711 Nostrand (near Park Pl) is becoming something food and beverage related.

Permits filed on 11/1/2016 to renovate the first floor.

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=1&passjobnumber=321473286&passdocnumber=01

A lot happening on that block of Nostrand.

The building was purchased back in June 2016 for $3.2M and they have renovated the apartments and now hired reputable design firms and contractors to file plans for the commercial space.

So, I think we are looking at an entity that has opened several other restaurants.

...and might spend over $6 million by the time they are done.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/711-Nostrand-Ave_Brooklyn_NY_11216_M47538-01996

https://hotpads.com/711-nostrand-ave-brooklyn-ny-11216-4ppd/9/pad

Wow. That is a pretty big commercial space...defiintely a sit-down restaurant.

The operation reminds me of the entity that created Centanni.

...which bought the space, outbidding the entity that represented then-just-hunting-Starbucks.

They then renovated apartments above, opened Centanni and have thrived ever since.

This thread will likely mature in 2018.

The grills were up over the weekend and I saw a beautiful plate glass and wood storefront. Maybe there are near completion?

Looks like a coffee shop/lunch place: https://www.cocoagrindernyc.com

Good job @laudanum that is certainly an entity with some know how and likely the capital to pull off what we are seeing.

Bay Ridge coffee shop expanding to crown heights/central brooklyn? who knew

All the current businesses on that block have to adjust their menus now to survive.

Many have even started listing their ingredients and use organic foods.

Organic foods? Eh. Listing ingredients? YES! Exciting to get a branch of the Bay Ridge coffee shop...house-roasted coffee on Nostrand? How awesome!

The shop will be bigger than your average coffee shop, and looks like it will have sandwiches as well.

Confirmed. It will have a full kitchen. Promo video:

I am so excited. I walked past today and the build out seems like it is going nicely. I also loved his statement about people not thinking his business could make it in a "conservative neighborhood."

They could be as busy as Bagel Pub, on Franklin.

signage up

https://twitter.com/thecitywanderer/status/898677208369070081

how is "... we are a coffee shop on steroids" a healthy choice? Looks 'Dean and Deluca' pricey. oh well just another Franklin Ave shop arriving.

The only question I have is "will the city allow them to keep the vertically mounted Dentist sign, and change it?" ....permits for new signs are hard to get, so people leave them up.

Anyone know the hours of this place? I'd like some healthy dinner options and it looks like this place is supposed to have some healthy foods, but will they only be open during the day like Bagel Pub?

Their other locations seem to be open 7 AM - 9PM. https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&q=cocoa+grinder+hours&oq=cocoa+gringder+hours&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i13k1.2134.10230.0.13395.23.21.1.0.0.0.446.2121.18j2j4-1.21.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..1.22.2124.0..0j46j0i131k1j0i46k1j0i13i30k1j0i8i13i30k1.1ZUqol9wEsM

Now hiring

now open.

I went in during their soft open and the owner gave me a free cookie. That's all it takes to win my loyalty.

I should have said "owners" - two young women own this place.

Went there today to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised. It had an extensive menu with many breakfast/brunch/lunch options, a professional staff, and excellent iced coffee and iced mocha. A good vibe.

I took my 3-year old to Cocoa Grinder on Friday. We sampled the ice cream (vanilla, chocolate brownie, and salted caramel) and it was terrific. The workers were really nice and it was fun to sit by those amazing, big windows on a bright day. I love the vibe.

Ms. Whynot and I had lunch here today. We found the food good, but they didn't describe it well on their menu. For example, she had the french toast but didn't expect it to have whipped cream and strawberries. I had the burger, but didn't realize it would come sweet potato fries. They have installed couch type seating since the above photo was taken.