Category Archives: District News

Dine-In Brooklyn Kicks Off on October 20th

The 11th annual Dine in Brooklyn event is set to kick off next Monday, 10/20 with two-for-$15 lunch and $25 dinner deals at more than 150 restaurants, including some right here Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, including The Runner, Zaytoons, Maggie Brown and Five Spot.

Dine in Brooklyn will take place Monday, October 20, to Thursday, October 23, and again from Monday, October 27, to Thursday, October 30.

Organized by the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, the event is about exposing neighbors to their local restaurants and supporting one of the borough’s most prodigious industries.

Bon Appétit!

Please visit the Dine-in Brooklyn website for a complete list of participating restaurants, including up to the minute additions!

Have Your Voice Heard – Fort Greene Park Greenmarket Survey

The Myrtle Eats Fresh Community Corner is coming to end, our last day will be October 25th. We have met so many of our neighbors and received invaluable feedback about what is and what is not working for residents to access quality, affordable fresh food in our community.

Many have commented that it is difficult to find affordable, quality food and that traveling outside of the community is necessary. We are encouraged, however, to hear that after a tour to the Fort Greene Park Greenmarket most respond that they had “no idea so many affordable options were available” and they did not know that their food benefits are accepted at market. Many have reported that they will return and share the information with family and friends.

We have also learned that many residents living north of the park did not even know that Greenmarket was there! Earlier this year we shared that GrowNYC has been approved by CB2 to change the formation of the Greenmarket into one lane, allowing for increased accessibility and visibility to Myrtle Avenue. This formation will come once the proper signage from the NYC Department of Transportation is installed. When sharing this news with residents they have responded favorably and feel it will encourage increased usage of this existing, thriving market; promoting better health for residents as well as supporting our regional farmers.

Thank you to all who have visited, taken a tour of the Greenmarket and provided your input. We want to hear from more of you – please take our on-line survey or come by this Saturday, 10/18 or 10/25 and share your thoughts. We are on the corner of Washington Park and Myrtle Avenue 10am-3pm. Collectively we can make a difference!

Pic of the Week: DC Optics Helps Choose the Perfect Pair

It’s good to know that we have professionals like Dr. Dennis Cheng, owner and optometrist at dc optics to help us choose the just right pair of glasses and contacts.

dc optics provides the most comprehensive eye examinations, stylish eyewear and latest innovations in contact lenses in a relaxed and friendly environment. DC also looks to provide community outreach in the form of school screenings and exams for children in need. At dc optics, proceeds from every eyewear purchase goes toward helping children in the local area who need glasses but cannot afford them.

Stop in at DC Optics today, 390 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt
(347) 504-1121.

Stop in at Liberty Pizza

Have you had a chance to stop in at Liberty Pizza at 482 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street? If not, you really should. Choose from a range of good, hearty and affordable selections like calzones, chicken parmigiana, sausage rolls and baked ziti. Weekday lunch special include the ever popular $5 lunch: 2 slices plus a medium soft drink. A variety of pizza pies, slices and squares (Sicilian-style) available from $2.25.

Liberty Pizza is located at 482 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. The store can be reached at (718) 789-0600.

Myrtle Avenue Reconstruction Begins Soon

According to the Department of Design and Constrction (DDC), the reconstruction of Myrtle Avenue between Hall and Emerson will begin on 10/20/14, culminating in the creation of Myrtle Avenue Plaza in 12-18 months. Contractors have already started saw cutting the pavement in preparation to repair and/or replace the existing water main.

There will be water service interruptions during this initial work, possibly beginning as soon as 10/20/14. Impacted residents and businesses will be notified by the DDC Community Construction Liaison (CCL) Ronnell Madison. For construction-related questions, you may contact him at myrtleplazaccl@gmail.com or 718-857-3283.

If you’d like to receive updates on plaza construction and its impacts on Myrtle Avenue, please sign-up here.

The following direct mail piece will be delivered to nearly 3,000 local addresses in the coming weeks.

