Recent Changes on Fifth

Well, after a challenging January, things are starting to look up on Fifth Avenue in late February/early March.

Here are some of the changes we saw, on our walk yesterday:

154 Fifth Avenue: Chez Bibis Burger Bar is coming soon
249 Fifth Avenue: Beauty Bar  is now open.

388 Fifth Avenue: Backyard now open
396 Fifth Avenue: we hear that an Indian Restaurant is opening in the former Mezcal's space. 

Also, there are signs of construction at several spaces between Dean and 18th Streets, including at the former Comida, Timboos and Aunt Suzie's spaces (see photo above).

Still, there is some bad news this month:

125 Fifth Avenue: Southpaw Closed
280 Fifth Avenue: Blue Ribbon Sushi closed
341 Fifth Avenue: El Sitio Borinquen closed

461 Fifth Avenue: Lily's Gift Shop closing soon
487 Fifth Avenue: Hair Designs by Julie appears to be empty

Goorin Brothers Vintage Baseball Caps

Baseball season is nearly upon us. Thank God, because this football withdrawal is killing us.

By the way, if you're the type of person who likes baseball hats but you really don't have an allegiance to a pro team, you might want to check out the new vintage-style ball caps at Goorin Brothers (195B Fifth Avenue). Even if you do have a favorite team, these hats might be a nice addition for the spring and summer.

Here are the styles, on the website.

Commercial Rents Rise Near Barclays Site

According to the Park Slope Patch, commercial rents near the Barclays Center have doubled over the past few months and vacant spaces are filling up fast.

This certainly seems like good news for properties near Flatbush Avenue and there is plenty of evidence that the arena is attracting businesses to vacant spaces on the northern end of Fifth Avenue.

The question is, will these rent increases make their way south along Fifth, towards Union Street and, if so, can stores, bars and restaurants make money under these circumstances?

What do you think?

Read the full Patch article here.

News Round-Up

Small New Slope Build Now Trying its Luck as a Rental [Brownstoner]

Planned parking-free apartments near Barclays Center stoke fear [Brooklyn Paper]

Fourth Avenue-Ninth Street Eastside Entrance Opens After 40 Years [Park Slope Patch]

Cyprus Avenue to Re-Open by Saturday [Here's Park Slope]

Upcoming Shows This Week

Tonight (Thursday, February 23)

Freddy's:

Uke Night- An opportunity for ukulele players to join an informal, fun jam session (open to the public for total ukulele enjoyment) at 7 followed by a performance at 9 by the The Ukuladies

Union Hall:

YELLOWBIRDDD Sincere, lyrically driven songwriting mixing folk integrity with pop sensibility.

THE FIELD EFFECT In a live setting, The Field Effect is nothing short of a cannonball to the face. Adam's thunderous drumming has been likened to that of heavy-hitter, Dave Grohl, and often requires no microphones whatsoever. Bassist, Annie, breaks the female musician mold with tastefully-complex bass-lines as well as a vigorous stage presence. Nick's creative and catchy lead guitar work provides a perfect catalyst to the driving rhythm bed provided by Doug. On stage, The Field Effect emits a vivacity that commands audiences onto their feet and into motion.

CHRIS LORRAINE Chris Lorraine of Malinks and Withholders fame has been coerced out of retirement! From the Malinks to the Withholders, Lorraine has always remained a "musician's musician." Haunting chords are his first love. Influenced by punk guitar kingpin Robert Quine, mad genius Brian Wilson, and misanthropic Blur guitarist Graham Coxon--for Lorraine, the music came first - that is his story and the lyrics were the frosting on the post punk cake, as it were.

The Fifth Estate: DJ Phast Phreddie

Tomorrow (Friday, February 24)

Southpaw: Johnny Cash's 80th Birthday Show. 2 Day pass gets you into both shows: 2 DAY Friday 2/24@ The Bell House = Alex Battles and the Whisky Rebellion perform “Live at San Quentin” Saturday 2/25@ Southpaw = Alex Battles and the Whisky Rebellion perform “Live at Folsom Prison” admission: $25 door time: 8PM / 830PM SHOW

Union Hall:
Union Hall: DEAD FINGERS (Official NYC CD Release Party)

