Busy March on Fifth

Welcome to the last day of February 2011. You can't help but feel a little bit of hope and optimism when you reach March, although it has been known to snow up until April (and just look at the weather today).

Anyway, this upcoming month is going to be a busy one on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue. Here are some of the upcoming events you can look forward to:

March 17th: It's St. Patrick's Day, of course. Stay tuned for a detailed list of meal and drink specials in the coming week. The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID is planning some live Irish Music on the sidewalks with Opera On Tap. More details as we get closer.

March 19th & March 26th: Council Members Brad Lander and Steve Levin have provided the BID with funding to host two electronics recycling events in March. The events will take place on March 19th (5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets) and March 26th (5th Avenue between Sterling and St. John's). The Lower East Side Ecology Center will be collecting working & non-working computers, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, TV’s, VCR’s, DVD players, phones, audio/visual equipment, cell phones & PDA’s. FREE

March 21-March 31: Dine in Brooklyn! Participating restaurants will be offering a three-course lunch for $20.11, brunch for two for $20.11 or a three-course dinner for $25.00.

March 26 & 27: To take advantage of the increased foot traffic generated by Dine in Brooklyn, the BID is planning a Fifth Avenue Sidewalk sale on Saturday, March 26th and Sunday, March 27th. Merchants from Dean to 18th Street will be showing off their goods in front of their store windows, during store hours, on both days.

Photo (above): Okay, eating outside in shorts and sandals on Fifth Avenue is still a couple of months away, but one can dream.

News Round-Up

O'Connor's Bar to Be Ruined [Lost New York]

Park Slope’s Nameless Café Opens on Lower East Side and Finally Gets a Name [Grub Street]

Big Changes In Store For O'Connor's [Here's Park Slope]

Babeland vs. Park Slope Breeders [FIPS]

Fifth Avenue Gets Trash Cans Straight Out of ‘The Jetsons' [The Brooklyn Paper]

Rummage Sale Charity Event

If you are in Park Slope this weekend, you might want to consider dropping by St. John-St. Matthew Emanuel Lutheran Church (283 Prospect Avenue
Between 5th and 6th Avenues) on Saturday between 10 am and 3 pm. The MOMS Club of Park Slope, a 50-family organization, will be holding its annual indoor rummage sale to benefit Jonah's Just Begun (seeking a cure for Sanfilippo Syndrome).

There will be lots of kid's and baby clothing, toys, books, CD's, DVD's and more. In addition, they will be accepting donations for sale from 8 - 10 am.

Sounds like a good cause and a great event.

Solar-Powered Big Belly Garbage Cans on Fifth

Yesterday, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID installed a number of Big Belly Solar Garbage cans at key locations along the avenue: Bergen, Union, 4th (in front of the park), 2 at 9th and 1 at 13th Street. The cans are larger than regular trash receptacles and feature a solar-powered compactor that reduces the need to empty them!

Additional bins will be added in the coming year after, if they prove to be effective. Check out this video showing how they are used in Philadelphia.

Photo: BID Exective Director Irene Lo Re throws the first piece of trash in the bin in front of Washington Park (5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets).

Photo Credit: Kristen V. Brown/ Park Slope Patch

Tonight: February Brooklyn Tweet-Up

REMINDER: Come on down to the Brooklyn Tweet-Up tonight!

Are you a Twitter user? Do you Tweet about Brooklyn events and/or small businesses? Do you want to meet that #FF friend who RTs all your great links and whom you've never met in person? Join us!

Last month's event was held at Linger Cafe on Atlantic Avenue. Tonight we'll be hosting the event right on Fifth Avenue, at Baluchi's !

Where: The bar at Baluchi's Indian Restaurant (310 Fifth Avenue @ 2nd Street)
When: Tuesday, February 22, 7 pm

Let us know you are coming by registering here.

And the Winners Are...

The winners of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Shopping Spree Raffle are:

• 3rd Prize, $300 Fifth Avenue Shopping Spree: Darrell Moultrie


• 2nd Prize: $500 Fifth Avenue Shopping Spree: John Gullixson


• 1st Prize: $1000 Fifth Avenue Shopping Spree: Carolyn Hinger

Congratulations, everyone!

