Open Thread Wednesday 3/25/09

By on March 25, 2009 7:58 am in Brooklyn Heights
BHB Photo Club pic by fkuffel via Flickr

BHB Photo Club pic by fkuffel via Flickr

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

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  • AEB

    Has any one had experience dealing with Browning Frames on Cranberry?

    I recently went there to inquire about whether a certain kind of framing could be done. The attitude of the proprietor, Katy Browning, was, shall we say, cavalier about doing the job.

    She said that she’d make some necessary inquires and call me, which she didn’t. I called her, and she told me she’d call me back within the hour. Which didn’t happen. Etc.

    Of course I’d prefer greater courtesy. Or even (politic) forthrightness about rejecting work one doesn’t want.

  • Publius

    I recently had one framing job done by them. It took two weeks for a simple job, the price was high, but the results were good.

  • Josh

    Be careful of the puffy salad bags…

    Learned the hard way that you can get very sick from eating foods that aren’t stored at the proper temperature.

    Got “food poisoning” from some pre-packaged salad at Key Food

    Found out that if the bags are “puffy” it means they haven’t been stored at the right temperature even if the salad itself looks fine they have begun fermenting/decompising releasing high amounts of CO2. When this is then eaten you get violently ill (vomiting/ diarrehea)

    Not fun….

  • AEB

    Thanks, Publius…

  • GHB

    I just brought something in to Browning. Katie said “2 to 3 weeks, but maybe sooner.” Saturday will be 3 weeks. Hmmm….

  • bornhere

    I think the “downstairs guys” on Montague Street are excellent framers. I know their shop doesn’t ooze elegance, but I have had valuable (irreplaceable oils) and not-so-valuable (magazine pictures, etc) things framed/matted there, and I have not been disappointed. Their prices are fair, and the turn-around time is sensible. (I also like that they have been there for quite awhile, now.)

  • Homer Fink

    We use Katy all the time. If you have special pieces you’d like done is well crafted frames, she’s your go-to person.

  • Monty

    I second bornhere. The Montague guy framed a wedding photo for me and did a great job and he did it quickly and at a good price.

  • http://www.pievscake.com Evan

    I don’t know if this has been mentioned here before, but I wanted to express my deep sorrow that the video store on Montague will be closing in the next couple months! I love that shop and the owner always gives me a break on late fees.

    Boo! Stupid recession/changing face of movie distribution.

    Evan

  • epc

    So, any thoughts on the MTA doomsday plan? NY State Government (of either party) seems to be intent on destroying the NYC area economy so that a precious few don’t have to pay tolls on the bridges. For every driver stuck in traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, there’s tens, hundreds of commuters who will be stuck on a platform in Borough Hall waiting for the reduced service trains. But hey, let’s continue to subsidize motorists in the city and state with our income tax dollars.

  • AEB

    Would one of you who recommended the “downstairs” framer on Montague kindly tell me exactly where they are?

    Thanks.

  • Topham Beauclerk

    Jubilee Gallery on Henry and Clark is very good for framing, on a level with the old Summa Gallery where Mac Cosmetics is now. Its owner, Steve, is also a movie star; he played the doctor in Hannah and Her Sisters.

  • Neighborhood Observer

    I’ll second the recommendation for Jubilee Gallery. Steve signs the back of items so elegantly that if you get tired of the framed image you can turn it around and enjoy his fine penmanship.

  • bornhere

    AEB: 138 Montague (according to “the Google”). (South side of the street, between Henry and Clinton.)

  • AEB

    Thanks so much, bornhere….

  • anon

    I recommend Perfect Corner on Smith St and Carroll St (www.perfectcorner.com). Great work, and after checking prices at other stores, low prices. It is family owned and they are members of the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) and Fine Art Care Treatment Standards (FACTS). They’ve done original lithographs, prints, and replaced the glass on a vintage Maxfield Parrish Daybreak for us. Well recommended.

