What's Up With The 16 Handles Store On Court Street?

You may have noticed that the 16 Handles store at 349 Court Street  between President Street and Union Street has been closed since just after Thanksgiving.  Mail has been accumulating under the front door,  a tv screen has been removed and seating has been stacked up and moved to the side.
There are no signs in the window indicating why the store is currently closed, but a quick search on 16 Handles ' web site stated that the Carroll Gardens store is closed for the season.  However, most of the other locations of the frozen yogurt franchise seem to have stayed open this winter.  Besides, the Court Street store stayed open year round since it opened its doors in April 2012.
Does anyone know what is up?  Is it likely that the store has closed for good or is there really a chance of it re-opening in the spring?

****UPDATE****

January 22

So, 16 Handles just confirmed via email that they have closed their Carroll Gardens location.
see the email below.  And as of a few days ago, the storefront is for rent.  So now we know.

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Santa Making An Appearance At 16 Handles On Court Street

16 Handles at 349 Court Street is throwing a holiday party in the store for the Carroll Gardens community this Sunday, December 23rd from 12-6. There will be games and giveaways, and Santa will make an appearance.
But more importantly, from 1 to 4 pm, there will be 2 dollars "all you can fill" yogurt.
Make sure to swing by with the kids.



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16 Handles Now Open On Court Street

The 16 Handle Frozen Yogurt store on 349 Court Street opened over the week-end, and, as many had predicted,  the place already seems to be a favorite in the neighborhood.  Shortly after 3pm yesterday, just after school had let out, a steady flow of customers stopping by for a frozen treat.
16 Handles is hard to resist. What's not to like?  The yogurt flavors include Pomegranate Tart, Thin Mint Cookie,  NY Cheesecake and Go Banana to name just a few. Choose from non-fat, non-dairy and no sugar added.   Then step to the topping bar...
This is the kind of place you dreamed of as a kid.  Sure enough, the little ones seemed mesmerized by all the sweet possibilities.  So did some of the adults.


An update on 16 Handles storefront sign:
For those of you who felt that the original sign was way too bright for our brownstone neighborhood, rest assured.  As reported earlier, the company agreed and took it down immediately.  A temporary one has been hung, but a new, more muted sign will go up very shortly.  Pictures to follow.





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New Court Street Frozen Yogurt Store "16 Handles" Heard Carroll Gardeners Loud And Clear, Will Replace Sign For A More Tasteful One

(photo credit N. B.)

(photo credit: Simmi Degnemark)

This morning, I had a very nice conversation with Jon Lake, Vice President of Operations for 16 Handles, as a follow up to an email exchange that we had regarding the sign one of the company's franchisees had placed on the front of their brand new store at 349 Court Street.

Someone had forwarded my blogpost about the rather 'loud' sign and he read the comments left by members of the community. He responded by saying. "We too agree that this sign is not in keeping with the neighborhood vibe and feel. I would like to discuss potential signage options."

I thanked him for his very quick response. He assured me that the sign will be replaced by a more contextual, muted one. He will send over a photo of it as soon as he can and I will share it with everyone.
In the meantime, crews were removing the sign at 349 Court Street this morning.

I told Lake that his company's handling of the community's concerns was impressive. He responded that it is part of 16 Handles' philosophy. " We are human. We are not perfect, but we are always trying." Most importantly, he added: "We want to bring more smiles to the community."

16 Handles certainly made me smile...

***UPDATE***

As promised, Jon Lake just sent me a photo of a proposed sign for the store.  (See below)
"This sign could be mounted with the brick of the building as the backdrop. The sign would be simple white channel letters," he writes.

I think the sign is much better, especially if it is mounted directly to the brick and does not stick out as much.

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"16 Handles" Strip Malling Court Street? No Love For New Frozen Yogurt Shop's Signage

(photo credit N. B.)

16 Handles, the new frozen Yogurt place at 349 Court Street hasn't even opened its doors yet, but reaction to the orange and green sign which went up just days ago has been very strong. .
"Strip malling Court Street, this is beyond ugly....alas." writes friend N.B., who sent me the photo above.
Other readers wrote in and left comments like: "Their sign is hideous!" and "That sign is seriously out of context. sad!" Yet another area reader commented: "Remember the vibrant green check cashing place on the corner? that's how out of context the new signage is! OMG!"
I tend to agree. That is one garish sign more appropriate for a mall than for a brownstone neighborhood.
What do you say?

***UPDATE***

After one of my readers posted 16 Handles email address, I wrote to the company, as did others.  One reader got an immediate response.  So did I.