Photo: Jake picks the winners at Aunt Suzie's

News Round-Up

Know Your Bartender: Betty Collins, Timboo's [Here's Park Slope]

NYC Tip: Gather Around For Story Time [NYU Local]

Michael Ayoub OUT at Fornino Park Slope [NY Eater]

36 Hours in Brooklyn [NY Times]

Drinks for Teacher At South [FIPS]

February Brooklyn Tweet-Up

It's a little last minute, but we are scheduling another Brooklyn Tweet-Up for next week, (Tuesday, February 22nd).

Are you a Twitter user? Do you Tweet about Brooklyn events and/or small businesses? Do you want to meet that #FF friend who RTs all your great links and whom you've never met in person? Join us!

Last month's event was held at Linger Cafe on Atlantic Avenue. This month we'll be hosting the event right on Fifth Avenue, at Baluchi's !

Where: The bar at Baluchi's Indian Restaurant (310 Fifth Avenue @ 2nd Street)
When: Tuesday, February 22, 7 pm

Let us know you are coming by registering here.

Interview: Melinda Morris

All About Fifth caught up with Melinda Morris, owner of Lion and the Sun and Park Slope Civic Council (PSCC) Trustee, to talk about this year's PSCC annual forum “Growing a Business in Park Slope” scheduled for Thursday, March 3, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at The Montauk Club, 25 Eighth Avenue (at Lincoln Place).

AAF: Tell us about your store-- why did you open Lion in the Sun and when did it open?

Morris: I opened Lion in the Sun in Park Slope almost 9 years ago because I saw a real need in the neighborhood for a high quality stationery store, with a focus on personal correspondences, fun paper and stationery products and unique creative custom printing. I opened this branch of my family business (which has been on LI for more than 30 years) because I really wanted to offer help to people creating beautiful designs, high quality, and experienced event advice when planning important family milestones and special events. Since 2002 we have been fortunate to grow and expand and have been so lucky to have grown into one of the “go-to” neighborhood places when you have good news to share!

AAF: What are some of the main challenges you face as a business owner?

Morris: Oh, where to start? Time management, for one. When it is your business you have to be on top of everything, sales, marketing, customer service, accounting, building maintenance, just to name a few. I always find that every independent business owner I know never seems to have enough hours in the day to get everything done. But it is that personal commitment and passion that keeps you going. When it is your own business, you have a lot of drive and commitment to meet the needs of your clients.

Big box and online competitors are also a major challenge. I completely understand the convenience and even the cost factor, both are sometimes hard for us little guys to compete with. But honestly my favorite thing about Park Slope is the loyalty of our clients. They go out of their way to try and support the local, privately owned businesses. And they know, in return, we will always go that extra mile for them. I believe that relationship is a very unique and special thing these days.

AAF: As the principal organizer of this event-- what are you hoping to accomplish with this years' forum?

Morris: I hope that this event is first and foremost educational. As a small business owner we are all so often isolated in the intensity of our own business world. But there is so much knowledge and experience we can gain from each others experiences—both successes and failures. I believe we can always learn from one another in a positive way. Park Slope is such a vibrant connected community. I am eager to find new ways we can draw on that strength as a group to help support local business so that they can grow and thrive—and perhaps even build a network by forging connections and networking opportunities for local business owners, entrepreneurs and independent contractors.

To register or get updates about the event, e-mail: forum2011@parkslopeciviccouncil.org. If registering, please let them what type of business you're in or would like to start, and what you hope to learn at the forum. Updates will be regularly posted at: www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org/growing-business. The event is sponsored by the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID, the Park Slope Chamber of Commerce, and Warren Lewis Realty.

Recent Changes Along Fifth

Yesterday we took another walk along Fifth Avenue to see what has changed. Actually, no, we were really just taking a walk along the Avenue to enjoy the freakishly warm weather. Still, we did notice some things worth mentioning:

IN

• Naum Thai Kitchen appears to have opened at 194 Fifth Avenue, in the "kitchen" portion of the Long Tan space. Read more about this new restaurant at Here's Park Slope.


• Pete's Pizzeria (289 Fifth Avenue) looks ready to start serving, if it hasn't already (it's hard to tell at 11:30 am).


• A new place called Culture. (An American Yogurt Company) is opening at 331 Fifth Avenue (the former Serene Rose storefront). Stay tuned for details.


• A "Columbia Restaurant Coming Soon" sign popped up at 376 Fifth Avenue, in the former Pollio space. The sign had just been hung and the paper was being placed in the windows as we were walking by, so figure on a month or two until it opens.

OUT

It feels really great to say this after such a difficult beginning to 2011: we didn't see any additional stores, bars or restaurants closing this time around. Great news!

