SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Is the landmarked Lundy’s building better off as a grocery store? That’s the way Crain’s New York makes it sound.

An article published over the weekend takes a look at Cherry Hill Gourmet Market nearly a year after its grand opening. What they found is a thriving business that they say locals need more than another restaurant. And maybe they’re right, which could have powerful implications on the Sheepshead Bay Special Zoning District, the law that determines what kind of businesses can operate on the Emmons Avenue waterfront.

Keep reading to see what Crain’s had to say, and my take on what Cherry Hill’s success means for Sheepshead Bay.

Photo by Ray Johnson

Meet Layne Mosler, a “food pilgrim” and blogger over at Taxi Gourmet. Mosler is on a never-ending journey to seek out the city’s top cuisine, as dictated by those who know New York the best: taxi drivers.

In an article for the food culture newsletter Tasting Table, Mosler rounded up what she and taxi drivers consider the yummiest bowls of soup. On the list? Sheepshead Bay’s Cherry Hill Restaurant and Gourmet Market at the old Lundy’s building (1901 Emmons Avenue).

She writes:

The borscht and the fish soup–with big chunks of salmon, leeks, carrots and scallions–are worth a sit-down at this Russian super-deli in Brighton Beach. If you want to skip the upstairs café, takeout highlights include potato-battered chicken stuffed with mushrooms, stewed cabbage and ‘Caucasian’ salad with roasted eggplant, tomato and cilantro.

That’s right, Sheepshead Bay is apparently now an extension of Brighton Beach. We’ll give her a pass… this time.

Neighbors, local politicians, and Hollywood celebrities packed into the landmarked Lundy’s building as its latest tenant, Cherry Hill Gourmet Market, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday. Cherry Hill management catered to a crowd of nearly a thousand with mountains of food prepared in its own kitchen.

In attendance was Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, a martial arts star who has appeared in movies including Mortal Kombat and Memoirs of a Geisha, and is currently working on Tekken. Two other martial arts stars accompanied him, circulating amongst Sheepshead Bay residents while nibbling food and posing for photos.

“What I like most about [Cherry Hill Gourmet Market] is how much attention they made to making it a classy environment,” said Tagawa. “It makes you feel at home and makes you feel you want to come here and hangout.”

Tagawa said he’s visited Sheepshead Bay’s waterfront before and likes the neighborhood. “Especially in the summer, with all the girls,” he noted. “It’s hard for American women to compete with Russian women. Russians are beautiful with ease, and American women have to work at it.”

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz stopped by before the crowds to strike a pose with management and employees. He quickly expired his Russian vocabulary, repeating “da-da” and “spociba” between photos. Other politicians showed up, including Republican contender for the 46th City Council district, Gene Berardelli, and would-be City Council candidate Simon Belsky, among others.

The event pulled in hundreds of people, ciphoning street traffic with an outdoor buffet and an additional one indoors. Residents overall seeemed eager at the prospect of free food, devouring tray after tray of assorted rices, meats, finger foods (including cocktail shrimp and even lobster), and salads. David Isaev, owner, and his right-hand man, Moisha, seemed satisfied with the turnout, but asked that we don’t quote them and instead “Talk to the people.”

Russian and non-Russian residents alike seemed to enjoy the all-out event.

“Everything’s perfect,” swooned Eugena Dokhno. She and her husband Alex came to Cherry Hill to shop, but saw the event and put their baskets down.

“It’s beautiful,” said Alex. “It’s a very good kitchen” with excellent food, he added.

The controversy over Cherry Hill‘s alleged zoning violations didn’t temper praise for their food. Judd Fischler, president of the 60th Precinct Community Council, reminisced about the grandeur of  the old Lundy’s restaurant, which he patronized in earlier years. He noted that though zoning ordinances ought to be followed, the owners of Cherry Hill had put together an impressive market and cafe.

“As far as this is concerned, it’s definitely a magificent place. It’s out of the ordinary,” said Fischler. “You couldn’t get back the spirit of the old place, but it’s still Lundy’s. I’m not going to tell you it’s not good because there’s a violation.”

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There’s a lot of hustle-and-bustle going on at the landmarked Lundy’s building, as Cherry Hill workers prepare for their grand opening event. Sure, it’s coming more than four months after their actual opening, but the gourmet market has been embroiled in controversy and was keeping a low profile.