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Gnarly Vines’ 30/30/30 Sale thru October 10

This is the final week of Gnarly Vines’ 30/30/30 Sale. That is, a selection of 30 wines that are 30% off for 30 days. Stop in and taste what Gnarly Vines has been up to. Reds, whites, roses and sparling wines. This great sale ends October 10th, so hurry!

Gnarly Vines is located at 350 Myrtle Avenue between Carlton and Adelphi. Gnarly Vines can be reached at (718) 797-3183.

Pic of the Week: Brooklyn Sweet Spot’s weekly cupcake specials

If you too just can’t get enough of Brooklyn Sweet Spot’s delicious, melt-in-your-mouth confections, then do not forget to check out the bakery’s weekly specials.

“Mini Mondays” feature mini-cupcakes, 2 for $5. Mix and match or double up on your faves.

“Super Tuesdays” feature cupcakes $5 for two mouthwatering red velvet cupcakes or mix and match any of your mouthwatering full sized favorites for $3 each.

“Thirsty Thursdays” spotlights a large array of cocktail cupcakes such as chocolate grand marnier seduction or coconut rum punch.

Brooklyn Sweet Spot is located at 366 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Clermont and can be reached at (718) 522-2577.

Throwback Thursday: Doo-Wop on Myrtle Avenue

A group of men harmonizing on Myrtle Avenue, underneath the elevated train, in 1960. Photo taken from the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership’s photo collection.

This 1960’s photo throws us back to the era when doo-wop music was all the rage. It was alive and well right here in Fort Greene as well, where famous doo-wop singer Little Anthony was born and raised. Born Jerome Gourdine, Little Anthony was the lead singer of The Imperials, who recorded mega-hits such as “Tears on My Pillow” in 1958 and “Shimy Shimy Ko Ko Pop” in 1960. Little Anthony was born here in Brooklyn in 1941 and lived on North Portland Place between Myrtle and Park Avenues in what was then Fort Greene Houses, but now known today as Walt Whitman Houses.

Interested in more local history? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to catch our weekly #ThrowbackThursday posts.

Little Anthony & The Imperials album cover. Photo credit: thewowjonesreport.wordpress.com.

Graffiti Zoo Exhibition

Artwork by Murjani Holmes

Graffiti Zoo is an exhibition at Pushkin Creperie Cafe of urban pop paintings by Murjani Holmes, curated by Joshua Stulman.

Holmes’s artwork fuses the stylized illustration of Brooklyn’s graffiti culture with her profound sense of color and design.

Each of the paintings in Graffiti Zoo begins as layers of thin washes covering the canvas. Holmes then outlines her subject, working between building layers of color and her heavy linear illustration. She often uses vibrant and opaque backgrounds to clarify the image. This technique lends the painting a print-like pop art feel. Click here to read more about the artwork.

The exhbitiion is being sponsored by the Brooklyn Art Review and Pushkin Creperie Cafe.
Pushkin Creperie Cafe, 541 Myrtle Avenue, between Steuben & Emerson.

Pic of the Week: Move with Grace’s Yoga Intro Special

Stop in and check out Move with Grace Yoga, Dance, Pilates & Juice Bar’s introductory special: $45 will get you two weeks of unlimited classes. And while you are at, treat yourself to any number of green and other yummy and healthy fresh juices and smoothies from the juice bar.

Move with Grace Studio offers a wide variety of classes, including yoga (Vinyasa, Hatha and Iyengar and a late night candlelight flow), Pilates and Zumba. Children as well as adult classes are available. Group and private lessons are available.

Click here for the Move with Grace weekly schedule and other class card specials.

Move with Grace Yoga, Dance, Pilates & Juice Bar is located at 469 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. Please call (718) 230-0013 for further information.

Pratt Station Retail Operations Suspended effective, 10/25

Brooklyn postmaster, Ed Roggenkamp has released details in a memo which was shared at last night’s Community Board 2 District Services meeting that the Pratt Station post office at 524 Myrtle Avenue between Ryerson and Grand will suspend retail operations at the Myrtle Avenue station effective Saturday, October 25, 2014.

