Set Speed noticed this Craigslist ad for the space formerly occupied by South Portland Antiques. Being completely ignorant of commercial rent rates, I can’t chime in on the appropriateness of what the owner is asking. However, I can lay to rest all speculation up to now about what will be going into the space, as it’s clear that there’s nothing in the works yet.
Previously: South Portland Antiques Out, More Grocery In?
The Brooklyn Paper has a new article on the rising rents, and subsequent changing face, of Fulton Street:
In the past couple of months, Fulton Street has seen a tremendous turnover in businesses. Vanished from the Fort Greene scene are Restaurant New Orleans, Keur ’N Deye, and South Portland Antiques. Gone is Hot Toddie. On its way out is Designer Braids and Trade, which has been in business on Fulton Street for two decades.
Many of these businesses prospered through the early stages of gentrification, but the area’s growing popularity became, for some, too much of a good thing. They were comfortable operating in the relatively slow-paced, modest-rent environment of yesteryear, less so in the more demanding, highly competitive, Manhanttanesque Fort Greene and Clinton Hill of the future, where rent increases are topless.
As reported by Eater via Eating in Translation, Keur N’Deye has closed after 17 years of serving Senegalese food on Fulton Street.
Brownstoner reports that a gourmet grocery is rumored to be taking the space recently vacated by South Portland Antiques, at the corner of South Portland and Fulton Street.
I agree — weird, considering the new Fresh Market down the block.
Rather than flooding the neighborhood with many of one kind of store, I think it’s time for proprietors to start really considering what the neighborhood is lacking. I agree, up until now, we needed a gourmet grocery. But we don’t need two within a one-minute walk. I would would much rather see:
*A bookstore in the mold of Book Court in Cobble Hill
*a bare bones bar with good yet unintrusive music
Anything else that you all would like to see in the hood? Let us know in the comments…
