Open and Shut

Hurricane Sandy
Sad news for Dumbo this week: Governor will not reopen after the damages by Sandy. They issued a statement which in part says this: “We assessed the destruction at Governor caused by five feet of water, and we were determined to rebuild our fledgling restaurant. But despite our commitment and the subsequent and remarkable outpouring of support in all forms–from individuals, the restaurant industry and the community, we have, regrettably, been forced to accept that the scope and scale of repairing the damage to our restaurant is beyond our means financially.” The post-Sandy pic above is by Scoboco. And here’s a very sad photo of the extensive demolition happening now at Nathan’s Hotdogs in Coney Island. They will reopen this spring. Also in Coney, Cha Cha’s announced it was closing on Surf Avenue. Amusing the Zillion says, “Given the challenges faced by businesses in their rebuilding efforts, we’d have to guess that Sandy is responsible for shuttering this Coney Island mainstay, which had survived the death of its manager “JT” and eviction by Zamperla.” And finally a bit of good news from the hurricane recovery: Stumptown’s Roastery is back in action in Red Hook. Also, Fairway is confirmed to reopen on March 1st!

North Brooklyn
Tribeca home furnishing store Karkula has packed up shop and is moving to Williamsburg – 98 South 4th Street, between Bedford and Berry, to be precise. And Greenpointers reviews the new cafe Eagle Trading Company, and likes it.

Elsewhere
In Gowanus, a members-only social club is in the works for 501 Union Street, right across from the Green Building. It’s actually the owner of the Green Building who’s opening the new catering hall/community center. The prepared food joint and cafe Gather opened in Park Slope at 341 Seventh Avenue. Bay Ridge favorite Hinsch’s is staying open a little longer after previously announcing they’d close March 1st. The restaurant, however, is still on the market. A chef from Tribeca set up shop in Sunset Park, serving pastries, sandwiches, coffee and wines in a new cafe/restaurant called Zona Sur. They hope to be open for dinner next month. Finally in Carroll Gardens, Poppy’s Catering is under construction at the old Sadie’s Kitchen space on Degraw Street.