"Canine Corner" Takes Over Storefront Once Occupied By Mastellone

The large corner storefront at 303 Court Street has seen quite a bit of change in the past three years. For a long time, the storefront was home to Mastellone's, an old-fashioned, family-owned Italian deli/ superette, which closed in 2013.

The store was  transformed into Big Apple Gourmet, a produce store. That business lasted just about six months and closed in spring 2014.

Last summer,  it became Carroll Gardens Market, a sad re-incarnation of the popular Mastellone's, but it failed miserably after six months.

Now, it appears that it will become a dog day care, grooming, boarding and supply store called  "The Canine Corner".  There are certainly lots of dogs in the neighborhood, so this will probably be more successful than the badly run delis that have occupied the space recently.

What do you think?

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Just Months After Opening, Carroll Gardens Market Closes

Carroll Gardens Market, the large deli at 303 Court Street at the corner of De Graw Street, just closed its doors. A peek into the store revealed that all the shelves have been emptied.

Carroll Gardens Market had opened this past August and it was rumored that it was being taken over by the Mastellone's family who had run a successful old-fashioned, family-owned Italian deli/ superette at the same location for many years.

The original Mastellone's closed in the fall of 2013. Shortly afterwards, it was taken over by Billy Solmaz, who also runs Pacific Green, a popular Cobble Hill store at 303 Court Street at Pacific Street. It had been reported that Solmaz was being forced out of his Cobble Hill location at 151 Court Street by his landlord, because national retailer J.Crew had penned a ten year lease for the space. Strangely, Pacific Green is still very much open to this day, but Solmaz closed his new store at 303 Court Street this past April, just six months after opening it.

When Carroll Gardens Market opened n August 2014, many in the neighborhood were happy to hear that the Mastellone's family was involved once more. However, the store seemed badly run and it just did not feel inviting.

Too bad! In a neighborhood once filled with wonderful Italian delis, we now have a shortage of them. I think many of us had hoped that Carroll Gardens market could have been a worthy successor to Mastellone's.




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Some Summer Openings, Closings And One Re-Opening In And Around Carroll Gardens

There were quite a few openings, closings and one re-opening in and around the neighborhood during the summer months that you may have missed, if like me, you have been traveling.
Here are just a few. If you can add to the list, let us know.

Eton now closed at 359 Sackett Street

After more than 5 years in the neighborhood, Eton, the neighborhood go-to dumpling spot, has closed its doors at 359 Sackett Street at the end of July.
In a farewell letter taped to the eatery's storefront, owner Eton Chan explains that his frozen dumplings will be available at local grocery stores starting this month.  That's good to know.

Eton encourages people to stay in touch through the eatery's Facebook page, though it does not seem to have been updated in quite some time.

If any readers happen to spot Eton dumplings in a local store, please share the info.

Bizio and Soci Boutique at 308 Court Street Now Open

Bizio and Soci, a new men's and women's apparel boutique opened earlier this summer at 308 Court Street, in the storefront formerly occupied by Gloria Flower Shop.
The boutique seems to be an outpost for a clothing store called Made in Heaven, located in Rome, Italy.
Glad to see that they left Gloria's great tile floor.
Has anyone checked it out?

New Kimchi Grill On Smith Street At 9th Street Gets Great Reviews

Kimchi Grill,  a relatively new Korean BBQ place located at 478 Smith Street at the corner of 9th Street is getting some pretty awesome reviews on Yelp.  The eatery was opened by Phillip Lee, known for his popular Kimchi Taco food truck.  Most people seem to have discovered the new eatery on their way back by shuttle from Ikea Red Hook.
The prices seem pretty reasonable.  Check out their menu here.
Put this one on your 'must try' list for this fall.

The Re-Opening Of Mastellone's At 303 Court Street . It's Now Called Carroll Gardens Market

Many were sorry to see Mastellone's, an old-fashioned, family-owned Italian deli/ superette close last summer. It was replaced by Big Apple Gourmet, a produce store owned by Billy Solmaz, who also runs Pacific Green, a popular Cobble Hill store at 303 Court Street at Pacific Street.
After less than a year, Big Apple Gourmet called it quits in April 2014.

Carroll Gardens Market opened at this location at the beginning of August. Apparently, it is run by Mastellone family, who owned the original Italian deli.

I popped into the new Carroll Gardens Market over the week-end. In addition to produce and the usual deli selection, the market also offers fresh meat.

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As Predicted, Big Apple Gourmet Now Defunct

Big Apple Gourmet at 303 Court Street at the corner of DeGraw Street has just closed it's doors for good.  It's end was predictable ever since a hand written "Store For Rent" appeared in Mid-March, though the store had only opened  six months before.
As of a few days ago, the business is officially closed and most of the store has been emptied.
Only the outside flower action remains for the time being.

