Rumormoger: Chain stores on Flatbush?
Pssst... a birdie told us that the vacant storefront on the corner of Flatbush and Westbury Court is going to be a Dunkin' Donuts. Would it be considered too easy to make a joke about the increased NYPD foot patrol in the neighborhood? Yes, yes it would.
I'm ambivalent about getting a DD. We already have a Subway and someone left a comment with the further rumor that Mike's International is going to become a Starbucks. If you include the two Popeye's, the McDonald's, and Wendy's that is now at least 7 fast food* chain stores in PLG. The opening of chains can signal one of two things: a franchisee considers the neighborhood a worthwhile investment (good!) or the neighborhood will become known as a chain-restaurant wasteland (bad!)
At the very least, I'm glad the defunct beauty supply store wasn't replaced with another beauty supply store. I have nothing against the current businesses — long may they thrive! — but I am not interested in another storefront turned to products that either (a) already exist aplenty in the nabe or (b) I don't want. Selfish? Sure, but it isn't like I'm requesting a ... a ... what is it that white people want?
* Sorry, Jared, but it's true. Everyone gets the fatty sandwiches.
It's "Popeyes", Charles. No apostrophe.
(From Wikipedia:Chain founder Al Copeland claimed he named the stores after the fictional detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in the movie "The French Connection", and not the comic character Popeye the Sailor. Copeland would claim facetiously that he was "too poor" to afford an apostrophe.)
Anyhow. I think this Starbucks rumor is a red herring. If they are closing 600 stores nationwide, I don't see a new one coming to our stretch of Flatbush. I'd like to see sit-down Italian come to Mike's. Or Thai.
Posted by: Matt | September 22, 2008 at 04:05 PM
I don't buy the Starbucks rumor either - for the same reason - but a rumor is a rumor.
Posted by: Charles Star | September 22, 2008 at 04:22 PM
How about a diner in the Mike's International spot? Somewhere to have a good burger... a good omelet... brunch on the weekend... kid-friendly. A diner!
Posted by: Midwoody | September 22, 2008 at 10:31 PM
We already have a Dunkin Donuts next to Wendys. I doubt they would put another in.
Posted by: dt | September 22, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I don't doubt it a bit. This DD would be a whole four blocks from the one on Empire. Which is a whole four blocks from the one at Bedford and President. You can't ask a donut lover to walk more than four blocks...
Midwoody - have you been to Toomey's? They have omelets and brunch, and as far as I know they are kid-friendly (their menus have games on them, at least, and I'm pretty sure they have booster seats).
Posted by: jessica | September 23, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Ponies. White people want ponies.
Posted by: anna | September 23, 2008 at 01:14 PM
That's it, anna! Mike's should become a pony store!
Posted by: Charles Star | September 23, 2008 at 01:50 PM
I don't know about ponies. All the white people I know want a black president. Can we have an Obamaphernalia shop?
Posted by: Matt | September 23, 2008 at 03:24 PM
I'll second the diner. Toomeys is tired and not convenient. Purity on Westbury!
Posted by: LM | September 24, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Are you implying that Purity is not "tired"? Because I disagree. Admittedly I haven't been there in a few years.
And while Toomey's may not be convenient for you, it is certainly convenient for plenty of people who live closer to Rogers than Flatbush.
Don't get me wrong, though. Toomey's is also very, very, tired. But in an endearing way (at least to me).
Posted by: jessica | September 25, 2008 at 01:24 PM
I love Toomey's. Their waitresses are always very sweet and take good care of you.
Posted by: babs | September 25, 2008 at 05:11 PM
We keep meaning to check out Toomey's because we are always yearning for a diner. Someplace to get pasta and a great burger both, and where you can always get pancakes for dinner. Something-for-everybody. But it would be nice to have a place that's higher quality and a little hip, like with real meat and potatos for burgers and fries, not frozen. Someplace to bring the kids but also a place to bring a date for the singles in the neighborhood. Like Swingers restaurant in L.A. if anybody's eaten there.
Posted by: Jeanne | September 27, 2008 at 01:42 PM
This reminds me of one of my secret dream (now not so secret, eh?) that the Firestone garage next to Ebbets Field will turn into one of those old style drive-up diners with the rollerskating waitstaff.
Posted by: jessica | September 28, 2008 at 02:03 PM
That is awesome, Jessica. I would like that too. While they're at it, could they also please bring back Ebbets Field? ;-)
Posted by: Art Tatum | September 29, 2008 at 12:19 PM