Open Thread Wednesday

By on November 29, 2023 8:17 am in open thread

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

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  • Andrew Porter

    Mechanics Bank Building, corner of Montague and Fulton (now Cadman Plaza West) in 1909. This gorgeous building was demolished and replaced by the bland structure there now:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1049bd12a5ae56e163513cb724b82a9f6d67ef109404316ccecd1527422821fe.png

  • Cranberry Beret

    Taboonette on Montague St opened this week. Menu sounds great, looked busy at lunchtime yesterday. Wishing them success!

  • Andrew Porter

    Another view of the same intersection, this a 1915 postcard showing the El, the park in front of now-Borough Hall, and the Brooklyn Eagle Building in the distance, Every structure has been demolished and replaced.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a3f52bbcecd0f42bb067baa1fbc3df42e751852da3f83956ede26b904673c307.png

  • Jorale-man

    Tragic decision. The building on the left looks impressive too.

  • RW

    Now that Mattress Mart is gone I wish Lassen & Hennigs would expand to include an indoor cafe and stay open a bit later. Smith St. has Mia’s Bakery, Williamsburg has Martha’s, and the East Village has Veniero’s. I think a bakery with seating would do well in the Heights.

  • RW

    I’m excited to check it out

  • Red Leader

    I do wish Lassen would stay open a bit later. also, I wish L’apartment 4f would move across the street to the mattress space. Wouldn’t that be great?

  • RW

    That would be great! Though I feel like they’ve put too much money into designing their current space to move any time soon.

  • Mediterranean Food Fan

    Just had my first meal there, and it was SPECTACULAR. Highly authentic, fresh — everything you could ask for. The pita is divine, the sabich and lamb are amazing. The falafel is perfectly spiced.

    Full disclosure, I am a Taboonette virgin. Never been before to any of their locations before. I’m VERY IMPRESSED. A great addition to the neighborhood.

  • Jorale-man

    Looked at the forms on the former Rite Aid building at Clinton & Joralemon today – no great revelations. There’s a work permit assigned to Hamoud Construction Co. for “interior cleanup” of the space. It looks like it will be some kind of store but it’s hard to say what yet.

  • Red Leader

    And it is kind of perfect right now I’ll give them that.

  • Peter Darrow

    On the topic of empty storefronts, the supervisor of the Happy Days renovation says that a new diner is taking the space.

  • Andrew Porter

    Don’t know if anyone noticed, but Lassen & Hennigs closed their Court Street outlet some months ago.

  • Andrew Porter

    They’re going to have to start from scratch. The interior was gutted.

  • T.K. Small

    I can accept the 16 Court St. replacement, but the building on the right is spectacular and should not have been torn down. The replacement building is terrible. It would be great to know the architectural/engineering back story.

  • Sweeties

    Compared to the very high bar, set by Tutt Cafe on Hicks. How does it do?

  • Fruity

    I wonder should the congestion pricing initiative be finalized could BH see a greater volume of commuters parking in the area…granted parking is bad, but could get worse on ASP days.

  • TeddyNYC

    That building really was gorgeous. I’m curious why they demolished it. The only reason I can think of is it would’ve been too expensive for the owner to renovate/upgrade to modern standards.

  • RW

    I did notice that. I wonder why? They always had long lines when I was there.

  • RW

    That’s good news! I passed by the other day and saw a crew tearing out the inside. Wondered what was up.

    Also, (re: empty storefronts) the fruit and veg stand outside Sephora seems to be gone now. That had been around for years.Does anyone know what happened?

  • Banet

    The produce stand moved when the construction across the street started. To get the fruit there a large van had to park in the curbside lane for extended periods. The van actually sat there pretty much 24/7. Did someone live on the van to guard the produce? I don’t know, but that curb lane is now a travel lane, not a parking lane. So goodbye produce stand… for now at least.

  • Red Leader

    I want to know this too. And lets not forget Fatoosh or Height’s Falafel. : ) So many great options in BH!

  • Andrew Porter

    Brooklyn Only Foods, 78 Henry Street, is apparently closed. I asked the next door business and they said they were out of business.

  • Jorale-man

    I sort of doubt it will have a major impact here. People who know this neighborhood know there’s very little free street parking to begin with. Some of the garages in the area could see an uptick. Of course, if you watch local TV news, they act as if the world is coming to an end as they interview every other driver in NY (but never environmental or transit experts).

  • Banet

    We ate at Taboonette last night. Delicious food. Extremely fresh. Extremely thoughtful. Lovely owner.

    Maybe it’s just the variety but I definitely prefer it to Tutt or Fatoosh. Give it a try.

  • Andrew Porter

    Of course, two indoor garages—on State Street and at the intersection of College Place and Love Lane (see below)—were turned into housing.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/652f749bce4ad24c912b2bbc9f71876b48a4f4792eb1c5cc4ce2d372c839152b.png

  • s Mediterranean Food Fan

    Taboonette is in its own league with the authenticity and freshness. Really something else.

  • Sweeties

    I see. Good luck with your new restaurant. I look forward to trying it out.