Thursday, January 26th, 2012
For Valentine’s Day, why not treat your loved one to a locally grown fig tree? Sycamore Flower Shop is selling 17 local fig cuttings for $20 each. They look great in a sunny window (many have baby figs already on them) and can be planted in the ground in the spring and turn into a real fig tree. 100% of the purchase price from the first three cuttings will go to the Flatbush CommUNITY Garden.
The fig cuttings came from Nelson Ryland’s backyard, which he has renamed Flatbush Fig Farm.
“Flatbush Fig Farm is our attempt to involve our children in starting a business,” Nelson says. “The result is we spend time together getting messy, making stuff, and the kids earn their allowance.”
When they first sold fig trees last year, they donated $150 to the Flatbush CommUNITY Garden. “Our goal this year is to raise some money for a local organization we like…and for my boys to earn some Lego money.”
The cuttings are taken from fig trees in the family’s backyard and are propagated in a jar of water for six weeks.
“Sam, age 3, and Jack, age 5, climbed up a ladder and helped bring the cuttings to the kitchen,” Nelson explains. “They also change the water once a week.”
They have two unknown varieties, which they’ve named Flatbush White and Flatbush Dark. These cuttings will usually produce figs the first year if they’re planted properly.
How do you help ensure your fig cutting will become a tree? Nelson includes these care guidelines, which makes it seem pretty foolproof:
Keep cutting in a warm sunny window, changing the water weekly. If your cutting has baby figs they will usually drop after a few weeks–this is sad but normal. The plant needs to focus on growing roots.
After the threat of frost passes, usually early May (USDA Hardiness Zone 7a/6b), the cutting is ready to be planted outdoors directly into the ground or a 14-inch wide (or larger) pot. Dig a large hole 1-2 feet wide and deep. Mix lightweight soil mix with the native soil. Set 2 to 4 inches deeper than the root line. Plant if possible a few feet from your foundation on the southeast corner. Water will settle the soil firmly around the roots. Do not apply fertilizer at planting time.
Your cutting may lose some leaves as it adjusts to the outdoors. It will grow new leaves and usually produces figs at the end of the first season. Insulate base over the winter with leaves or straw.
Flatbush Fig Farm plans to have young fig trees available in late May in case these cuttings sell out.
- Mary
Tags: Flatbush Fig Farm, Sycamore, valentine's day
Posted in Holidays, Local Business |
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
Many people have been asking about the new awning and sign in the window that says “Ditmas Park Coffee” at Café Madeline. The cafe, which was opened in October 2010, was sold this past August and the new owners took over in October. New awning or no, official word on the street, straight from the barista’s mouth: “Café Madeline is keeping its name and same great food. The only change is that it will be getting a facelift over the next couple of months.” Oh, and they have plans to become a bar. No timeline on that development.
Who is the new owner, we asked? The same barista responded, “He is local. He owns a health food store—I think it’s on Cortelyou, but it could be somewhere else—but he owns a health food store.”
The owner of Natural Frontier, the health food store on Cortelyou, was not around when we tried to contact him, but the staff said it’s not him.
We caught up with the former owner, Alexander Hall–who also owns Milk Bar in Prospect Heights and Bluebird Coffee on the Lower East Side–to find out why he decided to give up on Cortelyou Road.
I have very mixed feelings regarding Cortelyou rd. It was nowhere near as good a neighborhood to do business as Prospect Heights or the LES. Of course we had some great customers but way too many treated the cafe as their lounge rooms, sitting for hours in the air conditioning, using the internet and sipping on 1 coffee. Many customers would bring in their own food and try to eat it without us seeing. This became increasingly frustrating.
As for Jack. Well that’s a whole other frustration. Still to this day I don’t know why this guy’s disgusting behavior is tolerated. He vandalized our store, threatened my staff, stood at the front of the store and yelled at the customers. Many of the business owners in my block would tell me to leave him alone, he is part of the community, as would some of the local residents. I often called the police to come to get him away from the store only to have them not arrive. Even at my store in the Lower East Side we do not have idiots like this making a nuisance of themselves, he was one of the reasons we wanted out of Ditmas Park.
