Here’s some stuff I have inklings and semi-confirmation on:
*A huge warehouse at Knickerbocker and Flushing is right now under renovation into a Bedford Minimall-like retail and art center. The developer has not yet decided on a final layout. A snippet of one possibility is above.
*Two upscale/organic grocery operators are fighting over space at the Wyckoff Exchange. One wants two “bays” of the five available, the other wants three — the third would be so there is room for a wine shop.
*Also at the Wyckoff Exchange, it’s rumored that a rock-climbing gym was sniffing around looking for space — but they may have settled on an armory in Park Slope. Which is fine with me. Can you just imagine the insufferable frat douchebags invading our sensitive arty hipster hub? (Cuz you know they already are).
*The vacant Scaturro block on Knickerbocker and DeKalb is slated to become lofts and nice ground floor retail.
*A creperie and café is in the pipeline for Bushwick within the year, if all goes to plan.
*Jane’s bar now has its building permits, and serious plumbing work is underway. Scheduled opening is pushed back to September.
JorgeRB May 14th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Wow! I continue to be impressed by the changes occurring in Bushwick. A creperie would be amazing, as I do love myself a solid crepe (mmm nutella)!
But, I would have enjoyed a rock-climbing gym. There’s nothing like pretending you’re Sly Stallone in the classic, “Cliffhanger.”
JorgeRB
bushwickgirl May 14th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
love it. love it. love it. Thanks for keeping up us up to date on the happenings!
Guest May 14th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Awesome. The more food options the less you have to go out of the neighborhood, and it’s great to see the rehabbing going on.
What stores are interested in moving into the Knick/Flushing space?
Shari May 14th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Holy torpedos, Batman! Go Bushwick, go Bushwick, with your bad self, with your bad self!!!
I loves me some life in the Bush.
:D
Thank you Jeremy! You are THE MAN.
sweetser May 16th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Is the “vacant Scaturro block” the block between Knickerbocker and Wilson, Dekalb and Hart? There are all sorts of boarded up buildings and an abandoned grocery store here, but it seems like such a prime space – right by the park, short walks to the L and M trains. Whatever moves in will be better than the complex of closed up buildings there now. These are definitely some exciting developments in the hood.
Armstrong August 28th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Exciting. Heard anything lately? I’m wondering if you might elaborate on your “inklings and semi-confirmation”?
Also, do people think the credit crunch will affect big developments like these or are these things already in the works, financed, etc?
Jeremy Sapienza August 28th, 2008 at 10:23 am
I only have updates about two things:
The creperie has found a location, and it’s awesome, sort of unexpected but I think it will do well.
Jane is thinking October for opening, only because she is canceling plans to do grander things in the space than she wanted. The permitting process (of course) forced months of dead time, and now she just needs to open. So it’s on a fast track — though as far as I know, she still has no definite name for the bar.
I do think the credit crunch will knock some of these bigger projects off the radar for now. There are plenty of retail spots in the hood with non-astronomical costs of development.
armstrong September 8th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
And yet..
I see they are starting to put up street scaffolding up on Knickerbocker outside Scaturros..
Perhaps we can count one upcoming project as begun?
Jeremy Sapienza September 8th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Very interesting, I’ll see what I can find out.
Armstrong September 14th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
scaffolding taken down, stop-work order issued, construction equipment parked in parking lot behind store off of dekalb for now..
who knows what awaits us in this location? how exciting though. this is a large property in a prime location.
Guest September 16th, 2008 at 10:21 am
I hope the facade is left as is, they are really nice looking old buildings.
Armstrong September 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am
last night on a bike ride I noticed that the “huge warehouse on flushing and knickerbocker” has work going on in the first floor spaces. things might be looking up for the minimall project here. at least the bones for it seem to be being laid down.
Chantal October 31st, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I’m actually opening a hair salon in the Flushing Mini Mall. I have a store in Williamsburg and have decided to move my shop as well as a small 3 station hair salon to Bushwick. Really excited let me know what you are looking for in a Salon/Boutique. Also there are spaces still available the place is called The Loom and i’m working with Joe here’s a contact (917) 586-5471. So i’m thinking $35 men’s cuts $55 women’s cuts and free coffee and PBR’s.