'First Place Provisions': A One-Stop Corner Deli With A Great Espresso Bar

A few readers told me about the newly opened 'First Place Provisions' at 414 Court Street and recommended that I try their espresso bar.  Yesterday, in the rain, I happened to walk past and stopped by to take a few pictures and to try their coffee.  I wasn't disappointed.
Grant, the barista, made me a macchiato that was truly amazing and gave me a much needed jolt on such a soggy day.  Grant uses Stumptown Coffee, but I suspect that his skill as a barista has much to do with the rich tan  layer of crema on the well-shot espresso.
If you aren't a coffee drinker, no problem.  Grant also makes a great cup of tea, using leaves from Bellocq Tea Atelier in Greenpoint.

But 'First Place Provisions'  is more than an espresso bar.  It is actually also a deli and health food store, which carries everything from specialty, organic foods to snacks to cigarette and even pet food.  And beer. Lots and lots of beers from around the world.

In the future, this place will also be making sandwiches.  The owner told me that he will get his bread from Sullivan Street Bakery.

In short, imagine 'First Place Provisions' as a one-stop corner deli, just better.  Much much better. It's definitely a great addition to the neighborhood.



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414 Court Street: From Produce Store, To Realtor, To...Snack Shop?

The storefront at 414 Court Street has been empty since Iron Gate Properties moved out back in November. Then, at the end of March, it got a fresh coat of bright red paint. And today, a big orange sign finally went up: Snack Shop. What kind of snacks? No indication yet. A peak through a half opened door revealed a few boxes of tea on a shelf.
Oh, and if you need a job, you may want to apply!

I miss Francis and her sons who ran a produce store here until Francis died a few years ago.
They had the best produce and were always incredibly friendly. It was a wonderful little neighborhood place. Below is an advertisement from 1966 from the St. Stephen's Church Centenary Celebration Brochure.

From 1966, an advert for Fruit Market at 414 Court Street

Related Reading:

What Happened? Iron Gate Properties Gone And Renting Out Own Newly Vacated Space

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What Happened? Iron Gate Properties Gone And Renting Out Own Newly Vacated Space

414-416 Smith Street

Am I the last person to have noticed that Iron Gate Properties at 414- 416 Court Street has vacated its offices When did that happen? The same real estate agency is now renting out the space.
Iron Gate had moved to this lovely storefront about two or three years ago. They had previously been at 269 Court Street, at the corner of Carroll Street, in the space that is now occupied by Giggles and Greens, a children's boutique. The strange thing is when I called the number to find out what had happened, a recording indicated the address of Iron Gate as being 369 Court. So does their web site. What's up with that. I am confused. Did they move back?

I hope a nice tenant can be found for 414-416. This storefront is one of the nicest in the neighborhood. For those Carroll Gardens old timers, you surely remember Francis, the lovely older lady who operated the fruit and vegetable store there with her two equally nice sons. They had the best produce and shopping there always felt like stepping back into time.
When Francis dies just a few years ago, her sons closed the doors and never re-opened.They seemed to have kept the store going solely for their mother.


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