New Pet Store Opening on Flatbush in September

Rumors of a pet store opening in the neighborhood have been floating around for quite some time, but now it's actually going to happen: Robert Salmieri, a Rutland Road resident, will be setting up shop at 575 Flatbush (between Maple and Midwood) in September. The store will be named Trixie's. Both Salmieri and his business partner, Richard Esposito, have dogs named Trixie. They discovered the coincidence while walking their pups in Prospect Park, and an alliance was fated.

The store will carry pet food and "the essentials," as well as accessories, some of which, Salmieri reports, will be made by artisans in the neighborhood. We'll let you know when the opening date is scheduled.

Now if only we could find out what's happening with the Farmer's Diner...

(Photo: Cherrypatter)

Kings County Nurseries in the NY Times

The best thing about having locals who work in the media is that the media notices your neighborhood. So it is today as the New York Times has a feature on Kings County Nurseries written by new Hawthorne Street resident Sam Dolnick.

A stalwart in the neighborhood, Kings County Nurseries has been at 625 New York Avenue between Fenimore and Rutland (gmap) for 55 years. The article tracks the changes in what the Merola family has sold as the neighborhood has changed around it, from Italian to Caribbean to the current wave of gentrification. (I know it is tempting to say that I am using a euphemism for white but I don't know how my Asian friends would feel about this honorary whiteness.)

Earlier this Spring, Kings County generously sold discounted barrels for the Hawthorne Street block beautification project. And while we're talking about discounts, if you go to their website you can print out a coupon for 10% off of purchases over $20.

Now get outside and plant something. (You should wait until Fall - unless you want what you plant to die. -- Ed.)

Coming This Fall: Children's Resale Shop in PLG

We're always eager to spread rumors about other people's local businesses, so we're especially excited to announce a new business of our own: This fall, I'm opening up a children's resale clothing shop here in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. We'll sell not only gently used clothing, but children's books, toys, gear and even a few new items and gifts.

I'll save the details for later. For now, I'd just like to get word out to all parent types that we're looking to buy inventory for fall and winter. Here's what we need:

• Children's clothing (up to size 8): needs to be clean and in excellent condition; sizes from 4T to 8 are especially needed
• Children's books
• Baby carriers, slings
• Shoes
• DVDs
• Toys/puzzles with all pieces

If you've got some clothes your kids have outgrown, email me at brooklynite282@gmail.com and we'll arrange for an appointment.

New Local Food Shop Needs Your Input

Great news, people: Our friend and neighbor, Taeko Suzuki, is planning on opening a small, upscale grocer here in PLG -- a place that will sell fresh bread, quality cheeses, pestos, and other things you can't typically find here. In order to do so, she needs your help: please take a few moments to fill out this survey. She'd like to hear feedback from the community on what kinds of groceries you'd like to see more of in PLG. This will help her finish the business plan and negotiate her lease (She's looking at spaces on Flatbush).

Taeko has impeccable taste, and we expect that anything she's involved in would be excellent.

GROCERY SHOPPING SURVEY

(Photo: Nova Scola)

Inflation Hits "No Flyer" Signs

After selling out of its first batch of "No Flyer" signs, Hawthorne Hardware has made the controversial move to try and make a profit: instead of selling the signs at cost, for $1, Hawthorne Hardware is raising the price to $1.29. Consider yourselves warned.

RELATED:
Cut Down Litter with "No Flyer" Signs

More of the Same on Flatbush Avenue

Last week, I poked my head into the storefront at 544A Flatbush (next to Gino's, south of Lincoln) and a guy told me that a coffee shop was going to be there, but I couldn't tell if he was just telling me what he thought I wanted to hear, or if there was actually going to be another cafe in the neighborhood. Now that the store's sign is up, I'm leaning toward the former, as this is bound to be a coffee shop in the way that Popeye's is  a restaurant. This place's last incarnation was a sell-your-gold shop; it lasted for maybe 6 months.

Meanwhile, 608 Flatbush (at Rutland), former home of Rosa's Beauty Shop, is now being renovated and is slated to be…. 99 cent store? Beauty salon? 99 cent store? Beauty salon? And the winner is… beauty salon! On the bright side, the old place looked like a dump, and the new business owners are putting money into the renovation, with new floors, lighting, and refinished interiors.

Renovations are almost complete at 593 Flatbush (next to Cafe Exhale), a new store that will sell African-themed clothing, mirrors, various herbal concoctions, and trinkets. The new wood floor looks nice. The rest of the decor is a combination of mirrors and purple.

In other store news, the pet store I reported earlier? Probably not going to happen. The lease was never signed, and rumor has it that the aspiring owner is now considering grad school as an alternative. Yes, kitty litter or Kierkegaard: it's a tough call to make.

The World Cup and PLG

I hate it when I get scooped by the New York Times.

I was planning on going to Meytex Cafe (gmap) next Saturday to watch the Ghanaian World Cup team take on Australia in the only Ghanaian restaurant in Brooklyn. I thought I'd have an exclusive but George Vecsey got there first, going yesterday to watch Ghana defeat Serbia 1-0.

I'm still going next Saturday to cheer on the Black Stars as they take on the horribly named Socceroos. The game kicks off at 10AM and I can't wait.

Image via The New York Times.

Rumor Alert: Pet Store Slated For Flatbush Avenue

We've heard from an inside source that a pet supplies store is coming to Flatbush Avenue, just south of Lincoln Road. The "for rent" sign is still on the property, though, so don't quote us on this one.

Boutique Flea Offers Vintage Clothes, Flowers

A new vintage clothing shop has just opened on Rutland, near Flatbush. Zenobia Marion, who has lived on Rutland for 18 years, opened Boutique Flea (7 Rutland Road, 646-479-5139) after selling informally out of her home. In the near future, she plans on adding fresh-cut flowers and greeting cards to her list of wares.

In addition to the new store, Zenobia also runs Serenity at Home, a bed and breakfast on Rutland.

Welcome, Boutique Flea! Everyone, we command you to come and shop here. Now.

Old Navy Outlet Sale This Week

Many people around don't realize it but there's an Old Navy Outlet a short walk down Flatbush (Flatbush and Tilden) from PLG. Just so you know, everything in the store is 40% off from Tuesday, May 25 to Wednesday, May 26. Lots of deals to be had, yes.