Browsing Tag

Cobble Hill

Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights, Celebrity Residents

Spike Lee Believes Cobble Hill Has Gentrified Into Brooklyn Heights

July 8, 2012

In a lengthy Q&A on New York magazine’s Vulture blog, Spike Lee talks with writer Will Leitch in detail about his roots in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill. The director was born in Atlanta, and moved to Crown Heights at an early age, followed by eight years beginning around the age of 4—from 1961 to 1969—at 186 Warren Street, between Henry and Clinton streets.

Lee’s take: Cobble Hill has gentrified to the point that it’s now… Brooklyn Heights. Read more at Cobble Hill Blog.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43864

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Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights, Celebrity Residents

Spike Lee Believes Cobble Hill Has Gentrified Into… Brooklyn Heights

July 8, 2012

In a lengthy Q&A on New York magazine’s Vulture blog, Spike Lee talks with writer Will Leitch in detail about his roots in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill. The director was born in Atlanta, and moved to Crown Heights at an early age, followed by eight years beginning around the age of 4—from 1961 to 1969—at 186 Warren Street, between Henry and Clinton streets.

Lee’s take: Cobble Hill has gentrified to the point that it’s now… Brooklyn Heights. See the full interview here, with highlights below.

Vulture: I cannot imagine what it must be like for you to walk around Cobble Hill now and see wheat-germ places and Pilates.

Lee: That does not bother me. What bothers me is that these kids do not know the street games we grew up with. Stoop ball, stickball, cocolevio, crack the top, down the sewer, Johnny on the pony, red light green light one-two-three. These are New York City street games.
We were the first black family to move into Cobble Hill. And we got called “nigger.” At that time, Cobble Hill was strong—I mean, strong—Italian-American, because of the docks. But as soon as the neighbors understood that there weren’t any other black families, it was not like a mass of black families moving in behind me, I was just like everybody else. It was a great time to grow up in Cobble Hill.

Vulture: Do you make it back at all? It’s not so Italian anymore.
I know. It is Brooklyn Heights now. But when I was growing up, the demarcation line was Atlantic Avenue. Brooklyn Heights was rich, Jewish. Atlantic Avenue was like the train tracks, and on the other side of Atlantic Avenue was Cobble Hill. It was mobbed up. When you crossed ­Atlantic Avenue, that was like going to another world. They say that [Brooklyn Heights ­private school] Saint Ann’s was formed because parents did not want us black kids in their schools in Brooklyn Heights.


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7515

From the Web

Muni-Meters Come To Court Street

July 8, 2012

They’ve been methodically creeping across New York City, and last week, Muni-Meters arrived along Court Street as it moseys through Cobble Hill. According to the Cobble Hill Association, the plan has been in works for months, with advance notice from the Department of Transportation: “Commercial corridors citywide have been getting this treatment, which offers more payment options for drivers, more parking spots per block, and in some cases variable peak pricing so the cost of a space can change based on demand.”

So far, the old coin meters remain in place, but as in surrounding neighborhoods, by this fall they will become a relic of times gone by.


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7510

From the Web

Bike Rack Proposed At Pacific & Court In Cobble Hill To Curb Illegal Parking

June 29, 2012

The Cobble Hill Association has proposed adding a bike rack at the corner at the intersection of Pacific & Court streets in Cobble Hill, in an apparent effort to curb illegal parking in a “No Standing” zone at the intersection. The move was presented to the Department of Transportation in February, according to DNAinfo.com in an ongoing effort to remedy traffic snafus in the neighborhood.

DOT offered a proposal to Brooklyn’s Community Board 2 last week, which was approved unanimously by the board’s transportation committee. The plan will be voted on by the full board at the board’s executive committee meeting next week.

Despite restrictions, drivers often park at said intersection and block the view of other drivers trying to make a left-hand turn onto Court, according to CHA VP Dave ‘Paco’ Abraham. To solve the problem, DOT and the association proposed an on-street bike rack on the corner to prevent cars from having access to park there.

Similar racks have been installed at Smith & Sacket streets in the nabe, and in the East Village, at East Ninth Street between First & Second avenues. “The bike racks are low enough that a biker or a driver can look over them,” Abraham said. “As a driver, when I drive up Pacific Street, I stop at the crosswalk to let pedestrians pass and then inch out. When a car is blocking the view, I have to inch out further and further, blocking the crosswalk. As a pedestrian, I’m always frustrated when my crosswalk is not clear because a car is blocking it.”


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7469

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Food

Cobble Hill’s Battersby Fosters NYT Love

June 29, 2012

“Battersby Is Poised For The New Brooklyn.” That’s the headline in a generally flattering New York Times restaurant review for “elbow to elbow” intimate Cobble Hill eatery Battersby at 255 Smith Street and Douglass Street, owned by Joseph Ogrodnek and Walker Stern. Quote: “At its best, the food at Battersby is thoughtful, poised, occasionally revelatory.”

Regarding the restaurant’s lamb, NYT reporter Ligaya Mishan muses, “This is a biography of lamb, intimate in its details. You sense that the person who cooked it broke down the animal himself. You do not coo over such a plate; you bow your head, in grace.” The menu of about a dozen dishes changes as often as three times a week, she reports.

Recommended on the menu are the kale salad, crab parfait, quinoa with herbs and lettuces, octopus and chorizo, branzino, lamb and spontaneous tasting menu. Prices range from $7 to $29, with a tasting menu for $65-$85.