Happy Valentine's Day!

-from the gang at All About Fifth and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.

Don't forget, today is the last day of the BID's Spending Spree Raffle. The winning tickets will be chosen tomorrow (Tuesday, February 15th).

Also, don't forget to check out our list of Fifth Avenue Valentine's Day Specials and Deals.

Whatever your plans are, we hope you enjoy this special day.

News Round-Up

A Displaced Dive Bar, Reborn in Brooklyn [WSJ]

Growing a Business in Park Slope [Brooklyn Eagle]

And for Those of You Who Love Love… [Brooklyn Paper]

KAMP: Please Save Park Slopes' Pathetic Excuse of a Single Gay Scene [FIPS]

Freddy’s Returns — and It’s Just Like Freddy’s [Brooklyn Paper]

Valentine's Weekend Has Arrived

Wow, that was quick! Valentine's Day will be here on Monday. Fifth Avenue, though, will be celebrating all weekend. Here is what is happening (oh, and don't forget that Monday is the last day of the Spending Spree Raffle):

• Stone Park Cafe: Special Valentine's Day menu, $65. Download the menu here.



• Pink Olive: Me+You= ♥ Pink Olive has teamed up with cookie extraordinaire, Casue Sweets, to create a limited edition Pink Olive Valentine Telegram! It features an exclusive design of two cupcakes and a heart cookies w/ custom initials, hand-written note on "xoxo" letterpress card, all wrapped up and ready to go for $24 Call them at 718-398-2016 or email at concierge@pinkolive.com to pre-order. Orders will be accepted until Monday, February 7th.



• Kappa Sake House: Try their special Prix Fixe Dinner or Brunch menu throughout the entire Valentine's weekend. Download the menu here.



• Baluchi's: offering special dinner for two for $50. Enjoy drinks from their new bar! Download the menu here



• Melt: A four course menu for $50,including Bacon Wrapped Scallop, Horseradish Crusted Beef Tenderloin, Seared Salmon, Dark Chocolate Mousse Torte and more! Pair wine with each course for just $25 more! Download the menu here.



• Southpaw: 2/13 A Benefit for the American Cancer Society: Pink + Black Tie Gala. Bands: The Liza Colby Sound, Les Sans Culottes, Miss Fairchild, Burlesque Performances by Angie Pontani + Helen Pontani, Twirla, Sexology, Kiki. 21+ w/ ID admission: $20 includes a comp drink door time: 6PM Doors/7PM Show. | 2/14 THE SYD STRAW HEARTWRECK SHOW featuring the Orchestraw Plankton and exciting mystery Special Guests! 18+ w/ ID admission: $20 door time: 7:30 DOORS / 8PM SHOW. Also, don't miss their 1970s Valentines Day Key Party at Downsouth (the basement). Open beer and wine bar, snack buffet & party favors. Music by Mikey Palms, 21+ w/ ID admission. Door time: 9pm $20



• Zu Zu's Petals: They are celebrating their 40th Valentine's Day. Congrats! "Stop by and share a glass of bubbly Proseco with us.Why not make it a Valentine's Weekend? Our collection of garden fresh flowers will be available for pick up or delivery from Friday February 11th-Monday February 14th.The Love you take is equal to the Love you make."



• Moutarde: is normally closed on Mondays but will be open on Valentine's Day.



• Palo Santo: will be serving Valentine’s Dinner all weekend! A special five course meal will be available for three nights! Saturday, February 12th, Sunday, February 13th, and Monday, February 14th. Bring a few friends on Saturday for a triple date, or reserve a quiet two top on Sunday and beat the crowds. Slow down the pace while you and your significant other enjoy raw oyster ceviche and a whole grilled lobster or grass-fed beef tenderloin with chayote gratin. Meat, fish and vegetarian friendly options will be available. An unlisted nine course tasting will also be served at the kitchen counter by chef Jacques Gautier.FIVE COURSE TASTING with meat, fish and veg options. Reservations available from 6pm – 10pm - $160 PER COUPLE


• Eidolon: 20% off all jewelry during Valentine's Day weekend through Valentine's Day? (Sat, Sun and Mon)


• Campo De' Fiori: Special dinner for $39! Download the menu: here


• Gingers Bar: As always, LOTS going on at Gingers! Download their busy Valentine's Weekend schedule here!


