Thank you for supporting the 2019 Myrtle Avenue Neighbors Fund! If you donated $25 or more and would like to claim a free neighborhood tote bag, please fill out the form below.
Please note that if you are available to either pick-up your bag or to have it dropped off by one of our staff members, we would greatly appreciate this and the savings on postage!
We are proud when businesses find a home on Myrtle Avenue. Stop in to visit our district of 170 businesses, 87% of which are independently-owned. Show your love for our Myrtle Avenue gift shops and boutiques by shopping local on Small Business Saturday, November 28th and beyond.
Below is a guide of where you can find the perfect gift from shops, small boutiques, and wine shops on Myrtle Avenue. When shopping local, 68% of your dollar stays right here in the local economy.
Click to view the full 2015 Myrtle Avenue Holiday Gift Guide.
Gift Shops & Boutiques
21 Tara
An eclectic shop of textiles including scarves, throw overs, pillows, dresses along with jewelry, decorative masks and handmade items like winter hats and slippers. The cornucopia of items from around the world is laced throughout the store.
388 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont & Vanderbilt, (718) 237-0737
Barking Brown
Find fashionable items for women including dresses, bags, boots, jewelry from local designers and more. The extensive collection of winter hats during colder weather months is commendable.
468 Myrtle between Washington & Hall, (718) 638-3757
Green in BKLYN
Find an array of gift cards, chocolate, crafts, books, teas, kitchen supplies, energy savers, kid products and more at this one-stop shop for those living or wanting to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.
432 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton & Waverly, (718) 855-4383
Jill Lindsey
The mini-department store in Fort Greene is a gift shop, clothing boutique, and housewares store offering greeting cards, candles, dresses, hand knit sweaters, unique jewelry items, ceramic bowls, and more.
370 Myrtle Avenue, between Adelphi and Clermont, (347)987-4583
Leisure Life NYC
Leisure Life NYC specializes in quality lifestyle products, from men’s clothing, leather goods, accessories to art and much more. The store is a haberdashery men’s club that is inspired in large degree by the owner’s love of vintage fashion and sports memorabilia.
559 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson & Classon, (347) 725-3167
Owa’s Afrikan Market
Owa is a fair trade business that buys directly from African artists and suppliers. Owa’s offers items directly from Africa – such as food, fabrics, musical instruments, CDs, music videos, movies (DVDs), books, wood carvings, and more.
434 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton & Waverly, (718) 643-8487
Renowned hairstylist, Shannon King, and wife, Allyson King, with more than 60 years of hair styling and salon operations experience between them, are opening Hair & Co. BKLYN, which specializes in multicultural hair, a diverse range of hair types and textures (“as diverse as our community in Brooklyn,” shares Allyson).
The new salon opens with a soft launch, November 3 followed up with a grand opening on November 11th from 6pm to 9pm. The grand opening celebration will include complimentary hair services using Shu Uemura products (a $90 value), which can be used on the day of or any time thru November 15th. But hurry before the complimentary appointments are booked up.
Hair & Co. describes the salon as “a solutions-based company, one that delivers customized experiences, which includes a haircolor barista and home maintenance lessons to ensure every guest has the hair they have dreamed of every day.”
The salon, with its wide windows and brand new pine floors is a modern delight, but please excuse the scaffolding as the landlord is doing some work on the store’s exterior for now. It should be moved shortly.
Hair & Co. BKLYN, 487 Myrtle Avenue between Hall and Ryerson
(718) 789-2390
Check the store’s website for more details.
Swing by Barking Brown to check out the Fall Collection that has arrived. The extensive collection includes plush scarves, warm hats, stylish flannel tops and sweaters. Stop in and check them out!
Barking Brown,468 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue & Hall Street
(718) 638-3757
It is an all out have fun party at Five Spot Soul Food & Supper Club tonight, kicking off at 9pm. Come in costume, or not. One things for sure, you’re not going to be able to stop your head and feet from moving to the beat as local yokel Rock Reggae Band, Daredevils of the Red Circle take to the stage.
Stop in, kick off Halloween weekend here.
When: Friday, October 30th at Five Soot, 459 Myrtle Avenue, corner of Washington Avenue.
