SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

A New York court has ordered Faberge Lounge (2007 Emmons Avenue) to pay $25,000 and cease using its current name after the restaurant was successfully sued by Faberge Limited, the luxury European jeweler.

The restaurant’s owners were also ordered to alter its storefront design, which the court determined was too similar to that used by Faberge Limited.

“This is a strong outcome for Fabergé because it shows we can and will protect our interests, even when they extend beyond our core business. This judgment should be a deterrent to prevent future fraudulent attempt at using the Fabergé trademark without the authorisation of Fabergé Limited,” said Fabergé President Robert Benvenuto.

Even before the judge ruled, the restaurant had already covered up its sign, as Sheepshead Bites noted on July 24.

The luxury jewelry designer filed suit in June, claiming that the restaurant’s name and design violated its trademark. They also said that the purple and gold storefront “shamelessly appropriated both the FABERGÉ trademark and Fabergé’s storefront design to impart a luxurious high-end atmosphere for its restaurant.”

The Faberge brand dates back to 1842, and became world famous when they created the first Faberge Imperial Eggs for the Russian Tsar Alexander III. Faberge Lounge opened last year.

Judging from the photo above, it’s probably fair to say that Faberge Lounge at 2007 Emmons Avenue isn’t doing well in its legal struggle with the Faberge jewelry company, who is suing them for trademark infringement.

The restaurant covered up its signage some time last week, according to tipster Eleonora S. It follows the news that the 159-year-old luxury jewelry company filed suit against the restaurant’s owners in early June, claiming the lounge was using its image and trademarked name in a “shameless” attempt to associate itself with the brand.

The company was also ticked off at the use of Faberge’s iconic purple and gold storefront design, which mimics the ornamental eggs it’s most famous for.

The restaurant’s owners at the time the lawsuit was filed defended themselves saying no one would ever be confused between the two.

“We don’t sell eggs here,” owner Vladislav Yusufova told the New York Post. “We don’t sell jewelry. We sell French food in Sheepshead Bay. I don’t know why they are coming after us. I haven’t broken any laws here in America.”

We called to try and get in touch with the owner to confirm that this was a result of the lawsuit, but no one picked up the phone.

The restaurant opened in September 2013, replacing Fusion. It’s owned by the same people behind Signature, the restaurant next door that replaced Tzar. Tzar and Fusion were both shuttered after Superstorm Sandy flooded the property.

Faberge Lounge at 2007 Emmons Avenue is being sued by the 159-year-old luxury jewelry company of the same name for using its image and trademarked name in a “shameless” attempt to misappropriate the brand.

The suit, filed in Brooklyn Federal Court, alleges that the restaurant is using the name without permission to get a “free-ride” on their reputation. In addition to using the name, the restaurant has duplicated the jewelry business’ iconic purple and gold storefront stylings.

Faberge, the jewelry company born of the House of Faberge in 1855 that invented the famed ornamental eggs for Tsar Alexander III, claims that the restaurant is also flooding search engine results with ads for the restaurant, according to the Daily News.

The restaurant’s owners say it’s much ado about nothing, since they’re clearly not selling anything connected to the jewelry company.

They told the New York Post:

But owner [Vladislav] Yusufova ripped the lawsuit as ridiculous.

“We don’t sell eggs here,” he said. “We don’t sell jewelry. We sell French food in Sheepshead Bay. I don’t know why they are coming after us. I haven’t broken any laws here in America.”

Yusufova, originally from Azerbaijan, said that his lawyers would soon be in contact with Faberge’s legal team to sort out the mess. “We have this name legally, and we have nothing to do with them,” he said, noting that he’s been open for a year.

The restaurant opened in September 2013, replacing Fusion. It’s owned by the same people behind Signature, the restaurant next door that replaced Tzar. Tzar and Fusion were both shuttered after Superstorm Sandy ravaged the property.

Members of the community gathered to recognize the efforts of the officers of the NYPD’s Brooklyn Borough South, 60th Precinct, 61st Precinct and 62nd Precinct and the FDNY at the Be Proud Foundation’s annual appreciation luncheon on Friday.

“We’re so happy to share with you this celebration of those who keep us safe,” said Be Proud Foundation Executive Director Raisa Chernina, who noted that it’s also the 10th anniversary of the community booster organization. “I’m so happy to do this for you,” she said to the approximately 20 local officers attending the event.

It’s the eighth year of the event, and was held at the newly opened Signature Restaurant at 2007 Emmons Avenue. Officers were treated to lunch and a live musical performance by Nutsa, a well-known Georgian performer, as well as a barrage of praise from local elected officials.

“I’m so very thankful to see all our defenders, who we’re so grateful for keeping us safe every night,” said Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny, who emceed the luncheon. “We need to build upon the institution of the Community Affairs officers if we want to build a relationship between community and police.”

