Excelsior Bike Shop - 694 Franklin Ave

Franklin Avenue has a new bike shop,  Excelsior Bike Shop!

Excelsior located @ 694 Franklin Ave., btw Park Pl & Prospect Pl., is a full service shop that sells & repair bikes.

They also sell an array of bike related accessories.

Excelsior is part of 9th Street Cycles in Park Slope

They staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the service is A+++.

They were able to fully service my  Xooter Roma, which is not even a bike, so just imagine what they could do for a bike that needs a lil’ TLC.

They have a wide selection of bikes on site for the beginner to the serious bike enthusiast.

Stop by.

Excelsior Bike Shop

694 Franklin Ave – between Park Pl. & Prospect Pl.

1 – 718 – 789 – 2502

"The Hole" - The Curious Case Of 341 Eastern Parkway

341 Eastern Parkway aka “The Hole” – brilliantly named by Nick at ILFA - is a very curious case of  “gentrification” and development opposed to community revitalization.

“The Hole” is a vacant, 14,000 foot lot, at the bustling, NE corner of Franklin Ave. and Eastern Parkway – a long time commercial district in the community – that is seeing a recent burst of commercial revitalization in the last few years.

“The Hole” has an interesting history, as it was hoped to be, the grande, visual symbol of  “gentrification” in a “changing” Crown Height’s, by some in the real estate and business crowd.

In 2007, Brownstoner reported that,  architect Gene Kaufman  promised to: “build a new corner,  8-story, steel-framed,  residential condominium building – with retail on the ground floor, containing 80,000 square feet and 61 apartments.”

That plan fizzled, along with the economy.

For 3 years, nothing happened, besides Crow Hill’s lovely mural painting project that enlisted local artist and children to beautify the ugly wooden fence surrounding  “The Hole”.

Yet, it’s neighbor, Fisher’s  Supermarket – the small Mom & Pop like grocery store that’s been at 805 Franklin Ave. for 28 years -  managed to under go a total build out in 2011.

It was renamed Bob & Betty’s, in honor of owner Tony Fisher’s parents who opened the original Fisher’s on Washington Ave.

Perhaps it’s truly about revitalizing a community and it’s existing resources?

Rather than the complete overhaul and the displacement that usually accompanies “gentrification”.

Once again, there’s talk that “The Hole” is back on the market.

In Nov. 2011, according to Crain’s NY, Ofer Cohen, president of the Brokerage firm, TerraCRG Commercial Realty Group, was retained to exclusively market the site.

It was boosted that:  “This is a viable site for either condo or rental development, noted Mr. Cohen.  

Rents would fetch $42 to $45 per square foot, while a condo could get $575 to $600 per square foot depending on when the project launches, according to Brendan Aguayo, a residential broker.”

Sounds swell if you make in the mid six figures, but Crown Heights is an economically diverse community.  And apparently, Mr. Cohen’s vision may have been a little off as he is no longer the exclusive broker.

Yesterday, Pinnacle Realty, has two huge billboards listing their broker, David Junik, as the one to call for information about obtaining 341 Eastern Parkway.

Yes, 341 Eastern Parkway is a very curious case indeed.

“The Hole” sits at the busy intersection of the bustling and growing commercial strip of Franklin Ave., yet no investor seems to be able to close the deal on this piece of  “prime real estate”.

Perhaps their vision needs to be revised?

What do you think should be built at 341 Eastern Parkway?  And why?

Uncommon Indicators Of Gentrification Part II -

At Nostrandpark, we’ve frequently blogged about the many complex issues concerning gentrification, especially in regards to Crown Heights.

One of the lighter & funnier posts on the effects of gentrification being Laurel Brown’s, Uncommon Gentrification Indicators, which was a list of her casual observations that “that gentrification has beset a neighborhood”.

On Franklin Ave. I passed, perhaps, an even funnier indication that your community may be in the midst of gentrification -

when the “grammar police” start correcting the grammar of the graffiti in the neighborhood.

