Thanks to Babs, we just heard that a shop called Bow Wow Pet Store and Spa is slated to open on Rogers Avenue between Midwood and Rutland. This is not to be confused with Trixie's, the pet store scheduled to open on Flatbush Avenue this fall. Hopefully there's enough demand for pet supplies here that both businesses could succeed, though I'll confess that I'd especially like to see the Rogers joint take off: having successful business on Rogers would help improve the overall commercial sector in PLG. As it stands, Rogers is dead, foot-traffic-wise, so businesses stay away. Flatbush is the only game in town but Flatbush is too expensive for most new businesses. We end up in stalemate. The more businesses that test Rogers, though, the greater the chances of expanding and diversifying our services. Best of luck to both businesses. Long may they triumph!
 In case you've been wondering what happened to the cute painted sign on the gate of the Homesick Cafe, the owners decided to have it re-painted because they are changing the name to Blue Roost. Apparently, a bevy of busybodies convinced Billy and Linda that having the word "sick" anywhere in the name of a food-related business is a bad idea.
 Carrie and I are pleased to announce that Monk's Trunk is open for business.
We are also really pleased that Time Out Kids has already taken notice of our little shop. To quote,
Owner Carrie McLaren hopes to showcase a carefully curated collection of gently used (and sometimes new) clothing, toys and gear for kids up to age six—what matters most, she says, is that the gear is well-built and cute. Unlike at other consignment shops around the city, you’ll get actual cash for your donations once they sell (40 percent of the selling price), rather than a store credit. Sounds pretty win-win to us.
Don't let the weather reports keep you away! (Or, if they do, please come by soon.)
 Monk's Trunk, the children's consignment shop that yours truly is launching, is opening its doors a week from Friday. We've got a ton of great, nearly new clothes and will also be selling new toys (as in new new) and kid-friendly greeting cards. Friday, September 3: 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday, September 4: 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday, September 5: noon - 4 pm Monday-Thursday: By Appointment Only Through September, our hours will be a kind of erratic but the general rule of thumb is that we'll be open weekends and Fridays, except for Jewish High Holy days and for Take the Boy to Preschool Day (September 8). Starting a local business is both exciting and terrifying, but I'm eager to finish setting up the space and to start selling. One of the things we're focusing on now is Halloween costumes, so if you've got good kids costumes from previous Halloweens, come by and consign 'em, and you can check out the store space (previously known as our parlor floor). Once we're up and running, I'll be blogging and tweeting about new arrivals, textile recycling, and (when inspired) parenting matters. You can follow on Twitter @monkstrunk. We're also on Facebook, and, though the page is sparse at the moment, I'll be adding photos and sample wares soon.
 Bad news first: the odds of The Farmers Diner coming to PLG aren't looking so great at the moment. The owners had planned to sign a lease on the old Mike's International space in June but that didn't happen, and now the real estate broker, Besen, is talking about diving up the approximately 2000 sf space into 4 smaller storefronts to make it more affordable for small businesses. The rent on that place was $7,000/month; if The Farmers Diner is indeed still planning on coming here, they're likely to seek a smaller space. I'm told that there will be a update for Farmers Diner fans and supporters at the end of the summer. We'll let you know what we find out. In happier news, the cafe we mentioned last week sounds like it may help fill the void in the interim. The Homesick Cafe will serve comfort food, including soup, sandwiches, cupcakes (the owners' specialty), and international offerings. The space is very small -- about 350 sf -- but large enough to accommodate a few tables and chairs. It's slated to open October 1 on Flatbush, just south of Lincoln. In the meantime, you can sample some of the owners' cupcakes at Enduro and K-Dog, where they are currently for sale. (Photo: Helga Weber)
This just in: a female employee at Enduro is opening a new cafe on Flatbush Avenue, near Lincoln Road. The place will serve comfort food. That's about all we know right now. We'll let you know when we find out more. (Thanks, Mindy G.!)
 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)
 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.)
 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.
 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)
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