Underhill gentrification

So I saw them taking down the "For Rent" sign from the old tattoo parlor on Underhill (between Sterling and St Johns) yesterday. I asked the woman holding the sign if it was rented and what was going to be there. The place is in fact rented and she said that the new business coming to the location is...wait for it... a spa! On Underhill! It's hard to imagine how they'll fit a spa into that small space unless it's a glorified nail salon, but that's what she said.

Is that the space that they were asking an obscene amount for?

How many shops on that street are vacant? it's an area that has the potential to be really awsome, gentrified or not and it seems soooo neglected. A "Spa" does sound like a weird fit however.

A spa? For fuck's sake. It would've been nice if they had put some food or something there.

Sorry to be so dense - but are we to be surprised at gentrification in PH? I mean isn't PH and gentrification redundant anyway?

Livetotravel wrote: Sorry to be so dense - but are we to be surprised at gentrification in PH? I mean isn't PH and gentrification redundant anyway?

At least from a commercial property perspective (with the possible exception of Sepia) Underhill has until now kind of resisted the tide, especially on that block.

yeah. that block has ... a bullet-proof chinese food take out joint, the associated market, which isn't a supermarket really, just a slightly larger bodega, a community theater that puts on a production maybe once a year, and another bodega. a SPA? I'm thinking it's gonna really be a beauty parlor/nails joint.

a community theater that puts on a production maybe once a year

Anyone actually seen a performance there? I'm sayin, there is tons of potential on that street, it's so close to the library, Grand army plaza, the park. I actually tried to get an apt in the building on the corner of St. Johns & Underhill, it's always got a for rent sign on it. It's low income housing, I'm far from well off but I don't think I'd qualify, AAAND I don't really relish the idea of living in low income housing, yeah gentrification can be a bad thing and low income housing is needed but I think there is such a concentration of it on that block and lincon it contributes to a situation that makes it tough to keep businesses open there,
lets face it, there's plenty of great people who live in low income but there seems to be always be an element of uumm.. how do I say? Ne'ere do wells, no-good-nicks, yaahoos, riff raff. shucks, I dunno I've never lived in poverty, I don't have the solution to the problem, I'd just like to see that area be nicer, can it be done without being gentrified?

well, exactly. I think it'd be better to see someplace that sells (whether store or restaurant or both) healthier food than bullet-proof chinese, or maybe a coffee shop. something that would add to the neighborhood without being another indicator of exclusivity and class differences. I'm sure there are tons of things that could go in there without being obnoxious, I'm just drawing a blank.

how bout " 40's and Cappucino's" they can have chess tables, wi-fi and Crown Fried chicken quality food for wicked cheap.

crown is amazing. no talking smack about crown. EVAR.

simmer down, just tryin to appeal to all classes across the board, I like Crown Fried, they just don't like me.

alafairnadia wrote: I'm sure there are tons of things that could go in there without being obnoxious, I'm just drawing a blank.

I'm not sure I understand the automatic assumption that a spa is obnoxious or exclusive.

A spa would only be exclusive to the people who could afford it, probably no one who lives on that block, ( I may be wrong who knows) and it just doesn't seem like a good fit to me.
then again who knows? it might be a killer spa where they give awsome $20 dollar massages with happy ending for free! and serve you martinis in the steam room, that'd be great... :shock:

OnEasternParkway wrote: [quote=alafairnadia]I'm sure there are tons of things that could go in there without being obnoxious, I'm just drawing a blank.

I'm not sure I understand the automatic assumption that a spa is obnoxious or exclusive.

uh. did you look at my post? most spa services are extremely high dollar. when compared to a street containing two bodegas (one larger than the other), a community theater that barely functions and a bullet-proof chinese joint, a $60/facial joint (at the low end) is an excellent obnoxious assumption. now. that is assuming that spa means spa, and not beauty parlor/nail joint - which is the prediction from my post. if it's a beauty parlor/nail joint, I'll either be there or the place on washington and prospect getting pedicures every few weekends. with no gentriconfrontation issues.

MikeWalton718 wrote: A spa would only be exclusive to the people who could afford it, probably no one who lives on that block, ( I may be wrong who knows) and it just doesn't seem like a good fit to me.

I'm quite sure there are many people within a 3 block radius that can afford the occasional spa treatment, whether it's a facial, pedicure, or manicure.

I also can't understand why there would be a need for another food store there -- I count at least 4 nearly full-service grocery stores within a five minute walk of that corner, and countless bodegas. So someone might have to walk over to Washington or to Vandy/Flatbush for a Coke -- I can think of worse things in life.

alafairnadia wrote: uh. did you look at my post? most spa services are extremely high dollar. when compared to a street containing two bodegas (one larger than the other), a community theater that barely functions and a bullet-proof chinese joint, a $60/facial joint (at the low end) is an excellent obnoxious assumption.

