The Q at Parkside

(for those for whom the Parkside Q is their hometrain)

News and Nonsense from the Brooklyn neighborhood of Lefferts and environs, or more specifically a neighborhood once known as Melrose Park. Sometimes called Lefferts Gardens. Or Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. Or PLG. Or North Flatbush. Or Caledonia (west of Ocean). Or West Pigtown. Across From Park Slope. Under Crown Heights. Near Drummer's Grove. The Side of the Park With the McDonalds. Jackie Robinson Town. Home of Lefferts Manor. West Wingate. Near Kings County Hospital. Or if you're coming from the airport in taxi, maybe just Flatbush is best.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Lincoln Road Update: The Landlord Speaks

The Q just got off the phone with Rong Ge, the landlord referenced in the previous post. We spoke for nearly an hour, and it was a very informative and sometimes frothy conversation. I must admit to being very torn about all the things I've heard on both sides of the issues that are bubbling up through the cracked pavement on Lincoln Road. For her part, Rong is whip-smart and not about to concede any ground regarding the "vision" that she has for the strip. She's aware of the insults that have been hurled at her, and she's none too happy about it. She feels she's been cast as a villain, when in fact she feels she found a diamond in the rough and has been trying to bring the neighborhood some much needed amenities. "I just want a place to get a decent coffee, get a decent meal, and go get drunk if I want to," she half-joked. This post is intended as an opportunity to hear from the woman whom many have maligned, but few have actually heard her side of things. The Q is not interested in picking sides, just hearing all of them. I called Enduro and look forward to printing their thoughts in a future post.

Regardless of one's leanings, it's hard to fault a property owner for wanting what she wants. In some ways, we're talking about the total opposite of "absentee landlord-ism." She's very much involved in the development of her property, and more to the point, the development of the neighborhood into a more genteel place for the coffee-bistro-organic-provisions set that has become more and more conspicuous in the 'hood of late. But more to the point, the story began because Rong herself wanted a place where she and her husband could buy a decent cup of coffee in the neighborhood. Really.

Rong Ge grew up in China. Her dad's a well-known and well-off doctor, and she started her adult life as a well-educated fine artist. Moving to NYC in the '80s, she tried to make a go as an artist, but various realities conspired to send her professional life towards real estate.  After moving to a nice block in PLG in the late '90s, she found herself enamored of the beautiful but underutilized building at the corner of Lincoln and Flatbush, and she was able to convince its then-owner to sell it to her. She got a good deal, and she remains grateful to that prior owner, and through the early '00s leased a space back to him for next to nothing, so he could continue his beauty-supply store. But her headstrong vision for the block was never far from her mind, and when Gaby-and-family of K-Dog came calling, she was super happy to welcome them, providing what Ge calls generous terms towards their much-heralded opening.

But from the beginning, the relationship was strained. Rong feels, wrongly or rightly, that she was never treated with respect. Is it because she's Asian and female? She's had her suspicions. She told the Q to put on an Asian mask for a day and see how the world treats you. Sadly my Asian mask is still at the cleaners - Korean cleaners, mind you - but her point is well taken. In particular, it appears that Ge and Gaby's mom never hit it off. Even a year after K-Dog opened, Rong stopped going to K-Dog entirely, feeling dissed every time she walked in. Ironically, Rong's husband (who is apparently a big morning cup-a-joe kinda guy) stopped going too, but, more prosaically, because he was so annoyed by the frustratingly long and slow lines. In the end, there was little that Gaby could do to extract the terms she wanted from Ge, and vice-versa, and as you now deduce, Ge was not feeling particularly warm and fuzzy towards the process. Throw in some personal stuff and general exhaustion, and it's safe to say that the 'Dog was more than ready to throw it in. Was it just about money, as some have said? From Ge's perspective, it was not, and she's the one telling the story in this post. And it wasn't the only time that she said "money is not the issue" during our conversation. Take that as you will.

