Sunday, May 13, 2012
Is a 2 a.m. last call too late for the 18,000-seat arena?
At what time should the Barclays Center stop serving alcohol? Last week, Community Board 6 voted to recommend an absolute cut-off time for all alcohol sales at 2 a.m. during all events at the arena. However the recommendation, which will go to the New York State Liquor Authority, came with two conditions that follow the policy already in place for the 40 NBA games: However, BrooklynSpeaks, a coalition of civic organizations surrounding the arena, has a petition that requests all alcoholic beverage sales be cut off at 10 p.m. at the absolute latest in all areas of the arena, reflecting area residents fear of drunk pedestrians and drivers flooding the streets after the 180 non-NBA events expected next year. In addition, there are four clubs…
Friday, May 11, 2012
Outdoor dining season is in full swing at a growing number of open-air venues across the neighborhood. But is that a good or a bad thing?
On Wednesday, Community Board 2 approved a sidewalk cafe application for Berlyn on Lafayette Avenue opposite Brooklyn Academy of Music—with the general consensus being that the loss of a portion of a pedestrian right-of-way was less important than enlivening what is normally an empty stretch of concrete. Berlyn's outdoor dining area was likely to be joined by a new pedestrian plaza at Fox Square and an expanded outdoor cafe at Putnam Pub and Cooker in the coming months. All of these developments prompt the question: How much is too much in terms of outdoor cafes on neighborhood sidewalks? Fort Greene and Clinton Hill residents have long enjoyed the uniquely al fresco ambience of places like Der Schwarze Kolner, Mullanes and Cornerstone …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Mega project gets plenty of kudos—though the status of a planned residential tower is far from clear.
It was all smiles and handshakes on Thursday as development executives and elected officials gathered to celebrate the signing of City Point's first major tenant. Luxury discount retailer Century 21 will fill the mixed-use project's first completed space at 1 Dekalb Ave.—adding yet another recognizable brand to nearby Fulton Street's exploding shopping district. "Downtown Brooklyn is truly on the rise," said Seth Pinsky, president of the city's Economic Development Corp. "We believe that the future of this neighborhood is bright and can only get brighter." However, the timeline for construction of perhaps the most anticipated component of City Point—a 680-foot residential tower that would surpass Fort Greene's One Hanson Place as the …
The fashion retailer, born in the borough, will open their first Downtown Brooklyn location.
Discount retail chain Century 21 signed a lease at the City Point development, making it the first new department store on Fulton Street in 50 years. In January, it was reported that Target had made a deal for a 50,000-square-feet space in the building, and that Century 21 was expected to follow suit. The first Century 21 store opened in 1961 in Bay Ridge, with a large flagship location in lower Manhattan. The City Point location will be the company's eighth store. City Point, when completed, will be two residential towers with 680 units, spanning 1.3 million-square-feet. The development will include 675,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. The project is being built in three phases with construction on the second phase to begin…
Late-night alcohol sales emerges as a big issue as the September scheduled opening of the 19,000-seat arena edges closer.
1. In an occasionally emotional meeting, Community Board 6 last night voted, 21-9, in favor of a resolution urging the New York State Liquor Authority to set a 2 a.m. cutoff time for alcohol sales at Barclays Center. The measure also called on Levy Restaurants, Barclays Center's food and drink supplier, to end alcohol service after the third quarter of NBA games and to institute a cutoff time an hour before any scheduled event. Brooklyn Speaks currently has an online petition calling on the state to set strict limits on alcohol sales at Barclays. 2. This American Life beams into hundreds of movie theaters as host Ira Glass curates Things You Can't Do On The Radio—featuring music, dance, comedy and other things that don't quite fit on the …
The group is calling for a 10 p.m. cutoff time for all alcohol sales at the arena during all events.
Last call! Get your last beer! In the latest development regarding Levy Restaurants' liquor license application, which will be the Barclays Center’s food and liquor vendor, BrooklynSpeaks created a petition that requests all alcoholic beverage sales be cut off at 10 p.m. at the absolute latest in all areas of the arena. "Barclays Center has applied for a license that would allow it to keep serving alcohol up to the 4 a.m. state limit in an 18,000-seat arena," the petition reads on BrooklynSpeaks' website. "Sure, the NBA has a policy that requires liquor sales to end after the third quarter. But basketball only accounts for 40 of the expected 220 events to be held at the arena each year. And Barclays’ application isn’t even limited to …
Friday, May 4, 2012
Patch's top picks for south of the border flavor.
¡Viva México! More than just burritos, beer or playing loud music, Cinco de Mayo is a time to celebrate everything that makes our neighbors to the south great. And that includes what may be Mexico's greatest contribution to the American drinking menu: the margarita. So to celebrate Mexico's triumphant victory over the French at La Puebla on May 5, 1862, here are some top spots to relax, kick back and sip (salt optional!): Bogota Latin Bistro, 141 5th Ave., Park Slope This genuine pre-Colombian restaurant's jalapeno guava margarita made with jalapeno infused tequila, muddled guava, triple sec and lime is one tasty drink—with a serious kick. $11, $50 for a pitcher. Pequena, 86 S. Portland Ave., Fort Greene A blend of citrus, Triple Sec and a…
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Extra costs mean a buck or two more a pint for Clinton Hill-made brewskies.
Bad news if you like to raise a few locally-made beers with friends at the local watering hole. A pair of tax exemptions for local craft breweries—such as Kelso Brewery in Clinton Hill—has been found to be unconstitutional by a state court, according to the New York Post. For breweries themselves, the ruling means thousands of dollars more in yearly costs. For fans of locally-crafted ales, lagers and other beer styles it can mean up to another dollar or so per pint. According to the report, the ruling is the result of a complaint brought by Shelton Brothers, a beer importer based in Belchertown, Mass. In the suit, they claimed the lower prices New Yorkers paid compared to out-of-staters was unfair, and the court sided with them. As a …
After helping spin off nationwide chain, 'heritage store' is shuttered.
One of the more recognizable brands to come out of Fort Greene has closed its doors. Carol's Daughter, now a chain with seven freestanding retail locations and a national licensing deal with Macy's, closed its 'heritage store' on S. Elliott Place and Dekalb Avenue this week. The chain still has stores open at nearby Atlantic Terminal Mall and its flagship location on 125th Street in Harlem. Founded in 1993 by Lisa Price and inspired by her mother, Carol, the brand began as a line of butters and bath oils sold at local craft fairs. In the years since, Carol's Daughter attracted investors like Jada Pinkett and Will Smith, blossoming into a multi-million dollar company profiled on Oprah and the Tyra Banks Show. The closure marked the …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Most councilmembers support the bill, which would mandate a minimum pay for employers receiving public funding.
The City Council voted 45-5 on Monday to approve its living wage bill, though Mayor Michael Bloomberg still says that he will veto it when it comes across his desk, reports NY1. As Patch has previously reported, the bill would mandate minimum pay of $10 per hour with benefits or $11.50 per hour without benefits, for employers receiving public funding with gross revenues over $5 million dollars a year. "We live in city where the gap between the rich and poor has widened more than any other city," Councilman Charles Barron, D-East New York—who is currently battling for Rep. Edolphus Town’s vacated seat in Congress—told NY1. The article says that while City Council should have enough votes to override the mayor's veto, Bloomberg has also …
Not Bruce Ratner
7:41 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
And a lot more "super-bars" planned or opening along Flatbush, this is just the start of the problem. Hate to say I told you so, but... How are all all those great jobs and affordable housing working out for you???? more ›