We previously reported about Brand Z For Less at 1805 Avenue U closing a few weeks ago and we had no idea what whould replace it. We do now – the last few days saw some renovations and minor construction at the site, and yesterday I saw the new sign go up.
Come this Friday, Value Depot will be open for business! If you’re wondering what they sell, it’s a little bit of everything. In fact the only thing they don’t seem to sell is food. If you want a better idea of what to expect, you can check out the Value Depot on Kings Highway and East 17th Street, or wait ’til Friday!
Well, wouldn’t you know it, but yet another real estate office has closed. We’re not sure how long ago it happened, since such things kind of pass beneath our notice at this point, but the real estate office at 4175 Bedford Avenue has been replaced with something new.
I passed by earlier today and the new sign was up: Sheepshead Bay is getting a new bike shop! As the sign says RideBikeProGear is opening a bicycle show room and test center. As it turns out, RBPG looks like a well-established internet-based business, glancing at the page it looks like it’s been around a long time. The shop is not open yet so we don’t know just how much local service it’s going to provide, but let’s hope it’s a full-fledged bike shop. The area could use more unique businesses, even if they are just an outlet for a website.
On a slightly related topic, one does wonder what brings such a business to Bedford Avenue. While Bedford is one of the longest bicycle paths in the city it’s not exactly the safest or most scenic. Maybe the owner is from Sheepshead Bay, or perhaps this is the start of a new trend, where web businesses and dot-coms open offices in more affordable commercial areas outside Manhattan. Either way, RideBikeProGear is more than welcome here. If we can have a scuba shop, why not a bike shop!
Ladies and gentlemen, the end of an era has arrived. Windjammer Motor Inn has perished, and in its place stands… uh… Lyghthouse Inn (3206 Emmons Avenue). Yeah, that’s a “Y”. We don’t get it either.
According to the clerks at the Comfort Inn next door, Windjammer made the change just last week. They couldn’t tell me why, and I wasn’t willing to go into Lyghthouse to ask; I have severe allergic reactions to gonorrhea and desperation.
As one observer put it, “It’s really the youth who will miss out. ‘I lost my virginity at the Lyghthouse’ just doesn’t sound the same.”
Requiescat in pace, Windjammer. You will be missed.
Brennan & Carr (3432 Nostrand Avenue) seem to really love their Facebook page, using it to connect with fans and pump up the rivalry with Roll-N-Roaster. Now, they’re musing on a second location. They asked, “If another B&C was to open up, where would an ideal location be?”
Here’s a screenshot of the status update:
Seems like they’re looking to expand and open a new location outside Sheepshead Bay. A lot of commenters begged for an opening on Long Island or Staten Island, where the residents of Sheepshead past have moved to. A number of them are also saying Florida. As for us, we want to see it across the street from Roll-N-Roaster. That’d really throw some beef on the simmering feud.
But wait, don’t get too excited. We called Brennan & Carr and an employee there told us they have no plans for such an expansion. Despite the extreme popularity of their Facebook page, and the professional feel of it, they told us they have no affiliation with the page and don’t know who runs it. But can’t a boy dream?
If Brennan & Carr opens a second location, where do you think it should be? Should it be nearby, or far away? How about a small location at Coney Island? Maybe a swanky new pad in Park Slope? The city? Out of state even? Let your voice be heard!
A “50 percent off” sale of North Face products caused a mob scene yesterday at Downtown, a clothing retailer on Avenue U and Bedford Avenue. We’re not really sure what the big deal was, but for most of yesterday afternoon and into the evening lines formed down the block. The store was only letting small groups in at a time. According to an employee, the sale will continue until stock is sold out. From the looks of it, it won’t last long.
We couldn’t help noticing that 99 percent of those waiting were Asian. None were able to answer our questions in English, so we couldn’t glean what was so special about this sale that it brought such a large number – and such a homogeneous group – to the location.
So, does anyone know what’s going on here? Why are there so many Asians trying to buy North Face from this location? And before you answer that question, please realize that I’m looking for a real answer, and not race baiting. Stereotypes and idiotic attempts at humor will be deleted more liberally than on other posts.
Bay Shish Kebab at 2255 Emmons Avenue has papered its windows and closed its doors. But Turkish food lovers, don’t despair. A clerk at the neighboring bagel shop tells us they’re renovating and should be back open in less than a month. Calls to the restaurant were met with the loving screech of a fax machine.
We’ll let you know if we find out more about Bay Shish Turkish Cuisine, especially the mystery behind its two names.
True Perfection Kitchen & Bath Designs has opened up at 3102 Avenue U, in the newly named “Ave U Plaza”. Just don’t tell the store owners that the avenue they’re actually on is Gerritsen Avenue, which kicked GerritsenBeach.net into a kiniption.
Before the neighborhood had Applebee’s, before we had T.G.I. Fridays, and before Coldstone Creamery, there was Beefsteak Charlie’s.
Over on Facebook, we’ve been reminiscing about the nearly-forgotten metropolitan chain since I brought it up yesterday. For those too young or too new to the area to remember, Beefsteak Charlie’s was a steakhouse across the street from Waldbaum’s on the corner of Shore Parkway and Ocean Avenue. Back then, you could get unlimited salad, unlimited shrimp, bottomless pitchers of beer, and endless platters of ribs for way under $20.00.
For me, it was the go-to restaurant of choice. My three brothers and I ate off the kids menu and gobbled down shrimp from the salad bar. It’s probably the first place I ever had a shrimp, a rib, or a sip of beer.
It shut down in the mid- to late-90s, one of the last of 60+ locations. There are still two locations in Manhattan and one on Long Island, but it’s unknown if they have any relationship to the chain that sprung out of the Manhattan restaurant first opened in 1910.
Back in May of 2009, we raved about the new little coffee and newspaper shop on Avenue X named Dukan. And we made it educational, by telling you about the meaning of dukan (a shop or store in many, many languages).
Well, unfortunately Dukan – at 2321 Avenue X – has closed shop, according to a reader. We don’t know why it couldn’t last for a year, but we wish the owner and his family good luck in the future.
Now… shall the guessing begin on what will fill the spot?
The new Boost Mobile at 1505 Sheepshead Bay Road opened up earlier this week. They’re still waiting on a sign to be installed, but business is up and running.
We’ve all seen the ads that are – literally – everywhere, so I don’t need to tell you what Boost is or how they differ from other cell phone companies.
This particular Boost is owned by Craig Shulman, who also owns the Boost Mobile at 3703 Nostrand Avenue (off of Avenue X).
It was previously an independent retailer of several phone services including Boost and Sprint, and closed in October.
Back in May of 2009, we raved about the
