For Those Who Don't Know: I Love The Fulton Mall

There have been a couple of well meaning articles on The Fulton Mall lately, with the stiff-as-morning-wood Wall Street Journal and the less dreamy New York Observer putting for their respective thoughts on how the strip will come about in the next few years. WSJ says, well big chains and big money are signalling a "rebirth" happening next to the religious squawking by Hoyt and the NYO says, well if you look at your facts, the Other Kings Plaza is already cream of the crop in terms of sales and general foot traffic (although the Arby's shutting down in a matter of months is kind of a shame).

What bothers me is that everything is seen from a perspective of upscale is better. Big developers are better. Gentrification is better. Shifting the overall "populace" in the area is better. "Catering" to the new residents literally a block or two away is a better, brighter future. Who comes up with that bullshit? I'm not saying an H&M is a bad thing; functionally they provide affordable clothing with a little style to boot. Although Aeropostale is totally lame. As the NYO points out though, there's nothing actually wrong with the Fulton Mall, and what's more frustrating, it's actually comparable to the best shopping the city has to offer. Living a block from the mall actually reminds me of Fulton Street in the city where I lived around the corner from 3 million dollar bonuses in suits as well as low end clothing/fast food with a heavy immigrant population.

Brownstoner's reader comments on the article are spot on and probably articulate what I want to say better. What the WSJ is missing (and what I was hoping the NYO was more fiercely vocal about, although hey, this isn't blogging right, it's journalism?) is a sense that The Fulton Mall serves a much greater purpose that they failed to realize. They also treat the strip as if it needs a total overhaul because well, it's not gentrified enough. As the NYO pointed out, whatever dirtbag wrote the WSJ piece is not writing it from the perspective that the mall is a viable, competitive, and highly sustainable economy for working class and middle class folks (with a decidedly disheveled and quite awesome Macy's) equal to strips in the city, it's from the perspective that it needs to be cleaned up and upscaled, using the new "type" of resident as part of the reasoning. It's just so dismissive and it bugs me; that's how powerful words can be, one way or the other. I guess causing me to blog isn't exactly mindblowing but hey I could be shopping for Halloween candy so the kids in the building don't think we're trolls.

As a person who is part of a new community settling into the neighborhood, I wholeheartedly, except for welcoming an H&M and stores that would fit well into the current state, reject this way of thinking about the Fulton Mall. I stand behind the fact that I can get a much better selection of what I want at the Fulton Mall than the Atlantic Center (although I do love me some Pathmark). I stand behind the fact that I can foster a newfound interest in snazzy kicks at Foot Action, Foot Locker, AND Finish Line. I stand behind the fact that there are stores that sell DVDs, jewelry, shoes, and cell phones AT THE SAME TIME. I stand behind the fact that you have the easiest selection of fast food joints ever for those who eat fast. It's like, when did the idea of good shopping (read: affluent) get in the way of the naturally existing economy of the past several decades?

Does the article add to the long list of excitable press surrounding the area? Sure. Is it an interesting outlook? Certainly, considering the development of the area. Yet, does it take into account anything beyond appearances of white it could be? No. The half-assedness of it is the most blatant diss.

Am I the exception rather than the rule when it comes to new residents wanting a gentrified mall? I hope not, but if I am, I'm at least urging people to really not shop at Aeropostale. Seriously.

Street Art on Lawrence in Downtown Brooklyn

Saw this today, not sure how long it's been up, pretty chill on a summer Friday while getting a gyro from the Souvlaki House. I think this block is the one that will be turned into yet another huge, sky-swallowing building in the area.

Things In My Neighborhood - MoneyGram Whitecastle

Remember Rounders with Matt Damon and Ed Norton? There's something very watchable about that movie in an understated way; nothing particularly original but there's a slow, observing eye about it. It almost feels 80s in a way, 80s in a Curly Sue New York kind of way. One thing that is in that movie that you don't see often is characters using check cashing services or money transfer services. In fact, you never really see that at all but they are all over the place. It seems to be part of the fabric of urban life in many areas of Brooklyn.

Nowadays banks take care of more services just because there are more people who have checking accounts, but sometimes I see a pretty sizable line at my nearest MoneyGram location about three blocks away from me. It's under the radar (and cloaked behind some construction) and the process feels under the radar too; the idea of transferring straight cash has a real old school appeal. If time equals money, and there's no other avenue to get physical cash, then taking a fee to give a needed lifeline sounds like a plan. At this point for the summer they are running a promotion where on a 50 dollar send, you pony up 5 bucks. You can check out details here.

