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Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights

Cleaning Up in Brooklyn Heights

December 5, 2013

Brooklyn Heights has never felt so fresh.

Just in time for the holidays, the bustling Brooklyn Heights intersection of Clark and Henry is about to smell a whole lot better, thanks to local soap makers Ross Caudill and his fiancé Joanna Maltese. Named after the famed intersection, Clark & Henry recently opened as an online shop with aspirations of retail success selling soap and household objects in Brooklyn Heights.

Their work is collaborative and the soap is a product of love. Both have a background in and passion for creation, Joanna is knowledgable in design and Ross is a multi-discipline artist. Yet at the onset of their soap-making project, neither really understood soap as a product. After months of research, reading, seminars, and experiments, they have honed the process of soap creation and are now packaging soap by hand in their Henry Street apartment.

Over email, Ross detailed the fascinating process:

A solution of sodium hydroxide is prepared separately. At the precise point when this is the same temperature as the oils they must be quickly mixed together to begin the chemical reaction which creates soap. After much blending, the exfoliants and essential oils are added. Finally the batch is cast into the molds. All of the components in the recipe are purposeful and curated for the attributes they bring to the final product. The fragrance is derived from the essential oils. The scrubbiness from the natural exfoliants has to be just right. The soap’s lather must be bubbly and creamy and cleansing, but also leave the skin feeling conditioned.

Joanna peels and prepares local cucumbers as Ross carefully tweaks the chemistry. Together they grind the exfoliant and prepare the casts. The result is a product and a business that avoids the potential pitfalls of artisnal pretense, yet remains charming and sincerely local.

Clark & Henry as an enterprise was in no small part inspired by the couple’s fondness of the neighborhood. Joanna smiles as she recalls returning to Brooklyn Heights after a brief stint in Park Slope, and how the couple’s product is created by hand with a ‘neighbors first’ attitude. “We wanted to make something to make our neighbors smile,” she told me over coffee at Vineapple.

Already considering creating a line of chairs, if the soap is successful the two would like to expand their product offering to include useful household items.

“We always feel a sense of accomplishment when we finish casting a batch of soap,” said Ross, explaining why they chose to start a business in Brooklyn Heights. Regardless of the success of Clark & Henry as a business, Ross and Joanna will continue to craft creative products in Brooklyn Heights for years to come.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/64254

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Downtown Brooklyn

See What The New Downtown Brooklyn Sephora Is All About In This New Video

November 4, 2013

When we think “spa day” we think Karl Junkersfeld. Okay we don’t, so it’s extra special that our man with a cam was courageous enough to visit the new Sephora in Downtown Brooklyn and file this video report.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/63598

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

Around Brooklyn

Lululemon Opens in Cobble Hill

June 14, 2013

Yoga pants monger Lululemon opened Friday (6/14) at 166 Smith Street. Folks on the Twitter seemed excited about the store as well as snacks (from purveyors such as Ted and Honey and Van Leeuwen) available at the celebration.

So, whaddya think? Here are a few tweets to ponder:


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/8833

From the Web

Around Brooklyn

Lululemon Opens In Cobble Hill This Friday

June 12, 2013

Sure Lululemon may have just lost its CEO, sending its stock plummeting as we speak but come this Friday (6/14) Cobble Hill will be blessed with one of its stores at the spanking new 166 Smith Street. Have no fear, those transparent yoga pants are so totally not available anymore.

Here’s the full rundown from their Facebook page:

FRIDAY:

Complimentary coffee, ice cream and pastries from Brooklyn-based Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream (first come, first served)

Candle light Yoga from 8:30-9:30PM with Mala Yoga instructor and past showroom ambassador Daniella Rosales- Friedman.

SATURDAY:

Complimentary juice and smoothies from Green Pirate Juice Truck (first come, first served)

Run Club from 9-10AM. 3-4 miler to Brooklyn Bridge Park with Brooklyn triathlete coach Mike Olzinski.

SUNDAY:

Complimentary Kombucha Brooklyn (first come, first served)

Sunday morning yoga from 9-10AM with store ambassador, Prana Power Yoga and Prema Yoga instructor Be Shakti. Featuring live music!

Celebration for Father’s Day! 1-3PM demo with Columbia Street CrossFit owner and coach Nate and complimentary pizza from South Brooklyn Pizza.

