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The future of the Bodegas space on the corner of Clinton and Fulton is of great concern to everyone we know in the neighborhood. Since the restaurant closed at the beginning of the year (in a domino effect caused by money problems and nasty landlords at Liquors), the rumors have been flying. The space is of particular importance because of its location at the gateway to Clinton Hill on a commercial stretch of road that has been crying out for improvement for years. So it was disbelief that we heard recently that the Pratt Area Community Council (which owns the building) took time out from destroying the aesthetics of the historic neighborhood to turn down an offer from a successful local business owner who wanted to open a wine bar in the space. And for what? PACC told this business owner that it had done a survey that showed residents wanted an Applebees! Yeah, right. This weekend, Clinton Hill Blog reported a rumor that PACC had recently shown the space to North Fork Bank. At least the nabe does need a bank (more than an Applebees), but, geez, turning down someone with a proven track record who wants to put an upscale establishment in this crappy stretch of Fulton? If the organization takes the credit of low-income renters and buyers, surely it can rent to a local business.
Store Rumors [Clinton Hill Blog]
Future of Bodegas & Liquors Thrown Into Question [Brownstoner]
Corner of Clinton and Fulton Up for Grabs [Brooklyn Record]


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

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  1. To Merychawik and others who are somehow claiming that whites are not supporting current restaurants on Fulton, that is not true. The nice, and reasonbly priced places (Kush, Brown Betty, Joloffe, Boca Soul) all have mixed crowds from the neighborhood, so quit trying to race bait with your off the wall comments. All of those places are black owned, so the bs on this site about black people only wanting crappy fast food and whites not eating at the existing fantastic independent and black owned restaurants is just that, bs.

    We need more quality independently owned and operated places to eat and hang out. Plus better groceries and other shops. If they try to put some crappy Applebees in here it will be a real loss as affordable food does not mean down market.

  2. Sorry to say, but my beloved Boca Soul (across from Bodegas) will be shutting down in Brooklyn and will relocate to Harlem in the Spring (according to one of the workers at the restaurant). This breaks my heart. The restaurant has only been open for 1 year and has had a bit of hardship – due to what I believe to be poor management and lack of CONSISTENT customer support.

    Unfortunately, the foot traffic never seem to make it to this part of Fulton street.

    The food is excellent, and I will soarly miss this place.

  3. I am sure that Applebees did studies to determine whether the location will do well, which means that people want it. Clinton Hill is not going to become Brooklyn Heights, just accept it.

  4. 12:25,

    Bodegas did not close for lack of customers. If you pay attention to neighborhood gossip, the whole three restaurant empire closed due to getting screwed on the rent, mismanagement and the more than 15 critical health violations.

  5. I don’t get it. What the area needs is a place like Bodegas? The place that just closed? Sorry, looks like that didn’t work out.

    I believe in a free market but after reading this thread, I HOPE PLEASE GOD that Applebees moves in tomorrow.

  6. 12:11 PM

    Ar you suggesting some sort of restaurant apartheid? What’s the tipping point? If the nabe is written up in Time Out, then no chains? If the streetscape is made up of check cashing places and pawn shops, then bring on the TGIF’s?

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