Taylor Hollingsworth and Kate Taylor singing together is a match made in heaven, (or maybe hell, if the devil has anything to do with this, which would not be surprising).  You would almost think Kate was married to her manager, or record label exec., who was having them act like they were romantic just to sell tickets and albums. But in fact, this Alabama duo are recently married and the two just recorded their first self titled full length with Bruce Watson (RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Iggy and the Stooges, AA Bondy), and is being released on Big Legal Mess/ Fat Possum Records early 2012. While showing a wide range of styles, ranging from duet styled songs like those of John Prine and Iris DeMent, X, or Lee Hazelwood and Ann Margaret, to straight up great classic rock bands like the Stones, Beatles, or even Traveling Wilburys, this band should find a nice home with fans of more current duo's like She and Him, Jenny and Johnny, or Civil Wars.

After the music: NEW BEARD Official Heart of Darkness Afterparty New Beard started merely a year ago when the songwriting and producing duo of Benajmin Wigler and Andrew Dunn, formerly of the band Arizona, joined forces with prog dynamo drummer Tony Waldman, tuba gunslinger TubaJoe Exley, and backhanded shredder Yazan. This band just finished it's epic upcoming LP release, a massively orchestrated production all mixed up by Swedish phenom Gustav Ejstes of the band Dungen. Soaring lead vocals, fresh melodic hooks, layered instrumentation and tuba-powered rock are New Beard's hallmarks which marry elements as disparate as indie pop, latin jazz, Japanese folk music, and old-school metal.

Freddy's: From Rum to Whiskey / Crooked Man / Mans Gin / Yuni Sabatino & Giant Flying Turtles

 8pm Giant Flying Turtles: Giant Flying Turtles consists of NYC’s Calvin Bennett and Johnny Young. They play rock and Americana music on upright bass, piano, guitar, drums, and other instruments.

 9pm Yuni Sabatino: She was born in Mexico City & educated at the National Institute for the Fine Arts where she was trained in classical music as an Opera Singer. She also complimented her education with instruction from one of the best representatives of vocal jazz music in Mexico.

Dine in Brooklyn 2012

Brooklyn’s restaurant week, aka Dine In Brooklyn, will be held March 19 - 29. Three-course lunches ($20.12) and Dinners ($25.00) will be served at some of the borough's hottest spots.

Yeah, we know, Dine in Brooklyn is a month away and the list of participating restaurants hasn't even been posted (to our knowledge). But, it's never too early to plan ahead. Hey, the guys at Bogota Latin Bistro have already posted a Dine in Brooklyn reservations page on their website. You'd better secure your spot while you can!

Small Business Forum

We're big supporters of small businesses, even if they aren't on Fifth Avenue. That's why we're happy to help promote this new group called the Park Slope Small Business Forum. It's made up of folks who run their small businesses out of their homes or are developing plans for a new business idea.

If this sounds interesting to you, they will be meeting tonight (2/21) at 8:00pm at Park Slope Eye (682 Union Street near Fifth Avenue).

Here's a preview of tonights program:

Leonard Shostak will present: "Do you get what you pay for? Know what kind of help you really need—and how to get it.” Whether you’re starting a business, thinking of starting one, or trying to grow an existing business or freelance practice, you have a lot of questions - do I need a lawyer, do I need an accountant, do I need to incorporate? Do I need a formal business plan? Should I take my brother-in-law’s advice, or my banker’s? How do I get my accountant and computer guy to work together? Could a consultant or coach help me? Leonard has worked with, hired (and fired) a variety of business advisers for clients in 20 years as a business and technology consultant. Benefit from his experience to avoid beginner mistakes and get more bang for your professional services buck. 


 Please RSVP to weissj2003@yahoo.com

And the Winners Are...

The winners of the three Fifth Avenue Shopping Sprees are:

* Karen Mohlenbrok: $300 shopping spree
* John Zimmer: $500 shopping spree
* Beth Kapocias: $1000 shopping spree

Congratulations and thank you all for shopping local!

News Round-Up

What to Expect: NY Kids Club, 125 Fifth Avenue [Here's Park Slope]

This ‘Terroir’ is your terroir [Brooklyn Paper]

Push to Expand Historic District in the North Slope [Brownstoner]

 Roadify, A Park Slope Based Company, Releases New Version of its iPhone App [Park Slope Patch]

Americana Pie 2 at Southpaw

Yeah, we know, Southpaw will be closing soon, but this series of shows is definitely worth checking out.