There are lots of new businesses opening up on Myrtle Avenue, some which have recently opened their doors (within the last month), and three more slated to do so within the next month or two. Below is a round-up of recently opened and soon-to-be-opened business along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill:
Gentleman Farmer Fort Greene is the first Brooklyn outpost of the same name for Chef Karim Noumouh, who has operated the Lower East Side farm-to-nabe fave since 2010. With focus on serving fresh, local ingredients, menu items include onion soup, curried snails, salmon tartar, foie gras, torchon, red snapper, rack of lamb, seared codfish, venison steak, smoked duck breast and bison short ribs. Call for reservations or walk in.
Gentleman Farmer, 378 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi & Clermont.
[Salon]718 is the third Brooklyn outpost for stylist and salon owner, Michaela Blissett Williams and her talented team. Coloring, styling, cuts and more as well as makeup and bridal services are available by appointment and walk-in.
[Salon]718 456 Myrtle Avenue between Washington & Waverly.
Anchor & Plow, Charlotta Janssen, an accomplished artist and pioneer in the Fort Greene restaurant landscape (Chez Oskar and Lola Bklyn), teams up with Monir Gamany, a seasoned general manager to bring a new vision to the space at 387 Myrtle Avenue. Monir has worked with well known chefs and restaurateurs in New York City and together, with Charlotta, they have introduced a new farm and sea to table concept featuring seafood (“anchor”) and meats (“plow”) dishes with a Mediterranean slant to their menu that unites a variety of palates.
Anchor & Plow, 387 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont & Vanderbilt.
Hair & Co. Bklyn Renowned hairstylist, Shannon King, and his wife, Allyson King, with more than 60 years hair styling and administrative/directing experience between them, are opening Hair & Co BKLYN, a salon specializing in multicultural hair.
Hair & Co BKLYN, 487 Myrtle Avenue between Hall & Ryerson.
Joining Starbuck’s (394 Myrtle), near the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Vanderbilt are Chipotle Mexican Grill, home of the popular burrito bowl and known for its organic ingredients and InVite Health (394 Myrtle), home of high quality vitamins and supplements.
Spice & Grill is Nepalese and Indian restaurant, led by a father and son team. Bikash Karel and his father are no strangers to the food business, currently operating an Indian restaurant in Queens. Their Myrtle Avenue eatery will offer a little more than a typical Indian restaurant, with an emphasis on grilled menu items and Nepalese street food. Some of their street food offerings will include mini samosa chat (tangy samosas with freshly cut sweet red onions, chili and coriander), momos (bitesize dumplings served with spicy tomato and sesame sauce), chatamari (rice crepes topped with lamb and spicy sauce) and sel roti (sweet ring-shaped doughnuts).
Spice & Grill, 441 Myrtle Avenue, between Clinton & Waverly.
Locals, a provisions store offering sustainably raised meats, produce and provisions sources from local farm communities (NY, PA, MA, VT & CA). Offerings will include a broad selection from all-natural meats, poultry, game and fresh seafood to housemade sausages, pates, and gourmet prepared meals.
Locals, 332 Myrtle Avenue, between Washington Park & Carlton
A new Latin/Cuban restaurant will be opening at 413 Myrtle Avenue. Please stay tuned for the restaurant name and further information. 413 Myrtle Avenue between Vanderbilt & Clinton.
Thank you for your recent donation to the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership. We could not do the work that we do without enthusiastic supporters like you!
Please email rebeca@myrtleavenue.org if you would like to be added to our email list for the latest news.
Photo Credit: Chris Franko
This week’s pic is 313 Halloween’s photo of last year’s production of 20,000 Screams Under the Sea at 313 Clinton Avenue. Halloween 313 & Society for Clinton Hill have been producing theatrical extravaganzas in the neighborhood since 1994. This year the community partners are taking the classic children’s fantasy of Alice in Wonderland and creating their own diabolical version, Malice in Wonderland. Be ready to see Alice sent off into a fantastic new world, populated with a new cast of magical characters, who sing, dance, and fight off all manner of nasty beasts. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Swing by the haunted graveyard and then catch the shows that begin around 5pm, and run approximately every half hour until about 9pm, Crowds gather in the street in front of 313 Clinton Avenue, so get there early for a good spot!
Malice in Underland is one of the stops along the Society For Clinton Hill’s Annual Halloween Walk. Visit their website to check for details about the other neighborhood happenings.