My 2 other cafes are trading well. Our bakery at Bluebird is now starting to supply other cafes in Manhattan and we have started a retail line.
We are about to sign a lease on a new larger store which will be called Milk Bar like our store in Prospect Heights.
I don’t think it was unfriendly or disrespectful, I just don’t think that the customers were aware of what it takes to run a profitable cafe. Don’t get me wrong, Cafe Madeline always made profit and I made money in selling the business, I was just frustrated as it seemed everyone that lives in Ditmas Park thinks it the best neighborhood in Brooklyn and its just not.
I’m sure there will be negative comments, people love to hide behind their words, I know exactly what they will be saying.
When asked if we could post his emails, Alexander responded, “It’s about time something interesting was put on that blog!”
That’s the spirit!
- Amber
Tags: cafe madeline
Posted in Food & Drink, Local Business |
Wednesday, December 28th, 2011
Possibly the best chalk art we’ve seen out there yet? These are done by Justin at Market–be sure to stop in and let him know how much you like them.
- Mary
Tags: Market, photo of the day, signs
Posted in Images, Local Business |
Friday, December 23rd, 2011
For the most part, it seems like businesses in the neighborhood will all be open tomorrow on Christmas Eve, though several people have said they’ll be playing it by ear–if things slow down in the afternoon, they’ll close up. So what will be open and closed? Here’s a brief list:
• Cafe Madeline will be open regular hours Saturday, and until 2pm Sunday.
• The Castello Plan is open for brunch and dinner tomorrow, but is closed Sunday.
• The Farm on Adderley will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.
• Natural Frontier Market will be open at 8am on Saturday and Sunday.
• Purple Yam will be open and serving special holiday menus both days.
• Qathra will be open both days, but may close if it gets slow.
• Sycamore will be open for flowers tomorrow but closed for booze; and that’s the opposite on Sunday, when the bar will be grilling burgers.
• T.B. Ackerson will be open regular hours tomorrow, but will be closed on Sunday.
Of course, that’s only scratching the surface, and it’s just Cortelyou. If you know the hours of your favorite spot this weekend, please share in the comments.
- Mary
Tags: Christmas, holiday
Posted in Food & Drink, Holidays, Local Business |
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
Sycamore Flower Shop has all the bouquets, arrangements, and plants to make your holiday festive, and they’ll be open on Christmas Eve from 10am to 5pm (but closed on Christmas Day).
Open on Christmas Day (but closed Christmas Eve), the bar will be serving up burgers on the grill in the backyard for a new holiday tradition. I think that beats Chinese food!
- Mary
Tags: burgers, Christmas, flowers, Sycamore
Posted in Community Event, Food & Drink, Holidays, Local Business |
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
Let’s hope all of the news coverage on Josh Rubin’s murder does some good toward solving it.
- Mary
Tags: homicide, Josh Rubin, Whisk
Posted in Crime, Local Business |
Thursday, December 15th, 2011
There’s still time to deck those halls, or bring something special to a holiday party, and Sycamore has a great option this week with mistletoe.
“We’ve got lots of it to cover everyone’s smooching needs,” says Justine, who adds that it’s actually a parasite that grows on other trees, but it has recently been noted as a keystone species very important to its ecosystems.
One large sprig with lots of mistletoe pearls is $5, complete with a bit of red string for you to hoist it up wherever you like.
- Mary
Tags: flowers, Sycamore
Posted in Green, Local Business |
Thursday, December 15th, 2011
The holiday shopping countdown is here!
My son reported a holiday shopping fact he learned at school. “The average household will spend $700 on Christmas,” he claimed. “Yet, spending just $64 of those dollars locally will create a lot of jobs.”