Ironically, the “corrected” grammar is on the recently closed business – 3D’s  West Indian & American Bakery & Restaurant at 743 Franklin Ave. – that may not have been able to financially survive a changing Crown Heights.

Nostrand Park – in collaboration with VAMOS Architects, Masai Marketing, NYC Dept of Small Business Services, and desigNYC – is excited to announce the launch of its new pilot program, Destination Nostrand, intended to beautify, promote, enliven, and enhance Nostrand Avenue:

If you are interested in participating, showing off your artwork, opening up your commercial space, have a business idea that you would like to test out, or if you just want to help make sure that Nostrand looks great on the day of, just let us know: http://nostrandpark.com/destination-nostrand/

Special thank you to DANIEL GERGLEY, NICOLE MACIAS, JENNIFER MACCHIARELLI, and GroundUp Designers for their tremendous marketing and promotional assistance!

To view some of the design concepts for DN, check out our gallery below. Since the project is in its pilot phase, we will only be launching 3 of the concepts, but feel free to let us know which ones you like best:

Members of the Lincoln Civic Block Association recently held a rally to protest damage done to their streets, homes and overall quality of life as a result of the unending construction work along New York Avenue and the Lincoln Place corridor.  As buses and trucks rumble along residents have become outraged about having to constantly worry that their homes might collapse or suffer significant structural damage because of the shaking caused by these large vehicles and the never ending stream of construction projects on the street.

Neighborhood Street Rally from Malik on Vimeo.

The presence of District Leader Jesse Hamilton and State Senator Eric Adams at this rally helped the Block Association garner significant media coverage in hopes of getting city officials to listen to the complaints being offered by residents.  Per Hamilton’s prompting, the Block Association will not only deliver verbal complaints to the city, but the association, which produced a petition in the run-up to this rally, is also in the process of organizing a survey that clearly details residents’ concerns.

Local journalist Malik Singleton was on-hand at the rally and documented the day’s events.  The footage below was shot by Singleton in hopes further buoying the Block Association’s efforts to get their voices heard.

We reported earlier that legendary singer – performer, Lady Miss Kier – of Deee-Lite – Grooves in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and we posted her HOT,  new DJ Video.

Now on Saturday, May 28th, the legendary singer will be a Guest Deee-Jay @ BANZAI at The Red Lotus Room – 893 Bergen St., btw Classon & Franklin Ave.,  in Crown Heights, Brooklyn!

www.ladykier.com	www.ladykier.com
Lady Miss Kier On The Wheels Of Steel!!!	Deee – Jay Lady Miss Kier!!!

Muffinhead & Eric Schmalenberger Present:

BANZAI!!!!! Art and Performance Blitz

Special Guest DJ

Lady Miss Kier

Saturday, May 28th 8PM-3AM Memorial Day Weekend

Red Lotus Room – 893 Bergen St.

(Between Classon & Franklin)

Brooklyn, NY 11238

$10 Pre-sale Tickets Available at www.muffinheadland.com

$15 at the door

DJ SCOTT EWALT

VIDEO ART PROVIDED BY -  Ashley Connor and Wonderpuss Octopus

INSTALLATION – “Cabinet of Humanstrocities” Jeff Silverman, Poison Eve, Zazoo + Satori Zhenesse Staniec Heinemann

SPECIAL APPERANCE – Fritz Donnelly and Christina Ewald of HiChristina

Performances:

