Brooklyn Heights Blog

Comment from ts
Time: January 21, 2009, 1:37 pm

Could someone plz elaborate on #68?

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 21, 2009, 4:17 pm

70. “Snowball”, the shopping dog. Amazing animal, would go to the store two blocks away at Hicks and Middagh to pick up his owner’s order - wouldn’t give anyone a second look, but stopped and looked both ways at every corner. Australian Shepherd I believe.

71. The Texaco station at the foot of “Suicide Hill” on Fulton St, ice cold Cokes for a nickel.

Anyone remember my mother, Georgia, a waitress at Plymouth Coffee Chop?

Comment from ag
Time: January 21, 2009, 4:43 pm

#38 Which place is the dirty deli? I’m thinking the one on Henry?

Comment from Melanie Hope Greenberg
Time: January 21, 2009, 5:08 pm

Even though I never shoplifted there, thanks for reminding me of the name Jo(e)Mel’s, the variety store that sold greeting cards, toys, stationery, candy, magazines and whatnots.
It was on Montague St near Teresa’s, where the wine shop is now. Mel also worked at Variety Mart, the second hardware store on Montague St in the 80’s.

Comment from bornhere
Time: January 21, 2009, 5:37 pm

The REAL Silver’s, aka Mel’s, was on Montague, across from Key Food, where the Asian restaurant is now. By the time it had moved to near Teresa’s, those of us who had grown up buying “Spauldeen’s” and 5-cent candy bars, were already whining to our own kids about the true, glory days of Silver’s.

Comment from bornhere
Time: January 21, 2009, 5:40 pm

And I’m not so sure Mel (or anyone other than family members) ever worked at Variety Mart.

Comment from lifer
Time: January 21, 2009, 5:46 pm

Thats where I bought my Star War figures and Adventure People

Comment from Teddy
Time: January 22, 2009, 12:41 am

72. You have happy memories as a child going to the Burger King on Montague.

Comment from Andrew Porter
Time: January 22, 2009, 1:45 am

#73. Picketing Pillsbury so when Burger King came to Montague (where Banana Republic is now) it was the classiest looking one in the chain.

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Time: January 22, 2009, 12:44 pm

[...] you’ve played suicide or handball in Love lane, you know you’re from Brooklyn Heights, and 68 more ways to know.. [Brooklyn Heights [...]

Comment from nabeguy
Time: January 22, 2009, 1:20 pm

John, I didn’t think there was another soul alive who remembers “Snowball” and his trips to the deli (owned first by the Schlemers, then the Milans, then it was Hick’s Bros Deli). The only times he was distracted from his duties was when he was trying to hump your leg. All-black coat, hence the name Snowball. Do you remember his owner? And you forgot to mention the best thing about the nickel Cokes…they were in bottles! You stumped me on the Plymouth Coffee Shop…where was that?

Comment from BH
Time: January 22, 2009, 1:33 pm

It’s SIDNEY place, not Sydney. Are you sure you’re from Brooklyn Heights?

Comment from nabeguy
Time: January 22, 2009, 1:50 pm

74. You remember Lee Powell, who stoked the coal-burning furnace and single-handedly shovelled the sidewalks of P.S.8
And his best friend Martin, super of 55 Hicks St. who always had an unlit cigar in his mouth that never was longer than 3 inches.

Comment from Homer Fink
Time: January 22, 2009, 2:06 pm

>>>>It’s SIDNEY place, not Sydney. Are you sure you’re from Brooklyn Heights?<<<<

Yeah, we cut and pasted that directly from the Facebook post. Sorry but our copy editor is in rehab this month.

Comment from stimpson
Time: January 22, 2009, 9:57 pm

THE GOGGLE BROTHERS!!!!!!!!!

Comment from bornhere
Time: January 22, 2009, 10:03 pm

#75 (or 76 — Goggle Brothers IS a must-know): Sauntering in to the Towers Hotel to watch the elegant dinners from the balcony?

