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Events, Food, News

Great News: Red Hook’s Fairway Market To Reopen 3/1

February 14, 2013

After Hurricane Sandy devastated Red Hook’s beloved Fairway Market, the entire neighborhood has suffered as many that visited the grocery from the surrounding vicinity also stopped supporting other local businesses that depend on so much traffic from the anchor store.

Good news: Fairway is set to reopen March 1, according to the New York Daily News, after 5 feet of water filled the 52,000sf waterfront grocery store, damaging all equipment, including refrigerators, cash registers and merchandise. The market was gutted, along with a $10 million price tag to put in a new bake area and cafe, wider aisles and new equipment. Workers are now putting the finishing touches on the store.

And to the credit of Vice Chairman Howie Glickberg, most employees were never out of work as the store has put itself back together. Fairway officials set up shuttle buses so employees could work at other outlets within the chain. “We have an obligation. We’re the cornerstone of Red Hook,” Glickberg said. “This area was devastated and we had an obligation to take care of our workers.”

All 300 workers at the store on Van Brunt Street were rerouted to other Fairway markets, some as far away as Douglaston, Queens and Westbury, Long Island.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/55363

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, News

Scott Stringer Proposes Brooklyn Bridge Park—On The Other Side Of East River

February 7, 2013

Manhattan borough president Scott M. Stringer has proposed a beachfront park with kayaking, marshlands and a pedestrian bridge—on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge—in a plan that appears to mimic many of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s amenities.

Stringer’s East River Blueway Plan, announced Thursday in his State of the Borough speech, calls for a public beach and kayaking directly beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, creation of two boat launches at Stuyvesant Cove at the ends of 20th & 23rd Streets, and installation of marshlands & sea walls in vulnerable flood zones. He also discussed a pedestrian bridge to elevate bike and pedestrian paths over F.D.R. Drive at 14th Street.

The New York Times reports today that the plan involved public meetings with community groups and consultations with seven city and state agencies. Stringer: “We want to open the waterfront from a recreation perspective, but we also want to protect our fragile waterfront by recognizing the reality of storm surges.” Stringer has already pledged $3.5 million in capital funding toward new marshlands.

Brooklyn Bridge Park opened its Boathouse at Pier 1 for kayaking and community rowing last June. Likewise, the much-heralded pop-up pool and BBP “beach” launched last summer on the Pier 2 uplands of Brooklyn Bridge Park.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54977

From the Web

Food, News

VIDEO: Red Hook Fairway Determined To Come Back Better Than Ever

November 15, 2012

As BHB reported November 9, Red Hook’s Fairway Market suffered major damage from Hurricane Sandy. with the 52,000sf waterfront grocery at the base of Van Brunt taking on 5 feet of water and closed “indefinitely” as rebuilding ensues. Red Hook store General Manager Andy Zuleta has posted a video showing the destruction, cleanup efforts and his optimism for a bigger, badder locale in the near future. See it here, posted on November 13.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51906

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

How Sweet Is Is: Recycling Resumes This Week

November 12, 2012

At last… All of those clear and blue bags packed with recyclables (that few seem to have stowed back indoors) are ready for pick-up as our local Sanitation Department works overtime Monday, even though it’s a federal holiday (Veterans Day).

If your building’s recylables are typically collected Monday, they should hit curbside before midnight Sunday, alongside regular trash. Wednesday recycling will return to normal on that day. If you live on or north of Joralemon Street, please hold recyclables until late Tuesday night.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51773

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

How Sweet It Is: Recycling Resumes This Week

November 12, 2012

At last… All of those clear and blue bags packed with recyclables (that few seem to have stowed back indoors) are ready for pick-up as our local Sanitation Department works overtime Monday, even though it’s a federal holiday (Veterans Day). If your building’s recylables are typically collected Monday, they should hit curbside before midnight Sunday, alongside regular trash. Wednesday recycling will return to normal on that day. If you live on or north of Joralemon Street, please hold recyclables until late Tuesday night.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51773

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Food

Red Hook’s Beloved Fairway Market Closed ‘Indefinitely’ After Hurricane Sandy

November 9, 2012

The New York Times reports on the devastating flooding from Hurricane Sandy of Red Hook’s Fairway Market—a favorite of many Brooklyn Heights’ shoppers—and its impact on so many other smaller shops in the neighborhood. The 52,000sf waterfront grocery at the base of Van Brunt took on 5 feet of water and is closed indefinitely. The Times says: “Fairway was a destination after it opened in a striking, sprawling, brick-and-wrought-iron Civil War-era building six and a half years ago.”