1. Big Art Group – Penny Arcade, The Illuminator (AlieNation),, enSUBTITLES, Soigné Deluxe, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Celso & Father Julian of Casa De La Blanca, Jonathan Nosan.   Art: Hope Bowers
2. Ryan Brennan
3. Wren Britton
4. Worm Carnevale
5. Bianca Cassidy
6. Samson Contompasis
7. Cameron Daily
8. Soigné Deluxe
9. Mitcheal D. E. Pope
10. Josuha Dreisacker
11. Raphael Fuchs
12. Kathy Grayson
13. Scott Hug
14. Stephan Keating
15. Jeremy Kost
16. Charlie Ledbetter
17. Lindsay Lowe
18. Snow Mack
19. Kevin Mack
20. Caden Manson
21. Chason Matthams
22. Muffinhead
23. Jemma Nelson
24. Wonderpuss Octopus
25. Sean Peirce
26.Jean Marc Ruellan
27. Darrell Thorne
28. Tillett Wright
29. Gerry Visco
30. Jaimie Warren and the Whoop Dee Doo

We’re blogged quite a few times about Bob & Betty’s Food Market – formerly Fisher’s Supermarket pending Grand Opening.

Well, as of this Friday, they’re finally OPEN!!!!!

What are your thoughts and comments on the renovations, food selection, prices etc.?

Fisher’s Supermarket – which is scheduled to reopen this Friday – has been renamed Bob & Betty’s Food Market – in honor of owner Tony Fisher’s parents – the original owners.

The shelves are almost completely stocked with health conscious products – and except for a few minor details, the store looks as though it could open today.

Our picture below, offers a sneak peak at the almost fully stocked shelves at Bob & Betty’s Food Market.

And, if you didn’t have a chance yet, please read our recent post about the owners of Fisher’s Supermarket – now Bob & Betty’s Food Market – over 30 year history serving the ever changing community of Franklin Ave.

ILFA has a great picture of a hand written sign on Bob & Betty’s window, advising customers to follow owner Tony Fisher on twitter for more up to the minute news.

And in the same ILFA post, Nick, also makes an excellent point on “the emphasis for the great event Manuel is planning for Participatory Urbanism at LaunchPad” on  Friday, April 22nd, 6 PM – 8 PM.

Nostrand Park also blogged about the event spearheaded by local urban planner, Manuela Avila. He describes the project  as:  “I’m working on a research-design project called Participatory Urbanism in the neighborhood named “Crown Heights”.

The focus of the project is to start a discussion about public space in the community that has long been neglected and considering the possibility of opening the residual spaces adjacent to the Franklin shuttle as public spaces.”

So, as much as we  love our community being revitalized, revamped and up graded like Bob & Betty’s Food Market, Sweet Basil, Island Thyme, Chavella’s on Franklin Ave.,  Pacific Oasis Cafe, etc. – there is still a true need to join in on Manuel Avila’s discussion on Friday, April 22nd, 6 PM – 8 PM at launchpad – where he will  attempt to address the issues at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Namely the need for:  “STARTING A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE LONG NEGLECTED PUBLIC SPACES IN THE CROWN HEIGHTS COMMUNITY” that are not being revamped, revitalized and/or up graded, and what we as a community can do about it.

It seems like ages ago when we first broke the story that actor Anthony Mackie would be opening a restaurant on Nostrand Avenue.   Well the awning is finally up.  And there are pictures on NoBar’s new Facebook page (not sure how the pool table fits into the profile of a French Bistro tapas bar, but I guess we will find out).  Word is that it will be opening any day now.

This is just one of many changes that has taken place on Nostrand Avenue of late.

Of course, the most exciting developments for us at NP is to see the flowers that we helped plant on Nostrand begin to bloom.

But in addition, there is a new real estate office (actually it is an office that relocated from Pacific Street); the grimy bodega that is on the corner of Pacific Street and Nostrand just overhauled its store front, adding new awning, new windows, new lighting, and some other improvements; the Best Western Hotel has now been upgraded to a Best Western Plus; there is a newly revamped laundromat on St. John’s near Nostrand; there’s a new Trinidadian bakery that has opened on Nostrand near President Street; and there’s a new apartment complex opening on Nostrand and Sullivan.

Are all these  changes in line with, out pacing, or driving broader neighborhood change?  Only time will tell.