Anywho, to my real point, which was next to the MoneyGram, say you are receiving this said 50 bucks. What do you do with it? I know exactly what you do with it on Willoughby. You walk right next door to the downright nasty Whitecastle, and you stuff yourself with sliders and those chicken ring things. It's a one two punch: moolah at MoneyGram, then poobah at Whitecastle. For the win.

And now, a word from our monsters:

Our Ecstatic Neighbors at Toren Are So Ecstatic, Like, Totally

Curbed has a little ditty about a Toren microsite that has some truly useless video footage that would probably make me not consider the pristine, Transformers-looking building after a while just based on the level of obnoxiousness in some of the segments.

Not quite as inconvenient as the Oro, and now with a schmancy new grocery store coming soon which for all intensive purposes could bring more rats to an area already plagued by the construction on Willoughby, it's on the east side of Flatbush a couple blocks away from me and I've been hearing about it for years now. It's that big ass mirror coming out of the north side of Dekalb QBMR station.

Anywho, back to this microsite that someone thought was clever marketing but just not executed quite so well. The Curbed article points out the probable highlight, this woman Val who obviously isn't ready to see the bigger picture, and has a reader who suggests a drinking game out of it. Now after a while it would get stale, but if you need a quick reason (and plenty of shots) to pre-game before you go out to Perks or Kevin Barry's to get your groove on (or just stumble around Flatbush) it could be worth it.

My other favorite is "The Gym Equipment". There's nice equipment, but the video was taken pretty poorly, and if you're marketing this from a layman's perspective, the last thing I want is some woman not in workout clothes not knowing how to use the machines. Although anyone would probably balk at the weird looking cable stations.

Sure, it looks like a nice building. Just don't have cast offs from MTV's Made as your building reps.

Earth Day - Landscaping Willoughby Square (What's That, You Ask)

If one knows how to manscape, would he know how to landscape? It's Earth Day folks, trim those beards, get some Vitamin D, weather permitting, and smell the earth, even if someone was kind enough to leave dog biznass 2 feet away.

So right over by the next block yonder hither to, Willoughby and Duffield is going to be a hotbed of meticulous plots to make downtown Brooklyn just a little purdier. Brownstoner reports that the square of land that currently holds something like a parking lot will be getting a lift with a little help from Hargreaves Associates. Now, the forum design meeting was held yesterday at LIU but you could probably still bother Josh Nachowitz (I know what you're thinking: Notcchyo-cheese) about it if you're not too lazy to click on Brownstoner's link and find his info. Just tell him all of my ideas: floating gold sparkles pool, a couple of really shady looking statues, a private bathroom for those who show receipts from shopping within the DoBro area, and a huge ice luge filled with SUNY Purchase punch.

All of those things would definitely not be a plus for the environment, but I tried. I've seen Lord of the Rings: Two Towers. Shit will go down if you don't respect those tree monsters.

The good people over at WatchMojo.com have a skinny on it before I parlay that into my musical suggestion for today:





Of course Propagandhi!

Downtown (DoBrah) Brooklyn News: Cheap Pizza Hooray!

Photo from Downtown Brooklyn Facebook via Shop Downtown Brooklyn.

Yesterday was the grand opening of Gus Martuscell's Saporita Pizza near the corner of Smith Street and Livingston (on the stretch of Smith that goes north of Atlantic, you were almost fooled right?). Kings County president Marty "Farts" Markowitz was on hand to deliver the good news to Fulton Mall dwellers as well as occasional pizza lovers like myself who don't want to schlep to Lucali down on Henry or Vinny's.

Anywho, taking a look at their jawesome official website (Impact font was my favorite too guys) I see that they not only serve cheap slices during lunch (which I will never be around to partake in) but recession priced appetizers, pastas, and heros. When half the menu is averaging 6 bucks or less, you know you've hit the jackpot. When Markowitz is at your grand opening, you know he had a lot of work that day.

They also have a few specialty pizzas to rise them above the hole in the wall fray, including a Spicy Chicken pizza. Those who know me know that those two words put together is kind of like half an orgasm. Spicy Kuritza!!

You can check out their online coupons which makes this site even better. It should get a Webby Award. Three things that are probably coming soon: online ordering (so you don't have to talk to anyone), a Facebook page, and a Twitter profile. That's what I call using social media to harness your branding.

Before you get yourself in a tizzy, know that they are closed on Saturdays, probably because they are awesome (not for observing anything). And they are closing at 6pm, so nobody who lives in the area but doesn't work in the area is probably going to get to take advantage. It's like all the businesses in the area, you can only imagine...

