Author Archives: Chad Purkey

Who's On First: Root Stock at MLB's 'Fan Cave'

Root Stock is certainly known for having some of the most beautiful and creative assemblanges of green around town. Its gardens, plants and flowers have caught the attention of Henri Bendel, The Knot, HGTV, Methodist Hospital, The W Hotel, the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Society of Ethical Culture and the Berkley Carroll School, amongst a lot of others. Owner, John Rattigan has beautifully transformed many of the gardens of Fort Greene/ Clinton Hill. The team has created the floral arrangements at many wedding and other special events.

What's up next? The Root Stock team is putting lovely holiday arrangements up at Major League Baseball's Fan Cave this week. Keep an eye on their page for pics!

Root Stock is located at 471 Myrtle Avenue between Washington and Hall. They can be reached at 718.832.1888.

photo: Root Stock

Five Spot Holds Rap Competition, Dec. 2nd Prelims

“Now what you hear is not a test, I'm rapping to the beat. Just me, the groove and my friends are going to try to move your feet.” Haha, like that? Think you've got one better?

Five Spot is holding a talent competition for rappers. If you think you got skills, if you think you got what it takes–show up.

Freeway Ricky Ross Talent Search
includes $100,000 in cash and prizes and a chance to be featured on the Ricky Ross movie soundtrack.

China Doll hosts both nights. The prelims are on December 2nd (doors open at 8pm). The Semi-finals are on December 3rd (doors open at 8pm).

Call 317.500.0222 or email china@ampstv.com for more details.

Five Spot is located at 459 Myrtle Avenue, corner of Washington Avenue. For info about the talent show, call the number above. For info about about other upcoming events at Five Spot, to rent the space for your own event, to find out how you can perform at Five Spot or to find out what's on the menu or at the bar, call them at 718.852.0202.

*Sugar Hill Gang lyrics

Phat Tuesdays at Soco. It's HOT!

It's HOT! Guaranteed to warm you up on even the rainiest days.

Join Soco every Tuesday for Phat Tuesdays (!), live jazz celebration featuring hot sounds, terrific drinks and delectable dinner specials. Doors open at 6pm. No cover. House Band: The Antonio Dangerfield Quartet and special guests.

Soco is located at 509 Myrtle Avenue. Soco can be reached at 718.783.1936.

image credit: Soco

Enterprising Pratt Alum on Myrtle

Pratt Institute recently featured several of their enterprising alumni in the university's monthly newsletter, Gateway. Some common links amongst them: they all own businesses on Myrtle Avenue (or just off Myrtle in the case of Luz restaurant) and they've all used some element of their Pratt education to build the successful businesses that we all love.

Who are they? Pedro Munoz and Vivian Torres, owners of Luz Restaurant (177 Vanderbilt, just south of Myrtle), Ju Young Oh, owner of Barking Brown (469 Myrtle) and Byme Brooklyn (519 Myrtle), Gina Jankowski, owner of The Emerson (561 Myrtle), Vadim Kiyaev, owner of Pushkin Creperie Bakery (541 Myrtle) and curator/manager of Hadas Gallery, which adjoins Pushkin in the Absolute Building at 541 Myrtle, Joshua Stulman.

Click here to check out the article.

photo credit: Jonathan Weitz, Gateway Newsletter

Brooklyn Tap House is Hiring

Brooklyn Tap House, located at 590 Myrtle Avenue is hiring! The upcoming 7000sf indoor/outdoor alehouse and beer garden with the 'no crap on tap' slogan will feature 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.” Submit resumes and queries to info@BrooklynTapHouse.com.

photo credit: Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Patch

Bon Swag: Dee & Ricky's Homecooking, Fashionable Food

Dee & Ricky's: new video, new Casio watch and menu deliciousness, stop in!

