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Cobble Heights beer distributor to close after 37 years in neighborhood
Josh Guttman | September 12, 2007
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I walked by Cobble Heights beer distributorship this morning and noticed the garage, typically overflowing with cases and kegs of beers of every variety, sat empty with the look of a business whose days were numbered. I stopped and spoke to Tom Daly, the owner of the 37-year old operation and he confirmed my suspicions. “With the 60-unit complex going up across the street and another building beginning construction soon two doors away, we decided it made sense to close rather than wait out the 1-2 years of construction,” he explained. Tom’s family has owned the building and distributor for 24 years. Before moving to the location on Pacific Street between Court and Boerum, they ran a retail operation next to Sahadi’s on Atlantic. “Back in 1983, we noticed the building had been deserted when neighbors started dumping old mattresses in the garage.” He approached the owner, living in Florida at the time, and negotiated the sale. Now, they are making plans to sell the building themselves, and will focus on their wholesale business from their headquarters in Queens. I can’t help but wonder if this is symptomatic of a broader trend as old neighborhood businesses call it quits as big developments take hold in the neighborhood. As for what this means for their main competition on Court Street, Tom says “we’ve enjoyed healthy competition with American Beer Distributors dating back to when our fathers ran the businesses. I wish them well.”
It’s Still Hot, so let Margaret Palca Bake for You
Jessica Clegg | September 11, 2007
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Recently opened Cobble Hill cafe and bakery Margaret Palca Bakes is still a work in progress- currently announced only by a paper sign in the window-but it seems on its way to becoming a popular daytime snack stop. I walked in on a Saturday afternoon to find a long line of people, mostly weekend breakfast latecomers, ordering the fresh-looking bagels and plump muffins.
For the lunch crowd, there’s a well-stocked salad bar and a diverse menu of paninis, though not all options are yet available. Such was the case with one that most intrigued me, “French crudites with beets, eggs, and carrots, so I settled for tuna salad instead. The bread was what elevated this ‘wich above what I could throw together from my own pantry. The square roll, homebaked of course, had the perfect balance of crispy and soft. A warning: the sandwiches are pretty hefty. I could have easily shared, which would have left me more room for the highlight of my meal (and probably any meal from a place with “bakes” in its name): dessert! Choose from an assortment of cookies, tarts cupcakes, and brownie flavors for every palate. I chose the luscious chocolate chip coconut brownie, but am already planning a return trip for the chocolate raspberry. And if you’re eight years old or simply in need of a more sugary fix, you probably won’t be able to resist the brightly decorated sugar cookies looking friendly behind the counter. Bottom line: Even if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, you won’t want to leave without sampling something Margaret Palca baked.
Margaret Palca Bakes is on the corner of Court and Warren Streets. The original location and bakery is on Columbia Street in Red Hook.
Rumors fly about MickyD’s on Court Street – people, pleez
Josh Guttman | September 10, 2007
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The blogosphere is abuzz today with rumors that McDonald’s has leased the former Blockbuster space on Court Street. Both A Brooklyn Life and Curbed are reporting that McDonald’s is moving into the space. I call BS. Rumors have been flying about McDonald’s moving to the neighborhood for some time. If they do come, Smith Street or Atlantic Ave are more logical locations. The former Blockbuster space is neither a location I can imagine McDonald’s wanting (it’s a huge space with a full basement and only moderate foot traffic) nor a neighbor that Court Street residents are likely to welcome with open arms. Few chain retailers have penetrated Court Street yet, and I think it’s highly unlikely that even the most money-hungry property owner would allow such flagrant degradation of neighborhood charm.
Fall Cafe adds Free WiFi
Josh Guttman | September 10, 2007
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The Fall Cafe on Smith Street near Union took the giant leap of adding free WiFi recently, joining the legions of other coffee shops who have already taken this leap of faith. In some ways, I’m saddened by the move. Yes, there were times when I cursed the place for not getting with the program, but on the other hand, it was nice to have a homey, bareboned, stand-out coffee shop where it was just about the coffee and food, along with the standard gripes from management about the neighborhood being overrun by chain retailers and higher rent-paying tenants. Still, Fall Cafe is a rare independent coffee shop that keeps it simple and maintains a comfortable and welcoming feel. I hope adding WiFi helps increase their business so they can continue doing more of the same.
Fall Cafe is located at 307 Smith Street between Union and President.
Another week, another "Ask Mario"
Sobeit Union | September 7, 2007
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A few episodes ago, West Village-based humor writer Peter Schooff asked Mario why Carroll Gardens was proving so alluring to so many of West Village neighbors. Mario responded by telling Peter that his kind of hipster was not wanted in the nabe and he should basically stay put in Manhattan and not join the trans-riparian exodus. Such hostility served to only pique Peter’s interest — and he’s written back and tried to pick Mario’s brain about the best places in the neighborhood to get a slice of the local “flava.” Listen to this week’s Ask Mario here.
If you have a question for Mario, please email it to askmario [at] bergencarroll [dot] com.
Neighborhood Celebs: Boerum Hill Breakup
Rachel Markowitz | September 5, 2007
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You’ve probably all heard by now that Boerum Hill’s most notorious celebrity couple, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams have split after a two year relationship, complete with out-of-wedlock child Matilda. I, for one, received an emergency text message last night from my college-age sister that said “RIP Michelle and Heath.”
Trusty media gossip blog Gawker went into Boerum Hill to see how the neighbors are taking the news. Check it out.
No more liquor license, but Schnack still hits the spot
Rachel Markowitz | September 5, 2007
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What better way to spend a long weekend than clogging your arteries?
Saturday night, after my friends and I were greatly disappointed by Rob Zombie’s remake of Halloween, we decided to cheer ourselves up – with grease of course! I’d never been to Union Street’s Schnack, but had heard good things. The décor, which citysearch likens to “roller-rink concession stand circa 1982” is definitely playing the ironic card with it’s colorful booths and divey feel. While the service was pretty slow, (despite the fact that the place wasn’t too crowded) the food was excellent. Three 1.5 ounce patties on a bun for me, with cheese and Jalapeño and Garlic sauce, plus a shared plate of cheese fries really hit the spot. And the signature beer milkshakes were great – it’s really just a chocolate or vanilla milkshake with beer in it. Boozehounds be warned though – Schnack lost its liquor license and is now BYOB. The beer shakes are the closest you’re gonna get to alcoholic items on the menu.
Schnack is located on 122 Union Street, right across the BQE
