Just about two weeks ago, 'Home Court' Furniture' at # 286 Court Street had a sign in the window stating that they were remodeling. Now, it seems that the store is closing its doors for good. A new sign announces that the store is for lease.
Though I have never really bought anything there, Home Court was the only furniture store in the immediate area for years, until of course, Ikea came to Red Hook. Home Court offered basic pieces, mostly geared toward the apartment dweller, but the prices certainly were much higher than the Swedish superstore's.
Over the week-end, the store was selling out its stock, including a stuffed deer.
So, pardon me for asking, dear Reader, but will you miss the place? Did you shop there? What would you like to see in the space now?
And of course, for you Carroll Gardens old timers, what stores were there before?
My own memory is fuzzy as I only remember it being an annex to the paint store across the street at 285 Court Street, which has since closed as well and still stands empty.
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24 comments:
No regret to see this overpriced store leave our nab.
There was always one big guy standing at its entrance, just looked "lazy" to me...
Looking forward to the new business! Cafe? Cloth boutique?
Not sure what I would like for that medium size space :)
About you?
Union Market next door seems to be doing just "OK", not really well, I don't see any line when I pass (by several times a day)...
With their ~$23K lease, I'm worry about their financial state. What do you think?
Regarding Union Market, I have been in there exactly twice. The prices are just too over the top.
I get all my produce at the little stand across the street. Much cheaper and just as good.
Michael Sokol and his family have run their store in the neighborhood on Columbia Street since before the BQE created the "Columbia Street Waterfront District".
Good service and delivery also.
Hi Batman,
You are right. Forgot about that place. thanks for reminding everyone.
While we're busy sizing everyone else up, I'll throw my 2 cents in.
Home Court is more expensive than IKEA because it sold BETTER furniture.
Yes, Sokol has sold furniture for decades. And the last time he changed his display was decades ago. His furniture is outdated and mostly mediocre.
I own pieces from IKEA, Home Court AND Sokol. And all of them are different.
home court was very blah. they took forever to deliver their furniture and the customer service was horrendous. i bought a desk for them that took over six weeks to finally get to my door step at which point i assembled it myself. while i feel bad for anyone who owns a business that has to close shop, i will be glad to see someone else take a stab with this space.
I am surprised by the comments. The store is owned by one of the more interesting guys in the neighborhood, though segment most new comers don't have much connection with--the palestinian faction.
Sami grew up in the neighborhood and became a lawyer. After a few years of working in Manhattan came back and opened Cobble Hill Grill. When he had it it was amazing. He sold it and started Home Court. I know he worked hard at it.
As far a the lazy guy there. It might have been me. When I would come back from covering the Middle East, including both intafadas, I would stop and chat. It was a warm and friendly place and haven that I will miss.
Good luck Sami
I find the comparison to Ikea insulting. Sam sold real hardwood furniture, not particle board manufactured in china. My ladyfriend and I recently purchased a sofa there for a very reasonable price. It was delivered in under 2 hours from purchase. Sam was friendly and professional. I'll be sad to see his store go. I hope he opens up another business in the neighborhood, furniture, restaurant, or otherwise.
Curious as to why he's closing though, as you mentioned he was slated for renovations.
...and Union Market is only good for free cheese and olive samples.
I am very sad to see Home Court go. I found Sam's store invaluable. He was so helpful and always willing to go through his catalogues to find the exact item I needed to fit into weird spaces and within a specified price range. You can't beat personal service and experience like that (he reminds me of Matt at Mazzones; can you imagine trying to find plumbing parts for a brownstone at Home Depot!). Wading through the oceans of items at IKEA never pans out for me. Losing these small stores to faceless big boxes is making my world more complicated.
Anonymous is just being a dick; you can call Home Court many things, but certainly not overpriced.
I'm sorry to see him go. He was always willing to pull out catalogs and thumb through them to find an odd request.
Yes it is "overpriced" to me, humble resident.