Photo Credit: Brownstoner
People from all over the Brooklyn come visit Clinton Hill for Halloween. Visitors come with their kids for the great treats from families living in the Historic district and others come to see annual theatrical show the stops traffic at 313 Clinton Avenue. Swing by the small businesses below if you are looking for a place to grab a bite and show off your costume!
Dinner, Drinks & Costume Contest
Come in & dine! If you come in costume you receive the chance to win a 100$ gift certificate.
Bar Bolinas, 455 Myrtle Avenue between Waverly & Washington
Day of the Dead Show, Halloween Party & More
Come check out the Day of The Dead Art show hosted by The Emerson Arts Collective and join in the Halloween party & costume contest. Prizes for best costume will be distributed. $5 well drinks from 10pm-12am.
The Emerson Bar, 561 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson & Classon
Halloween Make Overs & Astro Readings
Hair & make up for costumes, mini astro readings, hot cider & mulled wine!
Jill Lindsey Store, 370 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont & Adelphi
Myrtle Drug Care Pharmacy
Myrtle Drug Care Pharmacy is giving candy out on Saturday from 4-6pm.
Myrtle Drug Care, 355 Myrtle Avenue at Adelphi
Kids, families, please stop in to the Halloween Festival at Trilok Fusion on Saturday, October 31st from 1pm to 6pm.
FREE admission and open to all. The festival features pony rides, bouncy castle, games, face painting, a costume parade, foods by local vendors and much more.
What: Halloween Festival at Trilok
When: Saturday, October 31 from 1PM to 6PM
Where: The Trilok School, 143 Waverly Avenue, corner of Myrtle Ave.
Trilok Fusion is located at the Myrtle and Waverly Avenues.
The Brooklyn Strand workshop hosted by the Community Board 2 Parks Committee in September drew more than 75 attendees! Based on the turnout there will be three additional public workshops to gather community feedback on Phase II of the Brooklyn Strand. Participate in one of these workshops as they develop a more-detailed vision for the areas under and along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) from the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges to Commodore Barry Park and consider how to create a unified park network to better connect Downtown Brooklyn and its surrounding neighborhoods. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.
WORKSHOP I
WHERE: Willoughby Senior Center (Whitman Senior Center)
105 North Portland Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
WHEN: Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
6:00pm – 7:30pm
WORKSHOP II
WHERE: Ingersoll Community Center
177 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
WHEN: Monday, October 26th, 2015
6:30pm – 8:00pm
WORKSHOP III
WHERE: Farragut Community Center
228 York Street, Brooklyn, NY
WHEN: Wednesday, October 28th, 2015
6:30pm – 8:00pm
This week we are featuring the homemade eats at Brewklyn Grind. The Clinton Hill coffee shop is serving up all kinds of savory treats including quiche, croissants, fritatta and mini empanadas stuffed with chicken and spices. Swing by for lunch in the serene backyard.
Brewklyn Grind, 557 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson & Classon
Looking for things to do with your kids in the neighborhood? We have a lot happening on the Avenue for children and families this fall and winter. Check out all of the classes and activities in Clinton Hill & Fort Greene below:
Kids Beginner Ballet & Preschool of Rock Music
Ballet I: Wed, 3:30-4:15pm
Ballet II: Wed, 4:30-4:15pm
Preschool of Rock: Tues 9:30am
Registration required
Move with Grace, 469 Myrtle Ave
(718) 230-0013
Jiu Jitsu for Kids
Junior Basic: M, W & F, 4:15-5pm
Junior Advanced: M-F, 5-5:45pm
Seasonal Parents’ Night Out – movies, games, snacks for kids while parents go out!
Registration required
Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 412 Myrtle Ave
(718) 403-0067
Classes (Dance & Sports)
Ingersoll Community Center, 177 Myrtle Ave
(718) 522-5051 – call for schedule
Kids’ Sing-A-Long & Toddler Art Class
Kids’ Sing-A-Long: Fri, 4-4:45pm ($12)
Toddler Art Class: call for dates ($25)
Jill Lindsey, 370 Myrtle Ave
(347) 987-4538
Kids’ Beginner Hip-Hop by Lotus Creations
Sat, 5:30-6:30pm
Registration required
Trilok Fusion Center, 143 Waverly Ave
(646) 751-7705
Halloween go’ers, fun seekers, art go’ers, party peeps — The Emerson is hosting an art and music event by the Emerson Arts Collective called ‘Days of the Dead’ on Saturday, October 10th from 7pm to 10pm. Admission is FREE and guess what, FREE BEER for all during the first hour, 7pm to 8pm. You certainly won’t want to miss this.
