Open Thread Wednesday

I’ve been exploring those 1940 tax photos on the Municipal Archives, and have found numerous photos of scenes I’ve never seen before. For instance, here’s the corner of Orange and Henry Streets showing the building that later become the Heights Cinema. Funny, but it doesn’t look at all historic in this shot. Click on photo to see it at full size:

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f1e8474a431fc178feb2e875f74e05cccc30a624c7deaa487b604176a1414c0f.png

You can get a nice sandwich a block away at the cor of Clark & Henry!!!!!

Two words. “Boar’s Head”

Based on the cars, photo predates me. Bake shop sign would eventually be replaced for pharmacy one. He remained in neighborhood for a long time. Can you read the name of the Bakery?

Just saw this on Eater:
And taco chain Otto’s Tacos has signed a lease for its first Brooklyn location, located in Brooklyn Heights at 128 Montague St. at Henry Street.

All the photos are from 1940. I looked for other photos of that corner but didn’t see any. Possibly a Google search on the address might turn up more history.

That could be a welcome addition to the street. That’s right above Pinto. Here’s their menu: http://ottostacos.com/#menu

New article on The Brooklyn Paper about possible alternate route for the BQE:

http://tinyurl.com/y75matwz

They’re installing more self-checkouts at Key Foods. Who’s ready to gather around the owner with torches and pitchforks?

It’s in those Old Postcards I’ve posted. Here’s one that shows it from an angle:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/be626aa2a762ca29806a971817be6113c68a84cdd66a1b92f0ae80d69aec1789.jpg

Here’s the old Hall of Records, from my archive:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/92950573cee6cb451ec2e1c719698610f303ab5ea00f74f34be70c6f1fadb8d6.jpg

Yes, well there is Gallito’s Kitchen. I haven’t been there in a while but I seem to recall it getting some decent reviews here on the blog.

I have mixed feelings about this. In my 20 years of shopping at that supermarket the cashiers have always been an extremely weak point. There’s typically been tremendous turnover and an incredibly high level of surliness.

That said, there’s been some stability in the last three or four years and the cashier is that remain have become a friendlier. I always make a point of getting in line with Julie. And I enjoyed talking with Norma is well.

But I think this is really about the economics. Key Food is a supermarket. They’re under siege. 20 years ago it was one of several supermarkets have the neighborhood. Now, there are to CVS drugstores with big broad I also filled with serial, toilet paper, ice cream, and frozen TV dinners. There are two significant destination supermarkets with parking lots within 10 minutes: Fairway and Whole Foods. Wegmans will be open at the Navy Yard within the year. Have you seen the constant line of customers at Trader Joe’s? Not to mention my regular trips to Trader Joe’s have me spending more money at Sahadi‘s, Dellapietra‘s, and the Atlantic Avenue fruitstand. (Ok, I’ve only spent money at Dellapietra’s twice. Too expensive!)

And let’s not forget the vast number of FreshDirect trucks in the neighborhood. And Amazon Fresh deliveries. And jet.com also offers grocery delivery. And don’t forget all the Blue Apron boxes and other meal delivery services.

Lastly, The Borough Hall farmer’s market has grown slightly in its offerings over the years and now there are at least four CSA farm share services available in the neighborhood (that I know of — there may be more.)

It’s a golden age of choice and convenience (if not quality) for the (monied and mobile) grocery shopper. Every single dollar we spend at the wide and varied variety of choices I listed above is a dollar NOT spent at Key Food. I don’t know who owns the store, but I understand it’s a local family with children at Packer. They must be desperately afraid of going out of business. In the last five years there’s been a huge effort at the store to capture more business. A more sophisticated cheese counter. A wider variety of gourmet food items. The removal of all the low-budget “Key Food” brand items. More organic offerings. They’re trying hard but I doubt it’s enough.

Bottom line, if Key Food closes in the next three years and a four-story condo building goes up in its place, I won’t be surprised.

Thanks for posting this. It explains to me why the “new” building under construction has the street facade it does.

Yeah, Gallito’s is okay but its trying to be too upscale, which I feel doesn’t work well for Mexican. I just want a bowl of guac, a nice sizzling platter of fajitas and a big-ass Margarita. Carefully plated, petit portions with sauce drizzles just don’t cut it.