Comment from Melissa
Time: January 22, 2009, 10:29 pm

Years ago, my husband swore he saw a dog carrying soup and often I tease him about what I figured was a hallucination. I guess he’s finally vindicated. Thanks for clearing that up.

Comment from cmm
Time: January 22, 2009, 11:06 pm

Lol at Jo-Mel’s and the St. Charles banner, and hell yes to Fascati’s, but SOME of us (especially if you grew up in the Cadman Towers or Concord Village or Peaks Mason Mints or if your dad was the super of a building) went to P.S.8!!!

Comment from SidneyPlaceguy
Time: January 23, 2009, 11:06 am

And why, pray tell, are the people on Sidney place considered crazy? My guess is whoever wrote the original article was from Packer or St. Anns and loved to hang out in groups on someone’s stoop who got fed up with cleaning up after them.

Other than that, perhaps the fact that at one time we had not one but TWO fraternities on the block (one next to the convent) who would throw ridiculous parties (we’re down to one now) with no regard for living in a community. That could drive anyone crazy.

Oh, and how did they miss Ebingers?? And getting your first pair od shoes at Indian Walk. And the fact that everyone called Abraham and Straus “A and S’s.” Oh dear, I’m dating myself.

Comment from Heightsin80’s
Time: January 23, 2009, 1:13 pm

The Wyld Fire topless club… I think it was on Clark St, adjacent to the subway station. Anyone remember it?
How about the Su Su’s Yum Yum truck… Or the record store on Montague near where Jennifer Convertibles is now. And Chuan Yuan, the restaurant above what is now Andy’s on Montague and Henry.

Comment from Lisa
Time: January 23, 2009, 1:59 pm

Anyone remember the stores Meuneirs (sp?) or Netties, or Mr. Goldstein and his son, Howard, who ran the drug store, first on the SW corner of Montague and Hicks and then the NE corner?

Comment from Lisa
Time: January 23, 2009, 2:05 pm

By the way, item #50: St. Ann’s theatre on fire, reminds me that in the 60’s when I went to Packer we had an incident with a student pyromaniac who was setting fires around the school including in the chapel.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:03 pm

Nabeguy:

I lived at the Margaret, Snowball’s owner was the manager of the apt. building at 87 Columbia Heights, lived in a basement apt. I think. Sometimes Snowball would just sit out front by the cellar stairs - loved that dog.

Sounds like we’re of the same generation (I’m 51, grew up in the Heights from roughly `58-`73), I remember our little ventures to the “5 & Dime” on Montague - you didn’t know Gus and Chris, or their sister Helen (wow!) did you? Parents owned the Greek rest. on Cranberry and Henry. The variety store on the corner as well? Melanie, who lived on the first floor in the apt. bldg. at 81 Cranberry? Lol, my true love as a kid, used to sit on her apt. stairs on Sunday morning waiting for her to come home from church. Played stoop ball behind the Margaret on the steps of the brownstone, Willow and Orange.

Plymouth Coffee Shop is now Clarks, corner Henry and Clark. My doctor was Doctor Bailey on Clark St, bet. Henry and Hicks.

You oughta email me, sounds like we’d make great nostalgic penpals. I was the neighborhood terror until my Mother sent me to military school. :)

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:10 pm

Egads, almost forgot a real good one - the “Pam Pam” restaurant on Henry? Remember when the liquor store in the St. George was a luncheonette? Got me hooked on sugar-free fountain sodas, but had the best malted in the world.

Comment from sue
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:12 pm

Lisa, I just mentioned Nettie’s on another comment string, regarding what was there before Burger King (now Banana Republic), it was an “old lady” department store with hats and scarves… I remember the name Muniere’s but not the store. Anyone remember Crocus (where Tango clothing store is now)? They had these tiny rubber animals that I was wild about collecting!

