Brooklyn Heights Association’s Survey for the Future of Montague Street

By on December 12, 2020 10:14 am in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn History, Commercial Real Estate, Shopping

Dear Neighbors – Two things you need to do this weekend:

1.  Fill out Brooklyn Heights Association’s community survey to add your voice for the future of Montague Street.

2.  Read Mary Frost’s (as always) rich and fascinating report in the Eagle on the history of Montague Street retail, and the many reasons for its past and current struggles. Mary digs deep to uncover the issues that go far beyond the obvious, and interviews longtime retailers who offer their frank assessments. A notable quote from Tony Bates, owner of Bentley’s Shoes: “Shopping online is destroying the small businesses. If you want to get an idea of what’s going on on the street, take a look at the UPS store. Take a picture of the people lined up with their returns. This is not Brooklyn Heights, this is Amazon Heights.” A must read.

 

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  • Jorale-man

    Interesting claim from the article that 90% of Montague Street retail traffic is from out of the neighborhood. It always struck me that much of the street’s retail doesn’t really reflect the affluence or tastes of the Heights’ residents. Not that I’m pining for more stores selling crap to rich people, but if you think about it, there’s no upscale food store or any really innovative restaurants of the kind you might find even on Atlantic Avenue.

    And yes, Amazon’s convenience is hard to be beat, especially if you’re a Prime customer. The pandemic has really cemented their dominance.

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    One store that reflects Brooklyn Heights taste is Tango. A quality clothing store for women. And yes, Amazon is an incredible company. I am happy to say that I have been able to buy many products from them on the profits from owning this stock for many years. During Covid 19 they have provided an incredible service to all Americans.

  • Lara Birnback

    Mary’s reporting is excellent as usual, and shows how complicated the issue is. Hopefully, the BHA survey will provide data to show that local residents WILL support local business, but yes, the retail mix has to better serve local needs/wants. As the Eagle article describes, the property tax situation doesn’t seem to help matters. Please take the survey and send in your thoughts and ideas!

  • Bornhere

    I didn’t realize that the somewhat intimidating but incredibly skilled leather worker/shoe maker closed up shop. That location had been a shoe repair from the time I was a wee one, and to lose that is stunning—on a par with the loss of the electrical-repair shop adjacent to it (from years ago). And Karl is right, I think—Tango is upscale and all, but I never routinely shop(ped) there. In the olden days (1960s-1980s), there were way more options for clothing at more reasonable prices. And I still wish we had a fish monger and a resurrected Sinclair’s….

  • Jane Van Ingen

    I did both.

  • Banet

    The shoe repair guy was just renovating or something. He’s back with a “grand RE-opening” sign in the window.

  • Banet

    You would think a Union Market could thrive.

  • CassieVonMontague

    Which has been around since the 70s! I’d say the neighborhood’s tastes eventually grew to reflect Tango’s!

  • CassieVonMontague

    And even Union Market’s prices would still be cheaper than Gristedes!

  • CassieVonMontague

    Is Fish Tales too far a walk? Because it is the best fishmonger in Brooklyn.

  • Bornhere

    Fish Tales is good, and it’s not that it’s too far—it’s that we don’t have one in the neighborhood.

  • Bornhere

    That’s good news. Thanks.

  • Jorale-man

    I’ve thought the same thing. If it can make it in Carroll Gardens or Park Slope, why not on Montague?

  • Steve R.

    I think we’re gonna see a shift in Montegue St when things start re-opening. We were less dense & more of a bedroom community back when the stores were all geared to Downtown Bklyn’s lunch crowd doing the buying & eating. Now, with the change in the residential density of the neighborhood, the added Park & the increase in work from home, I think that Montegue St will be more the center of a community & the stores will be more reflective of that.

  • Banet

    I actually had the exact same thought yesterday. With so many more people permanently working from home there will be an increased demand for good places to go for lunch. And an increase for places to run errands that one typically ran in the city. And with the rampant empty storefronts throughout the entire city landlords may finally become more reasonable and take whatever they can get. Oh, and with more work from home comes more cooking and more demand for good ingredients. So maybe we can get a Union Market or a good bakery. Dare I say, a fishmonger?

  • Banet

    The seafood seller at the Saturday farmers market is also excellent. We have purchased bluefish, cod, scallops, lobster, mussels and more and have always been incredibly satisfied.

  • Andrew Porter

    Not to be confused with Fred Eisen, who closed decades ago…

  • Andrew Porter

    I live less than a block from Gristede’s, but never shop there.

  • Andrew Porter

    The Eagle laid off Mary Frost when the pandemic started. I am beyond happy that she is working for them again. Her voice is much needed, more so than ever.

  • Banet

    That store is always so deserted. I don’t understand how they can afford to pay their stuff, let alone the rent.

  • Andrew Porter

    I suppose I can tell you, because no one would believe it. It’s a portal from a distant galaxy, bringing illegal space aliens to Earth. They pay the management a fee for passage.

    I bet you thought Men in Black was just a weird sci-fi film, right?

  • AEB

    Had a very good experience with the new owners–three guys, evidently–when I went to the store yesterday.

    I needed a new leather watchband. Though there was no stock on hand (of watchbands, anyway), one of the guys scooted somewhere and returned with a perfect replacement, installed and not expensive. They’re eager for business. At this time of plague they’re done a rather brave thing, and should be supported, say I.