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Commercial Real Estate

Brooklyn Heights, Food, News

Chocolate Works Coming to Montague, Jeweler Leaving

November 7, 2013

According to the Eagle, “[a] real-life Willie Wonka is moving to Montague Street.” The Chocolate Works will be taking the space previously occupied by Radio Shack at 110 Montague Street, between Henry and Hicks. The store will sell a variety of chocolate specialties, along with other candies, and will be available for “kids’ parties and bachelorette bashes.” The Eagle story quotes owner Joe Whaley as saying he hopes to have the store open by Valentine’s Day.

The Eagle story also reports that Montague Jewelers, a fixture at 212 Montague, between Clinton and Court, since 1988 is going out of business. An owner, Alan Cabasso, said increases in the cost of gold have been a major problem for the business. Being hidden under a sidewalk bridge for some time can’t have helped, either. There is as of yet no new tenant for the space.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/63724

From the Web

Downtown Brooklyn, Food, News

Shake Shack Coming to Former Pete’s Location at Old Fulton & Water

August 15, 2013

According to the Daily News, Shake Shack will be moving into the spot previously occupied by Pete’s, One Old Fulton Street, at the corner of Old Fulton and Water streets, near the Pier 1 entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park, in the Fulton Ferry Historic District. (The News piece quotes Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti saying he’s moving into DUMBO; we have news for him.) This means Brooklyn Heights will now be bracketed by Shake Shacks: one in downtown Brooklyn and a new one near the foot of Squibb Hill, expected to open in mid-2014.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/61763

From the Web

Downtown Brooklyn

Sephora May Anchor “Women’s Power Center” at Court and Joralemon

June 28, 2013

According to Lois Weiss’s “Between the Bricks” column in the New York Post, cosmetics retailer Sephora will be the anchor tenant in the retail space being developed in the Brooklyn Municipal Building at the southeast corner of Court and Joralemon streets. Weiss quotes Albert Laboz of United American Land, the developer of the site, as saying, “It looks like we are turning this into a power center for women’s fashion tenants.” The only other tenant mentioned as having leased space at the location is YogaWorks, but Weiss reports that “discussions are also underway with other women’s fashion tenants.”


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/60450

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Events, Food, News

Tale of the Tweets: Red Hook Fairway Re-Opens

March 3, 2013

Red Hook’s Fairway Market reopened with a celebration that began at 7:30 a.m. on Friday with a foodie event to remember,” with food and product demos, giveaways and appearances from Miss America Mallory Hytes (who lives in Brooklyn) and Borough Prez Marty Markowitz.

Among improvements to the grocery post-Sandy—which decimated the 52,000sf waterfront store with 5 feet of water—are wider aisles, no dead ends in produce, entire store is easier to navigate, bakery is three times larger, a new cafe with enhanced offerings, meat & seafood easier to shop and a self-serve meat aisle across from the butcher counter.

In addition, a new expanded bulk section now comprises 198 items, including granola, nuts & seeds, grains & beans, natural candy and more.

The store was packed all weekend, here’s the Tale of the Tweets from opening day onward:


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/55734

From the Web

Downtown Brooklyn, News

Downtown Brooklyn Sprouts Another New Hotel Property

January 4, 2013

A Hampton Inn is coming to 125 Flatbush Avenue Extension, according to a sign posted on the construction fence there. A rendering from hotel developer LodgeWorksBrownstoner provides is offered from Brownstoner. The 13-story building will provide 116 guest rooms with scheduled completion in spring 2014. Work began at the site in December, with plans first announced in March 2012. The Hampton Inn joins the Aloft Hotel and Hotel 718 in Downtown Brooklyn.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/53369

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Landmark Preservation

To Demo Or Not? Landmarks Debates Fate Of Brooklyn Heights Cinema

December 22, 2012

Developers and preservation advocates are playing tug of war as the Landmarks Preservation Committee debates whether to allow Brooklyn Heights Cinema owner Kenn Lowy to hold onto the landmarked 1895 building—or whether to replace it with a planned five-story condo.

DNAInfo.com reports that six votes are outstanding with the Landmarks Commission to approve or deny a proposal to demo the structure. At a November 27 meeting, design revisions for the new building were bandied, which Commissioner Michael Goldblum felt were “too reminiscent of the industrial Art Deco architecture, an inappropriate style for the district.”

