PACC is Wack
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…
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]
Most have been imported from elsewhere in Brooklyn.
OK, an Applebee’s is about the last thing I’d want in my neighborhood either. But it would be a little smug to assume that therefore *no one* else must want one. Because all reasonable people think just like me, right?
I bet you that if you surveyed most of the patrons of this blog, they’d tell you that another thing “no one wants” in Brooklyn is a Chuck E. Cheese. And yet look how packed to the gills the one in Atlantic Center is. Maybe not with the refined ladies and gentlemen of quality who read Brownstoner, but I doubt all the customers have been imported from outside Brooklyn.
We need a wine bar in that space like we need a hole in the head. This neighborhood needs and wants a good nail and hair salon in that location and bygod that’s what we’d better get!
PACC has no idea what the neighborhood wants. Applebees would crush the neighborhood retailers.
Thanks for posting this piece, Brownstoner, because this is an issue near and dear to my heart. We don’t need no stinkin’ Applebees over there. We already have disgusting food – Subway, McDonald’s, foul and nauseating Chinese. The last thing in the world we need is an a stinkin’ Applebees. We need a wine bar, we need a good local restaurant with real food, we need a bakery, we need a greengrocer. I swear to God, this is a rallying call if I ever heard one. Who the hell is Pratt Area Community Council anyway?
I don’t agree, Brownstoner. While you may think yourself about an Applebees-type place, I think the PACC may have a more finely-tuned ear on this one. The Applebees (or similar) place over in Ft Greene/Metrotech area has a line outside every night. I’m sure you’d rather have a wine bar — and I would too — but that doesn’t make it right
what’s the size of the bodegas space? applebees are big honking mo fo’s.
Alternately, they are looking for a big payday from a chain that might pay more in rent.
I have heard that PACC has refused to even hear from any one other than commercial chains. PACC will be facing a vicious fight if they try to open something so awful as Applebees or North Fork.