Three new businesses come to Flatbush

Whenever I come across a new business in the works on Flatbush, I get a glimmer of hope. The new storefronts are windows to the future, symbols of possibility, signs that even tough times contain new dreams of self-realization....

And then: reality. Famous Seafood, the fried fish joint on Rutland that closed down for operating without a license? That's going to be a deli/grocery/pizzeria. (Because,  y'know, five deli/bodegas within two blocks isn't enough.) The replacement for House of Supply, the short-lived clothing + discount shop on Winthrop? That'll be medical supplies. (There's currently only one medical supply shop on that block.)

But the horizon isn't all bad. While walking to Staples the other day, I saw that a new restaurant, Mangoseed, is going in just north of Zen Vegetarian (773 Flatbush, near Lenox). While I can't offer any real insight into what to expect, it's perhaps worth nothing that the owners had put in hardwood floors and were building wood counters rather than hauling in something they found in a dumpster. We'll watch it in the coming weeks and report back with a taste test.

Comments

[Gabriel]

i also spotted the new deli on the northeast corner of flatbush and lincoln road.

i'm so craving basic thai or diner food (or thai diner food!) on flatbush that i'd open one up myself if i could find a backer...

[Midwoody]

Gabriel:
I have a feeling that you could find backers if you were serious and put a proposal together... there is genuine interest in the nabe for a diner in the space of the old Mike's International on Flatbush... People always mention Toomey's when the notion of a diner is brought up, but I think a diner on Flatbush would do very well. Were you being sarcastic or do you have some interest/experience in the restaurant biz?

[Jennifer]

I think a decent diner on Flatbush would do very well.

[Art Tatum]

Speaking of Mike's.. I walked by the other day and it seemed as though some kind of work was happening inside. I'm not sure if that meant a new business is coming in though...Can anybody confirm?

[Tom]

Mikes is being gutted to present a raw space to a prospective business. Also of note on Flatbush is the new "Traffic Bar and Restaurant at 604 Flatbush Ave (at corner of Rutland). This looks like it will be a big space with full use of the cellar for the majority of people. Personally the work permits read as if this will be a club/bar.

[Gabriel]

i have no experience in the restaurant business but have always dreamt for years of opening something. even to start with a food truck like the kind you find all over LA and more so here on the east coast in recent years. we need to expand our options for dining and gathering spots. and make it inclusive for everyone and not just newcomers like me. and to help move this neigborhood forward.

[Jonny]

I spoke to a person working on the
place yesterday. He told me that it was going to have Middle Eastern food as well as pizza. He also said it would be an internet cafe. When I mentioned that if they are going to have such items as falafel that I hoped they would have harisa to go with it (middle eastern hot sauce) he wasn't so ready with a confirmation of my hopes. Since I live across the street I can supply my own tube. Hope it's decent...

[Bob M]

Jonny,

Last week one of the workers at the former Mike's told a neighbor that it would be a laundry. Do you think they might be playing with us?

[Gabriel]

just tried zen vegetarian for their lunch special today. went to pick it up and was impressed by the cleanliness of the place, nice service and tasty food. definitely going back for more!