Now’s the time – Open Your Store in Crown Heights
Okay – the sad news is that that Nature’s Organic – the organic store on Nostrand that’s been around since at least 2007 – has a “for rent” sign up. But the good news is that there is now an opportunity for a visionary entrepreneur to stake claim in one of Brooklyn’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
Recently, I’ve noticed more “for rent” signs going up along Nostrand and Franklin Aves. From asking around, it seems that landlords around here are looking for new energy to invigorate the commercial districts. And this couldn’t be a better time. Both Franklin Avenue and Kingston Avenue merchants are launching their own merchants associations. And, as we previously reported, Utica Avenue is starting a business improvement district. And we here at Nostrand Park are working on an exciting district marketing campaign for Nostrand Avenue and the other commercial strips (more details later)! So now more than ever there is a lot of love and attention being paid to the commercial districts of Crown Heights.
Not to mention, new businesses in the neighborhood can take advantage of NYC Dept. of Small Business service’s new New Business Acceleration Team program which is “a pilot initiative to streamline the permit and licensing processes for new restaurants, bars, bakers and butcher shops seating fewer than 50 people.” Come on now … there are no excuses!
So … what types of stores do you think this neighborhood needs and where would you like to see them???
Popularity: 20% [?]
I want to see a bike shop.
Currently the closest bike shops that I know of are all outside of the neighborhood. There’s one on Fulton between near Albany which is just called Bicycles, there’s Brooklyn Bike and Board on Vanderbilt between Dean and Bergen, and there’s Dixon’s which is between 6th and 7th on Union. Finally there’s Ride Brooklyn on Bergen just west of Flatbush.
None of these are actually in CH, unless you draw the northern border at Fulton (as some have done). All of these are a bit of a hike from most parts of Crown Heights.
One thing that I have noticed with all of the new bike racks up and down Nostrand and Franklin, is that they are all being used. There are more bikes in this neighborhood than I have ever seen, and I’ve been cycling in this neighborhood most days since 2003. With all the new bike infrastructure, and a huge growth in cycling, its time that we had a good bike shop in CH.
Yeah, my guy either hits up the one on Vanderbilt or the one on Albany.
The owners of Breukelen Coffee House were talking about opening a bike shop on Franklin Avenue a few months back. Not sure what’s happening on that front, but one of the owners, Jason, owns another bike shop in the city so I can see him making it happen.
You know, I’m gonna need them to make more bike lanes before I feel comfortable riding a bike on these mean streets. I’m a chicken and a half when it comes to competing against cars and buses for road space. I even blogged about the RidetheCity website a while back, but still can’t work up the nerve to do it myself (though I desperately want to). It would make my life so much more convenient … (sigh)
To Nat;
I just saw a new Bike store opened in Crown Heights on Empire Blvd., between Brooklyn Ave. and Kingston. Has a sign up already, but i dont know if it’s opened up yet. Their sign says they both sell fix and rent.
The idea of a bike shop has been apparent for so long that direct solicitations were made to area bike store operators to open a store along Nostrand – no bites. Not sure what else could happen. As for the shop on Empire that is great news! Now take a ride over and support them!
I’d love for coffee to come to Nostrand. Also, bar? Other foods?
Hey theres a new bike shop 537 Empire blvd bet Kingston & Brooklyn, I just checked it out and their great. Great service. They have a nice selection and they also do repairs, rent and a great environment. I would definitely recommend them.
We visited this shop today and have a profile forthcoming on Wednesday.