Mail delivery to the neighborhood will not be affected and will continue as usual. Post office box customers will be directed to retrieve their mail at the new location (609 Myrtle Avenue) where temporary quarters will be held while finalization of construction takes place. Customer package pick-up service will also occur at this location.

All retail services can also be conducted at nearby USPS postal stations. Please note that local businesses, Sandbox Pack & Ship at 417 Myrtle Avenue between Vanderbilt & Clinton Avenues and Walgreens (stamp booklets sales) at 379 Myrtle Avenue at Clermont Avenue also offer some postal services and assistance.

Pic of the Week: Barking Brown’s Fall Collection

Check out Barking Brown’s Fall Collection, which includes an extensive collection of hats and scarves, socks, bags, jewelry, and more formal as well as informal wear. Stop in and check them out!

Barking Brown is located at 468 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street, or call (718) 638-3757.

Chekhov’s Three Sisters: Interactive Theatre

From September 4-28, Highly Impractical Theatre will present Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov (Directed by Elana McKelahan). It’s 2040 and Brooklyn is burning. Seek refuge within the safety of the Prozorov Estate, where you will enjoy live music, food, and drink in this fully-immersive production of Chekhov’s Three Sisters in a magnificent historic building in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (259 Washington Avenue).

Tickets range from $0.99 to $99. You must choose your own fate in this dystopian future. Will you opt for the secrets of the servant’s quarters ($0.99 a ticket)? Or the luxurious ignorance of the Tsar ($99 per ticket)? The choice is yours!

Serfs: You will be following the servants throughout the show, YOU WILL WORK during the show.
Proletariat: You are a member of the working class. You may be searched upon entrance.
Bourgeoisie: You will enter through the front door as party guests. You must however pay for your own drinks.
Aristocracy: You will enter through the front door as party guests. You are an honored guest. You will be served a selection of delicacies and beverages from Fresh Fanatic and Corkscrew Wines. Ticket price includes one drink ticket for the bar.
Tsars: You are royalty and will be treated as such and lavished with gifts which MAY INCLUDE a pre-show serenade and the best beverage and food we have to offer from Fresh Fanatic and Corkscrew Wines. Ticket also includes two drink tickets for the bar.

Click here for details and to purchase tickets.

Now Open: Brewklyn Grind on Myrtle Avenue

Myrtle Avenue’s newest coffee purveyor has now opened its doors in Clinton Hill on Monday, September 15th. Brewklyn Grind, at 557 Myrtle Avenue, between Emerson and Classon, opened this morning at 8am – just in time to start your work week off with some much need caffeine. The shop is the first storefront for the company, which continues to roast their beans and sell wholesale from their Red Hook headquarters. In the coffee shop, you’ll find Brewklyn Grind’s line of hand-picked, small batch, and locally roasted coffees. From Ethiopia to Brazil, you’ll be able to taste flavorful, single-origin coffees made from beans found around the globe. Also, small fare and baked goods from Balthazar and Ovenly will be available. Brewklyn Grind, 557 Myrtle Avenue, between Emerson and Classon.

Pic of the week: Bella Rosa Flowers

Bella Rosa Flowers & Gift Shop located on Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue is a beautiful plant and flower haven. Bella Rosa boasts a wonderful selection of house plants, flowers, including roses, beautiful mixed bouquets, tropical and exotic flowers, vases, cacti and custom flowers and greeting cards, stuffed animals and balloon bouquets for any occasion.

Bella Rosa offers daily deliveries to surrounding area universities, colleges, hospitals, funeral homes, residences and more. Call or drop by for personalized service. Quality and customer service is Bella Rosa’s top priority.

Bella Rosa Flowers & Gift Shop is located at 566 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue.
(347) 763-6006

Welcome Back, Students!

The photo, though from a very late fall day last year, is inspiring us to give a hearty shout out to all local students on (for some) this first day back to school. Welcome to and welcome back to, for many, Myrtle Avenue! We really appreciate you.

All college, high school, junior high and elementary school students, teachers, administrators and parents, we are wishing you the very best success for this new school year.

