Open Thread Wednesday

By on November 25, 2020 12:03 am in open thread, Thanksgiving

What’s on your mind? Comment away! To all our readers, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

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  • AEB

    At this oddest of moments, both gripping and endlessly slack, we find ourselves approaching that winter-heralding holiday, Thanksgiving.

    Unlike most others, I’ve never been a great fan of it, but this year sets it apart. Let us be wise and, to the extent possible, keep healthy. The point now is to get through these times in one piece. May I wish one and all thoughtful fortitude–and longevity!

  • Cranberry Beret

    Choo Choo Cuts salon on Montague has rebranded as Capulet’s.

    People connected to Caffe Buon Gusto/Tazza plan another go at the cursed space in 72 Clark and have applied for a liquor license. Remember Bagelady? Mike’s “Kosher” Steakhouse? Tazza North and Mini-Tazza?

  • SongBirdNYC

    Ann Taylor LOFT is closing the Montague Street location, Emack & Bolio’s has closed. Montague BID is giving away $1,000 to 5 lucky shoppers who keep it local. I’ll post it.

  • Local_Montague_Man

    walking down montague st is pretty sad these days. so many vacant storefronts. it was bad pre covid, now it is dire.

  • Jorale-man

    Ouch, that’s a big loss. With LPQ closed next door, almost the entire block is now shuttered except for the Thai restaurant, pet store and a couple others.

    To think when I moved to BH there was a used bookstore, a Banana Republic, Connecticut Muffin and several other good shopping and dining options near there. Let’s hope for some Federal relief in the New Year.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nPOzGeyaw Arch Stanton

    Yeah, I came back to for a brief visit last weekend to check on my apartment. It was indeed pretty shocking to see Montague St like that. Guess I’ll be staying up here for a while…

  • Andrew Porter

    When I posted all those 1940 Montague Street tax photos from the Municipal Archives I was struck by how many “for rent” signs you could see in them. Here’s 129-131 Montague, for instance:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/199969d5ec131f82b14768a959983c6c8e1be5284258d40c6bcfec04afe02855.png

  • Andrew Porter

    Time for another ancient photo. Here’s Court Street looking toward Schermerhorn on October 28, 1928:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/40d5a386e2c60c8c576cd2d4b6c89411877c0fca4f485e34359e36bc5475de85.jpg

  • Andrew Porter

    Bagelady was where some guy named Obama used to buy bagels…

  • Angela De Marco

    That is sad, That strip a retail wasteland.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nPOzGeyaw Arch Stanton

    Interesting to see a “Guns & Ammunition” store in the hood, how times have changed…

  • RickP

    Unusually fine picture. Thanks for posting.

  • AndyHeights

    I agree. I love New York City history and it is fascinating to see the same streets and often the same structures in our neighborhood from over ninety years ago. Thank you and please continue sharing these with us.

  • El

    A question that came to me as I crossed Tillary the other day – is that lane next to the median near Cadman Plaza E officially for parking?? Or have the rogue city parkers moved from the Borough Hall plaza to here? Just surprised to realize that intersection turned into effectively one lane each way!

    Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!

  • Diane W

    The Christmas tree vendor that’s usually in front of Key Food is not there today. Does anyone know what the situation is? And if they’re not gonna be there, can you recommend another fresh tree vendor nearby?

  • KXrVrii1

    I hope they are OK. Was bored so dug around and found this old video from Homer Fink that gives a bit of the history.

    http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/33350

    I believe Patti Romp passed away a few years ago (or maybe she just got a little too old to spend a couple of weeks in a camper in Brooklyn). I think it was her daughter who then took over, but I don’t know her name. Beyond that, I couldn’t find a current web presence for them.

    FWIW, the original business, Romp Family Christmas Trees, has a facebook page and seems to have a set up shop as usual in the village, so it wouldn’t appear to be a quarantine issue.

    Not currently in Brooklyn, but is the one in front of St. Ann’s open? We’ve always used the Romps, but it seems like that one also had nice trees and people.

    And also FWIW, I used to think the tree sellers were tied to specific small family tree farms, but I think most now are just resellers, so probably less quality variation than one would think.

  • Karl Junkersfeld
  • Pierrepont

    I highly recommend the folks who, in past years have set up by the Clinton Street entrance to St. Ann’s and the Holy Trinity. They have lovely trees from Vermont, and maple syrup too. Have not been by recently, but they should appear soon.

  • Peter Darrow

    They set up yesterday but warned that trees are somewhat scarce this year.

  • CHatter

    I thought it was interesting that the stretch of street in this photo was immediately recognizable. Despite the relative grittiness of those blocks today (and despite not being in the landmarks area), they are, at least architecturally speaking, among the best-preserved.

  • CHatter

    We’ve had very good experiences over the years with the nursery next to Hometown BBQ in Red Hook.

  • Diane W

    Thanks for the advice. We purchased a tree from them yesterday and its lovely. We also got a bottle of maple syrup!

  • T.K. Small

    I wonder when Court Street stopped being two-way?

  • Mr. Hicks

    Just read the obit. An amazing woman. Biked from VT to Alaska with her husband AND three children. She was also one of the first women on Stowe’s ski patrol.