Open Thread Wednesday

Just want to give a “gold star” to Henry’s End re its hygiene during this (?) crisis. Maybe, it’s not as rare as I think, but single use pens to sign visa slips lower one’s concerns about bringing outside food home….

Anyone up for an altogether unscientific poll?

Staying LOCAL, how do you see yourself “behaving” 3 months out – and I’ll posit that there is no vaccine at that point?

Will YOU dine out or raise a glass as frequently as you did, say, 12 months prior [last fall]? Would you be influenced by the seeming necessity of affected establishments to raise prices 30% to account for reduced “volume?” … What about clothes and books (and supermarket food) and other things where online purchasing represent alternatives? Last – and not all that local – assuming that movies, theater or spectator sports were part of your 2019 activities, how likely is that you’ll be in those seats in the fall?

I’ll start with a wary “vote” – much as I’ve missed all of them, I guess I’ve adjusted to a large extent. Now, what I see as the risks (mostly positing more and more non-compliance with each passing month) significantly outweigh the allure.

Outdoors … in the summer – I kind of “get” the lapses. But given that restaurants are all about eating, and the young uns hydrate – water or coffee – almost non-stop (other beverages at the movies and stadiums), I’m afraid it’s simply a fact that these businesses and their owners/employees are akin to the cigarette makers of old – their “best” amounts to “We’re not making you participate.” … Airlines decided early on to require masks but wink at those not wearing them. Forget about movies in the dark – and I can’t imagine Giants or Jets fans booing through masks.

Sure hope all the blue and orange marks on numerous London Plane’s in/near Cadman park aren’t indicating that all those trees are slated to be cut down.

That leak in the street in front of 71 Willow Street is still there. I took this photo Sunday:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/21960770dc86ba7af53804d4aaf6b1e0271b24b4ba07442e1b74eef1a9f76f76.jpg

try Spothero. you can search the area. looks like $250 mo is the lowest.. down at Pier 6 in the park .
https://spothero.com/

OH THANK YOU…. I periodically have been going a little out of my way … hoping!

Call me cynical, but the combo of “online” and their new store makes me wonder if the newer generation won’t – at some point – take the money a la the greengrocer down the block [more likely, its landlord] to let someone build as high and as luxe as the law then allows … with MAYBE – one hopes – getting a sweet deal on some retail space at the base. Then, we’ll have to make other arrangements for a couple of years.

Where is it coming from? Under one of the cars? I don’t see any cracks or holes in the exposed pavement.

Seemingly seeping up from the very bowels of the earth! In front of the car. “Oozing,” would be an apt word…

I called this in to 311 couple of weeks ago, so likely a leak from someone’s water line.

I stand corrected – for now. Has anybody been to the “Commerce City” store?

And does anyone want to hazard a guess what will happen to the old “Barney’s” space? How ’bout a 2nd movie theater (for the Heights – or as close as could be?)

I’ve been to the Industry City location once (right at the beginning of the shutdown — it was a bit of a secret source of staples without a crowd.)

It’s a large, airy space — about as large as the existing store but all in one room. All the same dry goods. Pasta, sauces, jams, oils… but no taking a number for glass jars of nuts and dried fruit — that they have pre-packaged and with a more limited selection.

The spices were slightly limited and in MUCH more expensive tiny packages that were all prices the same for the same item. For example, cinnamon was all $2 a package and each package was maybe 1/4 the volume of the old store. Bottom line, their spice prices were similar to Key Food per volume, though obviously a superior product.

I didn’t pay much attention to the fresh stuff as I was stocking up for a pandemic but they had a counter full of it. They had more sandwich and salad options — clearly aimed at the workers in the area. Also didn’t notice the cheeses, yogurts, etc.

Lastly, they had a (very) small fresh produce section. Not just the garlic and cucumbers of the old store but about 2 dozen items — bell peppers, onions, bananas(!), apples, lemons, string beans, etc. Again, as if they could be one-stop grocery shopping for Industry City workers.

All in all, it certainly was different… but also the same.

Clinton and Court don’t intersect? Not busting your chops, looking to take you (and the up-carrots) up on the suggestion that I get a gyro.

There’s a disturbing article in the NYT today about people letting their guard down across the city, mistakenly thinking the pandemic is over.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/nyregion/coronavirus-ny-social-distancing.html

It’s now that we have to be extra careful and protect ourselves, when others are no longer playing by the rules.

Another loud explosion last night (Wednesday) at 11:30pm. People are reporting loud fireworks throughout Brooklyn. Reports say Red Hook has them every night.

On my way home, I just walked by 4 teens/young adults. Two had masks on, and two were sharing a joint. Oy.

I just wish Mr. Han would post his current hours. I know he’s there in the morning but after 3PM it’s anybody’s guess.