"Burgerim": Yet Another Burger Franchise For Court Street

One would have thought that a burger place is the last thing Court Street needed, what with Bareburger, Moo Burger,  Nature's Grill, and so many other neighborhood eateries like Two 8 Two Burger, Fawkner and Shake Shack serving this American staple.

Yet, Burgerim, a rapidly growing Israeli-born miniature burger chain, is in the process of opening a franchise at 187 Court Street, at the corner of Bergen Street, in the former home of California Taqueria, which has stood empty for a number of years.

Calling their burgers 'chef inspired', Burgerim allows customers to create their own by choosing between 9 different patties, including spicy mergez, wagyu beef, chorizo, salmon and veggie, two different buns, as well as various toppings and sauces.

From the web site:

"Bursting with flavor, our gourmet burgers apply a unique approach to kicking all of your cravings in one meal. Choose from an uno, duo, trio, or 16 pack of our gourmet 3 oz. patties and customize each one. With a variety of buns, signature sauces, mouthwatering patties, and flavorful toppings, your Burgerim order is custom tailored to satisfy all that you crave."

What do you think, dear reader? Is there room for yet another burger joint in the neighborhood? would you have preffered another type of eatery/ store to open at this location?

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Soon, One Of These Three Sister Buildings On Court Street Won't Look Like The Others

from the New York City Buildings Department web site

I've always liked the three identical sister buildings at 187, 189 and 191 Court Street at the corner of Bergen Street. The two-story brick structures have a commercial space at the street level with an apartment above.  They were most likely built in the early 1930s.
Similar buildings can be found sandwiched between older structures on neighboring blocks and on Smith Street.
According to Zillow, this number 189 Court Street, the middle structure, was sold in August 2012 for $1,205,000.
A few weeks ago, scaffolding was erected in front of the building .  Shortly afterwards, cinderblocks were delivered to the address.
I had hoped that the cinderblocks were for an extension at the back of the building, but since they were being hoisted to the roof with a crane, that seemed unlikely.  Sure enough, a quick check on the
New York City Buildings Department web site revealed that permits have been taken out for a proposed vertical extension from a two story, 20 ft high building to four story, 40 ft high structure.

Incidentally, the buildings on the west side of Court Street are part of the Cobble Hill Landmarks District and are protected. The buildings on the east side of Court Street, like number 187, 189 and 191 Court Street, are not included in the district.
I find it kind of sad that this middle building will soon be different than its sisters. I guess I am a sucker for symmetry.



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California Taqueria On Court Street Obviously Angered Its Landlord

Oh, boy!  A reader sent me the photo above, which was taken on Monday afternoon.
It would appear that California Taqueria at 187 Court Street at Bergen Street, has angered its landlord, who has gone to great lengths to shame the Mexican eatery for non-payment of rent.
A car, presumably owned by the landlord, was parked right across from the restaurant.  It sported a huge sign on its roof, announcing that California Taqueria owes $312,000 in back rent, refuses to pay up and "continues to abuse the landlord, a WWII Vet."
Think this will help or will it drive away customers, making it even harder for the restaurant to pay the rent?




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