Comment from sue
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:16 pm

Heightsin80’s — I definitely remember the record store, bought Andy Gibb and ELO 45’s there, as well as buttons and patches… and I think they had video games as well (although my usual video game hangout was Scottie’s on Henry Street — I virtually lived there.) Better than the SuSuYumYum truck was the actual restaurant on cranberry and henry, best and cheapest chicken wings, and fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Comment from Lisa
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:21 pm

Sue, thanks for remembering the correct spelling of Muniere’s. It was like the Clay Pot (a store on the Slope); it sold hand made stuff (jewelry, etc.) as I recall. The owner was Paul Muniere and it was located next to the Variety Mart. I also remember the store name, Crocus but not so much the products.

And what about the China Tea Cup? I think it was the first chinese restaurant in the Heights. Based on the headaches my mother would have after eating there, I’m pretty sure MSG was the primary ingredient in every dish.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:36 pm

The “first”, and best in my humble opinion, was the Chinese restaurant in the Bossert. Short ribs to die for. Mexican joint across the street next to the other hotel (for the life of me can’t recall the name, lived there for a couple of months in `60.)

I think the Pam Pam was where Fascati’s is, or perhaps the Chinese restaurant next door. Bought my Beatles .45’s/LP’s on Fulton St. Shopped at A&S, Thom McCann and Martin’s, saw “Planet of the Apes” at the Duffield, had to sneak in though, it was originally rated “R”.

After acting out, spent an hour in the “dungeon” at the old 8-4 on Poplar - learned my lesson, more or less. Beat cops were a different - and better - breed then.

Comment from bornhere
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:42 pm

Lisa- I think you’re right(er) on Meunier’s spelling :) And it was “The New China Teacup.” I’m not sure there was ever any other.
And WAY before Chuan Yuan was Stuff ‘n’ Nonsense, a very cool clothing store run by a “beatnik” couple.

Comment from GHB
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:44 pm

“Planet of the Apes” was rated R? It’s not like the monkeys ran around naked. They were actually really well dressed!

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:47 pm

It was originally rated “R”, they wouldn’t let me in (I was 12?) so my friends opened the side door for me. :)

“Violence” I’m sure, which meant something different in 1971.

Comment from nabeguy
Time: January 23, 2009, 3:49 pm

John, we must know each other somehow, if not by name then by face. By the way, my name is Philip Wilentz and I grew up on Middagh Street. I knew Gus and Chris (and yes, Helen was definitely a wow) in fact Gus’s son is now at P.S. 8 and I see him every morning when I drop my daughter off. Yes, I knew Melanie as well. How about Scott Walsh, the meterologist? And Harry Busk? BTW, wasn’t the Mexican place called OLD MEXICO, or was that the one on Pineapple Street that became a gay bar? And I too can say that I was in the old 84th sweating out the prospect of getting a “JD” card. Too bad McGrath’s isn’t around anymore; I’d treat you to a boilermaker.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 4:07 pm

Nabeguy, I don’t think there’s any question we know each other. Name doesn’t ring a bell, but Melanie, Gus, Chris, myself and some others were all in the same group. We’d hang out by Melanie’s house at 87. I’m the kid who threw a dart that landed in Chris’s head - we were throwing darts at the door wall after they tore down the houses to build Cadman, and I let one fly when Chris went to retrieve another - never lived that down, but then I was about 6 I think. I grew up in the Margaret, did go to military school upstate (67-72) but spent summers and holidays at home. Remember a kid in his uniform? That’d be me. Went to PS8 for first grade, got expelled!! I was incorrigible, ergo, military school. LOL

That’s it, “Old Mexico” - what was the hotel though? We stayed there very briefly before moving into the St. George, and then the Margaret. Last home was 132 Henry St, basement apt., I went to LaSalle Military in 72.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 4:16 pm

Philip:

McGraths! I got busted there - was tossing rocks over the fence into the hole (Cadman Plaza) and some nut who was “prospecting” came flying over the door fence, scared the bejeezus out of me and I ran straight into McGrath’s!

That’s how I wound up in the dungeon for an hour.

Maybe someday I’ll take you up on that boilermaker. I’ve been in Arizona since 82, love it to death, but frankly, The Heights will always be home.

