French Children's Wear Retailer 'Jacadi' To Open First Brooklyn Location On Court Street

Jacadi, the upscale french children's wear retailer, will be opening a boutique at 189 Court Street in Cobble Hill. With all the French and all the children in the neighborhood, it certainly is not surprising.

Jacadi  "provides the world with authentic and timeless children's fashion in the French tradition. This reputation is the result of a strong commitment to quality, incomparable fabrics, exclusive patterns and attention to detail. Jacadi products reflect elegance and refinement for children from 0 to 12 years for clothing, footwear and nursery."

The company was founded in Paris in 1976.  It began its international expansion in 1983 and is currently represented in about 35 countries.  Jacadi already has four locations in Manhattan, but the Court Street location this will be its first Brooklyn boutique.

Previously, the location was home to a nail salon.

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Another Casualty Of Rising Rents: 'Knit-A-Way' On Atlantic Avenue To Vacate Current Location

Not everyone in the neighborhood knits or crochets, but for those who do, here is some sad news. Seeta Heeralal, owner of "Knit-A-Way', will be forced out of her current location at 398 Atlantic Avenue because of higher rent.

Seeta was just informed by her landlord in November that her monthly rent will increase from $3,000 to $9,000 in January. Any attempt to negotiate has failed so far. (In fairness, Seeta's landlord had lowered the rent from $4,700 to $3,000 during the recent downturn in the economy.)
According to Seeta, the landlord gave her till January 31st, 2014 to vacate.  She hopes for just a bit more time. After ten years building a clientele at this location, she says: "My heart would break if I had to leave."

Seeta took over "The Knittery" from a former boss in 2004 and renamed the business "Knit-A-Way".  At that time,  it was the first yarn store in the area. Today, there are others, but Seeta points out that she took a chance at a time 'when no one wanted to come here."

Seeta is currently weighing her options and is looking at several other locations, but the rent is either too high or the space too small.  She would appreciate any help or tips, so if anyone knows of a small 'affordable' storefront in the area, please contact Seeta here.

Update February 10, 2013

Good news.  I just heard from Seeta.  She found a new location for her store.  Though it is not exactly close to her former location,  it is wonderful to know that her store lives on.
As of February 15th , Knit-A-Way will be located at:
1970 Flatbush Avenue
(between Flatlands Avenue & Kings Highway
Brooklyn, NY 11234
Tel: 718-677-3305

Congratulations, Seeta.

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Mazzone's On Court Street Switching Over To Ace Hardware

Mazzone's current sign

and future sign

Here is some news about Mazzone, the family- run hardware store at 470 Court Street in Carroll Gardens. In an email Matt Mazzone writes:

 After 40 years with True Value, we are in the process of switching over to ACE hardware. I've attached an image of our new sign, which should hopefully be going up in the next few weeks. Our infamous tools that are going up the side of the building will also be refurbished at the same time. Sometime in the spring, we'll be painting the building and probably doing some work on our storefront as well. 

Little by little we have been letting our customers know, but I'm sure there are going to be a lot of people wondering what is going on when they see the new sign go up. So for the record - we did not change ownership, and as much as I tried, I couldn't convince any of the hardware stores in Hawaii or the Caribbean to switch places with me =).

Glad to know that you aren't going anywhere despite the rein and the snow, Matt. Couldn't imagine Mazzone Hardware anywhere else but right here in Carroll Gardens.




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Amidst Big Drug Store Chains, A Small Local Pharmacy Thrives On Court Street

Bassam Amin. Pharmacist

In the past few years,  with the expansion of national drug store chains into the neighborhood, quite a few family-owned pharmacies have had to close their doors. (Anyone remember Renaissance?)
But amidst the Rite Aids and CVS', one family-owned pharmacy seems to not only survive, but thrive.
For the last six years,  Bassam Amin, owner of Wycoff's Corner Pharmacy at 205 Court Street has been filling prescriptions for local residents and has offered vitamins, natural herbs and surgical equipment.
Since the space is rather small, Amin will be expanding into the storefront at 203 Court Street just across the street, which was vacated recently by Yemen Airways/ Arabian Horizons Travel.*  The business will move as soon as work is completed.
Amin told me that the new store will provide him with double the space, which will allow him to fill more prescriptions and carry more items.   Good for him.  It can't be easy competing with all the chain stores.
He obviously is doing something right.

If you want to support a locally-owned pharmacy, give Wycoff's Corner Pharmacy a try.

