Wednesday, May 28, 2014

The Condo Store: A New Type Of Retailer On Court Street

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Rendering of the not-yet-built condo development at 345 Carroll Street
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Site of Stribling's condo development

In the past few years, the number of bank branches, fitness studios and nail salons have multiplied on Court Street and Smith Street, Carroll Gardens' main shopping strips.  Many would argue that instead, this neighborhood is really in need of a few more green grocers and reasonably priced groceries.  However, with the rapid rise in retail rents, it seems more likely that we will be getting more chain stores, or…."condo stores", like the one which just opened at 396 Court Street between First Place and Carroll Street.

Stribling has taken over the storefront to promote its "premier" full service condo development at 345 Carroll Street, a few blocks away.
The 32 two-to-four bedroom apartments have not even been built, or "custom crafted" as the advertisement in the window suggests.  As a matter of fact, the old brick Regency Cart building on the site has not yet been demolished.  In the world of Brooklyn real estate, that doesn't matter.

How Carroll Gardens has changed. Instead of picking up fresh pasta and mozzarella on your way back from work, you can now just shop for a new condo.



14 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is not uncommon, or a problem. The landlord gets a short term commercial tenant while rents continue to rise and the developer gets a better showcase than some construction trailer.

You should change the name of this blog to "Change is Bad (not counting when I moved here)"

Katia said...

Just observing change doesn't mean I resist change, Anon. And there is nothing wrong with remembering the past.

Anonymous said...

And if I may add to Katia's comment: "And there is nothing wrong with remembering the past" -- when we had more CHOICE in our neighborhood. There is nothing wrong with change until choice disappears. N.B.: I'm not talking about housing choice either.

Anonymous said...

I saw this and wanted to throw up.

Anonymous said...

So now our storefronts and becoming billboards for developers. Whats next banner ads on Scttos hearses

Anonymous said...

in fairness to union market, it sells competitively-priced fresh pasta, mozzarella, olive oil and sauces. it has also started to carry moderately priced poultry (e.g. bell and evans). another reason to patronize the store is its generous benefits to its employees.

although i've only lived here for a short time (15 years), i've witnessed the change in demographics. it was inevitable that more upmarket stores would set up shop.

the more diverse offerings of restaurants in the area is certainly a welcome change.

Anonymous said...

"Upmarket" stores are fine. It saves me trips to Manhattan for certain things. But when supermarkets are closing in the borough and only other "upmarket" stores are moving in, you have to admit it's a problem. Restaurants are a good thing, too, but people (especially families) can't eat out every night.

Anonymous said...

Not that I'm thrilled with this news, but how is this short-term tenant any less useful than the "Herbal Store" you promoted in a post earlier this week?

Katia said...

Fair question. I guess it all depends on what you are in the market for. For those few people who will be able to purchase a luxury 2-4 bedroom apartment, this real-estate 'store' will be of interest.
But I would bet that more people in the neighborhood will appreciate a store where you can buy fresh spices and teas, even if they don't want to purchase herbal remedies.

Anonymous said...

what we need is more burger or pizza joints... we just don't have enough of those.

Anonymous said...

demographics always change as time goes on.
There are more and more younger people and fewer and fewer older than you.

Katia said...

Ouch! I really am not that old…

Anonymous said...

the boerum hill area certainly needs a grocer after met's closing that would serve the low to middle income demographic. in carroll gardens, however, if you need mozzarella and pasta, there is always caputos and union market. K&y is a great produce store and i always go to staubitz for meats.

overall, i think we have plenty of stores selling italian delicacies. i've stayed in the uk and what i miss most is a no-frills indian take-away, not like the southern indian restaurant along court. that would be a hit for the yoga crowd.

Rob said...

Anonymous 1:26 PM said it best.

Upscale stores are fine. No one has a problem with that. We have a problem when that's all there is. After Met goes that's pretty much it for a large chunk of the neighborhood. I realize they weren't great but it's better than nothing.

Trader Joes is fine for somethings but its not a full service grocery store.