Cadman Plaza Park Gets a Cafe Upgrade – Proposals Due February 15

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February 10, 2023

Get ready, Brooklynites! A brand new cafe is coming to Cadman Plaza Park in Downtown Brooklyn, and it’s going to be absolutely amazing. The NYC Parks Department is currently accepting proposals from businesses interested in setting up shop in the circa 1950s concrete maintenance building near Cadman Plaza West and Tillary Street.

The chosen concessionaire, who must have experience in the food service industry, will be tasked with turning the current structure into a cafe that adds to the ambiance of the park and provides a much-needed amenity to park goers. And the best part? The successful bidder will be able to expand the current 450-square-foot building and add tables, chairs, and umbrellas, as well as seating on the surrounding lawn if decking is installed and on the park’s center oval (pending Parks’ approval, of course).

But that’s not all! The twin building opposite the cafe site will also be converted into a comfort station at some point in the future, so there will be a place to freshen up after all that caffeine. And if you’re feeling a little tipsy, don’t worry – the cafe will be able to sell alcohol “to complement the food service,” as long as they get a license from the State Liquor Authority.

So if you’re a business owner with a passion for coffee (or alcohol) and a love for all things Brooklyn, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Don’t miss out – proposals are due on February 15. We can’t wait to see what amazing new cafe will be coming to Cadman Plaza Park!

Primark Brings Budget-Friendly Fashion to Brooklyn

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Dann Berg

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December 27, 2022

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Are you tired of overpriced, trendy fashion? Look no further than Primark’s latest store at City Point in Brooklyn, New York! Because nothing says “happy holidays” like budget-friendly fashion essentials for the whole family. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love the excitement of fighting their way through hordes of fellow penny-pinching shoppers to get their hands on the latest homewares and gifts?

But seriously, New York recently topped the list of the world’s most expensive cities, so it’s no surprise that residents are on the hunt for budget-friendly options. And with 49,000 square feet of retail space, Primark’s City Point store is sure to have something for everyone. Plus, with the retailer’s aggressive expansion plan to reach 60 stores by 2026, you’ll soon be able to enjoy the thrills of cheap fashion at a location near you!

But don’t worry, Primark hasn’t completely forgotten about sustainability. Through its Primark Cares initiative, the company is working to make all of its clothes from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials, ensure that its clothing is recyclable by design, halve carbon emissions across its value chain, and pursue a living wage for workers in its supply chain. So go ahead, shop guilt-free at Primark. Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.

Gage & Tollner now open for pickup & delivery!

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Dann Berg

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February 20, 2021

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Gage & Tollner was one of the sadder Downtown Brooklyn stories, with the grand re-opening scheduled for just days after the city shut down due to the Coronavirus in March 2020. Seriously: March 12th was my (and many other’s) last day working in an office, and their opening was scheduled for March 15th. Oof.

Prior to that, there had been a lot of well-deserved hype around the re-opening. Gage & Tollner is one of Brooklyn’s original fancy restaurants, and had operated for more than a hundred years before shutting down in the mid-90’s.

The space was purchased by some well-known restauranteurs, who wanted to restore it to it’s former glory, as the building is now landmarked and much of the interior was left intact despite several transient tenants in the mean time.

The main restaurant was to be an oyster and chop house, joined with a tropical-themed cocktail bar. Which is pretty badass.

With so many restaurants disappearing, I was worried that Gage & Tollner wouldn’t make it. Which is why I was so excited to get an email from them announcing the launch of pickup and takeout! This new hype isn’t just coming from me, the New York Times is also getting the word out.

From the founders St. John, Ben, and Sohui:

As you know, off-site dining was not part of our original concept. We wanted every Gage & Tollner meal to take place in our landmarked dining room. But the world has changed, and demands that we change with it. We truly believe that our new delivery concepts carry the original spirit of Gage & Tollner into the pandemic age, and we hope you agree.

Ordering is available online from both the chop house and the Sunken Harbor Club. Food prices from the Tiki bar are about what you’d expect if you’ve been running up that Doordash bill this past year. Most dishes are between $10 and $20, and cocktails are $15.

But what’s really speaking to me are the “At-Home Dining Experiences” from Gage & Tollner proper — meal kits designed to feed entire families. For $180 you can feed four to six people a Braised Heritage Pork Dinner.

Gage & Tollner's Braised Heritage Pork Dinner — Photo from Gage & Tollner

Currently, my household is just two (my wife and me) so I don’t think we’ll be ordering one of these experiences. But I may have to splurge on a cocktail or two for my upcoming birthday at the end of March. Hooray for a second pandemic birthday!

