As Commercial Rents Increase On Smith Street, Some Businesses Choose Hoyt Street

Michael Neal of Carroll Gardens Pet Grooming

As we have all witnessed, Smith Street has lost more businesses of late, leaving us with many empty storefronts and a sad looking commercial street that just fifteen years ago had undergone a successful rejuvenation.
The main reason for the exodus seems to be ever rising rents, making it hard for new businesses to be profitable on this once thriving street.  Some owners are therefore looking for other options in the neighborhood and are finding cheaper spaces along Hoyt Street.
Here is a look at three such businesses that have chosen to settle there.

Carroll Gardens Pet Grooming opened in housed in a beautifully renovated storefront at the corner of Douglass Street and Hoyt Street a year and a half ago. The grooming salon offers a number of services and "focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction", which is confirmed by their impeccable Yelp reviews.

Co-owner Michael Neal told PMFA that opening on Hoyt Street made a lot of sense for his business, since the rent was much more reasonable than on Smith Street, which helped with his overhead.

"Besides, my salon is a destination for people who have made an appointment to come see us," he told us. " So, I didn't need to be on a busy commercial street."

Give Carroll Gardens Pet Grooming a try if you have a dog that needs a haircut.

Carroll Gardens Pet Grooming

121 Douglass Street, Brooklyn

347 599 2522

In the same building, just next door at 199 Douglass Street, sylist Mizuno works out of her small Salon Mizuno, which she opened five years ago. After developing a clientele in the neighborhood, she decided that it was time to open her own place. The storefront on Douglass at the corner of Hoyt suited her perfectly.  "I wanted to be on a quieter street" she told me. "When I was looking for a space, Smith Street was very busy. Now, of course, that has changed."

Salon Mizuno offers women and men's haircuts ($50 to $85), children's haircuts, color, Keratin treatments, Japanese straightening, blow dry, up dos, and make up.
The salon is open every day except for Tuesdays.

Salon Mizuno

199 Douglass Street

Corner of Hoyt Street

718 855 2729

In 2011, Brian Whiton opened Big Wrench, a piano sales showroom and repair/rebuilding shop in at 177 Smith street in a retail space that he shared with the Musicians General Store.

Just recently, Brian was able to move to a much larger space at 264 Degraw Street at the corner of Hoyt Street, where he can display more instruments.

The new showroom happens to be right across from St. Agnes Church, where Brian painstakingly renovated a Brooklyn-made Wissner Concert Grand Piano from 1891.

Big Wrench 

264 Degraw Street

Corner of Hoyt Street

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Amidst Restaurants And Bars, "Big Wrench" Piano Care Coming To Smith Street

Brian Whiton and his girlfriend Betty Chen in the new "Big Wrench" on Smith Street

This is something different for Smith Street. Between all the restaurants, bars and boutiques, a new piano center will soon open at 177 Smith Street in the space occupied until recently by Home & Haven, a home decor boutique.

"Big Wrench" was conceived by Brian Whiton, a piano technician and partner/musician Mingo Tull. Many in the community will remember Mingo as the owner of the former Musicians General Store on Court Street.

Together, Brian and Mingo will be offering not only piano sales, but also rentals, tuning and repair services. In addition, a small back room will be set aside as a studio for lessons.

When I stopped by the store on Monday, Brian told me that he expected to open by the end of the month. Why the name "Big Wrench"? It's an homage of sorts to Brian's grandfather. On the new website, he explains: "My grandfather was a plumber by trade. I remember, when I was very young, being astounded by a giant six foot pipe wrench that hung in his shop. A wrench as big as a person! It is a colorful memory, and it relates my grandfather and everything I learned from him to my business."

With all the musicians, piano owners and kids taking lessons, I am sure Big Wrench will have plenty of business.

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