Open Thread Wednesday 5/26/10

Brownstoner notes that Design Within Reach is having a hard time. They asked for a 40 percent reduction in rent, but received a 20 percent reduction from their landlord. One of their Manhattan stores recently closed.

Brownstoner also reports on the continued saga of 31 Joralemon Street, who side wall was entirely removed. The story is here:

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/05/updates_at_31_j.php

does anyone know the specifics/details of the construction on the B Bridge?
Is the traffic only being shut down at night?
Is it only manhattan bound?
What about the ped/bike path?

{ugh}

That’s too bad about DWR. From a purely marketing standpoint, they could a better job with their window displays. It’s hard to see much of what’s inside the store just by walking by. And all those people sitting around at desks might create a slightly off-putting atmosphere. You worry you’re going to get hounded by a salesperson the minute you walk in. But they are one of the more interesting shops on Montague and it would be a shame to see them leave.

I hope DWR manages to stay in that spot. Agreed, they need to work on presence. There is a sense of interrupting something when you walk in and the 3-4 employees are clumped in a corner talking/whispering among themselves. Not the most comfortable retail atmosphere. But I do love their furniture. High end retail should be aiming to make themselves more welcoming, not less. We already know it’s cool stuff.

Biff, I know a little, but not as much as some others. Are you getting a cat for the champs?

Morning Biff, Cobble. I was hoping Pier 6 would open by this weekend, but I think I read something about June 8th. Dog run looks great. But there’s no cat run!

DIBS, How are you feeling today? Any better?

I just realized that’s where I left my shoes! ^^^ I wasn’t wearing them when I got home last night.

Do you people (Biff excepted) even *live* in brooklyn heights?

Hi jessi, No, I don’t live in B. Heights. I live in Cobble Hill.

Ah, DIBS, your question is apparently answered by CGar…

Do you think we are appreciated pver here??? Does anyone in BH have a sense of humour??

We played pool last night, DIBS, some of us, not including me, were ‘closet pool sharks’.

Biffy – Kitty Kats are Kool for Kids. (Not a site, a suggestion.)

Yeah, CDog almost took an 8 ball to the head.