SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Photo by Robert Fernandez

SOS Pharmacy, a pharmacy and natural health store, will soon open at 1201 Avenue Z, the former location of Chicken Masters.

We first reported that a pharmacy would open at the location in March 2012, when the building sold for $1.2 million. Chicken Masters remained open at the time, and finally closed up shop in September. Owner Vinnie Mazzone said he threw in the towel after 30 years because the city had made it too difficult to operate a small business due to excessive fines and regulations.

The pharmacy now has signage and a “Coming Soon” announcement in the window. Looking through the glass, one can also see what appears to be a rather swanky, upscale storefront.

Welcome to the neighborhood, SOS Pharmacy.

Reader Janelle Fox, a fan of Adelman’s (1906 Kings Highway), walked by the now-shuttered kosher deli yesterday and saw the door open. So, perhaps out of habit and hope and lust for a good latke, she stuck her head in.

They weren’t open, that’s for sure. Fox fired off some shots of the former Brooklyn staple, showing most of the equipment ripped out as familiar trappings, like the Chicken Noodle Soup sign, dangled overhead.

A sad, sad sight indeed. Sheepshead Bites was the first to report that, after 60 years in business, Adelman’s Kosher Deli closed down in March. The landlord told us the tenant had fallen behind on rent, failed to strike a deal, and was evicted. There was still hope at the time of our report that the original owner of Adelman’s could step back in, as they still had a legal right to return to the property, and revive the business. Clearly, that didn’t happen.

Adelman’s was one of three remaining old-school kosher delicatessens in Southern Brooklyn. The last two are Jay & Lloyd’s Kosher Deli (2718 Avenue U) and Mill Basin Deli (5823 Avenue T).

The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs has secretly ordered agents to dole out a minimum number of fines to small businesses, while also pressuring judges to rule in favor of the city during the appeals process, the Daily News claims in an exclusive report.

The paper reports that documents they have obtained and whisteblowers in the agency reveal disturbing practices, in which inspectors are ordered to fine one in four businesses they visit, administrative law judges are pressured to side with the city, and whopping fines are disproportionately smothering minority-owned and outerborough businesses.

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A spate of business reopenings in the last few weeks has seen some key shopping and eating destinations return to Sheepshead Bay for the first time since Superstorm Sandy. In contrast to recent news reports that have said as many as 40 percent of Sheepshead Bay businesses remain closed, the vast majority of businesses on Sheepshead Bay Road and Emmons Avenue are now open, sending a clear message to would-be visitors: Sheepshead Bay is open for business.

Here’s a rundown, in photos, of the latest businesses to reopen, some newcomers altogether, and what we’re still waiting for.

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Rasputin, the windowless, mausoleum-like restaurant and nightclub at 2670 Coney Island Avenue, has been shuttered and padlocked.

There is a notice taped near the entrance that shows it was closed by city marshals and turned over to the landlord.

It’s unclear if this is related to the criminal case against Michael Levitis, the owner of Rasputin Restaurant. Levitis is alleged to be the ringleader of a fraud scheme, in which a company he controlled – Mission Settlement Agency – preyed on debt-laden victims. The company claimed to reduce a client’s debt to creditors and make payments on their behalf. In reality, prosecutors say, the company collected fees and did little or nothing to help clients, and Levitis used the fees to pay operating expenses at Rasputin, lease two luxury Mercedes and pay off his mother’s credit card bills.

Prosecutors have filed to seize approximately 40 bank accounts connected to Levitis, as well as Rasputin Restaurant and two properties he owns in Manhattan Beach. The assets would be used to pay back his victims if Levitis is found guilty.

However, the property on which Rasputin sits is not owned by Levitis. Notices like the one above are often left when a lessee fails to pay his rent and the landlord wins an eviction in court. It’s unclear if that’s the case, or if the landlord was somehow able to wrangle back control of the property amid Levitis’ problems.

The landlord was not available to answer questions as we went to press, but we will update if we hear from them.

Meanwhile, a post on Michael Levitis’ Facebook page that had announced the closure late last week or over the weekend has since disappeared. In reply to comments left on the post, Levitis had credited the closure to “higher powers,” but had not elaborated beyond that point when we stumbled across it.

The following is from the office of Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz:

Click to enlarge

We first told you about Jumpin’ Bean, a new Mexican restaurant slated for 3081 Emmons Avenue, way back in early October. At the time, they had planned to open just a few weeks later.

Then Sandy hit. The entire interior needed to be redone, and all kitchen equipment replaced (the kitchen, mind you, is a few steps below street level).

It took some time, but the restaurant quietly opened its doors on Wednesday, and has asked us to spread the word to our readers.

On a related note, V & S Pizzeria on Emmons, and Munchinette and Delmar’s Pizzeria on Sheepshead Bay Road are all now open as well. Istanbul on Emmons Avenue should be opening any day now, if it’s not already.

I’m going to go get a margarita to celebrate the recovery!

The following is from the offices of Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz:

Was Your Business Damaged By Hurricane Sandy?

If you had to rebuild or repair your business, you may be eligible for REFUNDS for the city permits/licenses you obtained.

On THURSDAY, MAY 9, from 9:30 – 11:30 A.M., Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz will welcome a representative from the Mayor’s office to help businesses apply for these refunds.

No appointment is necessary. Just come to Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ district office at 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road (between Shore Parkway and Emmons Avenue) to take advantage of this on-site help!

The deadline for refunds is May 31, so it is important that you act NOW.

For information/questions, call (718) 743-4078

We look forward to seeing you!

Many Thanks to the NYC Restoration Business Acceleration Team for its partnership in making this event possible.

Source: cinematreasures.org

Sheepshead Bay’s United Artists movie theater will be hiking its prices this Friday, with adult admission reaching $14 – or nearly twice the national average – Sheepshead Bites has learned.

A source has confirmed the price hike, noting that adult admission will rise from $13.50 to $14.00. Seniors, children, and matinee admission prices will climb from $10.00 to $10.50.

The UA Sheepshead Bay Stadium 14 & IMAX, owned by Regal Entertainment and located at 3907 Shore Parkway, is one of the only remaining movie theaters in Southern Brooklyn, maintaining a stranglehold that draws thousands from around the borough every weekend.

The new rates mean that the theater is that much closer to being double the national average for a movie ticket, which in 2012 was $7.96 according to the New York Times. The average admission nationwide increased just three cents last year, a lesser increase than in previous years; from 2008 to to 2010, the Times reports, prices jumped 4 percent annually.

There’s no word yet on whether or not the UA will increase the price for 3-D movie tickets. According to the Times, 3-D admissions are fueling rate hikes across the country as interest in the gimmick plummets, causing theater owners to charge more for regular tickets.

The Times reported in February:

Regal Entertainment, the nation’s largest movie theater chain, said last week that it raised prices for standard screenings by 3.3 percent in the fourth quarter [of 2012]; 3-D ticket sales in the period contributed 14 percent of Regal’s sales, down from 17 percent in the same quarter a year ago. 

The sales slump suggests that the local UA may keep its 3-D offerings pegged at $20.00 for adults and $16.50 for children and seniors.

Royalty is coming to 2663 Coney Island Avenue, for who else would reside in Sultan Palace other than the sultan?

Well, we passed by yesterday, and we didn’t see any sultans hanging around. We’re still not quite sure what the plan is yet. But if we were to guess, we’d say it’s one of those places where the menu will most likely say “restaurant, cafe, lounge and hookah bar.”

Just a feeling. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.