That sneaker place up near Beekman? You know the one, at 556 Flatbush, with the Don't Shoot mural on the gate? Gonna be a Korean BBQ spot, so says a source close to the action whose name is being withheld because I can't remember it. He said his friend knows the owner. That's me, then him (via the internet), then his friend, then the owner. Fact check THAT, baby.
Sounds about right to me.
16 comments:
More white people crap.
I am still deciding which tastes better, sneakers or kimchi.
Anon 8:25. Wow, man. That is REALLY impressive. You managed to disrespect Koreans (who, btw, might disagree that their own cuisine is for white people), black people who like Korean food (of which there are tons), white people who enjoy a good Asian meal now and then, and white people who DON'T like Korean food.
We've got a great sneaker store down my way on Flatbush, and there's a terrific one on Nostrand. I suggest you get a pair of slick, comfy kicks, and then ever so gently shove them up your grumpy ass.
Well said Clarkson, well said.
I am a white people and I also like BBQ of Korean people so I was pretty psyched to hear about this new addition! But you gotta give Anon 8:25 a break 'cuz in all likelihood this does represent another black owned PLG business primarily catering to the black community being swapped out for a non-black owned business serving a largely white customer base. Maybe not, but probably. I'm just sayin' I don't think Anon's intent was to disrespect anyone but more to lament another domino falling in this black nabe. If and when Errol's vacates, what will take its place? How about the multiple black hair places that are now shuttered? Again, Korean BBQ is just another domino.
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt Mags. But many of the new businesses in the neighborhood ARE black owned. Does that now count for whatever back-of-the-napkin tally you're keeping?
And the sneaker store - black owned? Do you know this for a fact? I actually thought it was a semi-local chain of unknown ownership but happy to be proven wrong. Sneaker King down by me is owned by Chinese folks, but I fear for the day when we start walking up and down our commercial avenues identifying the proprietors by race. There are big changes afoot, surely. But it's not always clear WHO owns, WHO profits, and whether we shouldn't look at the BIG picture, rather than one street.
Errol's is an odd situation and I have yet to get a clear answer on what's actually happening there. But if you've been here a few years, Mags, you'll agree that places come and go ALL THE TIME. There are some longtime stalwarts to be sure, and I'll be sad to see them go if and when. But there are a lot of assumptions kicking around. Chief among them, the idea that Flatbush was a predominantly black OWNED boulevard. Like much of Central Brooklyn, that was the lament - that local black dollars were going into outsider's hands.
That is still an issue, but some of the local black entrepreneurs might be a sign of positive change, no?
C'mon man, you know what I'm getting at addressing Anon's comment. He/she has a valid point that a Korean BBQ place in place of a sneaker store tips our stretch of Flatbush a little closer to hipsterville a la Franklin Ave in Crown Heights. Folk like Anon aren't worried about local black dollars going to outsiders hands as much as they're worried that they'll become unwelcome outsiders in their own neighborhood. I think you got into the weeds a bit.
I know where that guy is coming from. He's in my list of regular jerks - Anon commenters may have no name, but they do have IDs from which they comment, so I know when it's the same person. That guy is frequently purposefully antagonistic and race-baiting.
I think both you and I could be accused of speaking "for" others, so I'll stick to your comments attributable to you personally. I don't think of Korean places as being "hipster" unless they come with Craft Beer and do-it-yourself butchering. And I think "hipster" is its own kind of put-down that's not particularly precise. If we weren't living in a Zappo's universe maybe I'd even be outraged at the loss of a sneaker store. As it is, I am in fact glad it'll not be a Cell Phone store, though in reality I don't care all that much. As long as the Flabenue remains Deliriously eclectic, I think it can handle a Korean Bar-b-Q.
I also think we should champion the small businessperson, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin or wares. A healthy and well-trafficked Flatbush is good for all.
Cheers to that!
"I also think we should champion the small businessperson, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin or wares. A healthy and well-trafficked Flatbush is good for all."
I think this gets at the heart of it. I'm relatively new to the neighborhood (about 2 years) but I'm thankful every time a new place opens that isn't a major chain. Even things like Silver Rice or Nagel's Bagel should be praised (not the original, but still local). I get it, it sucks to see any kind of change. However, as long as local stays local, it's a win for the future.
People loved Tip of the Tongue, but not enough to put their wallet for it (my opinion the same issue for Errol's, but let's leave that out of this for now since it's not clear what is going on). Now we get Xi cafe to give it a go. Hopefully they are able to make it, but if not maybe it will become an ice cream shop or antique shop or a clothing store. I don't really care, as long as it is of use to someone, even if not me, and keeps the area diverse and local.
that sneaker place wasnt flatbush operated wasnt black owned. out of business it closed wasnt chased away or pushed out
you didn't buy there stuff crying now its gone?
Tip of the Tongue did not close for lack of business. It was a personal decision made by the owners.
Exactly, Summer. The complaints very often come from those who never frequented a business that's closing, and knew nothing about the situation or owners. It happens so much in discussions in PLG it's embarrassing. I happened to have purchased things in that store about 4 times over several years, they were Asian owners though they employed young black men so it's sad those jobs are lost. There was never another soul in there and they were always empty when I passed. The goods were not great, some fake, and overpriced. It was not a business that served the community. All those places that mark up pure junk need to go away. No tears for them.
Marked up junk? You mean like Phat Albert's? But they do have a fabulous customer service department!
It's true, you can't beat the service at the discount stores on Flatbush. I will always remember so fondly the time one cashier yelled at a crippled older black man and wouldn't wait to allow him to hobble carrying his things a few at a time to the register because he had to hold his cane in one hand. That was SO thoughtful. Those stores are gems, how sad to lose them just to get good food.
Nice to see some cuisine diversity coming to the neighborhood!
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