Gage & Tollner, 372 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Local Businesses Take the Bait in Underage Alcohol Sting

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David Weinkrantz

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May 12, 2018

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The New York State Liquor Authority recently sent underage decoys to retail establishments holding liquor licenses to ferret out those that illegally sell to underage persons. The underage decoys went to 756 businesses where they attempted to buy alcoholic beverages.

Of the 756 businesses State-wide, 200 sold alcoholic beverages to the underage decoys, including a few in Downtown Brooklyn. The Downtown Brooklyn offenders included a 7 Eleven at 395 Flatbush Avenue Extension, the Brooklyn Deli at 115 Willoughby Street, and Khim’s Millennium Market at 111 Lawrence Street.

Ali Mohammed, the Manager of Brooklyn Deli, stated that the business would need to be more careful. The 7 Eleven and Khim’s Millennium Market did not provide a representative for comment.

The remaining 556 businesses refused to sell to the underage decoys. Locally that included G & Wine & Spirits Inc. at 48 Willoughby Street.

CB 2 Votes to Reject the Contentious 80 Flatbush Skyscraper

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Vanessa Londono

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May 11, 2018

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80 Flatbush, rendering by Alloy Development

With a vote of 32-1 on Wednesday night, the Community Board 2 rejected the 80 Flatbush project. This vote by the full board follows the vote by the CB2’s Land-Use Committee which also voted against the project.
These votes are part of the ULURP rezoning process for the development for 80 Flatbush which includes residential, office and retail space in a 74-story building and a 38-story tower. It doesn’t bode well for the multi-use project that boasts bringing an additional 700 market-rate apartments and 200 affordable apartments.
What’s next? Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams needs to issue his recommendation on the project. (Adams held a public hearing late last month. Then the NYC Planning Commission will review the project and and the process ends with a vote by the New York City Council.

Fancy Soap Shop Rain to Open in City Point for Your Self-Care Needs

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Vanessa Londono

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May 7, 2018

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Soon you’ll be able to get all the artisanal soaps your heart desires at City Point. Rain, an au naturale soap, skincare, and fragrance company is opening up their first Brooklyn storefront in July.

The bougie self-care brand is known for incorporating sustainably harvested African botanicals into their luxury bath bombs and body scrubs. Makes sense since Rain originally began in South Africa and is recognized for their Fair Trade practices in Africa and Europe. They currently have one other NYC location in Rockefeller Center.

Borough President’s Hearing for 80 Flatbush Towers

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Vanessa Londono

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May 1, 2018

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Despite the rain yesterday evening, a couple hundred folks lined up in Brooklyn Borough Hall to voice their opinions on the controversial 80 Flatbush Towers. It’s been a heated subject among residents of Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill.

Continue

Hello, Gothamist. Welcome back.

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Dann Berg

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April 26, 2018

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Have you heard the news? Gothamist is back!

Last year, after a vote to unionize, they were shut down. Apparently, that made WNYC sad, so WNYC brought them back. They launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money and rally the troops. And today, they’re officially back.

I couldn’t be happier. I missed them. I know this isn’t directly related to Downtown Brooklyn, but Gothamist is a fantastic resource for all New Yorkers. So I had to celebrate here.

Brooklyn Alamo Drafthouse to get fancy new HDR projectors

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Dann Berg

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April 19, 2018

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The Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn is one of ten locations of the chain to be getting HDR (high dynamic range) Projectors, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This fancy new projection technology makes for whiter whites and blacker blacks, which I’m sure all the film-o-philes will love. They’re partnering with CinemaNext to get these new projectors in theaters.

The exciting part isn’t necessarily the HDR projection, which isn’t totally new (AMC and Dolby teamed up for Dolby Vision a few years back). The exciting part is HDR projection coming to such a badass theater. I mean, have you been to Alamo Drafthouse yet? I don’t really want to go to other theaters anymore.

Personally, HDR isn’t really that exciting to me. But I don’t really get exciting for IMAX or 3D movies either. I’m sure a lot of people will be thrilled.

No idea when it’s rolling out, but it’s coming. Are you excited?

Attempted robbery at Vivi Bubble Tea, armed with a glue gun

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Dann Berg

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April 17, 2018

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Image via Google Maps

After a tip to police, a believed serial robber was arrested in Vivi Bubble Tea at 113 Court St on Monday.

From Pix11:

The employee began to put money in the bag when two officers entered the store and confronted Price, police said.

The officers allegedly spotted a black object in Price’s hand and demanded that he drop it. Police said he did not comply, and fled to the back of the store.

Price was later apprehended without further incident, and a glue gun wrapped in black tape, a black mask and backpack were found in the store’s bathroom, police said.

If you see something, say something.