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.
After much waiting by frustrated bargain seekers, it looks like Loehmann’s Sheepshead Bay location is opening this Thursday, February 11, and we’re happy to see that one of the pillars of the Emmons Avenue economy is getting back on its feet.
Loehmann’s (2027 Emmons Avenue) has sent out notices to local customers and through its Facebook account about this week’s opening. The store has been closed since a November 21 fire ripped through XO Creperie next door. Loehmann’s originally planned to reopen after Thanksgiving, but later sent out a notice to “Loehmann’s E-mail Insider” subscribers saying they would remain closed until further notice.
Still, the two other businesses on the second floor of Loehmann’s Seaport Plaza remain closed – probably for good. Fire damage at XO Creperie spills out onto the patio’s ceiling, and Passage looks abandoned (which didn’t stop amNY from recommending a meal there last week).
Armenian restaurant Garden Bay Cafe (1788 Sheepshead Bay Road) has renovated its location and tossed up a new sign. According to a member of the family that owns the restaurant, they’ve also done some work on their menu by expanding the offerings. We hope that doesn’t mean they’ve removed classics like the blackened trout Village Voice gushed over. (UPDATE: Apparently the sign isn’t finished yet. It should be ready in about a week.)
Down the block, Ginger Rose Hair Design Studio (1804 Sheepshead Bay Road) has closed two thirds of its storefront operation for renovations. They’re still open for business and expect to finish the work in about a month.
We also just got word that Chop Stix Stir-Fry, Asian Noodle, Sushi, & Grill … err… Chop Stix (3790 Nostrand Avenue), formerly known as Peking Kitchen, got its hands on a liquor license and is now serving up sake and other booze.
Finally, it looks like Brand Z For Less (1805 Avenue U) got an extension to its lease. The sign that went up a few weeks ago saying “Must Vacate January 31st” now says “Must Vacate February 28th.”
Employees at Brand Z For Less have confirmed that the business is closing on January 31st. There’s a big sign up at the 1805 Avenue U location. We haven’t been able to reach an owner to find out whether it’s a lease, business, personal or some other issue, but we wish the owners and employees the best of luck. ‘Til then, any speculation about what will become of the space?
Grand Bazaar, a new gourmet supermarket opening at 2424 Coney Island Avenue (off of Avenue U), has construction nearly all wrapped up and hopes to be stocked and ready to go by late-February. Owner Adam Dasdemir said the market will be open 24 hours, and a grand opening is being planned shortly after next month’s “soft opening” to allow for employee training.
Like other local gourmet markets, Grand Bazaar will offer a mixed selection of fruits, vegetables, packaged foods, prepared foods and baked goods. There will be a small seating area and parking for about 15 cars.
Before working on Grand Bazaar, which replaces a local diner that bit the dust at least three years ago, Dasdemir ran an upscale Turkish restaurant and club in uptown Manhattan. He also owns Adam’s hair salon on Kings Highway for more than 20 years.
We’ve been getting a lot of e-mails about the status of Loehmann’s department store at Loehmann’s Seaport Plaza (2027 Emmons Avenue). We were surprised to see that they’ve stayed closed so long, and calls to Loehmann’s corporate offices went unreturned. We were lucky enough to stop by last week as a contractor was at work. Though he didn’t want to say anything officially, he told us Loehmann’s planned to reopen in early February, but judging from the progress he didn’t think that was a likely goal. On the upside, Loehmann’s is using the opportunity to totally renovate its location, and you can see in the photos that carpeting, ceiling tiles, and other accoutrements are being torn out to make way for some new flash.
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Remember Socks & More…, the Sheepshead Bay Road “designer boutique” that used to have two of its three walls covered in crazy socks? Yeah, those made great gifts for the people in your life who ask very little of you. I bought my mother a few pairs…
Well, Socks & More… has changed its name to Little Angel, and moved from its 1409 Sheepshead Bay Road spot to 1605 Avenue Z, which D & J Elite Boutique vacated back in October by orders of the city marshal. Across the street from Bagel Boy, the new digs have a lot more space. My photo is a few weeks old now, thus the papered window, but the business is now open. We stopped in there and saw the owners have taken advantage of the larger shop by expanding stock, so if you need to pick up some onesies go and check them out.
Oh, and they don’t have that awesome selection of socks anymore. I guess kids’ clothes sell better. Boohoo…
Arthur shamelessly advertises his car service, thinking the editors will never notice
Remember all that Walgreens coverage we brought you this past summer and fall? Well, here’s a little more for you.
Starting Saturday, December 19, the Coney Island Avenue and Avenue W location will remain open an extra two hours every day – to close at midnight – until Christmas Eve, on which it will close early at 6 p.m. Hey, Walgreens’ employees deserve some family time, too!
Additionally, way back when Sheepshead Bites first started coverage of Walgreens we suggested that they install a sturdy bench outside to give their customers and pedestrians a place to rest while waiting for the bus, especially if they are carrying heavy bags. Well, it looks like they decided to follow my advice! That’s pretty awesome. You know folks, I gotta say, so far my only complaint as a consumer about this location is that they constantly run out of ketchup. I mean, seriously, four rows for mayonnaise and only one for ketchup?! C’mon!
Following the weekend’s fire at XO Creperie, Loehmann’s in Loehmann’s Seaport Plaza has announced they will be closed throughout the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Signs at the store previously said they’d open today, but these mailers went out to “Loehmann’s E-mail Insider” subscribers, leading one Sheepshead Bites reader to write in, “ugh this bums me out. they were having a sale. 50% off already reduced!”
Bummer. The store will stay closed until further notice. The ground-level businesses remain open.
UPDATE: We’ve heard that management is telling people that they’re rushing the cleanup to try and reopen in time for Black Friday. It’s still uncertain.
Calling all fashionistas! It’s All About Me Now opened its doors two weeks ago on Avenue U near Gerritsen Avenue. Selling clothing, shoes, purses, and accessories, they take up two storefronts, including one previously occupied by the short-lived Rosco’s Doggy Day Care.
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.
