UPDATE: Sadly, it appears now that the Wine Bar at 50 Henry Street, the best by far of the lot, has closed, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.
With news that three four of the four “Corner of Cranberry” businesses have been shuttered (looks like the liquor license for the 60 Henry businesses expires tomorrow), we’re wondering what’s next for the seemingly accursed location. What will Ghorchian and Young, Brooklyn Heights’ very own wannabe Drew Nieporents and once rulers of what Gothamist called an “Empire of Feh”, launch next? A Cigar Bar? Bring back Food Maestro? We’re hoping the Wine Bar remains, since it is really a lovely place.
It’s worth noting that trouble seems to follow Mr. Ghorchian and Mr. Young’s ventures like a bad smell. In addition to the various “Corner of Cranberry” debacles, Mr. Ghorchian was involved with Mike’s Kosher Steakhouse, which closed shortly after Mikel Domgjoni was arrested for allegedly forcing himself on an 18-year-old waitress (whatever happened to that story?). They were both involved with failed enterprises at 111 Court Street before it was Busy Chef (Cafe 111, liquor license) and at 311Henry Street before it was Tazza (Cafe del Mar, liquor license). And Mr. Young was involved in a botched, complicated scheme to open casinos on land in upstate New York supposedly held by a Native American tribe not recognized by the federal government (Young was cleared of all charges).
We applaud their tenacity, but maybe it’s time to allow some new blood in the Heights food scene.
Note: According to the Alcohol, Beverage, and Control Laws, Article 8, Section 106:
Provisions governing licensees to sell at retail for consumption on the premises. 1. No retail license for on-premises consumption shall be granted for any premises, unless the applicant shall be the owner thereof, or shall be in possession of said premises under a lease, in writing, for a term not less than the license period except, however, that such license may thereafter be renewed without the requirement of a lease as herein provided.
Curbed: A tipster has the scoopage on new Brooklyn Heights condo conversion 20 Henry (at 20 Henry Street, ‘natch), which was formally the Peaks Mason Mints building, constructed in 1929. The two-building setup has prices “slightly over $1,100/sqft,” we’re told, with common charges at about $1/sqft. Our tipster isn’t impressed, noting the absence of private outdoor space (except for penthouses), the elementary school across the way, the lack of a garage and “no views at most levels, unless you’re a gigantic off-ramp fan.” Which we are, thankyouverymuch. Here’s the website.
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