The event is billed as a “comprehensive visual and musical experience,” which incorporates modern dance, photography, video, live painting and live DJ sets. The events are carefully curated and produced and will be showcased tomorrow, Saturday, October 10th, climaxing with a massive Halloween bash and costume party on October 31st.
It’s art. It’s music. It’s dance. It’s photography. It’s crazy fun.
The Emerson 561 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place & Classon Avenue
(347) 763-1310
The Fort Greene Park Conservancy & NYC Parks will be offering two weekends of Halloween fun! Together they will present the FREE annual Halloween Festival with free hay rides, games, sack races, face painting, stilt-walkers, a spooky movie night, and over 1,000 free pumpkins from a local farm to be given away and decorated. Other attractions include a costume parade, pop-up cemetery, and activities suitable for all ages.
The festival kicks off the weekend prior to Halloween with a wild costume contest for dogs and their owners, “The Great PUPkin,” sponsored by Fort Greene PUPS, the local dogowners organization. The contest will take place on the Park’s Hundred Steps leading up to the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. The Film “Little Shop of Horrors” will also be shown outdoors on the Myrtle Avenue lawn. Take a look at the details below.
WHAT: Costume Contest for Dogs & Little Shop of Horrors Movie Night
WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 6pm-9pm
WHERE: Fort Greene Park (Myrtle Avenue Lawn)
*Rain or Shine
WHAT: Annual Fort Greene Park Halloween Festival for children and families featuring a pumpkin patch, hay rides, games, face-painting, prizes, costume parade & more
WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 12pm-3pm
WHERE: Fort Greene Park (DeKalb Avenue at Washington Park)
*Rain or Shine
The Conservancy would like to acknowledge The City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation and The Butler Family Foundation. Special thanks to Habana Outpost, The Greene Grape, CarltonWilloughby Block Association, Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Urban Park Rangers and Fort Greene Park Conservancy members.
Looking for a place to create, learn and mingle this fall? If so, make sure you check out Jill Lindsey Store. The place is thriving with open events for artists, foodies, and makers. During the fall months of October and November Jill & her team are offering hot cider and mulled wine while hosting creative events to inspire. From tarot card reading and how-to-dye workshops, to $1 taco parties, necklace making and supper clubs. Take a look at November’s events HERE.
This fall St. Joseph’s College will begin celebrating its Centennial. Join them for a day of celebration featuring something for everyone — recreational activities with tours of the Hill Center; networking with faculty, students and alumni; art; special reunion class receptions; mass; family fun and more!
What: St. Joseph’s College Centennial Celebration
Where: St Joseph’s College Campus, 245 Clinton Avenue
When: Sunday, October 4, 10am-3pm
Info: sjcny100@sjcny.edu
For a full schedule of activities visit the Centennial website and be RSVP.
Key Food Supermarket (formerly Associated) located at 490 Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill will officially re-open on October 9th at 7am.
The supermarket, between Ryerson and Hall will boast added store shelves, a salad bar, bakery and expanded meats section.
Opening day will be a soft launch to work out any kinks, with grand opening activities expected at a later date.
The store name change from Associated indicates a switch in distributors. Some Brooklyn Fare items will also be on store shelves.
The supermarket, which was closed for well over a year due to redevelopment of the site (going from a one story commercial building to a 6-story mixed used building with 93 residential units and added commercial units including TD Bank), has been much missed. With the recent closure of another local supermarket on Lafayette Avenue, many have been inquiring even more about the store’s return.
Key Food on Myrtle Avenue will boast added store shelves, a salad bar, bakery and an expanded meats section.
Key Food Supermarket is located at 490 Myrtle Avenue
[Salon]718 opened its third Brooklyn outpost approximately one month ago on Myrtle Avenue. New store signage and design are ready and salon staff is set. Please come out and celebrate the salon’s grand opening via a ribbon cutting event this Friday at 3pm and after party at 6pm. The after party will consist of a DJ station (come out and and groove to the sounds), food (catered by a local, Brooklyn-based restaurant), drinks and more.
