Sheepshead Bay Starbucks’ Neighbor a Disappointment


by on Sep 29th, 2009

99 Cent Store Opens in Sheepshead Bay

Mystery solved. Signs went up this morning, and the new business on Nostrand Avenue and Gravesend Neck Road will be yet another 99ȼ store.

When we first reported (to a lukewarm reception [and here,too])  that the Starbucks next door was to open in December, we didn’t yet know who the neighbor would be. Starbucks, after all, was to take up a small section of the two-unit retail lot, with the bulk going to a mystery biz. But we’ve gotta admit, we’re totally underwhelmed by this announcement.

USA 99ȼ store has a few other locations in the city, usually in working-class and lower-income neighborhoods. And honestly, we have nothing against them. But the arrival of Starbucks, with nearby Brennan & Carr, some good pizza in the area, a much cleaner looking KFC, and a host of newer, better businesses along the avenue – we were really hoping for something that would continue to signal a turnaround of that lackluster section of Nostrand. But this is more of the same. Does Sheepshead Bay need another 99ȼ store?

(Photo and tip courtesy of Arthur B.)

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  • Ray Johnson

    Personally, I don’t think we do “need” another 99 cent store, but apparently the owners think the opposite.

  • Ray Johnson

    Personally, I don’t think we do “need” another 99 cent store, but apparently the owners think the opposite.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    Well, there are low income people living nearby (and many are long time residents) so such businesses have a client base.

    There are 99 cent store and there are 99 cent stores. Some should be shuttered. But I have no idea about this one.

    The question may be asked whether this is a good place for a Starbucks. I think it would have been much better on Avenue U itself, as it is a more consistent commercial strip. Nostrand is split between residential and commercial use. It will only viewable to traffic going west on Avenue U.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001/ Lisanne!

    Well, there are low income people living nearby (and many are long time residents) so such businesses have a client base.

    There are 99 cent store and there are 99 cent stores. Some should be shuttered. But I have no idea about this one.

    The question may be asked whether this is a good place for a Starbucks. I think it would have been much better on Avenue U itself, as it is a more consistent commercial strip. Nostrand is split between residential and commercial use. It will only viewable to traffic going west on Avenue U.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    It just occurred to me that USA is always at Avenue W and Nostrand. I suppose they are moving for some reason.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001/ Lisanne!

    It just occurred to me that USA is always at Avenue W and Nostrand. I suppose they are moving for some reason.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    Correction read “already” where “always” is written.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001/ Lisanne!

    Correction read “already” where “always” is written.

  • Anonymous

    Coney n Z. Best 99c store…
    Don’t tell anyone.

    • Arthur R.

      Shhh QUIET!

      I agree.
      Hush now.

  • clare

    Coney n Z. Best 99c store…
    Don’t tell anyone.

  • TG

    agree with Lisanne. F*** 99 stores./ But that location is actually perfect 4 me cuz i live few blocks away.
    i prayed, for like few years, that there could be a starbucks in the sheepshead bay neiborhood. but, just got disappointed again. n i hope that place rather be a human’s resource center than a 99 store.

    i don’t mean i’m a high class rich person, but c’mon, the neiborhood isn’t that poor. well, if they move it to Avenue U will be much better.
    Dunkin Donut seems like a monopoly of the Avenue U cafe. (besides those pizzaria)
    n starbucks has much better environment!!

    ok, i’m done~!

  • TG

    agree with Lisanne. F*** 99 stores./ But that location is actually perfect 4 me cuz i live few blocks away.
    i prayed, for like few years, that there could be a starbucks in the sheepshead bay neiborhood. but, just got disappointed again. n i hope that place rather be a human’s resource center than a 99 store.

    i don’t mean i’m a high class rich person, but c’mon, the neiborhood isn’t that poor. well, if they move it to Avenue U will be much better.
    Dunkin Donut seems like a monopoly of the Avenue U cafe. (besides those pizzaria)
    n starbucks has much better environment!!

    ok, i’m done~!

  • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

    TG: As far as we know, there will still be a Starbucks at that location. It only takes up one side of the building. It’s a two-unit structure. If you know something we dont, please fill us in.

  • http://www.NedBerke.com Ned Berke

    TG: As far as we know, there will still be a Starbucks at that location. It only takes up one side of the building. It’s a two-unit structure. If you know something we dont, please fill us in.

  • Dana

    Its a blah choice.. and it doesnt really add anything new. But hey.. a new business is a new business.