Not being a "dick", Mister "Eric Hancock"
Actually, I walked by when they were unloading for Home Court almost daily and everything I saw was "Made In China". And I just bought some baby furniture at IKEA that was made in Russia and the USA. So, go figure...
I've bought a high boy chest, two bookcases and a dining room set from these guys when I was living on Court Street. Still have them all and still love them. Great prices, great service and good quality stuff. I was just looking up their information because I've moved and wanted to find the store hours so I could come buy and check out a chair for the new apartment. So sorry to see that they're closing.
Oh, and the last thing Court Street or the neighborhood needs is another overpriced boutique or crappy excuse for a Mexican restaurant. It would be nice to see something truly interesting go in here.
I have never personally shopped at home court, but it is always sad to see a small locally owned establishment go out of business. Maybe we don't need any more high priced boutiques or bad mexican restaurants, but I think those options are certainly better than some big box store or chain pharmacy. Small businesses will come and go, some stick, some don't. That's a lot more interesting than another cvs... or overpriced super market
Sorry another store front to close,but i never felt there was any welcoming feeling -when passing and stopping in front of their store- yes, there was a couple of interesting items, when i would pass by their store to check out their furniture and prices. Workers would be sitting back casually in their chairs, i guess, they felt-if you are interested enough- you walk in.
I know, a welcoming smile goes a long way, or Can i help you? doesnt take too much effort. So, no surprise at its closing. Hopefully, a worthwhile business for the community will come there?
Maybe a Chinese Bakery with interesting teas would be nice idea.
As for Union Market Food Store. Its way too expensive-like a la carte price range. since its replaced our KEY FOOD- which was a convenience to shop in. Chinese Fruit and veggie store across the street by Winn's- has best produce-reasonable prices and are packing in with daily truck drops -often now-since its in competition with Union Market- Its very hard to keep up with rent-buying to keep your shelves fill-content the shoppers dollar. Veggies and fruit are fresh and crisp, along with their dried section with teas, asian sauces, milk, soda etc.
Its one store in one. Not highly priced and welcoming. Pur mom and pop stores are hanging in- as long as they put their red tag specials in their windows- they will keep going. TUES OR WED. SENIOR SPECIALS DAY- would help abit too.
i would like to see a supermarket here in carroll gardens.
I have bought furniture from Sami@Home Court and he was the most helpful, interesting furniture salesperson I've encountered. To compare his furniture to IKEA is silly. I have a chair made of a solid block of mahogany I bought there.
Hope he starts another place.
I bought my couch there and the customer service was horrendous. After the owner came to our apartment building and measured the hallway and assured us that he and his nephews could deliver the couch, it got stuck in the hallway while they were delivering it! The couch got stains on it and the owner assured me that he would pay to have it cleaned. I called him several times to follow up and never heard back. I ended paying to have the couch cleaned myself for $200. Its a beautiful couch but after my experience there, I never went back.
I am sorry to see a local business close, but I am not surprised. I hope that the next venture there will be local and successful.
Oh my gosh!! I can't believe Homecourt closed! I was saving up my pennies to get a couch and today, was the day I was going to buy it!! Can anyone tell me where I might find Sam? Or where he purchased the furniture from? This one couch was THE couch and it was under $1000, i haven't seen anything that compares....please help:(
Sam made lots of ugly comments about African Americans. The furniture was also carried at Target. He had a niche, but lying about when orders would come in and not delivering when promised, did him in.
Kristy - in case you are still looking for your sofa, Sami (who was indeed very interesting)sold Younger Furniture. It is also sold at A&G Merch in Williamsburg at a hipster inflated price.
http://youngerfurniture.com/
Kristy - in case you are still looking for your sofa, Sami (who was indeed very interesting)sold Younger Furniture. It is also sold at A&G Merch in Williamsburg at a hipster inflated price.
http://youngerfurniture.com/
I had the worst experience there when I moved to the neighborhood and swore I would never go back. I have to say I'm not sorry that it's gone...
Just terrible customer service and a real snotty know it all sales guy.
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