Is Black Forest Brooklyn Planning A Beer Garden At 181 Smith Street in Boerum Hill?

 181 Smith Street when it was Tony's Hardware Store

Tony in his now closed hardware store in 2014

 More recently, 181 Smith Street when it was El Milagro

photo courtesy: Black Forest Brooklyn

181 Smith Street's New Tenant?

 Courtesy: Smith Hansen

Many in the neighborhood will remember #181 Smith Street as the former home of the beloved Tony's Hardware Store, which closed in 2015 after decades in business. It was briefly followed by El Milagro, a jewelry, gift, and home decor store, which lasted until this past fall, when it too, closed.

Local realty Smith Hanten has been marketing the 2,000 square foot retail space for $12,500 a month, noting that the space also includes a rather large 1,200 sqft outdoor lot, that has a separate access and 20ft frontage on Warren Street. The listing includes a plot diagram of this unusual L shaped property.

Apparently, the space has found a new tenant, according to a Smith Street resident, who reached out to PMFA to report that "a notice has been posted in the window of 181 Smith Street, noting that Black Forest Brooklyn is opening in this location and is applying for a full liquor license."

Black Forest Brooklyn already operates a "German Indoor Biergarten and Kaffeehaus" in Fort Greene. the business has just applied for a liquor license for 181 Smith Street.

" Obviously that raises concerns for neighbors, due to the prospect of a raucous outdoor beer hall atmosphere," the resident told us. "Also worth noting, the Cobble Hill School for American Studies is directly across from the back lot on Warren Street. The idea of a beer garden across from a public school is interesting to contemplate!"

The concern over the potential use of the outdoor space as a beer garden is certainly understandable given the fact that it is entirely surrounded by residential dwellings on Warren Street. Though commercial use is, of course, permitted facing Smith Street, the use of the backyard space may considerably impact the quality of life for those living nearby.

We all love a beer garden, but let us all remember that this is a residential neighborhood with a commercial overlay, intended to serve the community and should not, ideally, subtract from it.

Community Board 2's Health Committee will meet on April 5 for a preliminary discussion on this topic at Brooklyn Hospital, First Floor Dining Room; 121 DeKalb Avenue at St. Felix.

Community Board 2 contact info: (718) 596-5410 or cb2k@nyc.rr.com.

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Good-Bye, El Milagro! International Gift and Furniture Store Closes Its Doors On Smith Street

El Milagro, an international gift shop first opened in Boerum Hill as a pop-up shop at 180 Smith Street in late 2014. A few months later, owner Roberto Lopez moved the business across the street to #181 Smith Street, a storefront that had been occupied for decades by the beloved Tony's Hardware Store.

El Milagro sells jewelry, furniture, rugs, and accent pieces, as well as plants, but the prices have always been quite steep. That may have contributed to the fact that the store is now closing. Before it does, Milagro is reducing the price of its remaining inventory by 25 to 60%.

The retail space, which includes 2,000 sqft of retail space, a 2,000sqft basement and a 1,200 sqft outdoor lot with a separate entrance is now for rent by Smith Hanten Realty for $12,500 a month.

Will you miss El Milagro? Care to guess what may take its place?

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A Farewell To Tony Of Tony's Hardware Store On Smith Street

Tony's Hardware & Plumbing at 181 Smith Street now closed for good

Tony's Hardware store at 181 Smith Street in June 2014

Tony in his now closed hardware store in June 2014

In late June 2014 a 'for rent' sign appeared in the window of Tony' Hardware & Plumbing Supply store at 181 Smith Street. Its owner was retiring and would be closing his wonderful old fashioned neighborhood store soon. The loss of yet another long time business saddened many in the neighborhood.
The inevitable happened this week-end. Tony's is now closed for good.
A PMFA reader wrote in to say:
"Tony's Hardware on Smith St closed on Saturday. Most of the store was cleared out but the remaining stock was 50% off. He said he planned to donate the rest. It was a great store since 1995 (and before that he worked at the now closed hardware store next door). He said he planned to retire but had no specific plans. His staff had moved on already to other jobs."

Apparently, El Milagro, a jewelry, gift, and home decor store which opened a holiday pop-up store across the street at 180 Smith Street, will be taking over the space Tony just vacated.

Tony always packed lots of inventory into his store and seemed to carry every tool or product necessary to get any job done. Tools, paint, shopping carts, and plants, Tony's had it all. He and his store will be very much missed in the neighborhood.

To see more photos of the sure when it was still in business, click here.



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El Milagro Opens Pop-Up Store On Smith Street. Will Get Permanent Home Across the Street In Spring

Owner Roberto Lopez

El Milagro, a jewelry, gift, and home decor store has opened a Holiday pop-up location that will remain open throughout December at 180 Smith Street.
The merchandise is sourced from around the world by owner Roberto Lopez, who already owns similar store on 5th and 7th  Avenues and  Park Slope.  Come April, Lopez will be taking over Tony's Hardware Store at 181 Smith Street as a more permanent home for El Milagro in Boerum Hill.
You can follow El Milagro on Facebook here.



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Tony's Hardware And Plumbing Supply Store On Smith Street Closing? Say It Isn't So.

A few days ago, I walked by Tony's Hardware store at 181 Smith Street and was saddened to see a "store for rent sign" from Smith Hanten Realty in the window.  A PMFA commenter just wrote to say that he had heard rumors that the owner was retiring.
If that is true, make sure to stop by this old fashioned neighborhood hardware store before it closes forever.  Tony's always packed lots of inventory into his store and seemed to carry every tool or product necessary to get any job done. Tools, paint, shopping carts, and plants, Tony's had it all.
Will miss this place.  How about you?



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