The Brooklyn Heights Association writes in its recent newsletter that a lack of landlord creativity in tenant searches is the main reason for the abundance of redundant and uninspiring restaurants on Henry Street. It also draws a comparison to Smith Street's Restaurant Row saying that the strip is now saturated with eateries with many of "the originals" being forced out by high rents.
BHB says we should be so lucky to have a problem like the over-saturation of Smith Street. The worst restaurant there would have a very good shot at being the best one on Henry Street today (with apologies to Henry's End and Noodle Pudding which we visit frequently).
The BHA also suggests that Henry Street would be a fine place for small boutiques. We couldn't agree more. A great example of this would be a recent Smith Street addition — Flight 001 a wonderful travel based gift shop.
As for the latest debuts on Henry Street — Food Maestro, Aficionada, Le Petite Marche, the Blue Pig Party Place and Blue Pig Ice Cream — the only one that looks like it will make it through 2007 is Blue Pig Ice Cream.
The BHA adds that without a Henry Street merchant's association there's no one to motivate landlords to break the vicious cycle of mediocrity.
On another note, kudos to Fascati Pizza for repairing their sign we pointed out in an earlier report.