• Brooklyn Industries: Lots of special Valentine's Day goods. Check out their Gift Guide

A Couple of Upcoming Events (not related to Valentine's Day)

Okay, not everyone is thinking about Valentine's Day this week (although if you are, we have a great list of Fifth Avenue Valentine's Day specials you should check out. Oh, and let's not forget about the raffle.)

• The Fifth Estate: (506 Fifth Avenue bet 12th & 13th) This bar is relatively new on the Avenue, so welcome! Starting this Thursday, February 10th, they will be throwing a twice-a-month gay night called "Kamp." Sounds like a cool, mellow, social event with a DJ. If you are interested, it starts at 8:00.


• The Best Wings in Brooklyn Competition: Okay, real wings come from Buffalo, New York. Hands down. But, Brooklyn is giving Buffalo some fierce competition. On Saturday, February 12th at 2:00, stop by Red Star (37 Greenpoint Avenue), sample wings from bars and restaurants from all over the borough and vote for the best. Actually, forget that. Just vote for Fifth Avenue's Bonnie's Grill. Go Bonnie's!

We're sure that there are more non-Valentine's Day events taking place this week and next so if you know of any that we missed, email us at mailto:whatsupon5thave@gmail.com and we'll add them to this post.

Sing for Your Discount

In a world of 50% off Groupon deals (with hundreds of copy-cat coupon sites popping up every week), the word "discount" has a different meaning than it used to. In fact, purchasing a "deal" for a local store, bar or restaurant is starting to seem common these days, for better or for worse.

However, Fifth Avenue's Guvnor's Vintage Thrift has come up with a new, far more interesting way for its customers to save. Drop by their shop on Sundays, from 4-7pm, pick a tune (they have some AC/DC, Bowie, Blondie, Stones, Madonna, Guns N Roses, Jerry Lee, Peggy Lee, Van Halen, The Clash, Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, The Carpenters, & of course, Elvis!) and start singing. You'll receive a coupon for up to 25% off any purchase. That's right. You want a discount? Sing for it!

Just one thing, though. We hope that some of the performances get video taped (maybe for a little extra discount) so that we can post them right here on All About Fifth.

Via Effed in Park Slope

Fashion Week Launch at Animated Closet

In case you missed it, Animated Closet opened its doors on Fifth Avenue in late 2010. The store's fun, colorful clothes and the owner's strong sense of social responsibility make it a new must-stop destination on the avenue.

On Friday, they'll be hosting a "Fashion Week Kick-Off Party" from 7-11PM, complete with a DJ, raffle prizes and refreshments. Sounds like a great opportunity to check out their clothes, as well. Interested? Email them at events@animatedcloset.com.

Click on the invite graphic, above, to see a larger version of it. We hope to have an interview with Animated Closet's staff posted here later this week. Stay tuned.

News Round-Up

Super Bowl XLV, Where to Watch the Big Game [D Guide]

So Far, a Tough 2011 for Slope Businesses [Park Slope Patch]

Freddy’s Revenge [NY Press]

Spend and Win on Fifth Ave. [Brooklyn Paper]

Our Favorite Buffalo Wings in New York City [Serious Eats]

Call for Designs: BID Banners

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID has announced a call for lightpole banner designs. In the coming months, the BID will hang lightpole banners along the avenue, from Dean to 18th Street. They are currently looking for designs for the Summer of 2011.

Here are the details:

• Come up with a unique, Park Slope Fifth Avenue summer banner design and if it is used, you'll receive $100! A special consideration will be given to banners that pick up on patriotic themes, such as the Battle of Brooklyn. Multiple designs will likely be used along the avenue.


• All designs will be featured on Parkslopefifthavenuebid.com


• Overall dimensions of banners are 30”w x 72”h. The design should be 28” x 66”, to allow for hems and pole pockets.


• Designs should be submitted to info@parkslopefifthavenuebid.com by March 1, 2011.

You know, maybe thinking about summer and designing banners for warmer months will make you feel warmer? One could only hope.

Start Planning for Valentine's Day

Yes, it's Groundhog Day, today. We wonder if he'll be able to emerge from under the giant piles of snow and ice, though. If he can't, does that mean 20 more weeks of winter?

Anyway, there are just two weeks until Valentine's Day. Time to start planning! All month we'll be posting store, bar and restaurant Valentine's Day Specials (other than the BID's raffle) to help you plan your day (and weekend, as it falls on a Monday this year).

Here's what we know, so far:

• Stone Park Cafe: Special Valentine's Day menu, $65. Download the menu here.