The landlord also wants to set the record straight on the spaces up for lease: Blue Roost is safe, and has Ge's full support. Papa & Sons, whose lease is up, is out unless a Hail Mary scores a last minute game-winner (seems Papa's been nailed a time or two by the cops for running an illegal "numbers" a/k/a lottery operation, and Ge wants no part of that). While Enduro and it's sister Lincoln Park Tavern are not yet at the end of their lease, they're also clearly not at the end of their leash yet either, because Ge is not happy with

a) the dispiriting Department of Health citations - (just type in Cafe Enduro for the details to draw your own conclusion)

b) the seeming lack of concern or love shown to the businesses on the part of the owners

c) the constant badmouthing she receives from the neighborhood, which she suspects comes from the contempt with which she held by owners, workers and patrons

d) the fact that she cut them major slack on their rent after the economic downturn started, and she feels this fact is both unappreciated and unacknowledged

So, yes, Rong Ge is not particularly happy about the state of affairs in her kingdom, but she seems genuinely in love with her building and with the idea of changing the neighborhood for the better. Her broker was speaking with the owners of Union Market (you know that little can-do upscale grocer that had the gumption to open up just down from the Park Slope Food Coop, selling much of the same inventory at a 50% premium, albeit without lines or work requirements?) but apparently they don't think Papa's is big enough. (your speculation inserted here.)

Bottom line is this. While the Massey Knakal listing seems relatively clear and straightforward, it ain't over til the Phat Albert sings. This humble blogger walked away from today's conversation with our neighbor Rong Ge even less sure of whom or what to believe than ever before. Do I really care? Kinda, I guess. I wish I could get more riled up about it all, like I've seen others of my neighbors get. But in the long run, I don't know whether it's all that worth taking sides. I don't drink at Lincoln Park Tavern. I don't particularly care for the food at Enduro. I think Francisco at Papa & Sons seems like a nice guy and I'd like him to be able to make a living, but I don't have any skin in the game, nor do I patronize him regularly. I'm quite glad that Blue Roost took K-Dog's place, because it seems to mean an awful lot to an awful lot of people that we have a sit-down cafe coffee 'n' things joint. But in the end, I suppose, as that manager from the movie formerly known as Purple Rain said...bidness is bidness...and sometimes bidness is downright messy.

But I will tell you this...Rong does not strike me as a liar, or crazy, or even particularly greedy (all accusations that have been leveled at her.) She is, however, very sure of herself, very sure of her vision, very (overly?) personally invested in the businesses in her building, quite a bit quirky, and most definitely a force to be reckoned with. To which I say what I always say...THANK GOD I'M A COUNTRY BOY! Or rather, good luck to all involved.

15 comments:

Clarkson FlatBed said...

just a reminder...feel free to speak your mind, but don't write anything hateful. life's short, and hate's a bummer.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it a bit weird that she isn't getting along with anyone who she rents to barring the blue roost? And if the blue roost is smart they'll keep their mouths shut and not upset her.

Also, if Papa and Sons did something illegal where's the proof? Not saying it isn't true, but if that is offered up as an excise and is done to potentially tarnish someone's rep. it should at least be verified.

Lastly, I don't shop at papas, eat at enduros, and rarely go to the tavern to have a drink. So I'm not directly affected, but I do care because it shows how limiting we as consumers are in the overall development of our own neighborhood. She is the owner and has these rights to make the decision on her building. She may even think that these decisions are good for the neighborhood, and they may well be. However, as a consumer I see that where I put my dollar has very little poor when it comes to how I or another consumer want my community to be, if a landlord makes decisions based on things that are kinda personal.

Anonymous said...

* impact not poor

Anonymous said...

The allegations about gambling at papas are 100% true. I witnessed the cops making a sweep one day, leading a bunch of guys out of the basement. Their store is also highly unsanitary.

I guess I just wish that Rong was not alone in her vision with respect to neighboring landlords. If she really wants to see her vision come to fruition, then she needs to motivate her fellow landlords to open their arms to different types of businesses and get rid of tenants operating fronts for drug dealing. Her 4 storefronts alone do not make a commercial strip, sadly. It takes a village!

Anonymous said...

I don't eat at places that get a "B." The health department gives you plenty of time to upgrade it - I've worked in plenty of resturants - clearly enduro doesn't care about anything, its reputation or customers.

tom said...

Thanks, q, for letting her speak. Unfortunately, I think her meddling is only making matters worse, not better. It speaks volumes that nobody gets along with her. But you gotta give her credit...no other single landlord has managed to bring those sorts of businesses to the nabe. She may have vision, but it might be selective vision, with serious blind spots.

noel said...

Fascinating.... also interesting how weighted this particular block can be. It has a particular synergy that folks seem to be looking for... almost.

The neighborhood is big. Surely there are other opportunities?

kcskrobela said...

