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.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Psssst. It's gonna be Mexican...

Do you like burritos? Tacos? Beans? Well, have I got a neighborhood for YOU! Nope, not in Mexico. Central Brooklyn! NY!! USA!!! And Oaxaca is its name-o.

From Flatbushed comes news that no, it won't be Japanese, but rather Mexican. Rogers at Sterling. Next to the Inkwell. As we rumored here, they were thinking of going to Flatbush but chose Rogers instead. The inside word is that its cheaper and "up and coming" in a way that Flatbush is thriving, packed and bit chaotic. Its landlords are notoriously "closed" as well, though with all the buildings changing hands and 626 that's all likely to change in a big, big way. New owners will have a very different "aesthetic" when it comes to commerce. This is precisely the thing that many mom & pops have long feared, though the short leases and higher rents have pretty much been a shot across the bow.

The one on Smith St. Wow! And an ATM!!





12 comments:

roxv said...

is commercial space on flatbush really all that more expensive? even further towards the parkside end?

Clarkson FlatBed said...

I'm aghast, RoxV. "Even further towards the parkside end?" What kind of northerner are you anyway, with your fancy airs and your Erv Flats Tugboat Wholesome Bluebird Tongues. I'll have you know that down here near Parkside we've got a treasure trove of goodies from Blessings to Mango Seed to Play Kids to Pepa's and Jamaica Pride and Closeout Heaven. I'm shocked at your chauvinism!

Yes, Flatbush has notoriously high rents and screwy landlords. There's fantastic foot traffic and visibility though, two keys to rent valuations. And the hair places do great business and have for years. So yes, for now, Rogers is (so I hear) a relative bargain. If Franklin is any indication, however, the prices will double in just a couple years.

jessica said...

Flatbush gets a lot of vehicular and foot traffic, at both ends of the neighborhood, and the rent prices reflect that. Rogers has no subway lines so in order to succeed I suspect you have to be a "destination" (like Gratitute, Lefferts Montessori, storefront churches and daycares), rely on delivery (Ramagi), or cater to really local customers (Eddie's Dollar Store, Rutland deli).

bored at work said...

The Oaxaca on Smith Street has been an OMG Taco for some time now. These are relatively cheap, kind of homemade tacos. Kind of in the vein of Calexico, but not as good. But with the volume, they can pay rents on small spaces.

even boreder at work said...

Rogers also has a lot of empty storefronts whereas Flatbush doesn't have as high a vacancy. Seems like you're right though about the corridor forming, we've had 3 new spots open in 5 blocks in under 6 months, and more on the way. Looks like my quiet little corner won't be so quiet anymore. Still want a damn diner back though.

babs said...

The 2/5 at Sterlng and Nstrand is one short block away, and there are plenty of people who live in the surrounding blocks as well. I for one am thrilled not to have to hike over to Flatbush to get my coffee/tea/pie/wine/and even Mexican (if I must). Just hope they'll be getting a liquor license. Tired of trekking for a drink, too.

roxv said...

i do love blessings, but i have no children and there's only so much jerk chicken i can handle on a daily basis. i've heard tell about good tacos around here but i've never been able to find them. perhaps they close before i get home. to me that's the biggest problem. everything seems to close before 9! (except pepa's) besides, i see a lot of empty little store fronts in between that hawthorne-clarksony area

Anonymous said...

Sterling and Rogers is Crown Heights. Why should I care about that deeply gentrified-but-still-fucked hellhole when whitey needs staring down right here mine own PLG?

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Hmmm. A number of clues suggest you're not only a dumb-ass, but a liar. Any real "PLG" resident knows that there is a Sterling St just below Empire as well as a Sterling Place up in north Crown Heights. Your use of the term PLG also suggests to me that you're fronting your bravado, but I'll let your comment stand if only for its nonsensicality.

Anonymous said...

Oops. You're right. I'm wrong, and in so many ways. Sorry for that, everyone...

Jacob said...

So what is the current southernmost line for the wave of "gentrified" businesses? Rutland? Still nothing towards the Parkside or Winthrop subway stops?

Jamesy said...

On another note... Finally a bar close to parkside. http://flatbushed.com/yo-plg-bars/#comments