Author Archives: Chad Purkey

Utrecht Art Supply Store Grand Opening/Madness Event is TODAY, 2/17 !

Utrecht Art Supply Store at 536 Myrtle Avenue is holding its grand opening celebration all day today, February 17th! Free refreshments, deep discounts, art supply try-out station, free samples, goody bags and many of their manufacturers will have tables offering product demos and tech advice.

Utrecht's new Myrtle Avenue store is Utrechts 41st store. Utrrecht currently has two stores in Manhattan and has been manufacturing paint in their Brooklyn factory for over 60 years, so this store represents a “return to their roots” in some way, stated Chris McGee, the store's manager. At 6,500 square feet, the Myrtle Avenue store is Utrechts largest store. Utrecht offers free delivery for sales over $100.

For further information, please call Utrecht at 718.789.0308.

Coming Soon: new businesses opening soon, one next week

At least six new businesses are on the way. Most are planning a Spring opening, but one, '21 Tara,' a shop which specializes in Tibetan, Nepalese, Indian and yoga and meditative objects, plans to open next week. Cielo's opening will follow as early March opening is planned.

Here's the list:

21 Tara at 150 Clinton Avenue between Myrtle and Park. Owner, Tashi Namgyal has many years experience vending in Noho. Decided on a permanent space and loves Clinton Hill and Fort Greene.

Lulu & Po at 154 Carlton Avenue between Myrtle and Willoughby. Matthew Hamilton, the former Belcourt chef, names this venture after his wife and daughter. Delicious American cuisine is planned. Check out the construction blog.

Burger Ur Way at 358 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Carlton. This fast food burger and wings eatery uses farm-secured Angus beef.

Sakura Tokyo at 356 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Carlton. Owners of Sakura Tokyo are no strangers to doing business in Brooklyn. One of their restaurants of the same name is located on Nostrand between Dean and Atlantic.

The Owl and the Pussycat at 154 Vanderbilt Avenue between Myrtle and Willoughby. The new salon will be the first biz venture for British-born Stuart Fraser and his wife, who has years of business experience working at a top beauty house.

Cielo at 474 Myrtle Avenue between Washington and Hall Street. The nearly 2000sf bar with shades of light gray and patches of lovely tilework will feature a concise menu of delicious Latin American plates, excellent cocktails and great ice cold beer.

Olympian and Jiu-Jitsu Champ, Teimoc Johnston-Ono to speak at BBJJ

World masters jiu-jitsu champion, world masters judo champion and Olympian (US Olympic Judo Team member), Teimoc Johnston-Ono to speak at Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BBJJ) on Friday, February 17th at 7pm.

Johnston-Ono will be the third US Olympian and martial arts champ to visit the school in the last few months.

Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is located at 412 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Vanderbilt. They can be reached at 718.403.0067.

Pre-Valentine's Day Event at the Toren Condos + along Myrtle Avenue

Myrtle Avenue merchants hosted a pre-Valentine's Day event at the Toren Condos at 150 Myrtle Avenue and along Myrtle Avenue on Saturday, February 11th.

The V-Day event, called 'I Love Myrtle Avenue' was done in partnership with Rabiah Duncan of Corcoran Real Estate. The event was designed to give existing residents of the Toren as well as some prospectives the opportunity to taste and experience Myrtle. Avenue merchants had specials available in-stores and both Soco and CakeJoy Bakery had food and desserts available on-site.

Participating merchants included: Karen's Body Beautiful, Gnarly Vines, Sans Souci Restaurant, Chez Lola, Brooklyn Stone Boutique, Green in BKLYN, Five Spot Soul Food, Pillow Cafe-Lounge and Zaytoons.

The following are a few photos from the event:
click here for photos

To take a tour of any of the few remaining units in The Toren, LEED-certified luxury condo at 150 Myrtle Avenue and its awesome amenities, give Alex Capoccia at Corcoran a call: 718.210.4011.

FREE Dental Screenings for Children at Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center

In Celebration of National Childrens Dental Health Month
Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center is offering FREE Dental Screenings for Children on Wednesday, February 22nd 2012.

A screening visit includes:
– Short visual exam to identify any trouble spots in gums, teeth and mouth
– Consultation with parents to answer questions;find out how to prevent oral disease and get tips on developing good habits for kids

All participants will receive a dental goody bag with toothbrush and have the chance to win a FREE Dental Sealant.