The event drew other elected officials, including Councilman-elect Chaim Deutsch, Comptroller John Liu, Assemblyman Alan Maisel and representatives for Councilman Lew Fidler, Congressman Michael Grimm, and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein.

A member of the Be Proud Foundation’s board also offered a touching thank you, describing how a family member had fallen in with a bad crowd and became addicted to drugs. With the help of officers from the 60th Precinct’s Community Affairs Unit, the family member is now in rehabilitation and on the right path.

The officers in attendance said they were thankful for the show of support.

“We appreciate things like this,” said Inspector Schell, a former commander at the 60th Precinct who now works out of Brooklyn South. “It’s a sign that our work is beneficial and you like the cops. We’re here to serve you.”

View photos from the event.

A new lounge named Fabergé is slated to open at 2011 Emmons Avenue in about two weeks, a worker told us.

It replaces Fusion, which never reopened after Superstorm Sandy.

The property has the same owner as Signature, the restaurant that opened next door, replacing Tzar.

Thanks to BayResident for the tip.

Photo by Mike Nemoy

From the first stroll down Emmons Avenue after Superstorm Sandy, it was pretty obvious that some of our beloved businesses were unlikely to make a return. It was only a week or so later that we confirmed the first casualty: Mambo Sushi at 2005 Emmons Avenue.

Since then, we’re happy to say almost every single restaurant is back in business. Unfortunately, we’re saddened by the news that Mambo’s neighbor, Tzar (2007 Emmons Avenue), has bitten the bullet, too. The silver lining? At least it’s not vacant space like Mambo.

A new restaurant called Signature Restaurant has put up signs and redone the awnings. They’ve ripped out the fountains by the door. We’ve confirmed it’s under different ownership.

The former owners also owned Fusion, next door to Tzar. Fusion will also not be returning, but it’s not clear yet what’s happening with that spot.

To the restaurant’s new owners: welcome. To the former owners: good luck on your future ventures.

Above is the fourth of four videos, in which NYPD Community Affairs officers give tips to the community. In this video, officers give several crime prevention tips, including a rundown of several programs offered at all local precincts to help you protect your property.

The videos come from a recent event in which NYPD officers from the 60th Precinct, 61st Precinct, 62nd Precinct, 70th Precinct and Brooklyn South’s Community Affairs Unit converged on Tzar Restaurant (2007 Emmons Avenue), for the first ever Community Awareness Meeting organized by the Be Proud Foundation and the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District.

Click here to see their video on bullying.
Click here to see their video on preventing cell phone theft.
Click here to see their video on identifying drug use among kids.

Last week we brought you the first two NYPD Community Affairs Unit’s safety tips videos. This is the third of four, in which the officers talk about drug use among children and teens, and how parents and educators can spot bad habits.

The videos come from a recent event in which NYPD officers from the 60th Precinct, 61st Precinct, 62nd Precinct, 70th Precinct and Brooklyn South’s Community Affairs Unit converged on Tzar Restaurant (2007 Emmons Avenue), for the first ever Community Awareness Meeting organized by the Be Proud Foundation and the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District.

Click here to see their video on bullying.
Click here to see their video on preventing cell phone theft. 

Yesterday we brought you a video of NYPD Community Affairs officers providing tips to prevent cell phone theft. Today we have a video for parents on how to identify and prevent bullying, regardless of whether their child is the bullied or the bully.

The videos come from an event last Thursday in which NYPD officers from the 60th Precinct, 61st Precinct, 62nd Precinct, 70th Precinct and Brooklyn South’s Community Affairs Unit converged on Tzar Restaurant (2007 Emmons Avenue), for the first ever Community Awareness Meeting organized by the Be Proud Foundation and the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District.

NYPD officers from the 60th Precinct, 61st Precinct, 62nd Precinct, 70th Precinct and Brooklyn South’s Community Affairs Unit converged on Tzar Restaurant (2007 Emmons Avenue) last Thursday, for the first ever Community Awareness Meeting organized by the Be Proud Foundation and the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District.

The event brought together business owners and community leaders from Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach with the police officers, allowing them to express gratitude and discuss local issues one-on-one.

“I strongly believe the NYPD cannot do its job without us, without the community. And the community cannot function without the NYPD,” said Be Proud Executive Director Raisa Chernina.

Brooklyn South’s Community Affairs Unit produced four presentations for the event, providing tips about cell phone safety, bullying, drugs and general crime prevention.

Above is the video on cell phone safety, one the leading crimes across New York City, and the primary factors comprising the sharp rise in robbery rates over the last two years.

Each of the three remaining presentations will be published on Sheepshead Bites once a day this week.