    But really I think a better story is how horrible the placement of the new starbucks drive thru exit is. I take the 36 and the 44 regularly – and that stop is a very busy stop. I dont see how thats going to be a very effective place for cars to come and go out of that drive thru. Its an accident and a traffic jam just waiting to happen.

  • Dana

    Its a blah choice.. and it doesnt really add anything new. But hey.. a new business is a new business.

    But really I think a better story is how horrible the placement of the new starbucks drive thru exit is. I take the 36 and the 44 regularly – and that stop is a very busy stop. I dont see how thats going to be a very effective place for cars to come and go out of that drive thru. Its an accident and a traffic jam just waiting to happen.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    You think thats bad? How about the only entrance and exit to the new bank next to Brennan and Carr? The curb cut is directly in the spot where all the buses pull over and STOP for 20-30 minutes at a time. At least B&C has a cut on both sides of the lot, but not the bank! If a bus is idling there waiting for a driver change or something else then you’re either stuck, or have to exit unto E29th through the “drive thru” which is usually used by the management to park their own cars instead of for actual drive thru stuff. Or risk jumping the curb on neck road.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    You think thats bad? How about the only entrance and exit to the new bank next to Brennan and Carr? The curb cut is directly in the spot where all the buses pull over and STOP for 20-30 minutes at a time. At least B&C has a cut on both sides of the lot, but not the bank! If a bus is idling there waiting for a driver change or something else then you’re either stuck, or have to exit unto E29th through the “drive thru” which is usually used by the management to park their own cars instead of for actual drive thru stuff. Or risk jumping the curb on neck road.

  • jo

    awww come on!! this better be one hell of a 99 cent store.

  • jo

    awww come on!! this better be one hell of a 99 cent store.

  • Jim

    After going to Starbucks for coffee, 99 cents may be all you have left.

  • Jim

    After going to Starbucks for coffee, 99 cents may be all you have left.

  • jo

    lol @ Jim

  • jo

    lol @ Jim

  • ALLY

    I am so so so tired of 99cent stores, there is one on every block, couldn’t they rent it to something that we dont have around here, which is plenty, allwe get is cell phone stores, cheap fast food, 99 cent stores and bodegas, we really DO NOT need any more of those. Im dying for some variety in this neighborhood, and Starbucks is a plus, but the 99 cent store is a killer. You know what we have a lack of in this ‘hood? Clothes! and I dont mean Rainbow or dee and dee where u get three dollar items, i mean i dont want a super expensive store where no one in the neighborhood can afford it, but some kind of mid-priced clothing would be nice, Im tired of traveling to 86th street or KP.

  • ALLY

    I am so so so tired of 99cent stores, there is one on every block, couldn’t they rent it to something that we dont have around here, which is plenty, allwe get is cell phone stores, cheap fast food, 99 cent stores and bodegas, we really DO NOT need any more of those. Im dying for some variety in this neighborhood, and Starbucks is a plus, but the 99 cent store is a killer. You know what we have a lack of in this ‘hood? Clothes! and I dont mean Rainbow or dee and dee where u get three dollar items, i mean i dont want a super expensive store where no one in the neighborhood can afford it, but some kind of mid-priced clothing would be nice, Im tired of traveling to 86th street or KP.

  • TG

    word ALLY. yeah right. we need clothing stores. but you know what? we really need a book store like Barnes & Noble. n they can have the starbucks in it =)

  • TG

    word ALLY. yeah right. we need clothing stores. but you know what? we really need a book store like Barnes & Noble. n they can have the starbucks in it =)

  • aherring

    Is Starbucks really here or coming here?

  • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

    Nah, it seems dead in the water. A while after the landlord's lawyer confirmed it, it seems plans fell through and a for lease sign appeared. We'll update if we find out anything new.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    I passed by there yesterday. Seems as if the 99 cent store got the entire building.

  • aherring

    Is Starbucks really here or coming here?

  • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

    Nah, it seems dead in the water. A while after the landlord's lawyer confirmed it, it seems plans fell through and a for lease sign appeared. We'll update if we find out anything new.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    I passed by there yesterday. Seems as if the 99 cent store got the entire building.

  • neighbor11229

    This Store has closed down. There are signs on the building CORNER STORE FOR RENT.

  • LSC

    That “USA 99″ Cents sign is old.  That was there before.  It was a “99 Cents” store where very little was actually 99 cents.  I thought that was the business that shuttered.