Landmarks has not scheduled its next meeting, leaving the fate of the building hanging in the air. Meanwhile, Jane McGroarty of the Brooklyn Heights Association deems 70 Henry Street—one of the last buildings from the 1800s left standing in the area—”one of the handsomest commercial buildings in the district.” Likewise, Council Member Stephen Levin wrote to the Landmarks Commission, “70 Henry Street is a contributing building within the historic district on two levels: It is both architecturally and culturally significant to our neighborhood.”

DNAInfo reports: “To some movie-goers, the building’s muraled ceilings, stained star-patterned carpeted floors, dual entrance stairways and 150-seat sloping theaters hold historical value. The ornate cornice-covered facade and and boxy construction have survived centuries of nearby demolition which claimed most of the other buildings that were made in the same era.”

But according to Randy Gerner, architect of the proposed new building, 70 Henry has been renovated so many times over the last 75 years, including a commission-approved makeover in 1971, it has lost its historic claim. He also says the building, in its current state, is deteriorating.

Lowy says that Caruana has guaranteed the cinema would have a place on the ground floor of the new condo once it reopens, albeit with a rent hike and less space. He’s been told to expect an 18-month displacement, but is grateful to be included in plans for the new building: “I am an eternal optimist. I know we will continue to screen films whether in this building or one that is yet to be built.” (Photo: (remster_9/Flickr)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/53119

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Adjacent 76-80 Court Street Commercial Properties Sell For $15.25 Million

November 15, 2012

Two adjacent commercial properties at 76-80 Court Street in Brooklyn Heights have sold for $15,250,000, reports Massey Knakal, which brokered the sale. According to Brownstoner, the buyer and future plans weren’t disclosed.

The building at the southwest corner of Livingston Street, 76 Court, comprises one ground floor commercial unit and office space above. Next door, 80 Court Street also offers a commercial unit on the ground floor with four residential apartments above. The deal worked out to approximately $600 per square foot, the firm said. (Photo: Brownstoner)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51899

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Getting Serious About Leasing Former Starbucks Space

November 7, 2012

Despite its prime location in Brooklyn Heights, it appears the former location of Starbucks at 112 Montague Street isn’t going to lease itself by way of osmosis. The coffee store relocated to 134 Montague Street toward the beginning of May, almost six months ago.

Over the past week, signage appeared on the locale’s window from realty broker Massey Knakal, offering the entirety of the two-story building for a 10-year lease, with “all uses considered.” The listing details 2,500sq on the ground floor and 2,000sf on both the second level and basement, adding: “Prime retail space in the much sought-after corridor of Montague Street… filled with a rich mix of national and local retailers; providing great food, shopping and community connections.” See flyer here. (CT)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51454

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Atlantic Avenue BID Wants Input About Best Potential Retail Tenants

October 17, 2012

The Brooklyn Heights Association is circulating a poll on behalf of the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), asking area residents about the kind of businesses Atlantic Avenue needs “to be an even better neighborhood shopping street. The BID aims to bring in new businesses that will further enhance the mix of retail and variety of stores available in the community.”

Based on your feedback, Atlantic Avenue’s BID “will seek out the best possible tenants to fill vacant storefronts on the Avenue.” The online survey is here. In addition, a new website has been launched with updates on the avenue’s growing business and retail scene. Also follow on Facebook and Twitter. (Photo: Chuck Taylor)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/49343

From the Web

Former Starbucks Locale @ 112 Montague Street: What’s The Deal?

October 1, 2012

Back in May, we wrote about Montague Street’s “resurrection, revitalization, renaissance or recovery,” pointing to the fact that the retail corridor is healthier than it’s been in three-plus years, with a dozen new businesses opening their doors in the past year or so. In all, Montague has seen the coming of: Custom House, Dellarocco’s on Hicks, VIP Nails & Salon, Le Pain Quotidien, Ruby and Jenna, Area Yoga & Spa, Hanco’s and Starbucks’ new home, while we’re still waiting for Ani Sushi, which has been “coming soon” since June.

So the question is: With Montague Street thriving, what gives with the previous locale of Starbucks at 112 Montague Street? We reported then that the coffee shop vacated the premises because of roof leaks and plumbing issues. But it’s now approaching five months that the prime commercial space has been sitting vacant. It’s a bit confounding that such a premier retail entity continues to waste away. So we have to wonder… What’s the deal? (Interior shot below)


(Photos: Chuck Taylor)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/48617

From the Web