I'm so glad to hear some different points of view, especially words from the person who is in effect the subject of the discussion! I DO shop at Papa's and in general I like the place. But I won't boycott another market either, especially if it offers decent prices, interesting variety, and 24 hours of service, as Papa's does.

Anonymous said...

I would miss Papas, just as I would miss the closing of some other small grocers and bodegas which each have their own personality and slightly different range of prices and products.

On another note, what is with the wholesale beer store on Lefferts? New owners I think? Happy to see an extensive beer selection, but with the exception of my cheap selections (ie tallboys of Coors) the good stuff has gone up almost 30%. I've been turning around my cans and bottles for 10 years, but if the prices are no better than the bodegas, what's the point.

Anonymous said...

It's true, you can see why she doesn't get along with people! But I'm not signing any petition or boycotting any new businesses there, please. I thought everybody knew about the illegal numbers busts at Papas. It was discussed on the Lefferts list. Also at one point some people got their credit card #s stolen after using the cards at Papas. We're glad Papas is there but at the prospect of getting something new and improved: great, bring it on. About Kdog, read the Yelp reviews if they're still up. Nearly every one says what the landlord says. Rude service if you aren't a buddy of theirs and horrifically long lines and waits for simple things. Blue Roost is a huge improvement. I went in Kdog a million times and nobody remembered me. Or if they did they didn't show it. The Blue Roost people remembered me on the 2nd visit and were so thankful for my patronage.

Anonymous said...

what gives...the current space occupied by Papa's is about the same size as the union market on sixth avenue and union street. Perhaps Ms. Ge would consider engaging some very interested residents to help her talk up the space, especially now since she no longer lives in the hood. Just saying...

Anonymous said...

What happened between K-dog and the landlord had very little to do with the Blue Roost.

There are negative reviews on Blue Roost too. The longer they are open the more good and bad reviews they will get. I also suspect that they will take the time to get to know their new costumers while business is slow and they build up their customer base. However, as people cycle through over time and hopefully they get a lot busier, the likelihood of them remembering each person, even if they go there frequently enough, is less likely. Human beings only have so much of a capacity to remember things.

Just remember a persons subjective feelings and objective experiences about a place are not always the same for everyone. I personally don't care for the new place, but that doesn't mean it should disappear. (The reasons that I have for not liking it are backed up by other people, who also posted on yelp. All that makes true is that others, but not all have had the same experience as me. It proves very little.)

That said, should it be up to an owner of a building to determine, what is otherwise successful business, if it should go because she personally doesn't like what it is? If she is going to be make her decision on whether or not she personally likes the business, rather than if they are paying rent on time and not participating in illegal activities, then I don't see what the point would be in boycotting any new business or signing a petition would be anyway.

Given that the situation regarding Papa's is true, it's time for them to leave. Illegal activity is not something that anyone should condone. That said, no not everyone knows about everything that goes on. Not everyone is on the list serve. So, I thought it was a fair question to ask.

Hopefully, something that serves everyone will go in there. Hopefully not a Union Market, though. Even though I go to the one in Park Slope occasionally as a treat, I find it to be too pricey. Of course, that could be my fault...mmm...cheese...

Anonymous said...

"That said, should it be up to an owner of a building to determine, what is otherwise successful business, if it should go because she personally doesn't like what it is?" Calling Kdog or Papas "otherwise successful" is not accurate. We heard for a couple years Kdog was struggling and Papas does a lot of business but they're not investing much back into improving the store space or the stock so I wonder how successful they are. They fixed a floor at one point because it was sagging and in danger of collapse but there have been no improvements since. They opened Little Papas across the street instead of investing in improving big Papas and Little Papas isn't all that. Both businesses might be making most their money selling lottery tickets.

Anonymous said...

Kudos to Ms. Ge for trying to implement her vision for that little piece of our hood. She owns the space and is free to do what she's doing, and I don't think anyone here is actually opposed to her vision. It just sounds like some people would prefer that she use different methods. But what some people call "meddling" others call active involvement. I lean more toward the latter, but I think both views are valid, and I think this discussion is actually really healthy.

Also, great blog, Q! I've lurked for a long time and never spoke up. Keep doing what you're doing, please.

Anonymous said...

I miss K-Dog but there were definitely times that I wanted to go there and didn't because of the slowness factor. I could never go there before work because it woudl have taken too much time. They also closed [relatively] early in the evening, so the only option for me personally to go there was the Sunday brunch time. Unfortunately, by then, they were usually already running out of bagels etc...