Comment from nabeguy
Time: January 23, 2009, 4:31 pm

That “prospecting” nut, whose name escapes me now, was an urban archeologist long before it became fashionable. Being something of a junior digger myself, he used to show me the great things he’d find, like clay pipes and old wooden buttons.
That’s a funny story about Chris. Were you with him the day he tried to go down the ramp to Squibb Park in a home-made go cart and broke both his legs? He was always know forever after as the Penguin because of the way his feet splayed out after the accident.
Don’t know why I can’t remember you, other than I had the good sense to steer clear, even if I was a bit of an street arab myself. You make John Gargano sound like an alter boy!

Comment from lifer
Time: January 23, 2009, 5:30 pm

As far as Chinese goes, anyone remember China Palace? it was next to or became the Blarney Rose on Court st across from “Pandors’s Box” and Barneys , i think its where Bruno’s housewares is. The best (and only, cause I cant find it anymore ) paper wrap chicken.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 5:40 pm

How was I supposed to know someone was digging down there? :)

We made up later, he showed me his treasure finds as well. I was an egghead, albeit a bit, ahem, hyperactive.

I remember when Chris did that - I also remember another of our buddies getting run over on the BQE, after sledding down the hill, over the field and into traffic - THEN they figured out that a fence might be a good idea. Didn’t matter, no one took the chance after that. We only had the one sled, it was his turn.

Funny thing, there was always animosity after that incident with Chris - for Pete’s sake, I was like 5-6!!!!

We know each other, no question of it. I was a bad one (relatively speaking), but on most given days when I wasn’t getting into everything (or raiding the payphone bank in the St. George lobby for change) I was reading everything on the shelf at the St. George newsstand - it was said they were my best babysitters (the books/comics, not the workers). Remember the deli in the St. George, Clark St. side? They carried exotic foods, like chocolate ants and the like. Broke my arm in the St. George gym, lived at the pool though.

For what it’s worth, I eventually became an altar boy and star pupil. I’d have given my eye teeth to go to St. Charles, but I don’t think my mother could afford it at the time.

So, were you with me and Gus when we decided to throw cherry bombs off the BQE overpass? Maybe when we explored the darkest regions of Plymouth Church, and the Underground Railroad passages to the East River? How about our friend, the Heights Rapist, who lived on Henry - name was Pisjockey or sumthin? No one would have EVER guessed, and he was only like 14/15 or so. Older brother was on junk?

Got a hunch your recollection is better than mine.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 5:50 pm

Sonofagun, NOW I remember you Philip!! We’d play stoop ball sometimes and if I’m not mistaken, stickball at the park down by the bridge? You remember the Brinkman boys?

Comment from melanie hope greenberg
Time: January 23, 2009, 6:46 pm

Is the Variety Mart the hardware store down the steps on Montague St? What was the street level hardware store that closed called? Was it the 5&10? I remember Mel from Jo-Mel’s working in the street level store with another man named Angel, who I still occasionally see in the Heights. I might have gotten the store names mixed up.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 7:17 pm

I think it was down the stairs, and since you mention Angel, I remember him. Also a lady (wife?) who worked there. There was another variety store on Henry where I’d buy kites, Spaldings and balsam planes, across from the grocery/deli on Henry and Orange? If I’m not mistaken, the cashier’s name was Vera. Boy, can’t believe I remember that after 40+ years.

Melanie? Not of 87 Cranberry St?? Say it’s so . . . :)

Comment from bornhere
Time: January 23, 2009, 7:35 pm

Melanie- That wasn’t Mel from Silver’s at the “other” hardware store. Mel was taller and, in an odd way, more user friendly. I loved that hardware store — especially the wood floors that never had been defiled by oodles of polyurethane (or anything more aggressive than a push broom).
John - Now that you’re the go-to guy, can you recall there ever being an Associated on the Fascati’s side of Henry Street? Another BH blogger says there was, and I really can’t remember it. Bohack’s and Einhorn’s, yeah. But an Associated on the west side of Henry???? (And do you remember the pet store where the car service place is now?)