The recent Visa commercial with Mambo Italiano is one of my favorite recent TV ads is below in tribute. The dude is spinning the pie and flouring it all snazzy, you know he's thinking "BOO YA":

Ghettofab sushi arrives fresh off the boat on Fulton Street

I'll be eating from this gem sometime soon folks. Conveniently located around the B,Q,R,2,3,4,5 trains at either Dekalb or Nevins, something called the Metro King is opening it's doors and greeting customers with some sushi and an Asian salad bar which I'm sure means "mandarin" oranges and "crispy noodles" and thick accents.

This place reminds me of this sushi/chinese lunch buffet joint on the other Fulton Street in Manhattan that I used to frequent when I was at NYU living in the money district. Metro King looks like it's going to be straight money.

Anywho, the below picture says it all, from the Downtown Brooklyn Facebook fan page which you'll want to frequent:

Typos and "Value Card" here

Metro King Sushi and Asian Salad Bar opens on Fulton Street

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Yesterday at 4:52pm

Located at 538 Fulton Street, Metro King offerssushi and an excellent Asian Salad Bar.Bring your Value Cardand get10% off an order of $10.00 or more.

Visit theirother location in Downtown Brooklyn called Metro Food Court at 14-16 Nevins Street.

Please welcome theirnewest locationin Downtown Brooklyn!

Updated on Tuesday · Comment · · View Original Post · Report Note

It's an NYU World, We Just Live In It

According to The NY Times, NYU (of which the KCB is a graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts, where people have a lot of "tischues" ok that wasn't that lame) is probably going to get renamed New York City because it's about to take over everything.

When I was at NYU, there was already a big backlash against the school from the community in Greenwich Village, let alone adjunct professors, security guards, and most of the real local bars in the area. Over the next 20 years the projection of increased size by 40% is pretty huge; violet was never my FAVORITE color, and I still have deep rooted hatred for the NYU American Studies department (but that is a whole 'nother story which I may one day try to explain).

What I don't understand is the whole Governor's Island thing; it was kind of a pain (for a spoiled student at least) to get from the Financial District up to campus, why would anyone want to either live or schlep to class on secluded island? I guess if they make it the utopia the renderings make it look out to be, you could make a case for it. But then you know some science experiment is gonna go wrong and it's Nelson DeMille's Plum Island all over again. I really enjoy that novel for some reason.

Anywho, DoBro (yah brah) is about to get a facelift and NYU just has to be in on it. Merging with Polytech is one thing, but if they plan to expand and turn Jay Street into something like Commonwealth is in Boston, well whoop dee doo we got ourselves a ripe, real college campus smack next to the Fulton Mall.

The article also states that John Sexton, the butt of most in-jokes at the university was taking calls from a satellite campus in Qatar. WTF? When was it that colleges were in one place anymore? We're not DeVry, we're called New York University.

Brooklyn Eagle to 370 Jay Street: You Ugly

Photo courtesy of Brownstoner.

Some numbers are indeed crunched in the Eagle's report on 370 Jay Street as a not so heralded point of conversation and central hub above the Jay St. - Borough Hall stop. I guess it's vacated but nobody has done anything with it and the article focuses on since the rest of downtown is trying to get in step (although you really won't notice for a while still, example Willoughby and Duffield), this MTA building should do something with it's life. It's like the one friend who doesn't get his act together.

The Eagle reports several opinions that are positive on how to turn around the building and the space would be ideal for firms and agencies that are heavy in DUMBO currently but could stand to go one stop further and check it out.

It all goes toward the MTA who has the dibs on this structure and who as we all know needs some funds. The F train wasn't even running this past Saturday evening. Lamesauce.

In a larger sense, what is downtown really going to look like? What is it moving toward? Geo-wise, it's like a sandwiched neighborhood (if you call it that) having access to all trains without really having a core space. Would it become the next DUMBO as buildings like 370 Jay are bred into a higher scale of business and use? Do I really like DUMBO? Sure, with the exception that it really doesn't have a busy, working sense; I still want my neighborhood to have bodegas and stuff. On top of that, with BAM buying out space in the Forte condos and the Atlantic Yards project finally kicking off, just what exactly is this going to turn into?

Speaking of restaurants: I might have an actual restaurant down the block? GTFO

Photo by Brownstoner. Sign by restaurant.

Judging by all the shit that gets tossed around about Downtown Brooklyn, I'm surprised any life can be sprung from the mounds of figurative poop that suffocate this area.

Brownstoner is concerned that there won't be enough business huddling in this particular spot; I say if the food is good (also, depending on what the hell it is) I could probably eat enough to keep it afloat. If they have liquor it'd be a nice walk across the Metrotech and slightly less depressing than Harry O's. Hey, a Starbucks is doing just fine in the area. There's enough gullible college students that will want to do happy hour and then stumble onto the wrong stretch of Flatbush.