Well, say goodbye to those days. Though still squabbling with the Department of Buildings over a stop work order that continues to keep the restaurant portion shut, the owners have decided to shed the meekness and are preparing for quite the launch tonight. We saw workers stocking shelves, preparing tasting tables, and tying balloons all about. But in addition to free food and a come-one-come-all invite to the neighbors, tonight’s seating area will sport a VIP section, complete with a secret celebrity guest. David Isaev, Cherry Hill’s owner, was tight-lipped about who it was, but did note, “He’s coming all the way from Hollywood.” We’re hoping it’s Shawne Merriman, so we can thank him for doing what we’ve all wanted to do to the icon of L.A.’s talentless hackery.

When: 6 p.m. tonight
Where: Lundy’s, duh! — 1901 Emmons Avenue (corner of Ocean Avenue)
Free food and seating for all.

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Why we all need to be just like Barack Obama for yet another reason: The man’s got some reflex! He’s able to hit and kill a moving fly as if his hand’s a frog’s tongue.

This particular move would have come in handy for me, recently when I visited Che — oops, no names — a certain new pre-prepared food/grocery store at 1901 Emmons Avenue to have lunch. There were so many flies hanging around that my friend and I got turned off and went to Del Mar, instead.

The doors were all open and it was a nice day out, but the flies seemed to like the food inside better than the junk food dog owners so nicely leave out on the streets for the flying guests.

It’s true that most of the pre-made food is displayed in the refrigerated glass cases — but, still, flies don’t seem to fit into the decor.

With all the controversy surrounding the place, management must have kept all the doors open to clear up any confusion for customers about whether or not they were open for business.

The goal here is not to ruin anyone’s ability to make millions. But, really, these guys are professionals, have built at least one other successful store, and know how to make it in business. The owners are tough enough to fight the city. Why not the flies?

So, like I mentioned a few months ago to the Ocean Avenue Bagel store: why not try some “Air Curtains & Air Doors”?

In the meantime, I’ll keep watching that video of Obama annihilating the fly. Maybe, I’ll catch some of his skill. Otherwise, I won’t be able to do the food review I know you’re all looking forward to reading.

If the store has since installed the air curtains, please let me know. I’d like to come out of this exile to try some stuffed cabbage.

(Image courtesy of Animation Library)

With all the rah-rah over the newly-renovated Cherry Hill side of the Lundy’s building, it’s easy to forget the rest of the enormous landmark. The forgotten parts are in dire need of some TLC.

As the years have gone by, the facade has taken a beating, and the building’s trademark awnings are ratty and stained. The stains that are on those awnings must be hard to remove, because even on some of the renewed awnings, light stains can be seen.

The other restaurants that are housed in the buildings don’t seem to be too concerned about the eyesore awnings. It might be, though, a matter of budget.

Whatever it is, now that the awnings on one half of the building are shiny and re-newed, the old ones just stick out so much more.

With all the talk at civic meetings about giving back to the ‘community’, it’s a wonder that the Cherry Hill Gourmet Market didn’t clean up the rest of the building’s facade when they were renovating their side. We know they don’t have to, but we’re thinking that such a goodwill gesture just might endear them a little to those who they perceive to be against them.

It also calls the responsibilities of the owners of the building into question. Don’t the owners need to be concerned about losing tenants, if the landmark building looks brand-spanking new on one side and sad and beaten on the other side?

The Cherry Hill Gourmet Market and Restaurant has installed speakers outside of the Lundy’s landmark building’s facade.

On the Ocean Avenue side, there are speakers set underneath the windows to serenade those seated at the cafe tables. On the Emmons Avenue side, there is a small speaker set up between the windows, with holes already drilled for what might be a complete surround sound system. There, also, appear to be spots painted over as if it was a drill misplacement that had to be covered over.

Passersby noted that the music blaring loudly made them feel like they were in a European techno dance club. Which might not necessarily be such a bad thing, except that the already busy Ocean and Emmons intersection will be at a standstill with rubberneckers checking the moves.

A few of the comments that could be heard were: “Not a nice effect”, “Feels like Eurotrash,” and “Let’s go eat somewhere quiet, can’t relax over there.”

Since I’m a neutral party on this whole thing, I had to show them all my poker face. While most every bone in my body was goin’ Lady GaGa with the beat of the club mix version blaring out the speakers, “She’s got to love nobody“.

Since the Cherry Hill Market and Restaurant is open 24 hours, bloggers will be able to go under the cover of night to get their sidewalk beat on. See ya there!

(Photo by Ray Johnson)

Cherry Hill Restaurant and Gourmet Market at Lundy’s received two violations this morning, just hours into their first full work day. The establishment’s existing partial stop work order was also upgraded to a full stop work order, which requires Cherry Hill to pay the city $5,000.