“Fashionable food” is the slogan at Dee & Ricky's Homecooking. Quite fitting for the new restaurant which features classic great looking AND marvelous tasting (!) southern and Caribbean fare with a twist, inspired by the backgrounds of the restaurant owners. Menu additions like jerk lollipop drumsticks and jerk chicken nuggets, sorrel and gingerbeer (all very popular on the Dee & Ricky's menu) are inspired by owner, Alvin Wray's mom's homecooking. Catfish and grits, chicken and waffles and mac and cheese balls (also popular) give a nod to owners and identical twins, Dee & Ricky's grandma's cuisine. More on Dee & Ricky's Homecooking later this week.

The 'fashionable' side of Dee & Ricky's restaurant is also directly connected to the fact that the twins are a fashion designing duo, known for their LEGO accessories and related designs. They've recently released the new Casio G-Shock GA-111DR-7AER watch. Freshness Magazine's website describes the watch this way: “The playful interpretation received a new all-white colorway, splashed with LEGO-centric primary colors around rings and other moving parts. In addition, a reverse LCD display for better time telling.”

Limited in availability, the Dee & Ricky x Casio G-Shock is available now.

In response to the Casio G-Shock video, twins, Dee & Ricky, summed it up in two words on their Facebook page: 'Bon Swag.' Ah, we couldn't have said it better ourselves. Glad to have this new addition to the Avenue.

Here's the video.

Dee and Ricky's Homecooking is located at 505 Myrtle Avenue. Call the restaurant at 718.789.1111 for more information.

Karen's Body Beautiful: Big Sale + 'Ask Karen'

Karen's Body Beautiful kicked off a tremendous sale on Black Friday, which continued into Small Business Saturday and on to today, Cyber Monday. HURRY, the sale ends at midnight TONIGHT, 11/28. The sale? 30% off of everything in the store!!

For online purchases, use coupon code 'Black Friday' at checkout.

Also, don't forgot to stop in again tomorrow (11/29) to visit Karen's Body Beautiful's Facebook page for 'Ask Karen,' an opportunity to get your hair how-tos and product questions answered by Karen! 'Ask Karen' is live on Facebook tomorrow–and starts at 8pm.

Karen's Body Beautiful is located at 436 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Waverly Avenues. Call 718.797.4808 for more info.

Small Business Saturday Press Conference in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill

Commissioner Rob Walsh of the NYC Department of Small Business Services visited Fort Greene/Clinton Hill last week for a Small Business Saturday press conference. Small Business Saturday is day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. Commissioner Walsh is pictured above with Tamara McCaw of BAM (picture left) and Karen Tappin Saunderson of Myrtle Avenue business, Karen's Body Beautiful (picture right).

The Fulton Areas Business (FAB) Alliance and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership have partnered up to bring Small Business Saturday fun to the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill neighborhoods. Free trolley rides, in-store Myrtle Avenue and Fulton Street specials, Santa Claus, musicians, a shopping sweepstakes and more are taking place on Small Business Saturday, 11/26.

photo: NYC Department of Small Business Services

Small Business Saturday at Green in BKLYN, 11/26

Lots brewing at Green in BKLYN for Small Business Saturday. Free Pangea Organics' 6x Award Winning Facial Mask or their balancing oil to customers throughout the day.

Holiday wish list will be available for pick up, listing gift suggestions for the men, women and children in our lives.

Lots of great gift items available, including “the Beer Making Book” and kits from the Brooklyn Brew Shop; Brooklyn-based Reclaimed Leather Zip Bags from Baggu; Voltaic solar-powered bags for laptops, iPads and other electronic items; Brooklyn-based Common Good refillable cleaning products; MUNY cotton quilts designed in Brooklyn and made in Mumbai.

Green in BKLYN is located at 432 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Waverly and can be reached at 718.855.4383.

Utrecht Art Supply Store is Hiring !

Utrecht, the soon to open Myrtle Avenue art supplies store located on Myrtle Avenue between Steuben and Grand in the LEED-certified Myrtle Hall, is hiring. Call 212.777.5353 to inquire about cashier, sales associate and other positions.

