181 Smith Street when it was Tony's Hardware Store
Tony in his now closed hardware store in 2014
More recently, 181 Smith Street when it was El Milagro
photo courtesy: Black Forest Brooklyn
181 Smith Street's New Tenant?
Courtesy: Smith Hansen
Many in the neighborhood will remember #181 Smith Street as the former home of the beloved Tony's Hardware Store, which closed in 2015 after decades in business. It was briefly followed by El Milagro, a jewelry, gift, and home decor store, which lasted until this past fall, when it too, closed.
Local realty Smith Hanten has been marketing the 2,000 square foot retail space for $12,500 a month, noting that the space also includes a rather large 1,200 sqft outdoor lot, that has a separate access and 20ft frontage on Warren Street. The listing includes a plot diagram of this unusual L shaped property.
Local realty Smith Hanten has been marketing the 2,000 square foot retail space for $12,500 a month, noting that the space also includes a rather large 1,200 sqft outdoor lot, that has a separate access and 20ft frontage on Warren Street. The listing includes a plot diagram of this unusual L shaped property.
Apparently, the space has found a new tenant, according to a Smith Street resident, who reached out to PMFA to report that "a notice has been posted in the window of 181 Smith Street, noting that Black Forest Brooklyn is opening in this location and is applying for a full liquor license."
Black Forest Brooklyn already operates a "German Indoor Biergarten and Kaffeehaus" in Fort Greene. the business has just applied for a liquor license for 181 Smith Street.
" Obviously that raises concerns for neighbors, due to the prospect of a raucous outdoor beer hall atmosphere," the resident told us. "Also worth noting, the Cobble Hill School for American Studies is directly across from the back lot on Warren Street. The idea of a beer garden across from a public school is interesting to contemplate!"
The concern over the potential use of the outdoor space as a beer garden is certainly understandable given the fact that it is entirely surrounded by residential dwellings on Warren Street. Though commercial use is, of course, permitted facing Smith Street, the use of the backyard space may considerably impact the quality of life for those living nearby.
We all love a beer garden, but let us all remember that this is a residential neighborhood with a commercial overlay, intended to serve the community and should not, ideally, subtract from it.
Community Board 2's Health Committee will meet on April 5 for a preliminary discussion on this topic at Brooklyn Hospital, First Floor Dining Room; 121 DeKalb Avenue at St. Felix.
Community Board 2 contact info: (718) 596-5410 or cb2k@nyc.rr.com.
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