Big Apple Gourmet was owned by Billy Solmaz, who also runs Pacific Green, a popular Cobble Hill store at 303 Court Street at Pacific Street. In June 2013, it was reported that Solmaz was being forced out of his Cobble Hill location by his landlord, because national retailer J.Crew had penned a ten year lease for the space. Everyone seemed happy that Solmaz was able to relocate to the corner of Court Street and DeGraw Street.
But strangely, Pacific Green is still very much open to this day. Perhaps, J. Crew pulled out of the deal or Solmaz was able to renew his lease on Court Street at  Pacific Street.

I spoke with the flower vendor outside Big Apple yesterday and he seemed hopeful that another grocery store would be opened in its place.  Till then, he was going to continue selling flowers outside the store.

Of course, this location was once the home of Mastelone's, an Italian deli/superette that is still very much missed by many in Carroll Gardens.

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So Soon? After Barely Six Months, Big Apple Gourmet Hangs Out "For Rent" Sign

Well, that did not take long. In late September 2013, Big Apple Gourmet opened in the retail space at 303 Court Street, which had previously been occupied by Mastellone's, a long time Carroll Gardens Italian deli. Now, barely six months later, Big Apple is looking for a new tenant.

Big Apple Gourmet is owned by Billy Solmaz, who also runs Pacific Green, a popular Cobble Hill store at 151 Court Street at Pacific Street. In June 2013, it was reported that Solmaz was being forced out of his Cobble Hill location by his landlord, because national retailer J.Crew had penned a ten year lease for the space. Everyone seemed happy that Solmaz was able to relocate to the corner of Court Street and DeGraw Street.

But strangely, Pacific Green is still very much open to this day. Perhaps J. Crew changed its mind and Solmaz was able to renew his lease. That would leave him with two locations.  Which would not be a terrible thing, except Big Apple Gourmet just doesn't seem to attract too many customers.

Reader Daniella C. who alerted us to the 'for rent' sign writes:
"I honestly haven't seen the neighborhood take to Big Apple Gourmet since it's opening. I've been there, but I'm not sure it offers anything new. Although I find the prices at Union Market crazy, I don't think BA is any better, and I prefer the produce at KY. Perhaps my observations aren't off base?"

All along, one had to wonder why Solmaz chose to open a shop right across the street from Union Market and just doors down from K & Y, a great little produce store that always seems to do a brisk business.

As I walked past Big Apple yesterday, I spoke to one of the workers who was tending to the cut flowers in front of the store. He confirmed that the owner was trying to rent the store. I asked if Solmaz intended to keep his store on Pacific Street open. "I think so," he replied.

Personally, I still miss Mastellone's and would love to see another Italian deli open in this location.

Big Apple's sister store, Pacific Green, at 151 Court Street.

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Two Green Grocers On The Same Court Street Block. Will Both Survive?

Above, K&Y Produce Market at 291 Court Street

and the newly opened 

Big Apple Produce Market on the same block at 303 Court Street

Both are across the Union Market store on Court Street

Who remembers Rainbow Produce on Court Street at Union Street here in Carroll Gardens? How about Frances and her two sons, who operated a small produce store on Court Street between First and Second Place? How about Jim and Andy further down on Court Street in Cobble Hill, which closed just recently?
For a few years, it seemed as though Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill were losing all their family-run produce stores, leaving many longing for a simple fruit and vegetable stand in the neighborhood.

In recent years, a few gourmet places like Union Market and Gourmet Fresh opened up. We now also have the Greenmarket on Carroll Street, which takes place every Sunday. And, of course, there is Park Natural, the organic food store. However, the produce prices at some of these places is just a bit too expensive for many in the neighborhood.

Luckily, K&Y Fruit And Vegetable opened just a few years ago at 291 Court Street near Douglass Street. This no-frills store, which is apparently owned by the same people who run Atlantic Fruit and Vegetables  on Atlantic Avenue, consistently offers great in-season produce at reasonable prices.
It's been wonderful having them in the neighborhood.

But K&Y is now facing some very stiff competition from newcomer Big Apple Gourmet,  a produce store/ deli which opened  in the former Mastellone's storefront on the same block just two weeks ago.. Big Apple Gourmet is owned by Billy Solmaz,  who also runs Pacific Green, a popular Cobble Hill store at 151 Court Street.  Solmaz will be forced to close Pacific Green because a J. Crew is taking over the space.

It's great that Pacific Green/ Big Apple Gourmet has found a new home.  The new corner location certainly offers a lot of sidewalk area to display and stock produce.
The question is only: can two produce stores exist just a few doors apart from each other, on the same block (and across the street from Union Market?).

Have you shopped in both?  Have you compared pricing and quality?
Will all these stores be negatively affected once Whole Foods opens in Gowanus?  What do you think?



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