New Stuff

Seems like new stuff always pops up in the Spring. So far I've noticed:

Something called "Odd Twin" that looks like it's still being built (they had a "coming soon" sign) on 5th Ave down by Brooklyn Frameworks and the Key Food. Not sure of the exact cross street.

Scandinavian Grace Kafe on President b/w 5th and 6th. I think it's been there for about a month.

Something is taking over what used to be Zilli, I think, on 5th between 1st and 2nd. They have a bunch of crazy signs promising trips and stuff for the first 2000 customers or something.

Anything else people have spotted, or any news about this stuff?

green apple cleaners is opening next to ideal real estate on the corner of 7th and Berkeley Place. says april 1 opening.

i really like their business model (www.greenapplecleaners.com) but that makes FOUR cleaners on one block. there is one 2 doors down, another (plaza cleaners literally across the street next to roma pizza) and then gr's cleaners on berkeley just behind mr. wonton.

i think i heard about that "odd twin" place. i think it's going to be a new vintage store. not sure, though...

oh, and i think it's already been said somewhere, but i heard that the guys who run commonwealth also are taking over the old lighthouse tavern space on 5th avenue and the former mooney's pub on flatbush and turning them into new bars...

i am so out of it, Lighthouse on 5th closed up? When did that happen?

a few months ago, i think...

Wow! I walk by all the time and didnt notice, how often does a bar close up? They did that bad?

Please, for the sake of humanity, someone, anyone, please reopen Mooney's! It's the closest bar to my apartment, and I promise to go often (Mooney's closed down within weeks of me moving to the neighborhood).

I'm not familiar with Commonwealth. Hopefully, the owners will keep Mooney's a regular bar, and not make it into some fancy cocktail joint.

I also noticed the signs over the windows at the old Zilli's. Guess we'll find out soon what that's all about.

anthonycm....i've heard from a variety of sources now that the commonwealth people are taking over mooney's in addition to the former lighthouse tavern.

commonwealth is an EXCELLENT bar...nothing fancy...just a great atmosphere, really terrific bartenders and good drinks kinda place. it's down on 5th and 12th street, if you ever want to check it out...

i'm guessing lighthouse didn't survive cause it seemed heavy on the sports stuff, and park slope doesn't strike me as a huge sports neighborhood...there is already 200 fifth ave for that stuff...

Nothing compares to when Mooney's was on 7th Avenue back in the day (yes, yes, i said back in the day, so shoot me!). THAT was a bar, LOL!

whats the deal with that Scandinavian place? Is it a restaurant or a foodshop or what?

http://onlytheblogknowsbrooklyn.typepad.com/only_the_blog_knows_brook/2009/02/-new-on-fifth-scandinavian-grace.html

Ooooo I'm half danish and miss being able to get some of the condiments that ikea doesnt have (although they're actually the best place to go until now, sadly.) I'm going to have to check this place out! I'd love it if they had some traditional scandinavian style pottery and glasswear (I have some great decorative plates from Sweden and I'd love to expand my collection!)

better get to that scandanavian coffee place fast.. it wont be around long.. it's in a doomed location and the coffee sucks

i don't believe in doomed locations. doomed business models, sure.

everyone said it for years about the corner of 7th and 3rd street, and now barrio looks to be one of the most successful restaurants in park slope. it was jam packed both days i walked by this weekend.

personally, i'm looking forward to checking out the scandanvian place...more for the interesting condiments and decorative items and such than the coffee.

Swedish cafe...weird idea for a business. Not sure what's going on in there.

belzjm wrote: i don't believe in doomed locations. doomed business models, sure.

everyone said it for years about the corner of 7th and 3rd street, and now barrio looks to be one of the most successful restaurants in park slope. it was jam packed both days i walked by this weekend.

personally, i'm looking forward to checking out the scandanvian place...more for the interesting condiments and decorative items and such than the coffee.

Really? because it looks desperately empty most of the time when i walk by, I seriously doubt it will be around another year.

Only if this guy is the chef:

Old Time Brooklyn wrote: Swedish cafe...weird idea for a business. Not sure what's going on in there.

Scandinavian, not just swedish. Theres a whole bunch of those countries, you know.

if it were a business that drew a crowd, it would be filled.

like i said...it's not the location, it's the business.

put a starbucks in there (i hate starbucks, but giving an example) it would be PACKED!

Herzog's used to be packed and they closed up, what happened there?

not sure. businesses fail/close up for a variety of reasons.

let's not talk about more stuff closing though...

let's focus on the thread...new stuff opening!!

i don't want to "doom" this nice sounding scandanavian place before i've even checked it out.

Well, this new scandinavian place has my favorite cookies that I thought I could only get at IKEA, so, I might check them out

Old Time Brooklyn wrote: Swedish cafe...weird idea for a business. Not sure what's going on in there.

They have a successful biz in Williamsburg or some place. I love Scandahoovian design, so I'm interested. Are they making coffee there? Wonder how early they open...

pitu wrote: [quote=Old Time Brooklyn]Swedish cafe...weird idea for a business. Not sure what's going on in there.

They have a successful biz in Williamsburg or some place. I love Scandahoovian design, so I'm interested. Are they making coffee there? Wonder how early they open...


I've been to Al Johnson's! That is where they have goats on the roof. They have a sod roof and the goats stand up there and eat. At least they did 15 years ago when I went there.
http://visualtraveler.blogspot.com/2008/08/al-johnsons-goats.html

Can someone please post a pic of that hideously cryptic sign at (formerly) Zillis? I was trying to explain it--but words cannot describe---

I've bought coffee from the new Scandinavian place and thought it was really good. They're trying to introduce more food to their menu too. It's a cute place. Oak survived in that space for a couple of years and their clothing prices were absurd.

Yay...Al Johnson's! Didn't they sponsor the helicopter ping-pong ball drop?

pastoralia wrote: I've bought coffee from the new Scandinavian place and thought it was really good. They're trying to introduce more food to their menu too. It's a cute place. Oak survived in that space for a couple of years and their clothing prices were absurd.

Yay...Al Johnson's! Didn't they sponsor the helicopter ping-pong ball drop?

What kind of non-packaged food do they have? Like is it a coffeeshop with pastries and stuff and then an additional little shop? Or do they not serve food at all?

Carmen wrote: [quote=pastoralia]I've bought coffee from the new Scandinavian place and thought it was really good. They're trying to introduce more food to their menu too. It's a cute place. Oak survived in that space for a couple of years and their clothing prices were absurd.

Yay...Al Johnson's! Didn't they sponsor the helicopter ping-pong ball drop?

What kind of non-packaged food do they have? Like is it a coffeeshop with pastries and stuff and then an additional little shop? Or do they not serve food at all?

When I went, all they really had was some cookies and coffee. Cookies weren't all that great. Still, though, the place had a ton of personality and potential. The guy behind the counter said that they would have sandwiches and other food options in the future.

Well worth supporting, even if YankeeFan REEEALLY wants you to go to Joe's Pizza instead.