What is “a lot,” and how accurate are these numbers? I don’t know. But money spent here keeps money in the local economy, since business owners tend to invest in the community. Supporting local businesses can give them the ability to provide jobs in the neighborhood. And it’s very convenient for shoppers–no need to schlep all over the city!
So where can you buy interesting gifts locally? That, I know!
Photography
Freeze your kids’ and pets’ precious faces. Give your family a gift certificate for a photo session shot by a local photographer. We have talent that specializes in families, weddings, and pets.
• Pet Portraits by Lindsay Aikman
• Kristine Foley Photography
• Andy Techie Photography
• Mark Gilman
Books by Local Authors
Buy a book written by our inaugural Ditmas Reads Ditmas author, Gabriel Cohen. Or prepare for the next book in our series by reading Living Room by Rachel Sherman. In fact, if your loved one is a budding novelist, consider gifting Sherman’s writing class which begins January 24. Additionally, a photo or art book would be perfect for anyone on your list.
• Park Bark: At Play with the Dogs of Brooklyn by neighbor Brenda Becker, which you can buy this weekend, or online
• The Process of Letting Go by Ditmas Park artist Bruce Zeines
• ditmaspark_365: how a Brooklyn neighborhood sees itself, which includes photographs by 35 local photographers and is edited by local Nelson Ryland
• Any Gabriel Cohen book
• Living Room by Rachel Sherman
Health and Beauty
Soap may be an unorthodox gift, but the recipient will thank you each month Tara personally delivers her all natural, Brooklyn-made soap. And it would be useful after a game of tennis–gift certificates are available, and the indoor courts are open all winter long.
• BK Soap Company
• Prospect Park Tennis Center gift certificates
Hats, Gloves, and Other Knits
Nothing says, “I love you!” like a hand-knit scarf. But who has time to knit? Well, Marina Bekkerman does. Purchase a one of a kind neck warmer at her Etsy store and she’ll deliver it to you–no shipping cost! But if you know a someone who would rather make their own, there’s a new shop just up the road stocked with gifts for knitters!
• Marina’s Knittery at Etsy
• Argyle Yarn Shop
Food
Locally sourced food supports our farmers and community. Buy your family a subscription to a CSA. Next Door Organics is a CSA with a twist: you can buy week to week, and the pick-up is at Sycamore.
• Next Door Organics
Fitness
Help your loved one to keep their New Year’s resolution. Personal trainer and Cortelyou Mom Zoe Levine has been helping people keep their bodies strong for seven years. Zoe particularly specializes with post-partum moms.
• The Thriving Body
Paper Products
Another Cortelyou Mom and artist sells her original cut paper on Etsy. I love the fruit inspired napkins.
• Sia Designs by Sia
If you have an original idea for a gift but need a local artist to help you pull it off, check out the Ditmas Park Blog Neighbors page. You’ll find a list, if not comprehensive, at least expansive, of neighbors with wares for sale.
Happy holidays and shop local!
- Amber
Tags: gifts, holiday, shopping
Posted in Holidays, Local Business |
Friday, December 9th, 2011
The Flatbush Food Co-op is hosting a food drive for Sanctuary for Families through the end of the year. When you make a donation of non-perishable food purchased at the co-op, they will match it, and they will hand-deliver the food at the beginning of 2012. Stop by the store for more details.
And remember, there are lots of food drives going on in the area now, and year-round.
- Mary
Tags: Flatbush Food Co-op, food drives
Posted in Local Business |
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Mice Burglars, originally uploaded by carryboo.
Another terrific chalk drawing at Market!
- Mary
Tags: Market, photo of the day
Posted in Images, Local Business |
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Since so many people have emailed in to ask us, here’s a list of where to find Christmas trees in the area. Prices, sizes, and quality vary–if you have a favorite that you go to year after year, or if there’s someplace that we missed, let us know.