Fairway Market suffered ruined floors and ovens, display cases tipped and shattered, a $50,000 coffee roaster is trashed, wooden cash registers were scattered everywhere… There’s also potential structural damage. Cheeses, breads, vegetables & canned goods blanketed the puddled floor. Workers threw out everything, filling 70 dumpsters.

UPDATE: More in The Brooklyn Paper, including photos, here.

Meanwhile, neighboring Italian wine shop Botta di Vino, which opened two and a half years ago, is also seeing the effects of the store closing. Co-owner Triciann Botta says, “It is the lifeblood of this neighborhood. I’m a wine seller. Food goes with wine. When we lost Fairway, we lost a big part of our customer base.” Others impacted: cafe & bar Fort Defiance, wine shop Dry Dock, gift shop Foxy & Winston, and restaurants Home/Made and the Good Fork (which took on 2 feet of water in its dining room).

Read more in the Times here. (Photo: Brooklyn Paper)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51729

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Montague Street Walloped By Quick & Dirty Snowstorm

November 9, 2012

Who’d have believed that Hurricane Sandy would turn out to be the kinder, gentler storm—in Brooklyn Heights, mind you. Wednesday night’s sopping slushy snowstorm took down trees and major branches not only on Remsen, but all along Montague Street, from Hicks to Clinton streets. Heavy brush was also seen on Pierrepont early Friday.

Fortunately, as of 7 a.m., garbage trucks were circling the neighborhood like buzzards, picking up as much of the debris as they could munch down upon. All the same, some sad losses among our foliage that will require major mending in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, the mature fallen tree across Remsen Street is gone! More Montague pics below. (CT)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51650

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

After The Snowstorm: Remsen Street Completely Blocked By Downed Tree

November 8, 2012

While Brooklyn Heights suffered comparatively little damage following Hurricane Sandy, the weight of the wet, slushy snow from Wednesday’s snow took its toll. The huge mature tree that fell around 10 p.m. has completely blocked access on Remsen Street between Montague Terrace and Hicks Street. That’s for vehicles and pedestrians.

Three cars were impacted by the tree: The one closest to the downed trunk was apparently illegally parked (and seems to have suffered little to no damage), while one on the far side had its back windshield smashed.

As of 9 a.m. Thursday, no crews had yet come to start clearing the debris. The tree—which still had plenty of green leaves—was anchored against the edge of 33 Remsen Street; the building appears to be a-okay, although the scene where it uprooted is one dramatic eye-popping sight. More pics below.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51578

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Real Estate

Douglas Elliman Realty Organizes BK Donation Collection Center

November 8, 2012

Douglas Elliman Realty is sponsoring an ongoing effort to accept donations and organize relief efforts following dastardly Hurricane Sandy at its Brooklyn Heights location, 156 Montague Street, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Its effort in Brooklyn and around NYC include:
· The firm is using social media and online resources to rally and gather volunteers for relief efforts and to distribute information.
· Elliman has organized helicopters and trucks as volunteers go from designated donation centers across NYC, Long Island and the Hamptons, delivering aid to victims in Breezy Point, Rockaway, Long Beach and Staten Island.
· Dottie Herman’s radio show “Eye on Real Estate” on WOR-AM NYC is being utilized to round up volunteers and donations, and has been an important news & info resource.
· All Elliman offices with power have remained open for community relief, including collecting & distributing donations of non-perishable food items and other necessities and to provide local residents with power, charging stations and warmth. A fund is being created to help those in need in these regions.
· ELLIMANRENTALS, the firm’s rental division, is assisting placement companies and insurance adjusters who have reached out for help in finding short- and long-term housing for those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51546

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Egads… It’s Snowing

November 7, 2012

The first day of Winter 2012 isn’t until December 21—but that hasn’t stopped Mother Nature from bringing snow to the region six weeks before the Solstice. Snow began falling lightly in Brooklyn Heights early this afternoon.

4 p.m.: A sopping, sloppy mix is coming down with enough fervor to accumulate on streets, cars and foliage. It’s currently right at the 32-degree mark, with a Severe Weather Alert in place. Temps expected to remain just above freezing throughout the night. Winds are now 26 mph, although high wind advisories are in place, as the storm heads north. 4:30 p.m.: just passing Atlantic City. See more nabe pics below. (CT)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51503

From the Web