*Just for an FYI, Yemen Airways/ Arabian Horizons Travel has moved to 6709 5th Avenue. Phone# 718 797 0906




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Is Vinzee's Magic Fountain On Court Street Finally 'Kaput'?

No big surprise, but it looks as though Vinzee's at 412 Court Street, at the corner of First Place, may have closed its doors for good.
The hamburger joint, which opened in May 2011, never really took off, partly because of it's prices, partly because of it's uninviting interior. It also faced stiff competition from Five Guys and Moo Burger just a few blocks further on Court Street in Cobble Hill.  Or perhaps it was just the name.
In December 2011, Vinzee's owner posted a sign in the window announcing the eatery's new "Winter hours." Basically, the place was only open from Thursdays to Sundays from then on.
By then, it was just a matter of time before it's final demise.

In the last few day, I got two emails from readers telling me that the place is now closed all the time.
Eryana writes:
"Vinzee's Magic Fountain totally kaput? It looks like they've been closed the past few days. After they reduced their hours a few months ago, it wasn't looking promising."
And Dineocrat comments:
"I live by Vinzies and saw that they weren't even open for their winter hours this week. They were closed all weekend. Just wanted to let you know. I wonder what would do well in the space."

Good question! What would do well here?



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Did Owner Of "Green Onion" Children's Boutique On Smith Street Simply Walk Away?

I have to admit that at first, I did not even take notice of the fact that every time I walked by Green Onion, the children's boutique at 274 Smith Street, the store was closed when it should have been open for business.
Then, last week, I was told by someone who has talked to the landlord,d that Green Onion's owner has simply disappeared and has left the fully stocked store behind.  It would appear that she owes back rent. Apparently,  the landlord is awaiting the City's approval to enter the store and rent it out to a new tenant!
Very strange. I just tried calling the store's telephone number, but it has been disconnected.
It is hard to imagine that a well-established children's store in this child-friendly neighborhood couldn't make it.  Even harder to imagine that the owner would not at least try to sell off the rest of the stock.

Does anyone have additional information?


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Bococa's Café on Court Street Bids Farewell

"Bococa's lease has finished" reads the simple announcement on the door of this small café at 195 Court Street.  Its doors had been closed for the last few weeks, but the handwritten note only appeared a couple of days ago. The large "Store For Lease" sign from Cpex, on the other hand, has hung above the storefront for a while now.

As I peeked into the place, a man sitting on the bench in front of the defunct café said: "The landlord wouldn't renew the lease."

Cpex's listing for the retail space reads: Opportunity to expand commercial space up to 1,500SF or a 1,200SF backyard for outdoor seating.
The Triple Net Lease is $5,900 per month. 
Bococa, according to another sign in the window, had been operating in this space since 2005. Before that time, it was 'Mazzola Bakery and Café', which was affiliated with the bakery at 192 Union Street, at the corner of Henry Street in Carroll Gardens. Read more

Sad News! Perfect Corner On Smith Street To Close After More Than Eight Years On Smith Street

I am sorry to report that Perfect Corner, the lovely framing store at 345 Smith Street will be closing its doors at the end of January.  Over the last eight and a half years, owners Joe and Marion Alameda have become very good friends and I will miss them very much.  They were the kind of business owners who not only knew their craft, but most importantly, they truly cared about their clientele and the neighborhood. 
The Alamedas did not want to close their business, but were not offered a new lease by their landlord.  
A sign in the store reads:
It is with great sadness that we are announcing the closure of our labor of love, otherwise known as Perfect Corner.  We would like to thank all our loyal customers who have walked through our doors since opening day in September 2003.  We will miss being part of this vibrant neighborhood and the wonderful art that we we were able to display that represents the best of Carroll Gardens.  And of course, to all the admirers that have appreciated our annual Holiday train displays, we apologize for not putting them up this year.

Unfortunately, we were unable to come to a reasonable negotiation with our landlord to continue our business.  Due to the time and expense necessary in putting together such a specialty store, we find ourselves not in a position to relocate elsewhere.  We look forward to the next chapter in our life.

Warmest regards,  Marion and Joe

Most likely, the space will now be leased to yet another restaurant, bar or chain store, the only businesses that can afford the ever rising retail rents on Smith Street. 
What a pity. 


Update:
Take advantage of Perfect Corner closing sale, going on right now.
***** 20% off all Oringal Oil paintings by Regina Perlin....20% off Roma Photo Frames....35% off pre matted photos....35% off pre framed art....50% off Prinz photo frame


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