Starting tonight though February 19th, they'll be host to Americana Pie 2, 4 nights of roots, alt-country, bluegrass and americana music (featuring a lot of great Brooklyn acts).

Artists:
Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
Sons of Bill
Barnyard Brothers
The Newton Gang
The Hollows
Daniel Wayne
Courtesy Tier
Dayna Kurtz
JP & The Gilberts
Smokey & The Bandit 2: Electric Boogaloo
The Grand Prospect
Six Deadly Venoms
Rebecca Pronsky Band
The High Irons
I’ll Be John Brown
The Crevulators
The Birdhive Boys

The shows are sponsored by Brooklyn's own Sixpoint Craft Ales.

Update on Raffle

Just a quick note: The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Spending Spree Raffle has ended. However, it will take a couple of days to collect all of the raffle tickets submitted at the nearly 100 participating businesses. Winners of the three prizes will be chosen by the end of the week. Stay tuned!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ginger's Bar: Tuesday, February 14 Ginger's Valentine's Day "Kiss & Tell" Party! Valentine cocktails special, Drink a dose of... ❤Luv’s Potions #69 or sip from a bottle of chilled "G's Ménage à trios’ Champagne" (1 bottle and 3 glasses supplied by Perry) Lots of Fun!!! No cover. 10pm-4am. Prize chance & Fun giveaways. Dip, indulge into our infamous flowing fudge, fountain. No Cover, ID

Tabeel Aromatherapy Gifts: Spend $50.00 or more, get the "PASSION" Luxury Layered Potpourri {while supplies last}, ILLUME Candles 15% off, SULTRY and STELLA Reed Diffusers 10% off

Baluchis: Valentine's Day Special for Two $50. Download the menu here.



Pink Olive: taking pre-orders for a limited number of special Pink Olive exclusive gift sets. Includes: a beautiful one-of-a-kind vintage cake stand, a retro heart shaped tin box with candy, a Valentine's Day postcard with a handwritten message, exclusive X O shaped marshmallows from Three Tarts, all wrapped with love and & tied with a whimsical ribbon.

ZuZu's Petals:

Roses are Red

Hydrangea are blue

Give us your V.Day order.
We'll make romance for you.


Stone Park Cafe: Chef Josh has put together another stunning menu for Valentine's Day, offering a three-course prix fixe for $70. The menu is available here. Reservations are still available. Call 718.369.0082 to inquire.

SkyIce: Calling All Devout Ice Creamer's!!! True Lovers of Ice Cream Know it's an All the Year Round Food. SkyIce is delighted to announce the first annual "Unconditional Love for Ice Cream" Contest
Participate and win SkyIce Bucks:

1st Place awarded $100 in SkyIce Bucks and a specially designed dessert by the SkyIce Ice Cream Artist Maven Sutheera
2nd Place - awarded $50 SkyIce Bucks
3rd Place - awarded $25 SkyIce Bucks
How it works:
-Express your love for ice cream with your significant other, family, or group of
friends at SkyIce.
-Take your best funny, silly, amorous, etc. picture anywhere in the store
(behind the counter excluded).
-Post your picture on our Facebook page, sit back, and start counting the
"Likes."
The couple, family, or group with the most "Likes" wins! Contest will run til midnight Sunday, February 12, 2012
Winners will be announced on the SkyIce Facebook page at noon Monday,February 13th, 2012

Aperitivo: Friday through Tuesday, $65 prix fixe or al la carte. Download the menu here. Download the Sotto Voce menu here.

Melt: Celebrate Valentine's day at Melt with a 3 course dinner prix fixe. Just $38! Many choices a la carte.
 
Moutarde: Will be open for Valentine's Day with the regular menu and a special "Thank You."

Miriam:
"I love thee, I love but thee
With a love that shall not die
Till the sun grows cold
And the stars grow old"
-William Shakespeare
3 course Prix Fixe Dinner $50 Call to make a reservation (718) 622 2250 or visit on opentable.com. The menu is available at miriamrestaurant.com.

Eidolon is having an end of season blowout shoe sale with prices starting at $25. For a Valentine's gift idea, check out our new styles of Smartypants hand-made undies for $25 and a wide selection of jewelry with prices ranging from $10-$95.


