Clinton Hill Art Gallery Shutting Down

Recent hard times have brought about the closing of the Clinton Hill Art Gallery (on Vanderbilt @ Myrtle) run by local entrepreneur Lurita Brown. While the gallery is closing she will continue to run her framing store on Myrtle. There is a 3 day final closing celebration beginning tonight (Thursday). See this article from the Brooklyn Eagle for more information.

The guy behind the counter actually caught that fish…

Here’s a NYT article discussing “Brooklyn’s New Culinary Movement” (i.e. locally grown, farmed, processed, caught, butchered and/or cured).  There’s a brief mention of Greene Grape Provisions and it’s fishmonger (is “fish guy” an appropriate replacement for “fishmonger”) who sometimes sells fluke or striped bass he catches himself on chartered boat out of Sheepshead Bay.  While I like the thought and applaud the effort, I’ve seen some of those charter boats and I’m not so sure they would pass any health department tests…  At least the NYT doesn’t make up terms like “NBC” (New Brooklyn Cuisine) like NY Mag.

Wednesday Crime Time…Do You Have Any Money?

In this week’s crime review…  A woman was asked by stranger if she had any money.  When she answers “yes” the stranger attempts to grab her bag.  Luckily there was  another stranger around to wrestle the bag away from the mugger…  Okay, I’m happy the woman got her bag back but…why would you answer that question in the first place?  And then answer in the affirmative?  What do you think is going to happen?  Maybe it’s just me but I keep walking if anyone asks me anything beyond directions.

Otherwise it looks like property crimes continue to be on the rise…  Renters insurance anyone?

New Turkish on Fulton

Deniz, the new Turkish restaurant in the space formerly occupied by Little India, is finally open.  Here’s more information from the Village Voice.  There’s also one positive review from yelp.  Has anyone been yet?

Fire at The Griffin (101 Lafayette)

As you probably already know, Saturday night there was a fire on the third floor of The Griffin,  a prewar co-op building at 101 Lafayette.  While the fire was mostly contained in the one apartment there was extensive smoke and water damage throughout the floor.  You can see the water damage in the lobby.  I visited the third floor hall yesterday and it looks like something out of a movie.  Luckily there were no injuries.  Hopefully they’ll get it cleaned up soon.  Fire pictures below…

Burned out apartment; Picture courtesy of BG

Burned out windows; Picture courtesy of BG

Frank’s Closing?

It looks like they lost their liquor license.  From what I’ve been told it was in the wife’s name and she passed away.  They didn’t switch the license over in a timely manner now they have to go through the process of getting a new license.  I don’t have confirmation but again, that’s the story I’ve been told…

Anyone know what’s going on?  Is this a temporary situation?  I’d HATE to see the one old school bar we have (ok Alibi might be considered a little old school as well) close…

Wednesday Crime Time

Image courtesy of The Brooklyn Paper

Here’s this week’s Crime Blotter from The Brooklyn Paper… I don’t know how many times I’ve said this but please keep your iPhones in your pocket/handbag. They seem to be the #1 cause of muggings.

The dumbest/most naive story involves someone who left a laptop in a bag on a bench in Fort Greene Park to go play frisbee…  People this is still BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CITY. No one deserves to be the victim of crime but come on.  It’s common sense.  Don’t leave a bag unattended.  Especially a bag with a $2500 computer in it.  I bet you Mr. Frisbee will think twice next time…

The NY Times Restaurant Review comes to Fort Greene

The NYT has come to the hood to review for an “African Sampler” at Abistro, Bati & Kif.    Overall their review is positive.   I’ve covered all three in previous posts and I agree.  Abistro might have the best food in the neighborhood while Kif is my current overall favorite.  They have the superior food/ambiance/service/value combination.  I went to Bati for the second time last and while the service is still a little shaky the food is still good.

Converting Empty Luxury Condos for Socially Constructive Use?

Can you imagine being the bank that financed buildings like Forte (near Fort Greene but technically/zoning wise downtown Brooklyn) or The Azure in Clinton Hill or 111 Stueben near Pratt?  What are the odds you’re getting back your principal + interest?  I wonder if they sold that debt to some other unlucky investor?

Here’s some interesting commentary discussing the current state of the real estate market and it’s implications for the future. Luckily the historical nature of the neighborhood has created zoning which keeps these glass boxes out of the immediate vicinity.  That being said, Forte, 80 Dekalb, Oro, Avalon Fort Greene and others sprouting up nearby so the commentary is definitely applicable to the neighborhood.

What will happen to these buildings?  Will they remain barely occupied? Will they become targets for vandalism and crime?  When will developers (such as the Clarett Group) begin the fire sale necessary to move units? When will the banks financing these deals force their hand?

Could there be a more socially beneficial use of what will most likely continue to be an empty building for the foreseeable future?

The Best Neighborhood in NYC?

Now I’ve been saying this for years but it appears the Daily News agrees.  Although I’d prefer not to see us highlighted in the press anymore.  Hopefully the economy will slow rent increases because at this rate we’re going to lose the diversity that makes this place special…