The market first opened its doors to the public yesterday evening in spite of a standing partial stop work order issued in early April. The new violations are for operating without a valid certificate of occupancy and a violation of non-conformity with zoning. In addition to the $5,000 fine, Cherry Hill may receive additional penalties to be decided at an Environmental Control Board court hearing on June 29th.

David Isaev, Cherry Hill’s owner, says he doesn’t care about the violations or fines. Talking on the phone, he seemed fed up with the politics. “I think it’s unfounded,” he said. “We have a responsibility to our employees who expect to go to work and support their families… these are real people.” Cherry Hill has 120 employees.

The issuing of violations suggests the city is siding with opponents of the establishment, including Community Board 15 Chairperson Theresa Scavo, State Senator Carl Kruger and City Councilman Michael Nelson, who say Cherry Hill needs more floor space dedicated to a restaurant in order to meet the requirements of the Special Sheepshead Bay District Zoning. Scavo says the violations are not likely to force it to cease operations, though.

“This is not going to stop them at all,” says Scavo. “They have an attitude that they’ll make a restaurant when they get around to it.”

Isaev, though, says he already has restaurant seating for up to 400 people. “How much more do you want?” he says.

A certificate of occupancy is required by the city to prove that the building is not only legally occupied, but also has been inspected by government officials and shown to meet all safety standards. This includes proof that all construction, electrical and plumbing work has been done to city standards. Cherry Hill opened with an expired temporary certificate of occupancy.

These developments are of little surprise to those who attended last night’s Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Association meeting. When the Cherry Hill issue came up for discussion, many (including Scavo) were confused about whether the store was open. According to attendees, Ken Lazar, the Inter-governmental Liaison for the DOB, boldly stated, “If it’s open, we’ll shut it down.”

Of course, that’s unlikely to happen. The DOB doesn’t have the authority to close a business. However, it can continue to levy violations and fines so long as Cherry Hill serves customers.

In order to avoid that, Cherry Hill will have to close its doors and either convert the property to conform to legal zoning standards – which means a higher percentage of floor space given to its restaurant, or can seek a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals. The latter would leave the space unused for up to 9 months.

Isaev says he plans to meet with DOB officials to see what needs to be done, but he doesn’t plan on closing his store. He says the consistent issuing of stop work orders and violations is a “little weird” since they began when the building was 98% completed. “Every step of the way we were checked and approved by inspectors,” he says.

“Life is a fight,” Isaev adds. “The community knows we’re here to make the community better. So, if a few politicians are against us – we’ll fight City Hall.”

Shortly after our post this afternoon stating that Cherry Hill Market at Lundy’s was fully stocked, though still closed, the restaurant/market – or market/restaurant – opened for business.

We stopped by this evening and found samples spread out on a table for all to try. The cash registers were cha-chinging as the first customers filed through with their purchases. Food servers at the sample table told us the establishment officially opened for business around 4pm or 5pm. Staff also informed us that this was not the “grand opening”. Instead it was a “soft opening” – a smart move given the heated controversy surrounding the store.

Speaking of which, we weren’t able to ask the owner, David Isaev, about the stop work order, but the document on the building’s front door makes it seem as if the store’s management believes that the situation has been resolved.

Meanwhile, at the Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic Association meeting, board members were puzzled as to the status of the establishment, and hinted at the possibility of challenging Cherry Hill’s decision to open.

We’re still uncertain as to the status of the stop work order and the legality of the opening. We expect more information tomorrow.

The doors of the famed Lundy’s building were locked and the sentry posted at the front entrance in recent days was nowhere to be found. But, what was to be found?

Through the smudged window where curiosity-seekers had put their faces up to the glass to see what was going on inside, we could see all sorts of groceries and goods.

Fresh flowers on the tiered platform. Nuts in plastic bags. Chocolates. Refrigerator full of what looked like Sabra Mediterranean products. Cheerios and boxes of cereal stacked high. Oh, and yes, the baskets. Who can forget those thousands of dust collecting baskets hanging upside down from the ceiling?

There are no grand opening signs — but, there is a signed Letter of Completion issued to George Guttmann (of 2300 E 13 St) on April 4, 2009 by the Borough Commissioner of Brooklyn, though.

Maybe at tonight’s meeting, we’ll hear more about when the store will be open.

Or, maybe not. Accurate information about the store has been very hard to get. So hard, in fact, it’s beginning to look like management is not really “opening up” to the community at all.

If anyone knows when the store will open for business, please let us know.