• Pink Olive: Me+You= ♥ Pink Olive has teamed up with cookie extraordinaire, Casue Sweets, to create a limited edition Pink Olive Valentine Telegram! It features an exclusive design of two cupcakes and a heart cookies w/ custom initials, hand-written note on "xoxo" letterpress card, all wrapped up and ready to go for $24 Call them at 718-398-2016 or email at concierge@pinkolive.com to pre-order. Orders will be accepted until Monday, February 7th.



• Kappa Sake House: Try their special Prix Fixe Dinner or Brunch menu throughout the entire Valentine's weekend. Download the menu here.



• Baluchi's: offering special dinner for two for $50. Enjoy drinks from their new bar! Download the menu here



• Melt: A four course menu for $50,including Bacon Wrapped Scallop, Horseradish Crusted Beef Tenderloin, Seared Salmon, Dark Chocolate Mousse Torte and more! Pair wine with each course for just $25 more! Download the menu here.
 


• Southpaw: 2/13 A Benefit for the American Cancer Society: Pink + Black Tie Gala. Bands: The Liza Colby Sound, Les Sans Culottes, Miss Fairchild, Burlesque Performances by Angie Pontani + Helen Pontani, Twirla, Sexology, Kiki. 21+ w/ ID admission: $20 includes a comp drink door time: 6PM Doors/7PM Show. | 2/14 THE SYD STRAW HEARTWRECK SHOW featuring the Orchestraw Plankton and exciting mystery Special Guests! 18+ w/ ID admission: $20 door time: 7:30 DOORS / 8PM SHOW. Also, don't miss their 1970s Valentines Day Key Party at Downsouth (the basement). Open beer and wine bar, snack buffet & party favors. Music by Mikey Palms, 21+ w/ ID admission. Door time: 9pm $20



• Zu Zu's Petals: They are celebrating their 40th Valentine's Day. Congrats! "Stop by and share a glass of bubbly Proseco with us.Why not make it a Valentine's Weekend? Our collection of garden fresh flowers will be available for pick up or delivery from Friday February 11th-Monday February 14th.The Love you take is equal to the Love you make."



• Moutarde: is normally closed on Mondays but will be open on Valentine's Day.



• Palo Santo: will be serving Valentine’s Dinner all weekend! A special five course meal will be available for three nights! Saturday, February 12th, Sunday, February 13th, and Monday, February 14th. Bring a few friends on Saturday for a triple date, or reserve a quiet two top on Sunday and beat the crowds. Slow down the pace while you and your significant other enjoy raw oyster ceviche and a whole grilled lobster or grass-fed beef tenderloin with chayote gratin. Meat, fish and vegetarian friendly options will be available. An unlisted nine course tasting will also be served at the kitchen counter by chef Jacques Gautier.FIVE COURSE TASTING with meat, fish and veg options. Reservations available from 6pm – 10pm - $160 PER COUPLE


• Eidolon: 20% off all jewelry during Valentine's Day weekend through Valentine's Day? (Sat, Sun and Mon)


• Campo De' Fiori: Special dinner for $39! Download the menu: here


• Gingers Bar: As always, LOTS going on at Gingers! Download their busy Valentine's Weekend schedule here!


• Brooklyn Industries: Lots of special Valentine's Day goods. Check out their Gift Guide

Civic Council’s 2011 Forum: “Growing a Business in Park Slope”

We just received word that the Park Slope Civic Council's 2011 community forum will take place on Thursday, March 3rd at The Montauk Club (25 Eighth Avenue, at Lincoln Place).

As you might recall, last year's event was focused on Park Slope's Fourth Avenue. This year, the theme will be: “Growing a Business in Park Slope: Connecting, Supporting, and Inspiring Our Local Entrepreneurs.”

Storefront, studio, and freelance operation, owners of all businesses at all levels will benefit from this forum. This will be a great opportunity to network and build connections within the Park Slope business community. Scheduled topics of discussion include “The Nuts and Bolts of Business,” “Social Media,” “Thinking Outside the Real Estate Box,” “Turning Passion into Profit,” and “The Past and Future of Park Slope Business.” The forum is free and open to the public; seating is limited.

To register or get updates about the event, e-mail: forum2011@parkslopeciviccouncil.org. If registering, let the organizers know what type of business you're in or would like to start, and what you hope to learn at the forum. Updates will be regularly posted at parkslopeciviccouncil.org/growing-business.