LOCATION:
Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center 100 North Portland Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11205
DATE: Wednesday, February 22nd 2012
HOURS: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
CONTACT: 718 260-4851

Buzzcar to Launch in Brooklyn

The founder of Zipcar is launching Buzzcar, an innovative vehicle-sharing service, right here in Brooklyn. Basically, local car owners rent their cars to local drivers, with Buzzcar taking care of insurance and technology.

Unlike Zipcar, Buzcar doesn't own the vehicles. You do. The idea is to spread the environmental, social, personal and financial benefits of carsharing farther, wider, faster.

Car owners get 60-65% of the revenue (Buzzcar takes 15%; insurance gets the difference). That could be as much as $1500 per neighbor that chooses to drive your car regularly.

There's more diversity for renters: more kinds of cars, sometimes closer, with things like car seats! & bike racks!

Sometime in February, Buzzcar will launch in Brooklyn. (They've been in France for 6 months now.)

Signup and spread the word.

High-End Salon for 154 Vanderbilt

High-end salon, The Owl and the Pussycat, is slated to open in early Spring at 154 Vanderbilt Avenue between Myrtle and Willoughby. The new salon will be the first biz venture for British-born Stuart Fraser and his wife, who has years of business experience working at a top beauty house.

The space is the former home of The Bakery aka Krumbs, that closed a few months ago.

Valentine Day on Myrtle (+ V-Day preview with the Toren Condos)

Ah, love is in the air! Grab your honey and come out to celebrate locally on Myrtle Avenue for Valentine's Day, February 14th (+ a preview on Saturday, 2/11)!

Valentines day specials are available up and down Myrtle Avenuerestaurant, gift and spa specials available on Tuesday, February 14th and a preview available along with a tour of the Toren Condos at 150 Myrtle Avenue on February 11th. Please read below for details.

Myrtle Avenue merchants and Rabiah Duncan of The Corcoran Group have joined forces for a “I LOVE MYRTLE AVENUE” Valentine's Day Weekend Open House at The Toren. Get a taste of luxury real estate with a tour of the Toren Condominiums (150 Myrtle Avenue) and its amazing amenities, including the pool, gym and rooftop on Saturday, February 11th from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. Hors doeuvres will be provided by Myrtle Avenue's own Soco Restaurant and sweet desserts by Myrtle Avenues CakeJoy Bakery. Pick up your Valentine's Day Weekend guide from the Toren and start exploring Myrtle Avenue.

After the Open House, move east along Myrtle and experience everything the Avenue has to offer. Myrtle Avenue restaurants, gift, and spa specials take place on Saturday, February 11th (for Toren open house attendees) and Tuesday, February 14th for the entire neighborhood. Live music, prix fixe and 2-for-1 specials and much more. Contact Rabiah Duncan at Rabiah.Duncan@corcoran.com for more details or visit myrtleavenue.org/blog for the most up-to-date list of merchant specials.

SHOP

Brooklyn Stone Boutique, 366 Myrtle, (347) 763-2041

Discounts on select items plus browse some of the new items from the spring collection at this store known for its tres fashionable clothing and accessories. (Feb. 11th: Stop in for free sweet bites while browsing the racks)

Green in BKLYN, 432 Myrtle, (718) 855-4383

Share or read sage love quotes in-store on recycled chalkboards or on the web. Count the ways you love Brooklyn too: stop in and check out Brian Merlis art exhibit on historic Clinton Hill. (Feb. 11: share and read sage love quotes and view the art exhibit).

Karens Body Beautiful, 436 Myrtle, (718) 797-4808

Celebrate Love Day + KBBs 8th year anniversary this month! $25 mani-pedi special. Gift Cards can be used for spa services and bath, body and hair products. Beautiful Valentines Day gift baskets available in all price ranges. Stop in and mix and match– lotions, shower gels, bar soaps, body splashes, soy candles, bath and massage oils, body butters and so much more for men, women and kids. (Feb. 11: get personal tour KBB's luxurious spa facilities)

Kiini Ibura Jewelry, 388 Myrtle, (718) 858-5195

10% off of all red jewelry (includes corals and garnets). 20% off all scarves, jewelry and bags. Kiini Ibura Jewelry is handmade from precious and semi-precious stones. Sign-up for jewelry-making classes. (Feb. 11: 10% and 20% discounts available).

Polish Bar of Brooklyn, 470 Myrtle, (718) 622-5363

The theme this Valentines Day at the Polish Bar of Brooklyn is Love Yourself. $50 V-Day special includes signature mani-pedi, brow wax, lash band application + complimentary cocktails and desserts (3p-8p).