The Bakery in Brooklyn Paper article + continues toward re-open goal

Adrienne Braxton is still on a mission to reach her goal of baking pies to save her beloved business. Please read recent Brooklyn Papers article by Colin Mixon here.

Closed down by the Department of Health months ago for an expired permit, Adrienne is determined to raise funds to re-open to cover the costs of the DoH fine plus the mounting rent debt for having to close her doors.

Specializing in all things baked, including homemade breads and confections like raspberry rugelach, classic pound cakes, gingerbread cookies, almond tortes, blueberry tarts, apple pies, fresh handcrafted breads and cinnamon rolls, the bakery will offer pies only in this special bootstrapping effort of determination and endurance.

The concise holiday menu includes pecan pies ($23) and sweet potato pies ($20). Please call Adrienne at 347.384.2275 or krumbsbakery154@gmail.com to place your order today.

Adrienne will rent kitchen incubator space to bake the pies, but will be at the bakery today and on Small Business Saturday, 11/26 to take additional orders. Please stop in and help this much-loved bakery to reopen.

The Bakery is located at 154 Vanderbilt Avenue between Myrtle and Willoughby. Stop in this Saturday between 10am-4pm to place an order.

An evening with author Colson Whitehead @ SJC

St. Joseph's College just sent this over to us. Author Colson Whitehead will be leading a talk called “How to Write and the Art of Writing” on Wednesday, November 30th at 6pm at Tuohy Hall (245 Clinton Avenue). It's free!

Brooklyn Stone Boutique Offers Major Small Biz Saturday Savings, 11/26

Major in-store promotions at Brooklyn Stone Boutique on both Friday and Small Business Saturday, 11/26.

Small Business Saturday is Saturday, November 26th. Free trolley will be looping around to your fave stores on Fulton Street and Myrtle Avenue.

Arrive at Brooklyn Stone Boutique early on Saturday as holiday bargains start at a whopping 50% off purchase price but discount decreases every two hours–so get there early. Best way to navigate it for big savings is doorbuster style!

Holiday dresses, shirts, pants, dresses, blouses and shirts, shoes, jewelry and accessories–come out and see the full beautiful range of gifts and other items available at Brooklyn Stone Boutique.

Brooklyn Stone Boutique is located at 366 Myrtle Avenue between Chermont and Adelphi and can be reached at 347.763.2041.

photo: Brooklyn Stone Boutique (sequined off the shoulder holiday dress)

Brian Lehrer Live @ Pratt on Dec. 8th

Join NPR radio host, Brian Lehrer live at Pratt on December 8th at 6pm for a panel discussion on school choice. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is required.

The event will take place at Pratt's Memorial Hall, 200 Willoughby Avenue.

Read more details here.

photo: Brian Lehrer

Beauty Brunch at the Polish Bar of Brooklyn on Small Biz Saturday, 11/26

Have you stopped in to experience the renovations at Polish Bar of Brooklyn? Please do–it's fabulous! New bright white walls, plushy brown velvet couch at pedicure station, silver chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. And there's more to come!

Small Business Saturday is Saturday, November 26th. Free trolley will be looping around to your fave stores on Fulton Street and Myrtle Avenue.

The Polish Bar of Brooklyn will host an in-store 'Beauty Brunch' from 11am-4pm. Sounds like a lovely treat for self, friends or family. Meet the Polish Bar's Pro Beauty Team. A free gift will be given with appointment.

The Polish Bar of Brooklyn is located at 470 Myrtle Avenue. For additional details call: 718.622.5363.

MARP's Holiday Fundraiser at Putnam's Pub & Cooker is on Wed, Dec 7th!

