specifically to go to Tea Lounge. A neighborhood resource with a steady income stream is more desirable than a Pinkberry that can pay high rents but might move.

Posted by: Jack at May 23, 2008 2:04 PM in response to Slippery Slope: Two Down on 7th Ave.

Guest at 12:25 PM said it better than I could. Sitt is responsible for pummeling lots of rides to the ground, threatening owners of existing land and generally being a grade A "sweet fella".

You know what would have been great for the 2008 season? The batting cages that were around for years... Until Thor's hammer smashed them down. Ditto with the miniature golf course and the go-kart track.

Thor is a disaster for Coney. Just look at what he does to other property in NYC, like the Albee Square Mall and other buildings Thor has banners in front of all over the place. Empty, vacant and unused. Just waiting to be flipped.

Posted by: Jack at May 17, 2008 12:18 AM in response to Thor Bringing Petting Zoo, Side Show, 'Dreamland' to Coney

It's all being done to undo the damage of the summer of demolition and the summer of threats when Thor basically went back on every promise they ever made for Coney.

The best thing for Coney: They sell the land and leave.

Posted by: Jack at May 16, 2008 5:12 PM in response to Thor's Roller Coaster More Than Twice Height of Cyclone

Park Slope snob? Give me a break. I realized after I submitted that that some genius would call me out on that; right or wrong. This board seems to attract a lot of self-haters who go out of their way to find racism everywhere. Can't even set up a flea market without some self-hater opening his mouth. Here's my "grip", chief.

• Born in 1968 in Brookdale Hospital.
• Grew up in Brighton Beach in the 1970s/1980s in a 4 story tenement.
• Parents were immigrants and far from rich.
• My mom worked in Gowanus in a sweatshop and carried sharpened screwdrivers just to make the walk from the 4th Avenue Union Street stop back in the 1970s/1980s.
• My dad worked in a box factory in Williamsburg/Greenpoint back before that.
• Grew up watching the neighborhood go from mixed working class neighborhood, to semi-crap in the 1970s/1980s as people left NYC for Long Island or any other suburb. Ever see some pals you spent time with in 2nd grade turn into hookers and drug addicts? I did. And FWIW, all white... But all poor...
• Stuck it out through those times with my parents despite new building owners trying to get us—and everyone else—out so they could jack up rents and convert the building the condos; sound familiar?

The only racism in that statement is your own. Anyone living in NYC during the 1980s/early-1990s would be nuts to deny the crime in Bushwick or Bed-Stuy was higher than the rest of the city. It's better now, but guess what it's still bad.

And guess what? Some parts of Park Slope in the 1960s/1970s were as bad as Bushwick or Bed-Stuy and both neighborhoods were really screwed up thanks to redlining back then and we all know it.

Posted by: Jack at May 16, 2008 1:29 AM in response to Union Hall Yays Have It; Nays Speak Out

Guest, not even two years. Try the summer of 2006.

If people are implying that 2005 Park Slope was a scorched earth wasteland, man. That's funny!

Posted by: Jack at May 15, 2008 9:04 PM in response to Union Hall Yays Have It; Nays Speak Out

"My friend was mugged on that block a year or so before the arrival of Union Hall"

I call horse feathers on that. I lived on Union Street in from 1991-1995 and while not as cleaned up as it is now, it was not this sketchy stretch of rogue hoodlums waiting to pounce on folks. You make it sound as if it was Bushwick or Bed-Stuy. Please, get a grip.

The whole Union Hall debate has been a fascinating look into the narrow world of (let's face it) transplants from the midwest and their views on what is good/bad about Brooklyn.

Before Union Hall showed up 200 Fifth was there for decades... For those who need "street eyes".

Posted by: Jack at May 15, 2008 7:50 PM in response to Union Hall Yays Have It; Nays Speak Out

All this self-important whining makes me never want to drink.

Posted by: Jack at May 15, 2008 5:04 PM in response to Union Hall Yays Have It; Nays Speak Out

There's a difference between an art space and a venue. Southpaw is a venue. Galapagos was an art space. RIP Galapagos.

Posted by: Jack at May 14, 2008 8:41 PM in response to Streetlevel: Former Galapagos Space Plays Naming Game

How about "Le Frat Haus", since it seems that taking a working venue and "refitting" it to suit new investors seems like a way of saying "Let's get rid of what people like, but let's keep the dancing half-naked chicks and have more rail drinks..."

Uggh, this city.

Posted by: Jack at May 14, 2008 4:25 PM in response to Streetlevel: Former Galapagos Space Plays Naming Game

OMFG! This is awesome!

Posted by: Jack at May 14, 2008 12:33 AM in response to Pupusamania!

Coming late to this, but I'm baffled by the "creepy" comments. The street was never that bad and no more/less safe than any other street in the area. It will be an interesting conversion, but I'll miss the way it was since it reminds me of NYC back in the 1970s and 1980s.

Posted by: Jack at April 30, 2008 8:09 PM in response to The Latest on the Love Lane Garage?

You know, I've been critical of some gentrification myself, but I cannot for the life of me understand why ANYONE would be against a community based flea market where anyone who can pay for a table can sell their wares.

I grew up in Brooklyn, grew up in Brighton Beach and have seen tons of different flea markets. Granted I will say this one caters to a bit more "twee" tastes than most, but it's a great start and I cannot fathom the complaints. Would people actually be happier if one of those "street fairs" filled with mozzarepas, sock vendors and the same old crap setup there? C'mon, get over it.

And for any of the true old schoolers here, did the Atlantic Antic gather this many whiny complaints back in the day when it started?

Posted by: Jack at April 28, 2008 2:45 AM in response to Brooklyn Flea Week 4 on Sunday!