You can't really find this building; which can be a good thing and a bad thing. Bridgeview Tower has a terrible set of directions, so maybe I won't make it to this restaurant after all. I'm still psyched though. Maybe this is the real secret restaurant via can't-find-it.

Which reminds me, Mr. Bean and his shenanigans!

New Arby's in Fulton Mall: stayin' classy with a side of roast beef

This is awesome. Brownstoner has extended its curiosity to the insides of the new Arby's at 372 Fulton Street in the Fulton Mall, and the results are decidedly more elegant than whatever is inside their sandwiches or subsequently your stomach.

Landmarked building you say? Put an Arby's in it. Just because it's a chain doesn't mean it can't be a time capsule, or hold the title of fanciest Arby's ever.

Photo courtesy of Brownstoner for more photos and some hilariously snarky comments such as:

"'You all sound like a bunch of communists.'

-11217

Sounding very 11209 today I see..."

go here.

Bar Spotlight (Football Edition): Harry O's

You can also read a similar review of mine on Yelp.

Harry O's

120 Lawrence Street (You don't think anything is on the block, but it's there)

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Harry O's is neatly (or not neatly) tucked away on a construction filled block of Lawrence (and stands to make lots of business if the new building across the street becomes inhabited, as the new tallest building in Brooklyn). It's definitely a bar to look out for in the next few years or so if it keeps around; the building across the street at 111 Lawrence will be a huge addition to Downtown Brooklyn's already boom-attempting bid for residential supremacy in the near future. However, with it's height, so much for the views from our roof! Being so close to me that when I first looked for it I couldn't find it because I didn't think it was that close, I walked in on a Sunday afternoon to watch the games. There were several regulars in the spacious bar area, and the restaurant section is actually rather large, decorated very simply and old school, everything wood, white linen tablecloths, well lit, like something out of Bay Ridge or more suburban upstate. I sat down at the bar and enjoyed a 3 dollar Yuengling and some cheap, really good chicken fingers (although I was hoping for some good sauces). The menu? Whatever was written on the chalkboard sign. The cook? Was the barback, which is awesome because he was just chillin' like a villain with the other patrons. The bartender was very sweet, she was being celebrity roasted by Hatch, a good natured (although I freaked him out about a dream I had about Troy Polamalu) Redskins fan that was big enough to play linebacker for them. I guess they were good with each other from a while back. There was a Steelers couple to my left, and two older gentlemen came in later and starting cursing about jobs, honor, and friendship. The jukebox every once in a while popped on a Sinatra tune which was kind of weird. All the games were on right in front of me, it was quiet (save Hatch's grilling), and incredibly chill. While it doesn't have the overall warm vibe that Cody's has, it's super relaxed and definitely hidden to most. The funniest thing? Hatch must have had a late night the night before, because he totally fell asleep at the bar at around 4:25 in the pm. The place was so chill that everyone just let him take a nap for about 20 and he went back to watching the games as if nothing happened. Bottom line, if you're looking for a bar that is a little out of the way (unless you're a DoBro denizen) to relax and watch the games with limited menus and a couple of characters, Harry O's could be your spot.

You can see the location here, take any train 'cept the N or D and you're kosher.

BellTel Lofts has parking, residents can stop parking at creepy lot

So BellTel residents received word from the sponsor that the garage is indeed up finally, after so many months of slow work (it was said that little things needed to be fixed before completion). 250 a month, 300 for larger vehicles (I'm assuming that means SUVs, vans, and sabretooth tigers) and available to BellTel residents only for now.

Valet service? Is this The Flamingo Kid, or L.A. for that matter? Certainly additional information will have to be hammered out but for those who drive, now can thrive.

Ok that was a lame rhyme.

Deep In The Heart Of Brooklyn Blog Loves some DoBro

Deep in the Heart of Brooklyn Blog has posted a lovely little passage devoted to Brooklyn Heights and the Borough Hall area. Reflective and seasonal are two words that come to mind:

"A little before 1 PM on a perfect late summer day in Brooklyn Heights. Sunny, not hot, with a gentle, cooling breeze wafting off the water down Montague Street. The Thursday Greenmarket is in full swing, selling delicious looking fruits, vegetables and organic baked goods. Folks taking their time today, enjoying being outdoors, unlike a couple of weeks ago when the heat and humidity had them on the run, seeking a cooler place. But today, a jazz guitarist performs on Cadman Plaza, and delightful cafe tables have been set out in the shade of Brooklyn Borough Hall, being enjoyed by the lunch-time crowd. Late summer is here. Fall not too far off. Always a great time to enjoy Brooklyn, outside, and at its best."