PASTRIES

CakeJoy Bakery, 364 Myrtle, (718) 624-CAKE (2253)

V-Day couples night includes massage, candlemaking and lots of sweet treats, $25 per person. (Feb. 11: Tasting at the Toren plus stop in-store for scrumptious homemade treats.

DINE (note: RSVPs strongly recommended)

Anima Italian Bistro, 458 Myrtle, (718) 422-1122

5-course Valentines Day menu, served from 5p-10p includes aperitivo, appetizer, primo, entr

SONYA Social on 2/9 @ The Emerson!

Find out what's happening in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill arts community over a drink with South of the Navy Yard Artists (SONYA)! They're hosting a 'social' on Thursday, February 9th at The Emerson (561 Myrtle) at 7pm.

Noah's Bridal is Open!

Noah's Bridal is now open for business, having opened their doors nearly 2 weeks ago. Attention brides, grooms, bridal parties, the wait is over! The new store, with its hardwood floors, flatscreen streaming stylish bridal runway shows above the reception desk and very friendly proprietors, is long on charm.

Noah's Bridal is located at 352 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Carlton.

Mother-daughter owners and Brooklyn residents, Naomi Charles and Jessica Eusebe had signed a lease for the 1000sf space last summer. Wedding gowns and special occasion dresses, bridal party and mother of the bride dresses, prom gowns; seamstress, design, custom tailoring, will be for available in the 1000sf space. Expect lots of special in-shop events as well.

With the experience working in a bridal shop (Ms. Charles) and experience working in retail generally (Ms. Eusebe), the two are excited about this first time venture.

Noah's Bridal is located at 352 Myrtle Avenue between Carlton and Adelphi. Reach the shop at 347.889.5303.

Super Bowl XLVI on Myrtle Avenue!

Woo hoo, Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday, February 5th. Giants! Giants! Giants! Giants! Let's do this! Watch the New York Giants and the New England Patriots go head to head at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Stop in at any of the Myrtle Avenue businesses below to check out the game, viewing opps, drink specials and more, here's a bit of a round up (stay tuned for possible additions by Sunday). Call the businesses directly for further details.

Anima Italian Bistro 458 Myrtle Avenue (Waverly/Washington) 718.422.1122

wide screen tv–93″ projection screen in main dining; $5 tap beer and house drinks; wings and pizza

Bamboo Lounge & Grill 527 Myrtle Avenue (Grand/Steuben) 718.398.2405

Doors open at 3:00pm. Enjoy 20 piece hot wing buckets, beer buckets, almost giveaway margaritas and sangrias and more.

Castro's 511 Myrtle Avenue (Ryerson/Grand) 718.398.1459

Chez Lola 387 Myrtle Avenue (Clermont/Vanderbilt) 718.858.1484

burgers, nachos, beer and drink specials

El Cofre 454 Myrtle Avenue (Waverly/Washington) 718.935.1153

television viewing and food made to order

The Emerson Bar 561 Myrtle Avenue (Emerson/Classon) 347.763.1310

projector screen and awesome beer specials. bring snacks–The Emerson will have free wings available. Super Bowl pool is $10 per box (must be filled before kick off). Total winning if all boxes are filled: 1st quarter prize $100; half time prize $200; 3rd quarter prize $100; final score prize $400. Happy Hour 3p-7:30 (2-for-1 draft and well) Kick-off, 6:30p. From 8p-close ($1 off all bottled beer). DJ and Dance Party after

Five Spot Soul Food and Supper Club 459 Myrtle Avenue (Waverly/Washington) 718.852.0202

large screen projector, wing specials and more

Los Pollitos III 499 Myrtle Avenue (Hall/Ryerson) 718.636.6125

flatscreen tv and food and drink specials

Pillow Caf

Navy Green Development Update + Community Meeting: Thursday 2/9

Construction is complete at two buildings, and families have begun to move in. What's going on at this brand new community in Wallabout?

The Development Team for Navy Green invite you to learn more about ongoing construction and their future plans by attending a community meeting at L+M's affordable rental building, 45 Clermont. The details:

Thursday February 9, 2012 (6-8pm)
45 Clermont Avenue – Community Room
between Park and Flushing
Fort Greene/Wallabout Brooklyn

RSVP to rsvp@prattarea.org.