And if the spa is succesful, would you say it's an "obnoxious assumption" or simply savvy business placement? I'd go with the latter.

now. that is assuming that spa means spa, and not beauty parlor/nail joint - which is the prediction from my post. if it's a beauty parlor/nail joint, I'll either be there or the place on washington and prospect getting pedicures every few weekends. with no gentriconfrontation issues.

Good lord, so basically as long as your acceptable level of luxury service is provided (and nothing more), you'll provide your blessing. Anything that is out of your particular means is "obnoxious"???

I'm talking about price-point and average price of service. if something that costs $60 per person works out there, I'll be surprised. I'm fine if I'm proved wrong, but I'd prefer something that costs $10 or $20 per person. beyond that, I'm done with YOUR assumptions.

OnEasternParkway wrote: I also can't understand why there would be a need for another food store there -- I count at least 4 nearly full-service grocery stores within a five minute walk of that corner, and countless bodegas. So someone might have to walk over to Washington or to Vandy/Flatbush for a Coke -- I can think of worse things in life.

Food store isn't what I meant at all. I was thinking the other day that it'd be nice to have a place like Shane on that block. Cause living down the street from there, it'd be nice to have some other option on that block after 10:30 besides the takeout joint (which I as a person who loves ghetto chinese food don't mind really).

Candicissima wrote: Food store isn't what I meant at all. I was thinking the other day that it'd be nice to have a place like Shane on that block. Cause living down the street from there, it'd be nice to have some other option on that block after 10:30 besides the takeout joint (which I as a person who loves ghetto chinese food don't mind really).

Sorry. Read you wrong. Agree that a restaurant would be nice.

just wanted to put my two cents in...I lived at 209 Underhill, corner of St Johns for a year and a half till about 3 hours ago. its that "ghetto" style building across from the Associated market....that place was a nightmare. You all seem to see all the shit that goes on on that corner adn its surrounds. Well, i just had to get out. My neighbors below me were so disrespectful and obnoxious. They even threatened me and everybody else who complained to them about their behaviour. We all made many a nightly call to the police about their loud club-style music playing at all hours of the night. It was so loud my entire apartment vibrated and my wall hangings banged against the wall. Police around here don't do much when it comes to neighbor disputes. But I am happy to say that I now live in Lincoln, a tad bit better....but my new pad is beautiful and the rent was the same, so i took a leap of faith hoping this new place will be safer and quieter......

ps - did anyone see the riot that went down on St Johns this afternoon? I took that as their send off to me and my roommate. Definitely was the icing on the cake for wanting to leave that corner. Oy!

Riot? What happened? Any more details?

alafairnadia wrote: crown is amazing. no talking smack about crown. EVAR.

People actually eat there? My ex and I used to ceaselessly joke about going in there, but I have never once ventured inside, despite the fact that it's probably less than 100 steps away from my apartment...

Subject: RE: riot

It was a classic girl on girl fight that started out with a few punches. their friends/family were yelling at them and then it went inside. but a half hour later, i swear almost everyone from that block (st johns) was outside again and fists were flying, people screaming and yelling...i have no idea what caused them to start fighting amongst each other....someone probably f***ed someone's boyfriend. Those people fly off the handle really fast so anything could have set thosee girls off. But sorry you missed it. It was quiet the spectacle. Oh, and it wass broken up by the cops. And course they came back anhour later to talk to a chick that lives in 203 Underhill. The building adjacent to my old one. So glad i left.....my new place is so much more comfy and quiet!

ana.log wrote: [quote=alafairnadia]crown is amazing. no talking smack about crown. EVAR.

People actually eat there? My ex and I used to ceaselessly joke about going in there, but I have never once ventured inside, despite the fact that it's probably less than 100 steps away from my apartment...

yes! so delish. I've frequently renamed the place "crack fried chicken". they also make excellent cheesy fries.

Crown is good, but I wish they'd open a Kennedy Fried Chicken around here. They're even better.

i wouldnt eat in crown fried chicken, or kennedy or kantacky or lincoln or jfk friend chicken. in the old ny. any of those joint you see you know you are in the ghetto!

armchair_warrior wrote: any of those joint you see you know you are in the ghetto!

What does that have to do with how good the chicken is?

Carnivore wrote: [quote=armchair_warrior]any of those joint you see you know you are in the ghetto!

What does that have to do with how good the chicken is?nothing at all . just about preceptions about things. how i used to see some area's lol. I'll go give that joint a try .

[quote=MikeWalton718]

a community theater that puts on a production maybe once a year

Anyone actually seen a performance there?

I've seen a few performances there and they've all been surprisingly good. I haven't been in a few years but it was so nice to be able to see some quality theater a block from my home.

For what it's worth I'd welcome a nail joint on that block!

The previous Carl's Place is getting a new owner/operator - looking to do casual/homey food, with a Caribbean twist, from what I hear...opening early for the coffee/bagel on your way to the train crowd (hurrah!), keeping it casual during the day, and stepping things up a bit at night (imagine - 2 restaurants open after 4!) yet still welcoming to families...

everyone's gotta eat; not everyone needs a massage.