Almac Hardware (2 Newkirk Plaza): They already have a bunch outside, and will continue getting more through the month. All are medium to large, and max out at $50. Bonus: This Saturday, December 10 from 11am to 3pm, Santa Claus will be giving away treats, and photo ops will be available as well.
Asian Grocery (1510 Cortelyou Road, pictured above): The deli next to Cafe Tibet has the best Charlie Brown Christmas trees around–they’re small enough for a tabletop and only $15. They’ve also got larger trees that start at $25.
Cortelyou Discount (1116 Cortelyou Rd): Don’t want to clean up needles? This 99 cent store has a few fake trees–grab a sparkling white one for $20.
Dominguez Flower Shop (1509 Cortelyou Road): Directly across the street from the Asian Grocery, you’ll get a better deal on a medium-large tree which start at $45. They also have small potted trees for $25.
J&L Landscaping (702 Caton Ave at E 7th): If you have a huge space, they have a huge tree for you at $200. Otherwise you’re looking at a bigger selection than the closer locations, with medium trees starting at $45.
Shanon Florist & Nursery (3380 Fort Hamilton Parkway): Also slightly out of the way, but they also have a large selection of trees. A four-foot tree is about $30, and prices go up from there.
Where you do you buy your Christmas tree?
- Almac (39%, 16 Votes)
- Asian Grocery (7%, 3 Votes)
- Cortelyou Discount (0%, 0 Votes)
- Dominguez Flower Shop (7%, 3 Votes)
- J&L Landscaping (27%, 11 Votes)
- Shanon Florist & Nursery (5%, 2 Votes)
- Other (please note where in the comments) (15%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 41
Loading ...
- Mary
Tags: Christmas Tree
Posted in Holidays, Local Business |
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Remember that medical office that was opening at 1600 Beverley Road? Well, for those of you who don’t walk by regularly, it’s open! While the staff was a little busy to answer too many questions when I popped in, they did provide a little info.
It is a Chiropractic and Physical Therapy office with the following hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-8pm
Sundays 10am-6pm
They currently don’t accept insurance (most of their patients are through Workers Comp), but are planning on accepting insurance in the new year. So if that’s a concern for you, check back in early 2012.
If anyone tries the services there, please let us know. We’re always interested in good recommendations for medical care close by.
- Avi
Tags: doctors
Posted in Health & Fitness, Local Business |
Monday, November 28th, 2011
Sacred Vibes is holding its 3rd Annual Holiday Shopping Event:
SALE
Save 15% on all our products
Saturday, December 10
Join us for our third annual Holiday Shopping Event
Come sample delicious teas and Herbal Liquors
We will have a wide range of gift baskets-
Something for everyone to love!
And at prices that will fit any budget.
Sacred Vibes Apothecary Holiday Shopping Event
Saturday, December 10, 5-8pm
376 Argyle Road, near Cortelyou Road
718-284-2890
- Mary
Tags: Sacred Vibes, shopping
Posted in Holidays, Local Business |
Friday, November 25th, 2011
Maybe you were on line all night waiting for a store to open for Black Friday, or maybe you’ll head back to the office on Monday and start off the week with some Cyber Monday shopping. But maybe you’d prefer to try out Small Business Saturday, which is a push from American Express to encourage shoppers to support independently owned businesses.
This neighborhood is filled with some great small businesses. We talk about them all the time on the blog, but we thought we’d give you the chance to let them know you appreciate them.
Who has the best gifts? Where do you find great service, whether you’re shopping for groceries, working out, or grabbing a cup of coffee? Where will you be shopping tomorrow?
- Mary
Tags: holiday, shopping
Posted in Holidays, Local Business |
Friday, November 25th, 2011
Third Root, which will be open this weekend for limited hours, has some special gifts and deals available now through December 31. Gift certificates make great local presents–or treat yourself for some holiday stress relief.
