"Le Petit Café" Expansion Into Neighboring Storefront On Court Street Finally Taking Shape

Le Petit Café at 502 Court Street long ago incorporated the back yard of the neighboring building at #500 as part of its charming backyard eating space.  It was not until 2010 that Le Petit Café took over the neighboring storefront.  Since then it has been boarded up.
However, over the past years, work was slowly progressing and just recently, the plywood came down, revealing an arched storefront. Reader Jay alerted me of the 'reveal' a few days ago, and I stopped by to check it out for myself.
Staff at the café confirmed that the storefront will be incorporated into the eatery and will be accessible from the back yard space.  As to the timeline, it remains uncertain. "It could be next month, it could be next year," a waiter told me.  "It has taken a long time to get the work done."

The storefront at 500 Court Street was once home to "George's Potpourri". The store belonged to Mario Dandola, also knows as George, who operated his unique little china shop, surrounded by shelves upon shelves of glasses, plates, bowls and tea sets decorated in a myriad of patterns.

He passed away in 2010.  His wife moved the store to 489 Court Street and continued to operate it for a few more years, but it closed recently.

Below a few photos from the past.

photo courtesy of bridgeandtunnelclub.com

Mario Dandola, A.K.A. George, in front of his store on Court Street

(photo credit: Allyn Howard)

George on Court Street

(photo credit: Allyn Howard)

500 Court Street, the former home of George's Potpourri

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Sad News: Mario Dandola of George's Potpourri On Court Has Passed Away

photo courtesy of bridgeandtunnelclub.com

Mario Dandola, A.K.A. George, in front of his store on Court Street

(photo credit: Allyn Howard)

George on Court Street

(photo credit: Allyn Howard)

George's wife Emily inside George's Potpourri's 489 Court Street location

(photo credit: Allyn Howard)

Sad news! Mario Dandola, whom many in the neighborhood will remember as George of George's Potpourri on Court Street, has passed away this past Friday. For decades, he operated his unique little china shop, surrounded by shelves upon shelves of glasses, plates, bowls and tea sets decorated with a myriad of patterns. One could spend quite a lot of time just browsing through his incredible stock, and find all kinds of fun items one could not live without.

Until recently, George's Potpourri was located at 500 Court Street, but the space was taken over by Le Petit Café next door. George relocated his store to its current location across the street at 489 Court Street.

He will be missed by many in Carroll Gardens.

Friend Allyn Howard, who knew George well, wrote a lovely tribute to him on her blog. She writes:
"It's hard to believe he won't be sitting outside his shop feeding the birds, including the maligned pigeons each day or offering an icy refreshment in the summertime. He loved being social and seemed to know about any and everything going on in the area. When I told my friend he was in the hospital, her daughter exclaimed "not the nice man with the skunks?!" He sometimes gave out little good luck skunks, made of pipe cleaner, to kids and some adults, like my mom. She's even traveled out of the country with hers. I have several myself."

For more about the man, please visit her site here.

I would truly love it if those in the neighborhood who knew him could tell us more about him.

500 Court Street, the former home of George's Potpourri

George's Potpourri at its current location, 489 Court Street

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