VIP Bar on corner of Nostrand and President

When I got out of the train this evening noticed the gate was slightly open at the VIP Bar, which closed more than a year. I asked a fellow exiting and he told me it was going to be a pizza place. And the owner is going to be the same folks who own Tony's Pizza, which is across the street at the corner of Nostrand and Union. He said Tony's wasn't going to close.

I hope the guy was pulling my leg. Why on earth would you need two pizza joints across the road from each other?

I was really hoping for a bar.

^actual photo of former VIP Bar^

https://www.facebook.com/VIP-Bar-Lounge-INC-174534249384249/?rf=116166335078834

835 Nostrand

good work @greenegirl !

Maybe this one will become upscale pizza, with table service and alcohol, while the other one stays a slice place?

Something like Barboncino's would be so great!

Awning now removed.   Pulldown gate appears new.

I hear it's gonna be an Italian market.  

I hate to say this but I hope Tony is not involved in this project.   He's been struggling with Tavern on Nostrand, General Lees, Liv Cafe, etc....  That building appears to be for sale now.    

VIP bar was fine as it was, when it was open.  

Tony wasn't involved in any of those projects. The guy you are thinking of is David, and he isn't the owner of either location on Nostrand. He just leased the locations. Tony owns and operates the pizza shop on the corner of Nostrand and Union. He purchased the lease from David who had leases on all the stores in that corner building as well. 

An italian market would be divine. 

Ah yes!   Sorry Tony (who i don't know).   David is the gentleman I was referring too.   

Tony seems to be quite successful with the pizza place on the corner.   It makes sense that David isn't involved in running that business.

Tony is opening the Italian market in the former VIP space.

Can someone ask Tony how he defines "Italian Market"?

Italian bread?

Olives?

Olive oil?

Fancy cheese?

Meats that come in sticks and have so much salt they don't require refrigeration before cutting?

Fresh ravioli and/or pasta?

All of the above?

When does he believe said market will open?

 

I hope the Italian market is called 'Russo's' or something equally delightful

mac1 said:

I hear it's gonna be an Italian market.  

Was it from a person in the know or from someone who knows someone who knows someone? An Italian market would be interesting and might save me from trips to Arthur Avenue. I still hold out hope for a local bar.

It was from people working in Tony's pizza place..

HOLY F*CK ITS REAL!!!!!!!!

That's pretty awesome. 

It is totally tweet worthy:   https://twitter.com/whynot_31/status/742419070176333824

I've built a new thread to announce the news:   http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/47018/an-italian-market-is-coming-to-835-nostrand-at-president?new=1