Check out our ‘student page’ here on the Myrtle Avenue website for a number of specials and other information geared especially for you.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can ever be of assistance to you. Wishing you the very best!

Spotlight: South of the Navy Yard Artists

Do you know our friends at South of the Navy Yard Artists (SONYA)? They’re a local arts collective that supports artists living and working in our community, and partners with organizations like ours to make arts programming and events accessible to neighborhood residents. We’ve collaborated with them on a number of projects including the “Say Hello to Tomorrow” mural, Black Artstory Month’s “Local Heroes” project, their annual Art Walk, and numerous Myrtle Windows Gallery exhibitions. Here are just a few of their upcoming events – great opportunities for you to connect with and support our very own vibrant arts community! SONYA Social Thursday, September 18 at 7:30pm They are kicking off their monthly socials right here on Myrtle Avenue’s at Putnam’s Pub and Cooker. Come and have a drink with fellow artists and art lovers, catch up on summer news, learn about upcoming SONYA events, and take part in our free raffle: prizes include Blick gift cards, free drinks and a year’s membership to SONYA!

Urban Soul / Group Exhibition Curated by Ramona Candy, presented by St. Joseph’s Council on the Arts.

St. Joseph’s College Alumni Room Gallery 245 Clinton Avenue Brooklyn NY 11205 For information: 718.940.5971 or stemple@sjcny.edu

“Urban Soul” will feature works in various medium from artists of diverse backgrounds, ages, genders who use the urban environment as inspiration, process, material and use the “streets” as stimulus. Reference is made to inner city life, and a culture that has influenced several generations, creates solidarity and division, urges protest and fosters community. Featuring works by SONYA ARTISTS Ellie Balk & Jorge Valdes Deborah Brown, Trevor Brown, Eileen Burgess, Culture Shock, Byron McCray, Steve Pauley.

OPENING RECEPTION: Monday, Sept 15th – 5:30-8 pm GALLERY TALK: Thursday, Sept 25th, 12:40 pm ARTIST TALK: Saturday, Sept 27th, 12 – 3 pm GALLERY HOURS: Wednesdays, 4-8 pm & Saturdays, 12-3 pm

Humo Smokehouse Joins Celebrities, Others to ‘Strike Out Diabetes’

Join Humo Smokehouse and friends as they raise monies on Saturday, September 6th to ‘Strike Out Diabetes’. Now in it’s second year, ‘Strike Out Diabetes’ is a fundraiser aimed at raising monies for education, awareness and a cure for the disease.

The day’s events will take place at the Prospect Park Parade grounds will include both a 10am softball game and a 2pm BBQ tasting affair, which will include fresh, flavorful and succulent cuisine of Myrtle Avenue’s own, Humo Smokehouse.

A number of celebrities and others, including NFL Giant, Leonard Marshall, NBA player, Gary Forbes, Bravo’s Africa Miranda and celebrity chefs, Chris Santos and Candice Kumai of Chopped, will be on hand.

To attend / participate or donate to the fundraiser, please click here: ‘Strike Out Diabetes’.

Humo is home to delicious barbecued foods (meats and veggies) whose menu features organic and locally-sourced foods. The smoking process adds moisture and a richness of flavor and color to menu selections. A variety of sides also available.

Throwback Thursday at Jill Lindsey’s

This great shot from 1940 captures the storefront at 372 Myrtle Avenue, which is now home to the new Jill Lindsey store. But 74 years, the store housed Landi’s Jersey Pork Store. Landi’s was just one of a large handful of butchers found on Myrtle Avenue in this era. Before large supermarkets and cheap refrigeration at home became commonplace, people would buy their meat fresh and daily a local butcher shop found just around the corner. Landi’s is a prime example of one of these neighborhood butchers.

Interested in more local history? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to catch our weekly #ThrowbackThursday posts.

Pic of the Week: $1 Ice Cream

During this week’s “heat wave” – when the thermometer will hit a whopping 90 degrees – some cooling ice cream may be in order. You’ll be able to give your sweet tooth a fix for only $1.00 at Liberty Pizza (found at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Hall Street). Liberty Pizza offers up $1 scoops of ice cream, where you can choose from half a dozen flavors. They also have Italian Ices, and of course their tasty slices are still on the menu too.