Ease Tea blend with Gift Certificate Purchase
With every gift certificate you buy between now and the end of the year, you’ll get a package of the Ease Tea blend, meant to soothe and calm your winter stress. Gift certificates for services are priced at set rates: Private Acupuncture Treatment: $60; Massage Treatment: $75; Private Yoga Session: $50; Community Acupuncture: $25; Yoga Class: $12; Yoga 10/20 Class Card: $100/$180. Gift Cards expire 3 months from the date issued. A package of Ease Tea will be offered with any gift certificate towards treatments valued at $24 or above, until supplies last, through December 31.
Buy 5 Sessions of Community Acupuncture, Get 1 Free!
Regular Community Acupuncture treatments are a wonderful way to support your immune system, address stress or anxiety, or just provide yourself with the space and time to relax and be quiet. Between now and December 31, you can buy a 5 session Community Acupuncture card for $100 and get a 6th treatment for free. All sessions must be used within 2 months of the date of purchase.
5 Yoga Classes for $45
Give the gift of Third Root yoga to yourself or someone you love this holiday season. A regular yoga practice can help us stay graceful on the inside, even as the weather outside gets frightful. With a staff of skilled and compassionate teachers, Third Root is a wonderful place to come home to your body and find emotional strength, mental flexibility, and physical freedom. Purchase now through December 31. One month expiration date — no extensions
These specials are only available for purchase in-person at Third Root.
- Mary
Tags: gifts, shopping, Third Root
Posted in Health & Fitness, Holidays, Local Business |
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
Will you need caffeine before you start cooking, a place to hang out for a drink with (or without) the family, or someplace to sit down for a whole Thanksgiving meal tomorrow? Here’s a small sampling of what will be open:
* Cafe Madeline: Open until 2pm.
* Qathra: Open until some point in the afternoon.
* Sycamore Flower Shop: Open 10am to 2pm.
* T.B. Ackerson: Open 10am to 6pm.
* Picket Fence: Open for Thanksgiving dinner from 2-8pm.
* Purple Yam: Open with special menu from 2:30-9:30pm.
* 773 Lounge: Open regular hours, starting at 11am.
If you notice anything else that’s open, please let everyone know in the comments.
- Mary
Tags: Thanksgiving
Posted in Food & Drink, Holidays, Local Business |
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
Marina Bekkerman, Ditmas Park resident and owner of Marina’s Knittery on Etsy, knitted her way around the world.
Photo by Jonathan Barkey.
It All Began…
Marina was born and learned to knit in Odessa, Ukraine. Marina’s downstairs neighbor, Ludmila, spent afternoons teaching Marina to knit, create paper dolls, and design clothes for the dolls. Ludmila taught Marina how to put together colors and textures and encouraged her to experiment. Marina’s pursuits in paper, color, and textures came with her to the New World.
Marina knitted scarves and hats for friends through high school and college. She applied paper doll clothing design techniques she learned in Odessa and created her own knitted designs. Her convertible neck warmer can be worn four different ways, and has proven popular on Etsy.
Making the Leap
One day, when she still lived in Park Slope, Marina’s neighbor passed on a collection of buttons that the neighbor’s mother left behind. Marina sorted through the buttons the old woman had spent decades collecting—the colors! the sizes! the sets!—and was moved to knit more, design more, and begin selling. She opened the Etsy store and now sells cowls, neck warmers, and gloves in original designs and colors. Does knitting pay the mortgage? Actually, freelance graphic design does. But the graphic design and knitting inform each other.
Marina’s hobbies also influence her knitting and designs. Marina is an avid cyclist. Her frequent long-distance bike tours include a ride from San Francisco up the Pacific Coast and another from San Diego to St. Augustine, Florida. Marina’s two interests overlap with the Bicycle Ankle Strap—a feminine yet functional way to keep your pants from bike-chain grease.
Click to read more about how Marina chooses her yarns, and where to find her this holiday season…
- Amber
Tags: knitting, Marina Bekkerman, Marina’s Knittery
Posted in Art & Music, Local Business, Neighbor Profiles |
Sunday, November 20th, 2011
Pre-order Thanksgiving bouquets and table arrangements from Sycamore! Stop by the shop or email sycamoreflowershop@gmail.com to reserve.