Here at the Belltel, We Love To Pat Ourselves on the back again

I had half a mind this morning as my lobby trot was interrupted by a nicely structured and somewhat pleasant BellTel Lofts NYC Landmark Preservation Ceremony. We all know it's a landmark. It says so outside the building. I know it's supposed to be a nice pick us up to start summer in terms of getting some more press, but there are concerns amongst many residents and the last thing I need to see is self-congratulations at this point.

Things are indeed getting repaired and maintained but it will take a while with the little manpower available to the building...again as the neighborhood shifts and changes along with the local politics the overall vibe may climb, but I question the amount of vision to see things through from up top. This is not to be snobby; I don't want to talk the talk and not walk that proverbial walk. It just kind of annoys me to set up something that I'm sure is a nice dedication to the building when the building itself just needs more work done with residents already inside it. The pushing and shoving to this point is disheartening but there has to be a way to stop looking at the glorious past and start thinking about how to honor it properly now and in the future with a residential building people can be truly proud of.

Downtown gets some groceries....awwww right!!

I was pining for just one grocery store so I didn't have to lug the granny cart around and compete with actual grannies in Aisle Takeover at Key Foods, but now we're getting two!

Concord Market, who according to their comment on the Brownstoner post, is insistent that they are going to be an improvement over the Associated that was there on Jay and Tillary.

"Concord Market is going to be a modern/upscale & affordable food market that will address the needs of the upper/middle class residents of the Concord Village Co-ops, in addition to the local office workers & college students of Downtown Brooklyn.

Construction is well underway and should be completed in the next few weeks."

I should be fairly impressed, but for my purposes, I think I'll try the Brooklyn Fare (check out their cute site) opening on April 22nd right by the Hoyt-Schermerhorn stop at 200 Schermerhorn. Gothamist has brought me this good news, great news in fact. They deliver in fun cargo vans that aren't shady at all. Well until someone takes some paint to it. And a real sushi chef? I mean, most markets have a "sushi chef" but when they say real, it could be a quick sushi fix on the way home. With a to-go section with sandwiches and stuff, I could learn to love it more than Garden of Eden.

Oh and on top of just shopping there, they are setting up a cafe and restaurant in the future thats....BYOB. Imagine buying good beer and then just being able to enjoy it on the spot? How novel. A couple chapters into the novel, that is.

Getting the necessary store and supply support in the area to fix a more neighborhood vibe is a good thing, I believe there's lots to benefit from having something within real striking distance in downtown.

It's The Moment? More like It's The 2 Hours It Took To Compose The Shot and Mise En Scene

So downtown BK has a new little marketing scheme to get some buzz going. It's called It's The Moment, where a nice clock tells you what time it is. Oh and they have several "moments" best of which has to be the Mark Morris Dance Group.

It's part of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and yet another way to metropolize the area and push the pace and feel of the neighborhood. Is it working for you? Are you sold on these made up moments?

Not Doing Anything This Weekend? Check out Gotham Girls Roller Derby Season Opener!

These girls will kick your ass and savor every moment. Held at the Long Island University campus on that Fort Greene-y side of Flatbush by Dekalb, you'll maximize your fun while watching girls bump and grind. And not in a dance-y sort of way. Let's just say I'm in a -y mood...

Go to the official site here to check out all the girls and all the teams as well as cool stuff like photos, video, and apparel. There's even cutesy nicknames, like Surly Temple. The 2009 season is on, general admission is close to 20 clams, and 23 at the door.

The excitement is unbearable, here's a photo from Gothamist from the 2007 season:

Afternoon Stroll 3.20.09 State, Atlantic

So I had the day off and was able to take a little stroll (I wanted to see Duplicity but ended up being enthralled yet again in Brotherhood, such a good show).

Here are my boring pictures (I could never figure out how to take good ones).

Gangs of New York

More period piece fun


Easter approaches


School fail

Kinda looks like a wave of...tree

Still vacant, this one

mmm juicy...

Awesome bike:

From Trixie and Tilda on Atlantic:

Between Bridge and Duffield...

More Hotels? Downtown Brooklyn ain't THAT cool...

Brooklyn Eagle (now that Brooklyn Paper is bought out by News Corp. maybe I should link to the Eagle instead...) is reporting that there are two MORE hotels going up in downtown, a Hilton Hyatt (ooooo) and a Best Western (oo-eh). Aren't there enough rooms in the Marriott and the new Sheraton?

I guess if we ever throw a huge festival people can stay at these lovely hotels...

Check out the full story here.