The dry cleaner at 410 Court Street at the corner of First Street has been closed for a few months now, but on Monday, the door was open and a peek inside revealed that the place was being totally gutted. Workers were carrying out buckets the debris as dust billowed out of the storefront.
When asked, I was told that the place was in the process of being converted into a restaurant, but further questioning as to what kind was met with an enigmatic smile. Department of Buildings permits confirm the conversion.
When I enquired further if the Magic Fountain ice cream parlor next door at 412 Court Street was going to be part of the restaurant space, he said yes, though that store has remained open so far.
Before it was a laundromat, the space was occupied by a pharmacy, according to my friends Rita and Gloria, who grew up in the neighborhood.
So Carroll Gardens has lost another laundromat and gained yet another restaurant.
What's your feeling, dear reader? Does this neighborhood need a restaurant or a laundromat more? Would love to hear what you have to say.
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13 comments:
Jeesh - another restaurant in THIS economy? My guess is that they raised the rent on that laundromat astronomically. I like diverse business. But when rents skyrocket, seems like mostly all you get are restaurants and bars.
More new restaurants -- the space next to Court & Spark (548 Court St) is also due to become an eatery.
I'm not too sorry (or surprised) to see the "Magic Fountain" disappear. Shortly after I moved to the neighborhood in 2008, I took my son there thinking that they serve ice cream. Boy was I wrong. I got these looks like, "What, are you crazy?" I guess all those ice cream signs (from 1985) and ice cream machines are just decorations.
Well, Fran and her husband own Magic Shake, the corner laundromat, and that entire building, so I am sure this was a family decision, just like letting go of Leonardo's pizzeria, across the street, to make room for Dunkin Donuts was. I hope it makes their lives easier and more enjoyable. They have worked those businesses 7 days a week (except holidays) for probably longer than the 18 years I have lived in Carroll Gardens.
I guess CG will now be full of well-fed residents wearing dirty clothing...
We need a decent and clean nail salon so I don't have to schlep to Dashing (and overpriced) Diva up on Smith!
Hope that Ting Hua and nearby washing place will turn to something less durty.
Magic Fountain basically just sold lottery tickets, right?
The place was a joke. Good riddance. Just scumbags buying
lotto tickets.
I have no objections to another restaurant in Carroll Gardens - hope that it fares better than wine bar Calpurnia across the street. That place is always empty.
Yay!!
I'll second the comment about getting looks when trying to buy things in "Magic Fountain".
I walked in there one day a few years back to buy a bottle of water for my 5 year old daughter who was feeling bad because of the heat. The owner(?) just stared at me when I asked to buy a bottle of water. No response, just a hostile stare.
I've never tried to force my money on them since, as they are evidently doing just fine without it.
Anything that moves in there can only be an improvement.
I'm an old-timer that lives in the neighborhood that knows Francis and Vinnie. Everyone that knows them knows the work ethic that they had is something many Americans can learn from. They were two of the hardest working people in Carroll Gardens, they are Carroll Gardens, and they are the reason why Carroll Gardens is that warm, enjoyable and peaceful place that we all love. I wish them the best of luck, they deserve it.
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