- Mary
Tags: flowers, Sycamore, Thanksgiving
Posted in Holidays, Local Business |
Thursday, November 10th, 2011
Lauren Elvers Collins took over as the Executive Director of the Church Avenue Business Improvement District last December from Mark Dicus. I spoke to her over an early-morning breakfast about her first year, future plans, and the fate of ice cream along Church Avenue.
Photo by Travis Dubreuil.
DPB: Tell us a little bit about your background and what brought you to this job. I know you came from being Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy. Why the Church Avenue BID?
LEC: As you mentioned, I was Executive Director of the Conservancy for about two years and then left in February 2010, but concurrent with being with the Conservancy, I started the Windsor Terrace Alliance, which is a neighborhood association. So, the thing about the BID is that it’s a mixture of what I did at both-what I’m doing at Windsor Terrace still.
The BID really incorporates everything that I like. In all honesty, it was a job that, when I first saw it, I went, “I don’t know if that’s for me,” until I read the job description. And then it turned out it was exactly the kind of thing I liked and really the best parts of both of my jobs. I get to work with the community. I get to work with the businesses. It’s a lot of outreach and some street improvements and planning. And there’s always stuff going on.
DPB: You grew up in NY?
LEC: I grew up in Manhattan. I’m embarrassed to say that.
DPB: But you live in Windsor Terrace now?
LEC: Yeah. I lived in Manhattan until 2005 and I used to be so like, “Oh, I’m from Manhattan,” and then I moved to Brooklyn and everyone was like, “really?”
DPB: Well, as long as you wind up in Brooklyn. You know, you’re putting in your time. As a resident and professionally. It counts.
LEC: Right.
DPB: Over the past year, what are some of the projects or accomplishments that you’re proud of?
LEC: Some of it was already there, was already moving when I came in. The streetlights I’m really excited about because they’re beautiful and they’re almost done, if not completed by now.
DPB: What’s the progress on them?
LEC: Sixty-four street lights were either modified or historic streetlights were put in. They were supposed to be done about a week and a half ago, but I did see the guys working, so I think they may still be doing some tweaking. We have a streetscaping plan–this is something more toward the future–which I’m very excited about, that no one has really seen anything about yet.
Read on for more about streetscaping, public art, restaurants, crime, and how you can get involved with improving Church Avenue…
- Avi
Tags: Church Avenue BID, Lauren Elvers Collins
Posted in Local Business, Neighbor Profiles |
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011
A new specialty toy and baby store called Play Kids just opened yesterday right near the Parkside Ave Q stop on Flatbush Ave. It’s a quick trip from our area, and if you’re looking for an activity to do with the kids, they might have it. They’re hosting a sing-along with Lloyd of the Deedle Deedle Dees on Fridays, and they hope to add more events.
Nice option if you’re in that corner of the neighborhood and you’re missing the Cortelyou Library this winter. If you’ve got other suggestions for what you’d like to see, drop by and let them know.
- Mary
Tags: Play Kids, sing-alongs
Posted in Kids, Local Business |
Monday, October 31st, 2011
Want to throw a great party, but need a hand to do it? Alex Thune, a Brooklyn native who lives in our neighborhood with her husband and young son, just launched Ollie & the egg {throw a party}, a kids’ party planning and styling service.
“Our emphasis is on creating modern, handcrafted parties that appeal to both kids and the grown ups who love them,” she says.
From invitations to decorations, to venue rentals and themes, Ollie & the egg can do as much or as little as you might need. While birthday parties are a big part of it, Alex notes that she’s available for upcoming holiday parties as well.
Check out the website or email info@ollieandtheegg.com for more info.