It's time to come to Myrtle Avenue for the holidays, from Small Business Saturday on November 26th, to the start of the Holiday Windows Contest on December 3rd, to the annual holiday fundraiser on December 7th. This year's holiday fundraiser is at Putnam's Pub & Cooker (419 Myrtle), from 5:30 to 7:30pm, where you'll have open bar and your favorite holiday cocktails, live music sponsored by our friends at ConEdison, and lots of great food from Putnam's menu. We really hope all of our friends and neighbors can join us this year to take in the holiday cheer.

Tickets are only $30/person or $50/couple (all drinks, food, and music included!) if bought by December 6th at HelpersUnite.com or at http://tinyurl.com/MyrtleHolidays2011. (It's $35/person on December 7th or at the door)

Hope to see you there! And happy holidays!

Small Biz Saturday is Nov. 26th: Trolley Loops Myrtle + Fulton!

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and the Fulton Street Area Business Alliance (FAB) are EXCITED to be participating jointly in Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is Saturday, November 26th! Are you ready? Join in on the fun from 10:00a  6:00p!

Santas coming, the free trolley is set, musicians are singing, Myrtle and Fulton business specials and in-store events are brewing! All for the BIG event: Please come out and join in the Small Business Saturday fun! Check out the trolley mapto hop on, hop off and join in the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill neighborhood fun!

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership is partnering with the FAB Alliance to jointly sponsor festivities along Myrtle Avenue and Fulton Street in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The fun starts at 10a and continues the day long til 6p.

A nationwide celebration, the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. One of the things that makes Fort Greene and Clinton Hill so wonderful is the diverse array of locally-owned small businesses. And this is your chance to make a statement of support for the business owners, staffs and their families who contribute so much to what makes the area vibrant. There will be events, activities, music, treats and free trolley rides all day.

FREE TROLLEY – 10am-6pm

SANTA RIDES THE TROLLEY – 11am-3pm

There will be a free trolley traveling along Myrtle and Fulton Street and back again from 10am-6pm (check out the route map!). Bring the kids because SANTA will be riding the trolley from 11am-3pm. Bring the family because shopping local matters.

GET UPDATES ON ACTIVITIES, EVENTS AND SANTA'S WHEREABOUTS

Like both organizations on Facebook (Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and FAB Fulton and also follow FAB on Twitter to keep up-to-date on activities, events and ho ho ho, Santas whereabouts.

Help to make farm-fresh food part of Thanksgiving meals for neighbors in need!

Just a friendly reminder … only 1 week left until Thanksgiving! That's just 7 days to reach our goal of $600!

Our partners at the Ingersoll Community Center (operated by University Settlement) are preparing a hot meal for 100 local residents in need this Thanksgiving. In a project they're calling “Pay it Forward”, they've reached out to local residents and organizations to join their effort by donating resources, food, beverages, supplies and time to make sure our neighbors have a delicious and nutritious meal this Thanksgiving. We've stepped up to raise $600 to provide fresh ingredients from our local farm stand partner, Glebocki Farms, and a few supplies. These funds will purchase seasonal produce like squash, carrots, red potatoes, onions, apples, and greens for the event. A team of volunteer cooks will prepare Thanksgiving favorites using these ingredients. In the holiday spirit of giving, will you help us donate fresh food items for a community Thanksgiving dinner at our local community center, right here on Myrtle Avenue?

Donating is simple. Just visit our project page on
HelpersUnite.com. Here's to a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy Thanksgiving @ Maggie Brown !

Enjoy a mouthwatering Thanksgiving meal at Maggie Brown Restaurant on Thursday, November 24th from 3p to 10p. Relax for Turkey Day, they will do the work for you. Menu details coming soon, or call them soon for the delectable details.

Maggie Brown is located at 455 Myrtle Avenue between Washington and Waverly. They can be reached at 718.643.7001.

Jive Turkey: What's Your Flavor?

Always wanted to try a particular flavor turkey at Jive Turkey before investing in the whole bird? Jive Turkey has 15 flavors on the menu and they've been offering individual portion size tastings for purchase every Saturday since September.