  • anon

    Onto another topic:
    With no disrespect to BHB or CHB, I also visited Gowanus Lounge for my daily update of info. Now that Guskind has passed, I’m missing him and my daily feedbag of supplemental news, which also provided opportunities for regular procrastination at work. Any suggestions for a replacement? It needs great and interesting Brooklyn news and regular updates, along with witty and charming writing and stories. I’ll stop before it begins to sound like a personal ad…:)

  • Homer Fink

    @anon 11:12am : We’re increasing our Carroll Gardens coverage at CHB. If you or anyone who is Gowanus based would like to contribute, please let us know – webmaster AT brooklynheightsblog.com

    Also, the Brooklyn Bugle will be covering that area as well.

  • Mike

    epc – I am with you, I just posted on the MTA Fare Hike story on BHB.

    On an random alternate note, does anyone else get the “Andre the Giant” biography in the Amazon bar on the right of the BHB?

    I believe that these books are selected by text or content on the blog automatically – by Amazon. Homer, is that true? If so, just out of curiosity, why is it choosing to display this particular book? I understand the “Country of Brooklyn” book and “Mermaids on Parade,” but why Andre?

  • alex

    anon, do you read Brownstoner.com?

  • Homer Fink

    @Mike – Books in the BHB Book Club are chosen by me – Michael Krugman wrote the AtG book, he’s a long-time friend and lives in Brooklyn Heights. Most of the other author’s live in the Heights and/or contribute to BHB.

    The Michael Lewis book is there because it’s about the birth of the mortgage bond business and look where that’s gotten us.

    The Brooklyn Bugle will have a running diary called the Bugle Book Club where we’ll post about various books with or without Brooklyn connections.

  • Peter

    Evan, sorry to hear about the video store. I admit that my visits there are infrequent, but every time I do go there, my desired video is in-stock, and the employees are kind and quick. Truly a loss for the neighborhood, even with Digital TV and Video-on-Demand …

  • Mike

    Thanks Homer. I just assumed that they were pulling from the content of the page and was curious as to how they ended up with this particular selection.

    If you do chose the books, you should consider putting up a link to “Mr Market Miscalculates” by Jim Grant. His book puts this whole debacle in great perspective and he is a BH resident.

  • http://mermaidsonparade.blogspot.com melanie hope greenberg

    Thanks for adding my book to your book club, Homer.

  • Maggie

    Does anyone know a good appliance repair person? My kitchen range is not working. Also, someone who can work late is a plus!

  • my2cents

    I think Browning frames is the best place in the nabe for high quality framing of serious pieces. Katy has the best custom frames, and is very skilled at what she does. If you are more after service with a smile, Daphne Art on montague is a must. Moussin (spelling may be wrong, i apologize) is one of the nicest shopkeepers i have had the pleasure of dealing with and his prices are reasonable. Don’t go to the “downstairs” guys. They have cheap stuff and I didn’t find the service anything to write home about.

  • Neighbor

    Katy is a real pro and a pleasure to deal with. She works with Madison Ave galleries — but will also do a job to fit your budget. Just be up front with her about what you want to spend.

  • my2cents

    Yes, she does a lot of gallery work, which is maybe why she wasn’t as responsive to AEB’s small job. But she is a true pro with great attention to detail and a really great person. I love having her here.

  • sunshine

    We also highly recommend Daphne Art at 154 Montague. Mousin is great, friendly and a real pro. He has framed most of our art work and we have always been extremely happy with his work. He is also very reasonable. On the other hand, the “downstairs” guy on Montague tried to charge us double the price from what Mousin was asking. That’s how we decided to use Mousin initially. The price and quality of work can’t be beaten at Daphne Art!

  • AEB

    Thanks, Neighbor and my2 (and others) for your comments about Katy Browning.

    The thing is, my small job, if courtesouly attended to, can multiply into other, perhaps bigger jobs down the line.

    Not seeing this is, I feel, the sign of an iffy business person. Service is just as important as product in occupations like that of Ms. Browning.

    If in fact she feels that some framing jobs are too small for her, perhaps she relocate from a relatively secluded location serving local folks and find a place on Madison or downtown Manhattan.

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