[Salon]718 offers coloring, styling, cuts and more. They also offer bridal services and makeup services.
[Salon]718 is located at 456 Myrtle Avenue, the former location of Joseph Tyler Salon. This is the third location for [Salon]718, the first two on 80 DeKalb and 610 Vanderbilt. The salon will be closed on Sundays.
[Salon]718, 456 Myrtle Avenue between Waverly & Washington Avenue
(718) 802-9200
Did you know that Brooklyn Eats on Myrtle is now an official sports bar? That’s right, they recently had over 6 screens installed throughout their bar for sports fans. In addition to this, you can find a giant screen in the back room for larger parties. Swing by any Sunday or Monday night and catch a game. We recommend you try their Louisiana Burger with Cajun spices but you can see more bar eats HERE.
Brooklyn Eats on Myrtle, 474 Myrtle Avenue between Hall & Washington
(718) 789-5000
Five Spot Soul Food also shows all of the football games on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, and every game is live every Sunday via Direct TV. The corner spot also has a ton of specials on those days including 50-cent wings and $12 Pitchers (Domestic) on Sundays, $1 Blue Point Oysters and $7 Frozen Margaritas all day on Mondays, $7 Long Island Iced Teas all day Thursday & more!
Five Spot Soul Food, 459 Myrtle Avenue at Washington Avenue
(718) 852-0202
Football is on full display at the Emerson every Sunday and Monday. The game is shown every Sunday at 1PM, with $3 Bud Light and Highlife and bar eats. More game showing on Monday night with $6 Rolling Rock and Well shots bar eats. The Emerson, 561 Myrtle between Emerson and Classon (347) 762-1310
Click to enlarge.
Residents of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill can attend a presentation by Department of City Planning (DCP) staff next Monday, September 28th. The presentation will provide information on two rezoning proposals generated by the city. These include the Zoning for Quality and Affordability and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing zoning changes.
The 30 minute presentation will be followed by a question and answer session, allowing attendees to ask clarifying questions or to provide comments to DCP staff.
The presentation was requested by and is being sponsored by several local community groups (the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Fulton Area Business Alliance (FAB), and Council Member Cumbo.
What: Community Presentation by the Department of City Planning
When: Monday, September 28, 6pm-7:30pm
Where: Pratt Institute’s Higgins Hall Auditorium, 65 St. James Place (at the corner of Lafayette Avenue)
Image Credit: NYPL.
This 1939 photo , taken at the corner of St. Edwards Street and Auburn Place, captures so much Fort Greene history. Seen on the left is a three-story building that houses an Italian bakery on the ground floor. This building, along with hundreds of others, were demolished around 1940 to clear way for the new Fort Greene Houses. The housing development, built by the City, was the largest of its kind at the time it was planned, spanning close to 40 acres and housing 13,000 residents.
A few buildings were spared from the wrecking ball however, including the two seen in these photograph: P.S. 67 and the Walt Whitman Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.
This photo captures P.S. 67 just prior to the addition of its south wing, which still stands today. The school today is named after Charles A. Dorsey, a former principal who served the school for more than 30 years and oversaw its integration into Brooklyn’s desegregated public school system in the 1890s. Prior to desegregation, the school only served Black students and was named Colored School No. 1, as it was the first public school for Brooklyn’s Black children when it opened in 1827.
The Walt Whitman library opened in 1908 and was funded by a grant from Andrew Carnegie, whose philanthropy built hundreds of “Carnegie” libraries across the country. Originally, the library opened as the City Park Branch but later changed it’s name to Walt Whitman in 1943, to honor the local poet’s 125th birthday. The library is still open today and offers a wide range of services to the community.
Interested in local history? Be sure to follow us on Instagram or Facebook and never miss future #ThrowbackThursday photos.
Key Food supermarket (formerly Associated) at 490 Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill is not planning to reopen in September as we shared in August. The owners of the supermarket recently informed us that they are working towards opening in mid-October.
“We’re really excited to be returning home,” shared Rudy Guzman, son of one of the owners who grew up working in the family business. The reopened store will have a focus on “homemade,” particularly as it concerns the on-premises baking and cooking in the store’s prepared foods and catering section. Other changes to look forward to: an expanded meats section, a freezer section and an area for salad bar.
Key Food, 492 Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street & Ryerson.