This event is sponsored by:
Brooklyn Community and Housing Services, Dunn Development, L+M Development and Pratt Area Community Council

The housing application process is under the direction of the Pratt Area Community Council (PACC). All questions relating to housing at Navy Green can be directed to PACC by calling 718-522-2613.

Myrtle and Adelphi Update: GWay pushes ahead

Gway Management Company has been steadily moving forward in securing new commercial tenants for the spaces at 352-360 Myrtle since the Easter Day fire that broke out on Myrtle between Adelphi and Carlton back in 2010.

Little Louie's Pizza was the first to return some months after.

Other new tenants include Noah's Bridal (354 Myrtle), a lovely bridal boutique that has been open for one week and the upcoming Burger Ur Way, an eco-friendly fast food burgers, wings and pizza eatery that uses farm-secured Angus beef for the burgers (see 'meet the rancher' section on their website) and a Japanese restaurant (we will keep you posted on the restaurant's name).

Hardee's Chinese Restaurnat is now relocated across the street at 351 Myrtle Avenue.

There is still one commercial vacancy available in the building. The 950sf space is renting for $3995/mo. Please call GWay Management at 718.399.9300 if interested.

Huey's Chueys to open Wednesday, 2/1.

Huey's Chueys Candy Boutique to open tomorrow. Soft opening is tomorrow, February 1st at noon for the new sweets boutique which will sell candy by the pound, other sweets and ice cream. Expect old fashioned candy (think: jaw breakers, gum balls, Mary Janes) as well as the more new-fangled variety. The twin owners, Denny and Jenny are no strangers to the area, having previously lived on the Avenue for years.

Huey's Chueys is located at 378 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Adelphi. They'll open 12noon.

Minor B54 Changes

Last week, the MTA removed two B54 stops and moved a third stop. These changes were made to improve service be creating three-block spacing between stops.

Both the eastbound and westbound B54 stops at Kent Avenue were removed. There are existing stops one block away at Franklin Avenue.

The westbound stop at Emerson Place was moved one block east to Classon Avenue.

"Eat – Work – Grow the Movement"<br>Just Food Conference 2012

Join over 1,000 local food lovers and advocates, CSA members, community gardeners, urban and rural farmers, food professionals and entrepreneurs at the Just Food “Eat – Work – Grow the Movement” conference 2012 on February 24th and 25th!

The conference will include over 100 workshops providing attendees with opportunities to learn about:
– cooking and food preservation techniques
– CSA trends
– local and national farm and food issues
– ways to mobilize communities in order to increase access to farm-fresh, locally grown food

A Good Food Jobs Fair will be available on Friday and an EXPO featuring “exemplary local food artisans, sustainable businesses, and organizations” will conclude the conference on Saturday. For more information and schedule Click Here.

When: Friday, February 24 8:30am  7pm & Saturday, February 25 8am  6pm
Where: Food & Finance High School @ 525 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019
Cost: Tickets are $30 per day or $50 for both days. Discounted rates of $15 (for one day) and $30 for both days) are available for students, farmers and low-income community members. Tickets to the Job Fair only cost $15. Register and purchase tickets Here.

We plan to be there and hope you will too!

Child Development Support Corporation (CDSC) 4th Annual Community Art Show and Sale

Child Development Support Corporation (CDSC) is a multi-service, non-profit organization that offers art services, among other programs, to youth, seniors, and families in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. They strive to renovate their 5,000 square feet of raw space into a community arts center to provide art instruction and to further their mission by “fostering skill development, self-expression, knowledge, enjoyment, and community connections through the creative process”.

To help realize their goals CDSC is hosting their 4th Annual 2012 Community Art Show & Sale. The event will offer FREE art classes, live entertainment and an art show for all to enjoy!

Where: 352 Classon Ave, Brooklyn
Dates & Times: Friday, January 20th 6-10PM and Saturday, January 21st 10AM-4PM
For more information call 718-398-2050

Zaytoons on BCAT

Zaytoons restaurant, featuring the finest in Middle Eastern cuisine, is highlighted in a BCAT/Brooklyn Independent Television Neighborhood Beat program. Check it out.

The 6-minute BCAT segment can be viewed here. It is chock full of information, including information about the restaurant's history, owners and yes, delicious RECIPES!

Zaytoons is located at 472 Myrtle Avenue and can be reached at 718.623.5522.

