Hard to believe, but the doors of the former Blockbuster on Court Street were open yesterday for the first time in a very long time. A construction truck was parked in front and a worker with a dust mask in hand was going in and out. Has a tenant finally been found for the space? And what type of business will open there?
It is actually a huge store with a basement level, slightly too big for a restaurant, too small for a supermarket. And we DO NOT need another drugstore.
Until we find out for sure, dear reader, let me quiz you on your neighborhood knowledge:
What occupied the space before Blockbuster occupied it?
For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking
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24 comments:
Before it was Blockbuster it was a sporting goods store. I think it was locally owned - not a chain.
Cynthia
Hi Cynthia,
you are absolutely correct. Now, to make it more difficult, what was there before the sporting goods store?
I remember that it use to be an auto part store. so there!!!
Well, you have me beat. I don't remember that.
There was something else at the location, between auto and sports store. What was it?
And can anyone go back even further than the auto parts store?
Would love to find out.
You can see the sporting good store in the background of the movie "Smoke" at the end, as the kid runs down Court street...I dont remember what was there before the Sports store, but the cleaners a couple doors down was a toy store in the 70's called Teddy's, and the fancy furniture store was a Chinese food place in the 80's. - not the original anonymous
I'll put that movie right on my Netflix list.
Thanks for the tip.
I remember the dry cleaner as being a toy store too, but your memory is better than mine. I would not have remembered the name of it.
This is fun. The neighborhood is changing so quickly that it is difficult to remember what was where just a year ago.
Anything before the sporting goods store was before my time in CG. But finding out is fascinating. I actually wouldn't mind another sporting goods store. Or a post office.
Cynthia
Before that it was a horse stable. Booyeah!
A POST OFFICE!
That would make any Carroll Gardener jump with joy!
atlas sports...before that a junk store (mostly chandeliers & stuff)
it was "Atlas Sports" & before that it was a "junk" store (dressers, chandeliers, etc...think the guys name was jerry)
Atlas Sports...before that a "Junk Store" (chandeliers, dressers, etc.)
Atlas Sports...before that a junk store (all sorts of items from chandeliers to dressers, etc.)
In 1984 when we moved to Carroll Gardens the former Blockbuster store was a home furnishing store that specialized in Italiante furniture, Capodimonte ceramics, and lighting fixtures.
Anonymous
Before Atlas Sports, it was a chandelier parts store. My younger son loved the little crystal pendants you could buy there.
Readers, you are good. yes, it was a lighting/ home decor store with some pretty funky stuff.
I actually never went in there, but I wish I had...If I had been a blogger back then, you would have seen the pictures posted here....but of course there was no internet back then and bloggers did not exist.
All right, since you guys are all so good at this, let me ask:
The building does not look original to the neighborhood. Maybe 1950-1960's?
Where there ever taller buildings in its place? Where they destroyed by fire? Does anyone know?
'Does not look original to the neighborhood'?
You think they built it somewhere else and trucked it in?
City records show a demolition in 1910. Very hard to date commercial fronts like this since get redone extensively with each new occupant.
City records also show a CofO for adult education - which is what I kinda remember around there. Besides that 'wonderful' furniture store.
O.K. wrong choice of words I guess. What I meant to say is that it looks as though it was built after the other ,mostly three and four story, buildings on Court.
The building that houses Winn Discount and Mastelone's Deli was built where once stood much taller houses. They were destroyed by fire. Scotto's Wine store has photographs of what those looked like.
Before all of those businesses, it was a School for Casino Croupiers.
But even before that, in the 1950's and 60's it was AARON'S Department Store. They sold juvenile furniture and the really big baby carriages which where called "Cadillacs."
Aaron's also sold toys, bicycles and models.
I used to love that store.
Joe from
Perfect Corner
Nice thread going on here!
But the suspens still prevails about it is next!
I must admitt I would have ask the contractor seen on the site!
Obviously we will find out at 1 pt!
Oh, how we would love a Post Office. Btw, I was talking to one of the Winn guys, because I heard a while back that they were considering opening a satellite post office in there. Seems they decided against it because it would take up too much room. I wish someone would at least open up one of those on Court or Smith. I guess you don't make much money considering the trouble; it only makes sense if you have a business that can profit from the extra traffic (stationery, shipping, etc.)
I heard it was going to be a Hot Topic.
Through the 1970s and early '80s, this location housed a store that sold Capodimonte porcelain. It was not a "junk" store. Capodimonte porcelain is Italy’s equivalent of Meissen, and remains one of the country's distinctive art forms. It has been continuously manufactured in Naples since 1743.
looks like some real action is happening at the old Blockbuster building. Windows have been sprayed to block what is going on inside and it looks like the ceiling has been removed.
Anyone know what is happening?
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