- Mary
Tags: kids, parties, party planning
Posted in Kids, Local Business |
Monday, October 31st, 2011
Lindsay Aikman, a professional photographer living in Ditmas Park, is offering the above a pet portrait promotion through December 18. You can see some of her pet portraits at her Flickr site, and additional work at her website. For more info, email lindsay@lindsayaikman.com.
- Mary
Tags: pets, photography
Posted in Animals, Local Business |
Thursday, October 27th, 2011
Buy enough hot soup and other groceries at Downtown Natural, and you can get free milk! From Lauren Elvers Collins of the Church Avenue BID:
Downtown Natural at the corner of Church Ave. and E. 17th Street is running a special for the rest of October: Spend $40 and you get a free gallon of milk. Also, they have delicious fresh soups at the juice bar (today is organic creamy split pea) perfect for a day like today.
Today is totally a soup day. Has anyone tried theirs?
- Mary
Tags: Church Avenue, Downtown Natural Market, Sales, shopping
Posted in Local Business |
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
Halloween is this Monday–have you bought candy to give to trick-or-treaters yet? I’ve done the comparison shopping so you know where to the best deals are.
And for those who are new to the neighborhood, you’ll go through a ton of candy. If anyone has a good estimate of how much, please share in the comments!
GOOD
Duane Reade on Cortelyou and E 16th: Small selection and just a few items on sale, and those same items can be found for less elsewhere. Best bet: Tootsie Child’s Play bag, 26oz, $4.99 (with card, through 10/28).
Dollar Stores on Cortelyou: The two dollar stores both have the same giant bag with over 100 pieces of non-name brand hard candy, lollipops, and gum for $7.99, which is the greatest bang for your buck, if not the tastiest candies.
BETTER
Walgreens on Church and E 21st: A few things are on sale if you can find them. Best Bet: Fun or Snack Size candy (Hershey’s, Mars, or Nestle) up to 12.5oz, limit 4 with a coupon in the circular, $1.99 each (through 10/29).
MET on Cortelyou btwn E 16th/17th: They have the same Mars Fun Size bags also on sale for $1.99, no coupon needed, but the Hershey’s Snack Size bags are $2.99 (sale through 10/29).
BEST
Rite Aid on Newkirk and Marlborough (pictured above): Enormous selection and quantity of sales. Best bets: Hershey’s 8-packs are $1, Dum Dum Pops bag of 250 is $8.99 (with card, through 10/29).
Target at the Junction: With printable coupons available online, you can get the biggest savings, but even without you can find the best deals here. Best bet: Super jumbo mixed candy bags, 157-piece Mars mix, 185-piece Hershey’s mix, and selected others, $13.49 (through 10/29).
- Mary
Tags: Halloween
Posted in Local Business |
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
You might not think of Newkirk Plaza as a the place you’d buy nuts, dried fruit, and fancy butter, but maybe that’s because you don’t know about Plaza Gourmet Foods. Previously called Kings Candy and Nuts, the shop changed its name over the summer, but Karim, pictured above, says just about everything else has stayed the same.
For one thing, they’ve still got the best baklava in the area, which comes from a bakery on Nostrand Ave. They’ve still got a great selection of bulk nuts–Karim says cashews and pecans are the best sellers. The still serve hot coffee, and have chocolates and cookies and biscuits that you can’t find anyplace else nearby.
What they’ve added since they first opened last year is Hershey’s ice cream, which is very popular–there aren’t too many places to grab an ice cream cone in the area, so keep this in mind if you’re walking around with the kids.
There are also comparatively inexpensive dairy products, like milk, yogurt, and cheese, plus smoked salmon and sausages in the refrigerated case. They’ve also added bulk candy bins, if you have a craving for chocolate covered raisins or gummy bears.
Plaza Gourmet Foods
31 Newkirk Plaza
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7am to 9pm and Sundays, 9am to 7pm
- Mary
Tags: Newkirk Plaza, Plaza Gourmet Foods, shopping
Posted in Food & Drink, Local Business |