Comment from melanie hope greenberg
Time: January 23, 2009, 7:46 pm

Sowwy…not the Melanie you are looking for. Ok, I’ll take your word for it about Mel, my brain cells misfunction quite often. (Lot’s of Mels around here). Do you remember the children’s bookstore, Cousin Arthur’s, next to Teresa’s? I’d hang out there visiting Bob Tramonte early on in my career and attend cool grownup poetry readings some evenings.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 9:41 pm

Hmmm, I remember Bohack on Henry and Love Ln. (CVS), but no, I don’t remember an Associated, but I’ll take the other blogger’s word for it. Could be, no clear recollection of it. I seem to recall a movie theater on Clark bet. Henry and Clinton? I was a toddler when they tore it down, the row and brownstones that became Cadman when I was perhaps 5 - 1961/2?

The only pet store I remember was The Tailored Pet - Marty and Virginia’s place. Sorry to hear it’s going out of business after all of these years. Marty did a lot of acting, looked forward to seeing him on “Barney Miller” and other shows.

Is BHB the successor, so to speak, of the Heights Press? I’m so happy I found you!!!

Oh, Philip, you MAY know me as Corey - John is my first name but “family” has always called me Corey.

Anyone is welcome to contact me directly at joniola@cox.net, love talking about The Heights.

Comment from Leefamsince WWII
Time: January 23, 2009, 9:52 pm

Baskin Robbins on the corner of Montague and Henry - where Ann Taylor Loft is. Nick and Joe’s Pizza on Court where a deli is now - Queen Pizzaria was the BEST - pizza-guy opened Fascati’s- his photo is on their wall. The back entrance to the library on Clinton - they closed it, but I used to use it after school cos it was “safer” than walking down Court/Cadman. St. Charles used to close Aiken Place for lunch break so the mid-grade kids could use the street to play. Christmas Bazaars at schools,.. sigh,.. I went to St. Charles and will always miss it.
Mr. Butler - (5th grade teacher) was one of the best teachers I ever had.

Comment from Leefamsince WWII
Time: January 23, 2009, 10:08 pm

Hey John W. - Tailored Pet’s employees are negotiating to reopen it. (Serena-Owner passed away about a month ago.)
They’re thinking of having a contest for a new name (they can’t use “Tailored Pet”)

Oh yeah,..more memories - The Cobble Hill Fiveplex used to be called the Rex Cinema and showed mostly karate films.
May Ying Restaurant across from the Rex
Oh, and don’t you miss College Bakery?! They had the best cupcakes, gingerbreadman cookies, and birthday cakes!
What was the name of that great bar/restaurant where the Thrift store on Montague is? and the small pizza place just around the corner on Henry?
The Promenade restaurant where Heights Cafe is, was definitely more down-to-earth and neighbor friendly.
I miss Barney’s on the corner of Livingston and Court! They had nearly everything!
A & S, EJ Korvettes, Woolworth’s, Martins, McCrorys, Mays, Loews Metropolitan, The Duffield, Chock full O’Nuts, Bridge Trimming, Horn & Hardart(?), Fulton Street hasn’t been the same!
Oh! Does anybody remember the REAL ice cream truck - The Good Humor Man, at the Pierrepont playground?!
I looked forward to seeing him every summer! He was always so friendly!

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 23, 2009, 10:38 pm

The Good Humor Man at Pierrepont playground - could set a watch to him, I’d hang out with the doorman at the building across the Promenade entrance waiting for him.

As we got a little older and more rambunctious (and I’d SWEAR Philip was in the group), the liquor store on Hicks and State would sell us alcohol, we’d hang out in Pierrepont playground, OR go down to the docks and climb a rail car, and drink until we got sick. Colt .45, as I recall. Ick.

Saw “The Odd Couple” at the Albee - could sit and watch a movie all day for 75 cents, a real relief when it was hot and humid. We’d venture deown to Red Hook Pool as well, before that became a suicide mission.

As for “The Tailored Pet”, I’m glad to hear it, sorry they’ll lose the name though, it’s an institution and memorial of sorts to Marty and Virginia. Something eminently “Heights” would do nicely.