200 Fifth: complimentary glasses of Korbel Brut Champagne with every entree.

Two More Days

Just a reminder that there are two more days left in the Fifth Avenue Spending Spree Raffle. Shop, eat and drink local and receive a chance to win one of three shopping sprees on Fifth from the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.

The full list of participating merchants is available here.

News Round-Up

Park Slope Pundits Get the Story Wrong [Columbia Journalism Review]

Park Slope is Dead [New Yorker]

Owners of Talde to Open New Restaurant on Fifth Avenue in Aunt Suzie's Former Space [PS Patch]

BK's Blue Ribbon Sushi to Close, Merge with Brasserie [NY Eater]

And of Course, News About Aunt Suzie's

By now, you've read in the Park Slope Patch and local blogs that the space formerly occupied by Aunt Suzie's Restaurant for 25 years will soon become a third location for the local team that brought you Thistle Hill and Talde.

This is, of course, welcome news for Fifth after a sad goodbye to Aunt Suzie's restaurant. As for Aunt Suzie, she says she is about to adopt three new nephews. "David Massoni, Dale Talde and John Bush will be taking the space on Fifth Avenue between Carroll and Garfield. Wait for a great new concept from them in May. They are the co-owners of Thistle Hill and Talde and they will bring their restaurant magic to Fifth Avenue."

Valentine's Day 2012

We're keeping a running list of special Fifth Avenue Valentine's Day meals/events from now through Tuesday. Here's what we know so far:

Ginger's Bar: Sunday, February 12th "PRE-VALENTINE BINGO" BINGO & AS ALWAYS A FABULOUS SHOW HOSTED, PRODUCED , DIRECTED & STARRING THE ONE & ONLY LUSCIOUS LOLA!!! Wear something RED & HOT for Valentine Bingo. There will be Chocolate Treats FOR ALL. 2 Lucky winner's will get a chance to win a Special gift at the end of Bingo! Many, Many NEW FAUBLOUS Prizes to be given away at bingo.
Tuesday, February 14 Ginger's Valentine's Day "Kiss & Tell" Party! Valentine cocktails special, Drink a dose of... ❤Luv’s Potions #69 or sip from a bottle of chilled "G's Ménage à trios’ Champagne" (1 bottle and 3 glasses supplied by Perry) Lots of Fun!!! No cover. 10pm-4am. Prize chance & Fun giveaways. Dip, indulge into our infamous flowing fudge, fountain. No Cover, ID
Tabeel Aromatherapy Gifts: Spend $50.00 or more, get the "PASSION" Luxury Layered Potpourri {while supplies last}, ILLUME Candles 15% off, SULTRY and STELLA Reed Diffusers 10% off

Pink Olive: taking pre-orders for a limited number of special Pink Olive exclusive gift sets. Includes: a beautiful one-of-a-kind vintage cake stand, a retro heart shaped tin box with candy, a Valentine's Day postcard with a handwritten message, exclusive X O shaped marshmallows from Three Tarts, all wrapped with love and & tied with a whimsical ribbon.
ZuZu's Petals:

Roses are Red

Hydrangea are blue

Give us your V.Day order.
We'll make romance for you.
Stone Park Cafe: Chef Josh has put together another stunning menu for Valentine's Day, offering a three-course prix fixe for $70. The menu is available here. Reservations are still available. Call 718.369.0082 to inquire.
SkyIce: Calling All Devout Ice Creamer's!!! True Lovers of Ice Cream Know it's an All the Year Round Food. SkyIce is delighted to announce the first annual "Unconditional Love for Ice Cream" Contest
Participate and win SkyIce Bucks:
1st Place awarded $100 in SkyIce Bucks and a specially designed dessert by the SkyIce Ice Cream Artist Maven Sutheera
2nd Place - awarded $50 SkyIce Bucks
3rd Place - awarded $25 SkyIce Bucks
How it works:
-Express your love for ice cream with your significant other, family, or group of
friends at SkyIce.
-Take your best funny, silly, amorous, etc. picture anywhere in the store
(behind the counter excluded).
-Post your picture on our Facebook page, sit back, and start counting the
"Likes."
The couple, family, or group with the most "Likes" wins! Contest will run til midnight Sunday, February 12, 2012
Winners will be announced on the SkyIce Facebook page at noon Monday,February 13th, 2012
Aperitivo: Friday through Tuesday, $65 prix fixe or al la carte. Download the menu here. Download the Sotto Voce menu here.
Melt: Celebrate Valentine's day at Melt with a 3 course dinner prix fixe. Just $38! Many choices a la carte.
 