**We will also be giving away passes for lucky guests to “experience the neighborhood.”

Experience the neighborhood? Hmmm…


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/8775

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

Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Food, News, Real Estate

Shake Shack’s Downtown Brooklyn Success Inspires Second BK Locale

February 12, 2013

Downtown Brooklyn’s Shake Shake inarguably changed the face & fortunes of the once-sagging Fulton Mall, convincing many Heights residents to cross Court Street for the first time in years (decades?). Since its December 2011 opening, the burger joint has led to a renaissance, bringing the likes of Starbucks, Brooklyn Industries, H&M, Century 21, Gap, Seattle’s Best, TJ Maxx, Raymour & Flannigan… and on and on…

Union Square Hospitality Group has confirmed a second Shake Shack in Brooklyn this fall at 170 Flatbush Avenue, across from the 18,200-seat Barclays Center, which BHB first tipped in September.

Grub Street reports that the chain is expanding this year in London and Istanbul, and may be coming to the Upper West Side, in addition to Manhattan locations in Madison Square Park and Midtown.

In a press release, Shack Shack acclaims its “modern day roadside” burger stand known for all-natural burgers, flat-top dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more.” CEO Randy Garutti says, “Our second Brooklyn location will be directly across from the Barclays Center and plant us firmly within walking distance of several neighborhoods from Park Slope to Fort Greene. New York City is our hometown, and the Shack will be the place where New Yorkers can come together to celebrate the best of Brooklyn’s thriving culture, sports and entertainment.” (Photo: Brownstoner)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/55254

From the Web

Around Brooklyn

Park Slope Baking Up New Outpost For Historic Leske’s

January 30, 2013

The beloved Leske’s Scandinavian Bakery in Bay Ridge will be opening a second location in Park Slope, at 588 5th Avenue, a space last occupied by Sweet Treasures Bakery. Leske’s has been a Brooklyn institution since 1961, and has 5,700+ Facebook followers, reports the South Slope News.

The bakery is renowned for traditional Scandinavian baking, Danish, B&W cookies and Brooklyn blackout cakes. According to its Facebook page, the South Slope location will open before Valentine’s Day. (Photo: South Slope News)


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/8177

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights, Food

The Results Are In: Montague Street BID 2012 Survey

December 23, 2012

Results are in from the Montague Street Business Improvement District‘s May 2012 Survey regarding local programs and services, asking the likes of: What business would you like to see on Montague Street? What do you shop for on Montague? What are the most important services? Nearly 450 folks responded to the online questionnaire, comprising Brooklyn Heights residents (79%), visitors (9%) and property owners (8%).

No overwhelming gasps to be had, but the results include:
* What do you shop for on Montague Street: dining and bars (84%), groceries (83%), apparel and accessories (62%). Among the top retail types desired: bookstores; Mexican, Middle Eastern, French & Greek restaurants; housewares; gift shops; and a fish & meat market.
* Specific retailers requested for Montague Street: Gap (hmm, guess respondents didn’t recognize there was a Montague Street Gap in the 1990s), Anthropologie, J.Crew.

How is the Montague Street BID doing? 76% strongly approve or approve; 23% had no opinion and a grumpy 1% gave it a thumbs down.
* Impact of clean streets program: 74% excellent or good, 16% not familiar with the program, 10% fair, <1% poor.
* Impact of Beautification & Streetscape Enhancements Program (landscaping, banners, tree maintenance, seasonal decorations): 84% excellent or good; 8% fair, 7% not familiar, <1% poor.
* Importance of BID Programs, ranked by “very important”: 95%, Clean Streets program, 80%, Beautification & Streetscape Enhancements; 71%, Retail Development; 27%, Marketing, Communications & Special Events programs.

The BID encompasses 78 to 200 Montague Street on the south side of the block, and 89 to 205 Montague Street on the north side of the block.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/53137

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

MODULE R Founder Donald Rattner Talks Modern Design

December 18, 2012

Donald Rattner, founder of MODULE R—which opened a year ago at 141 Atlantic Avenue—is profiled in the latest issue of Brooklyn’s The L Magazine. Writer Kristin Iversen offers, “How can we exert some control over our spaces in the absence of oneiric home renovation? Enter MODULE R, a high-concept, modern design store.”

The upscale boutique, dedicated to “modular, reconfigurable and customizable design,” was launched by architect Rattner, who was inspired to open the store after he was commissioned to design 30 identical modular prefabricated hotel cottages for an historic spa resort in West Virginia. He says, “This got me interested not only in modularity, but in any kind of creative product or system that accommodates reconfigurability, co-creativity and flexible design. When I discovered that no one in the design, retail or gallery sectors had thought to specialize in this body of work, I figured it was my duty to rectify the situation.”

L says that Rattner, who our Heather Quinlan profiled in 2010, feels the store benefits from “the architects, graphic designers and members of the creative class” who live in the area.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/52927

From the Web