Zum Zum on Court St? I think the Blimpies on Montague and Court was the original. There was a pizzeria on Montague at Henry as well, and my mother would send me to the “old ladies” clothing store down the block to pick up her britches. :)

I bought more radios at the appliance/radio store on Montague and always ended up losing them.

Yes, we (Chris, Gus, among others) shoplifted at Silvers - I admit it, youthful indiscretion(s)!!!

My stepfather would send me to the Radio Shack off Livingston (?) to test TV tubes and buy a new one.

What was the steak house on Henry (approx. 110) just down the block from Clarks (The Plymouth Coffeeshop), believe it was upstairs, had an awning out front? I’d pester my mother and she’d give me $10 (geez, like $100 now) to go get a steak dinner - I’d go there, or to Armandos.

The Promenade Restaurant was Greek owned. Frequent customer in my early teens, spotted Dustin Hoffman walking down Montague and ran out to say hello. A classmate’s mother was wardrobe mistress on “The Landlord” which they partially filmed on Cranberry and Columbia Heights - got to meet Beau Bridges. Met a lot of celebrities in the Heights.

One of my fondest memories was the smell of roasting coffee which permeated the neighborhood in the morning.

Ah, who remembers the horsedrawn produce cart that came through a couple of times per week? So, I pilfered an apple now and then, so kill me. :)

Oh, the Asian restaurant next to Clarks was a bar and grill, owned by the same guy that owned the Plymouth Coffeeshop.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 24, 2009, 7:46 pm

Philip, did you know Bodkin, who lived on Montague Street?

Email me.

Comment from Anon
Time: January 26, 2009, 3:41 pm

The spelling was definitely “Meuniers” with no apostrophe (I have a jewelery box from there with a Meuniers label–it was at 140 Montague Street, in case you were wondering!)

Also, I remember Crocus, and really liked it. Montague Street had more character in the 70’s.

And the ice cream man at Pierrepont Playground was named Manny, wasn’t he? He was a nice guy.

Comment from John Wentling
Time: January 26, 2009, 7:08 pm

Does the Plymouth Church still have fairs?

The whole neighborhood had more character in the 60’s and 70’s, and lots of characters, too. Lot to be said for local owner/operators versus chains, but such is “progress.”

Don’t recall the Good Humor man’s name, but, when times were tough, I’d go change fishing in the grate at Bohack - ya know, stick with a piece of gum on the end, could usually clear a buck or so after an hour’s work. The grate’s gone I see.

Either that, or collect bottles to return to the deli. Boy, some of the apt. supers sure gave me a hard time, guess I was horning in on their action. :)

Comment from Bill Woerner
Time: January 29, 2009, 12:54 pm

I’m really surprised nobody has mentioned Foffie’s son (the crazy dude with the huge afro who used to rant and rave up and down Montague. The rumor was always that he had a bad trip on acid and never recovered.

I wonder if anyone remembers my family’s restaurant, Woerner’s (151 Remsen)? My great Grandfather started it as a deli down on Bridge St. back in 1938. It moved to 151 Remsen in 1971 and closed in 1994.

Comment from nabeguy
Time: January 29, 2009, 1:13 pm

I remember Kane ranting up and down Montague Street, and that definitely was due to one acid trip too many. He used to talk to the lampposts.

Comment from Brittany
Time: February 14, 2009, 8:15 pm

Does anybody else know anything about the Gargano family?

Comment from PineAppleStreet
Time: June 9, 2009, 5:01 pm

OLD MEXICO the best mexican food !! home made torillas… kick ass fajitas miss that spot!!! plymoth deli the only store with the old english forties and of course the cadman plaza diner came home drunk many times from the city to eat breakfast there 5 in the morning!!!wild fire! lol..being on montague 20 deep skating down montague to the circle..

Comment from nabeguy
Time: June 9, 2009, 7:55 pm

Brittany, what do you want to know? One of them is still in BH.

Comment from Richard Diehl
Time: July 16, 2009, 9:04 pm

Lived in the Heights 1977-84. Worked in all night deli in Clark St. arcade, remember it? Strippers from Wild Fyre club in and out of the place all night.