Liberty Pizza, 482 Myrtle Avenue, at the corner of Hall Street.

Brooklyn Family Dental Set to Open on Myrtle Avenue

Dentist Dr. Terry Unchali’s Brooklyn Family Dental’s office is quickly moving forward with plans to open an office on Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill. The dental practice, which is currently located on Clinton Avenue near Myrtle Avenue, will be opening its doors this Fall at 580 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue.

Dr. Unchali is making quite an investment in the 1,400 square foot space, which includes the installation of a new storefront. Plans for the storefront include opening up the storefront by removing a large amount of brick and installing larger windows, along with installing a new awning sign. The dentist office will be located in an unique 1930’s building that was originally built as part of the M.H. Renken Dairy complex, which is in the process of being designated an official historic landmark by New York City.

Stay tuned during the next couple of months for an opening date announcement.

Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership Announces New Executive Director

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership Board of Directors has announced Meredith Phillips Almeida as the organization’s new Executive Director. In this role, Meredith will serve as the organization’s chief executive officer for the Partnership’s two entities, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District and the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project Local Development Corporation. Meredith will oversee the organization’s day-to-day operations, including financial management, fundraising and close work with the organization’s Board of Directors and will oversee the organization’s work in its program areas, Commercial Revitalization, Business Assistance & Attraction, Historic Preservation, Urban Planning Advocacy and Food Access & Health, Arts & Culture. Meredith joined the organization in 2007, and has served as Acting Executive Director since May of this year, and as Deputy Director since 2010.

Click HERE for Press Release.

BOOK/PLATE literary series kicks off at Peck’s

The BOOK/PLATE series is a new collaboration between Peck’s and Greenlight Bookstore pairing an esteemed writer with inspired, original cuisine in an intimate setting.

Enjoy a meal inspired by Francisco Goldman’s new book, the Interior Circuit: A Mexico City Chronicle.

Join Francisco Goldman on August 28th at 6pm for a family-style dinner crafted by the chefs at Peck’s to celebrate the publication of The Interior Circuit. “Part travelogue, part memoir” and “in the finest sense, a book that creates its own form” (LA Times), The Interior Circuit crosses genre and, just as often, crosses the borders between the personal and the political, between nuanced truth and bold fact.

Following dinner, Goldman will give a reading, chat, and sign books for diners.

Tickets are available for $45 and include family style dinner of:

Black bean dip with charred tomatillos and cotija cheese
Carrots with chipotle, avocado, cashew and cumin
Mole chicken, rotisserie style, with traditional accompaniments
Caramel and chocolate flan cake with pecan sandies topping, and
A copy of The Interior Circuit (retail price: $26)

Seats are limited and available by reservation only. To purchase seats in person, visit Peck’s. To purchase tickets online visit Brown Paper Tickets. For further details, email Jeff Waxman at jeffwaxman@gmail.com.

Peck’s, 455A Myrtle Avenue between Waverly & Washington Avenues.

Pic of the Week: Zaytoon’s Lady Fingers

This summer in our “Pic of the Week” posts we are featuring restaurants where you can enjoy your tasty delights among a nice breeze and outdoor setting. These Lady Fingers, pastries filled with walnuts and honey, are a crispy and savory dessert at Zaytoons. Enjoy them in front of the wide windows with lovely banquettes while watching summer strolling.

Zaytoons, 472 Myrtle Avenue between Washington & Hall Street
(718) 623-5522

Pic of the Week: Peck’s Signature Sandwich

This pic of the week features Peck’s signature sandwich in their sunny backyard. The Turkey, Avocado, Gruyere sandwich is $7 and they have great 10$ sandwich specials that come with chips and a soda. The backyard of the takeout shop and gourmet deli welcomes you all summer.

Peck’s, 455A Myrtle Avenue between Waverly & Washington Avenues.
(347) 689-4969