Moutarde: Will be open for Valentine's Day with the regular menu and a special "Thank You."

Miriam:
"I love thee, I love but thee
With a love that shall not die
Till the sun grows cold
And the stars grow old"
-William Shakespeare
3 course Prix Fixe Dinner $50 Call to make a reservation (718) 622 2250 or visit on opentable.com. The menu is available at miriamrestaurant.com.

Eidolon is having an end of season blowout shoe sale with prices starting at $25. For a Valentine's gift idea, check out our new styles of Smartypants hand-made undies for $25 and a wide selection of jewelry with prices ranging from $10-$95.


200 Fifth: complimentary glasses of Korbel Brut Champagne with every entree.

More on Slow Zones

On Saturday, Jan. 21, the Park Slope Civic Council held a community meeting to discuss neighborhood slow zones, a community-based program from the city's Department of Transportation that reduces the speed limit to 20 mph within a select area and adds safety measures to change driver behavior and help improve safety.

If you are interested in the topic but you didn't get a chance to attend the meeting (it was basically the only snowy day of the winter), you can review meeting notes, a survey and more related documents on the topic at parkslopeciviccouncil.org/slow-zones.

We have a feeling that this is not the last time we will hear about this proposal.

Updated Mobile Web Page

Back in June of 2010, we announced that the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID had created a mobile web page, in partnership with Mobile Meteor, a Brooklyn-based mobile web company based in Prospect Heights.

Today, the BID is launching it's newest version of the mobile web app (version 2.0?). Just go to parkslopefifthavenuebid.com on your smartphone (iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Palm) to search for businesses, read the latest Fifth Avenue news and more.

 If you like what you see, Mobile Meteor makes these sites for a very reasonable price. Learn more here.

Temporary Book Store on Fifth

We've heard a lot of people say that Fifth Avenue needs a good, locally-owned book store. But, with the ever-popular Community Bookstore just up the hill on Seventh Avenue, it's hard for potential bookstore owners to imagine opening on Fifth (especially when the world is rapidly moving towards ebooks).

Of course, competition from the Community Bookstore isn't a problem when Community Bookstore, itself, opens on Fifth Avenue. That's right, today, visit a specially curated pop-up version of Community Bookstore at Kos Kaffe Roasting House (251 5th Avenue between Carroll and Garfield Street) while the real Community Bookstore's floors get replaced.

 Seventh Avenue's (temporary) loss is Fifth Avenue's (temporary) gain. Drop by between 8-7 and check it out. Hey, who knows, if the reaction is strong enough, maybe they'll think about opening another, permanent location on Fifth!

News Round-Up

Park Slope Library Under Construction Until Fall [Brownstoner]

Where to Eat and Drink on Super Bowl Sunday in Park Slope [PS Patch]

‘Cash for Gold’ Is Too Brash for Some Slopers [Brooklyn Paper]

‘Top Chef’ Dale Talde Opens Park Slope Restaurant with Brooklyn Charm and Asian-American Influence [Daily News]

Special delivery! Slope Sex Shop Dispatches Toys within an Hour — by Bike! [Brooklyn Paper]

February Events Calendar

Our Park Slope Fifth Avenue events calendar has been updated. LOTS going on in the neighborhood, this month. If you want to add something that isn't already on our calendar, email us at whatsupon5thave@gmail.com. Click here to view the calendar.

Star Wars Sleepover

If your kids are fans of Star Wars, save the evening of February 10th!

Local non-profit (and frequent Fifth Avenue BID event partner) Puppetry Arts is hosting an amazing "Star Wars Sleepover" at Ripley's Believe it or Not in Times Square. Dress as your favorite Star Wars character, bring a pillow, blanket and pajamas and stay overnight.

The event will feature real Star Wars characters, pizza, games and a scavenger hunt. A portion of the event proceeds will go to support Puppetry Arts, so help out, if you can!

Call 212-398-3133 for tickets.