Peking, Vidalia Onion, Cajun, BBQ, Cranberry Red Wine, Jamaican Jerk, Orange Zinfandel, Fresh Herb, Mexican Mole and Roasted Garlic tastings, yummmm!

Next up on Saturday, November 19th — Lemon Pepper.

Lemon Pepper has a wonderful hint of lemon with the zest of freshly ground black pepper flavors.

Stop in or call Jive Turkey today to find out about ordering Thanksgiving dinner–the whole bird as well as side dishes are available. Lunch and dinner options are also available 365 days of the year. Check out the daily menu.

Jive Turkey is located at 570 Myrtle Avenue (between Emerson and Classon). Please call the store at 718.797.1688 for further detail, or just stop in!

Author, Colson Whitehead to speak @ St. Joseph's College on 11/30

Acclaimed writer, Colson Whitehead to speak at St. Joseph's College on Wednesday, November 30 in the Tuohy Hall Auditorium at 6pm. The lecture is entitled “How to Write and the Art of Writing.” The event is free and open to the public.

Colson Whitehead's lecture is the inaugural lecture in the Brooklyn Voices series of events at the Brooklyn Campus. According to St. Joseph's, “the aim of the Brooklyn Voices series is to promote and enhance the creative vitality of our home neighborhoods of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill by providing local writers, artists and intellectuals with a forum in which to discuss and present their works to our neighbors, patrons and students. Through lectures, forums, performances, and public discussion, Brooklyn Voices seeks to make a meaningful contribution to the thriving intellectual culture of the neighborhood and ensure that our community remains a stimulating place in which to live, learn, and do business.”

Read more here.

Photo: Frank Lojciechowski

Help to make farm-fresh food part of Thanksgiving meals for neighbors in need!

Our partners at the Ingersoll Community Center (operated by University Settlement) are preparing a hot meal for 100 local residents in need this Thanksgiving. In a project they're calling “Pay it Forward”, they've reached out to local residents and organizations to join their effort by donating resources, food, beverages, supplies and time to make sure our neighbors have a delicious and nutritious meal this Thanksgiving. We've stepped up to raise $600 to provide fresh ingredients from our local farm stand partner, Glebocki Farms, and a few supplies. These funds will purchase seasonal produce like squash, carrots, red potatoes, onions, apples, and greens for the event. A team of volunteer cooks will prepare Thanksgiving favorites using these ingredients. In the holiday spirit of giving, will you help us donate fresh food items for a community Thanksgiving dinner at our local community center, right here on Myrtle Avenue?

Donating is simple. Just visit our project page on
HelpersUnite.com. Here's to a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Bike Share Open House @ Red Lantern Bicycles, Thursday, 11/17

NYC Bike Share Open House on Thursday, 11/17 from 5p-8p at Red Lantern Bicycles, 345 Myrtle Avenue.

Please join us to view the bikes and provide feedback before the program launches in Summer 2012.

What is Bike Share?

Bike Share is a new form of urban mobility: a self serve bicycle transport system available for public use at a low daily, weekly, or annual charge.

Bike Share stations are located every few blocks and operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Bicycles may be returned to any station anywhere in the system.

Red Lantern is located at 345 Myrtle between Carlton and Adelphi. They can be reached at 347.889.5338.

Home & U: Gifts, Holiday Fun & Stocking Stuffers

BIG board game fanatic over here! Anyone else out there EXCITED to learn about Home & U's plethora of affordable gifts, stocking stuffers and board games for friend and family funnnn, including the Monopoly game above for only $3.99. Yep, $3.99!

Stop in and get yours today. While there, check out the other affordable gift and home items, including pjs, starting at $3.99; dress and sports socks, starting at $.99; toys, dolls, potpourri, new colorful shower curtains, rugs, towels, serving dishes and other board games like chess and backgammon, also $3.99 each.

Home & U is located at 394 Myrtle between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenue. Call them at 718.243.9265 for more info.