Free books for your ereader: get them at the Brooklyn Public Library

We received an email from the BPL Whitman Branch about the growing list of ebooks available at the BPL. We can now access over 20,000 ebooks at the Brooklyn Public Library.

Click here for a full list of Brooklyn Public Library available ebooks.

Call a BPL branch for further information. The number for the Whitman Branch is 718.935.0244 (press option 4).

image courtesy Brooklyn Public Library

CakeJoy Celebrates 1 Year this Saturday!!

A bakery celebrating an anniversary sounds like pure delectable bliss to us! And it promises to be, so stop in!

CakeJoy Bakery located at 364 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Clermont is celebrating its one year anniversary this Saturday, 1/14 from 8p-11p–seven layer chocolate cake, creme brulee, fondue, chocolate covered strawberries and more, including the delectable cupcakes we all know and love. Come out and sip sangria and sample lots of new goodies too!

CakeJoy is located at 364 Myrtle Avneue between Adelphi and Clermont and can be reached at 718.624.CAKE (2253).

Exploring Myrtle Avenues Past Through an Artists Lens

This past weekend, The New York Times' Lens Blog ran an interesting piece describing long-time resident William Gedneys journal, which he wrote in 1969 and serves as a love letter to the Myrtle Avenue he knew. Gedney, an artist who moved to the area in the 1950s, was a gifted photographer and, as his journal shows, had an admiring eye for the urban beauty found on Myrtle over 40 years ago.

Check out the article to view some of his photographs and to flip through his 92-page journal.

Photo credit: William Gedney, 1969. From MARP's photo collection.

Just Because Hair Therapy Salon Celebrates 5 Years!

Just Because Hair Therapy Salon is celebrating 5 years of excellent service on Friday, January 13th at 7pm! They invite you to stop in and help them pop open the champagne. Champagne, light bites, music, celebration and comraderie–stop in.

Just Because Hair Therapy Salon was recently voted one of Uptown Magazine's top beauty shops for not only their skill in grooming and styling, but their “therapy approach” that makes the health of the hair an integral part of the experience. Additionally, the salon has devoted at least half of its years of service to the Prom Queen Project, a project created by Just Because to assist local youth w/workshops, pampering and prom clothing.

Just Because Salon is located at 141 Carlton Avenue, just north of Myrtle Avenue. Please call the salon at 718.722.7810 to set up an appointment or to RSVP for their 5 year anniversary event.

Brooklyn Tap House Soft Opening Weekend!

Brooklyn Tap House, located at 590 Myrtle Avenue, just off of Classon Avenue, is opening their doors TODAY–soft opening!

The email sent from Brooklyn Tap House reads as follows: “Brooklyn Tap House would like to invite you and your friends to our “soft opening” and take a sneak peek of this exciting new place. Please keep in mind that a “soft opening” means that this would give our management and staff a chance to experience, learn and become familiar with our daily operations. This will help us learn of any service flaws, food prep issues, timing and to determine how to prep and pre-prep our bar, kitchen and service areas so that we can work out any kinks in our system and be ready to make our best impression at the official “grand opening”. In other words please bear with us and tell your server about your experience. We would sincerely appreciate and value your feedback.”

“Soft Opening”
Friday, January 6 (4pm-4am); Saturday, January 7 (12noon-4am); Sunday, January 8 (12noon-12am)

Menu: 40 Craft Beers on Tap and a limited food menu

The 7000sf indoor/outdoor alehouse and beer garden with the 'no crap on tap' slogan features 40 different beers on tap (with the capacity to expand to 100!). The business website states, “the finest beer, great food and and a nice comfortable environment with excellent service.”

photo credit: Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Patch

Mulch Fest @ Fort Greene Park, Jan. 7 and 8

MulchFest 2012 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, January 7th and 8th, from 10am to 2pm. Chip in! Mulch your tree! Help NYC grow.

MulchFest provides New Yorkers an opportunity to bring their holiday trees to designated sites where they are ground into wood chips. The chips can then be placed in tree pits and gardens. Parks & Recreation encourages New Yorkers to help the environment and their community by participating in this event. Our local MulchFest location is Fort Greene Park. Enter Park at the intersection of Washington Park and Willoughby Avenue.

Participants are encouraged to bring bags to take advantage of the free mulch provided.

All lights, ornaments and stands must be taken off holiday trees.

The MulchFest chipper in Fort Greene Park is sponsored by NYC Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Society for Clinton Hill, the Fort Greene Association and The Fort Greene Park Conservancy