One more amusing note… Mishan suggests that Smith Street is “a formerly insalubrious strip that is now just a Marc Jacobs away from becoming Brooklyn’s Bleecker.”

(Photo: New York Times/Elizabeth Lippman)


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7461

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Real Estate

Broker David Mandrell IDs Cobble Hill As ‘Next Hottest’ Brooklyn Neighborhood

June 29, 2012

David Maundrell, founder of brokerage firm Aptsandlofts.com, was interviewed in the New York Daily News‘ Real Estate “Ask A Broker” section Thursday, about Brooklyn’s hot spots.

The residential firm recently opened a second storefront office in Cobble Hill and according to Maundrell, the “next hottest nabes in NYC” are… Cobble Hill and Bushwick, Brooklyn. He notes, “Cobble Hill because of the access to outstanding schools, parks, a host of new and exciting retail on Court Street and beautiful tree-lined landmarked streets. The lack of inventory in the townhouse market and the overflow from Brooklyn Heights is really starting to put significant pressure upward pressure on pricing.

Regarding Bushwick: It’s “on the tip of everyone’s tongue because of an exploding art scene and some well-noted restaurant reviews.”


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7456

From the Web

Cobble Hill Inspires The Design Of Kate Spade ‘Little Minka’ Handbag(?!)

June 21, 2012

Just in case you’ve ever wondered what the neighborhood of Cobble Hill would look like as, uh, a leather purse, Kate Spade has come to the rescue. The high-end designer has named its “Little Minka” handbag after the enclave.

The description: “Known for its expansive historic district and well-maintained 19th century homes, (Cobble Hill) exudes the classic ease and character that inspired this handbag. Crafted in soft pebbled leather with a short shoulder handle and a secure zip-top closure, it ensures all your belongings will stay safe and look sharp as you hop from one adventure to the next.” So how much is the neighborhood worth in Kate Spade currency: $378, thank you. See Kate Spade’s other Cobble Hill handbag selections here.


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7419

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Arts and Entertainment, Events

‘Music In The Park’ Summer Series Comes To Cobble Hill Park

June 21, 2012

Cobble Hill Park will feature its 2012 “Music in the Park” concert series beginning July 5, with weekly free family-friendly performances beginning at 7 p.m. It’s sponsored by Ridgewood Savings Bank, Brooklyn Bridge Realty and park neighbors Ted & Honey.

Coming up: Thursday July 5: The Claremont Strings (Classical), July 12: Suzanne Sherman Propp (folk) and The Crustaceans (acapella w Colgate13 alumni), July 19: Zenon Garcia & Ada Pasternak (folk-jazz combo) and July 26: singer/songwriter Kelly McRae.

Rain dates are the following Friday.


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7407

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Arts and Entertainment

Saturday In The Park: Free To Be

June 17, 2012

Who needs a battalion of tech when an idyllic day in the park with family and the simplicity of a helium balloon can trump the fun of Xbox any day? These folks are enjoying a sunny Saturday at Cobble Hill Park. (Photos: Chuck Taylor)


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7378

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Brooklyn Heights

PetSmart: What Matters More, Low Prices Or Mom & Pop Reverence?

June 15, 2012

The new Brooklyn PetSmart mega-store at 238 Atlantic Avenue on the border of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill and Downtown Brooklyn, is taking a bite out of the 20 or so mom-and-pop pet stores within a two-mile radius, according to a post on DNAInfo.com.

PetSmart opened last November to great fanfare, including a ribbon cutting by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. BHB readers have had plenty to say on the topic (see below), with the scale weighting toward the chain’s fair pricing, spotless interior and attentive service.

But DNA reports on the downside of the chain store, quoting such local owners as Kil Chung of the 12-year Smith Pet Food in Cobble Hill: “The day PetSmart opened, my business started to go down. They are killing me. Only money counts.” Chung claims he will soon be out of business, because he can’t afford to fill his store’s empty shelves.

Pet Boutique and Supplies on Sixth Avenue in Park Slope has also seen a decline. “Of course PetSmart is affecting us,” says staffer Mike Saadi. “We can’t compete with their prices.”

But there are, of course, two sides to every story. PetSmart manager Scott Marcus offers that the 15,000sf superstore employs 35, most of whom live in Brooklyn. In addition, he says his staff has passion for animals and “are no different than the people who own and work at smaller shops. We have worked hard to show that we care about animals and want the best for our customers.”

PetSmart has also partnered with the community, running an adoption and rescue center, hosting regular events for charities and welcoming kids from local schools to learn about animals. As BHB reported at the store’s opening, it also offers the full-service Banfield Pet Hospital, grooming, accredited training and prescription foods & medications.

She’s Crafty wrote in April on the BHB Open Thread, “I’m falling in love with the PetSmart on Atlantic Avenue. Their house brand low carb dry food is great for my cat who can’t tolerate grains, and super inexpensive (also there are a slew of coupons in each bag). They have great staff, who (are) knowledgeable and sweet with the children.”

Reader Van added on BHB, “We took our 130-pound Newfoundland to PetSmart for grooming. They were great and about $25 cheaper than the options in the Heights. They have a lot of stock, prices are very fair and it seems like a well-run store.”

And Lori W: “I would love to support local businesses as opposed to a chain, however, the discounts and deals that I get at PetSmart are far better. If local businesses had comparable prices and offered incentives, I would shop there, however, as someone who needs to save money, every little bit helps.”

So what say you, BHB readers? How should the pendulum swing: toward lower prices and wider selection or reverence to local Mom & Pop shops?

(Photo: Chuck Taylor)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42490

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