Jon Lake, Vice President, Operations 16 Handles, writes:
Good Afternoon Katia –

Your blog was forwarded to me via a friend and I wanted to reach out.
I would like to connect with you to discuss the sign our franchisee has placed on the front of their store. We too agree that this sign is not in keeping with the neighborhood vibe and feel. I would like to discuss potential signage options.
Please call me when you have some time to talk.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,Jon Lake

Pretty impressive response. More later.

***UPDATE Wednesday, April 4th ***

The sign is in the process of being taken down

New Court Street Frozen Yogurt Store "16 Handles" Heard Carroll Gardeners Loud And Clear, Will Replace Sign For A More Tasteful One

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"16 Handles", New Frozen Yogurt Store To Open In Former Joe's Restaurant

According to the construction crew that has been working on the storefront at 349 Court Street, a new yogurt place will soon be moving to that location. A quick glimpse inside revealed white plastic benches and chairs and bright green walls. It looks rather sterile.

Reader Mark just wrote in to left me that the frozen yogurt is called 16 Handles, a small, local franchise chain. According to their web site, 16 Handles "is committed to changing the way you do frozen yogurt. We're also committed to changing the world we live in, so we use cornstarch spoons and biodegradable cups, and we compost and recycle whenever possible. We also partner with Trees for the Future; every 16 Handles location helps plant 16 trees every day."

Until just a few months ago, this was the home of Joe's Restaurant, a no-frills diner that had been there for many decades. In the last few years, it was run by Nick and his wife Asia.
And for those of you who have lived in Carroll Gardens Red Hook for longer, here is a blast from the past. Does anyone remember Tina, the waitress? She was a real Brooklynite and had lots of attitude, though she was a real sweetheart. I think she lived on Columbia Street.
Here is to all the people who worked and hung out in there over the years. You are missed here in the community.

Below are just a few photos I tok right after Asia and Nick closed their restaurant.

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The End Of An Era: Joe's Superette Closes After More Than 50 Years In Carroll Gardens

An older photo of Leo Coladonato, which hangs in the store.

Louie has helped Leo run Joe's Superette for years.

The last Prosciutto balls ready to be fried

The kitchen where magic happened

Leo making an order of prosciutto balls

Here goes another Carroll Gardens institution, another piece of neighborhood history. Say good bye to Joe's Superette. Sad, I know...

The old fashioned deli at 349 Smith Street between Carroll and 2nd Street is closing its doors after more than 50 years. The original owner, Joe, for whom the deli was named, ran the place with his wife and daughter for decades. They did all the cooking out of the relatively small kitchen in the back. When Joe was ready to retire, he sold the business to one of his employees, Leo Coladonato. Leo knew the store and its customers well. One could say that he had grown up there. He had started working for Joe when he was just a kid, delivering orders. As he became older, he made his way behind the counter, slicing cold-cuts and making sandwiches.

When he took over the business in 1985, Leo kept the name and the old "Joe's Superette" sign, so everyone continued calling it Joe's. All through the 1980's and 90's, there were long lines in front of Joe's at lunchtime. Though customers loved the overstuffed sandwiches, they really came for those famous prosciutto balls that Leo made in the small kitchen. Deep-fried to golden perfection, the gooey, cheesy bites of breaded ricotta, mozzarella and ham, they were the reason why people came to this place from all over Brooklyn. They were simply heavenly. Sadly, Leo has had health issues in reason months. Louie, who has worked for Leo for a few years, has kept things going in the store. However, the decision has been made to close Joe's Superette. The store is being emptied right now.

How sad. It is, indeed, the end of an era.

****UPDATE****
Sadly, Leo passed away on Thursday, May 19th, just days after his store closed.
Read more here:
Sad News! Carroll Gardens Deli Man, Leo Coladonato, Passed Away This Morning

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Joe's Restaurant On Court Street Expands Its Menu And Hours

Asia, the owner of Joe's on the right, and her chef on the left.

Joe's Restaurant at 349 Court Street has, so far, been known only as a neighborhood breakfast and lunch place, offering diner-type food. By 3 PM every day, the place was closed. But that all changed yesterday. From now on, Joe's will be offering a hot lunch and dinner buffet and will stay open till 10 PM.

Asia, the owner, was giving out free samples of, amongst other things, delicious golden, flaky spinach pie and baklava in front of the restaurant yesterday. Everyone seemed to approve of the food.

According to Asia and her husband, the buffet offerings will change daily. "One day if will be Middle-Eastern, one day it will be French" said Asia's husband.

That sounds good to me.

And for those of you who love Carroll Gardens' history, Joe's has been operating at this spot for all the 25 years that I have lived in the neighborhood, though Asia and her husband took it over just a bit later.

Does anyone remember Tina, the waitress? She was a real Brooklynite and had lots of attitude, though she was a real sweetheart. I think she lived on Columbia Street.

Does anyone remember her?

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