Former Deli On Hoyt Street In Carroll Gardens To Become Liquor Store

A few days ago, reader Ben made us aware of a notice posted on the front door of the former deli at 347 Hoyt Street at the corner of Carroll Street in the landmarked section of Carroll Gardens. According to the public notice, the new commercial tenant is applying for an off-premise liquor store license from the New York State Liquor Authority.

For decades, this was home to a neighborhood deli. For the past few years, it was called the 'Carroll Gardens Deli' and was owned by a young man named Mohammed, who, along with his helper Victor, has served the local community from morning to evening.
Unfortunately, Mohammed was forced to close his business in March of this year because of ever-increasing rent payments as well as several violations on the building that make it impossible for him to apply for permits to use the oven and griddle in his premises.

Interestingly enough, Avery Hall Investments, who is currently developing a 17-unit 'boutique' condo on President Street, purchased this property in 2013 with a partner.  On its web site, Avery Hall states that it "recognized the intrinsic upside of the asset and during the contract period, re-structured several leases at the property." Obviously, the restructuring included raising the rent of the Carroll Gardens deli.
Subsequently, AHI divested its interest to its partner, according to the web site.

Credit: Avery Hall Investments

Do you live nearby?  Do you miss the deli? Are you looking forward to a liquor store at this spot?  Would love to hear your opinion.

Here are a few photos of the former deli back in March 2016.

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Another Sad Closing: Say Good-Bye To The Carroll Gardens Deli On Hoyt Street

Carroll Gardens Deli owner, Mohammed

For as long as I have lived in the neighborhood, the storefront at 347 Hoyt Street at the corner of Carroll Street has been a deli. For the past few years the Carroll Gardens Deli has been owned by a young man named Mohammed, who along with his helper Victor, has served the local community from morning to evening.

Unfortunately, Mohammed will be closing his deli at the end of the week, citing ever increasing rent payments as well as several violations on the building that make it impossible for him to apply for permits to use the oven and griddle in his premises.
"I have been trying to figure out a way of staying in business at this location for years, but I am just tired of fighting," he told me earlier this week. He sounded defeated.

PMFA received several emails from saddened residents.  Ben Umanov who lives close to the deli wrote:
"This is a huge blow to anyone living between Hoyt and 4th Ave in the vicinity of Carroll Street. That's a wide stretch, and there really is nowhere else to buy that last-minute, every day item -- a carton of milk, an onion, a pack of a gum, a box of pasta, a 6-pack of beer -- without having to walk up to Smith or down to 4th Ave. Even on Third Avenue in this area there aren't any true bodegas (there are some farther down by 9th St... too far). Next best option is Whole Foods -- useful, but not the same. I'm sure it'll also be a blow to the many men and women who treat the shop as a clubhouse, of sorts, stopping in to chat with neighbors and hang out."

Every time a small business like the Carroll Gardens Deli closes its doors, it most definitely is a blow to the neighborhood.  The sense of community that a place like this provides to local residents is hard to replace.  Getting a gallon of milk or a pint of ice cream at places like Rite Aid or CVS is just not the same.  This is a reminder to myself and everyone in the neighborhood.  We need to support these small business owners if we want to keep a sense of neighborhood.

As for Mohammed, he seemed resigned. "It is the end of an era," he told a friend who had stopped by to say good-bye.



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