Heard on Twitter
Monday, May 10th, 2010
59 Responses to “Heard on Twitter”
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Peregrine says:
If you are incapable of brewing a cup of coffee yourself,
Either John’s or Conn. Muffin are very good and deserve our loyalty.
Asking for other coffee shops is admitting you cannot fend for yourself and do not support our local vendors who have been serving the community for years. -
Mark says:
I agree w/ Peregrine. Brew it yourself, or pick up from one of the spots on Cortelyou. What the neighborhood REALLY needs is not another coffee shop — or another bodega, for that matter — but a solid independent bookstore.
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Digitality says:
A bookstore with a coffeeshop in the back! And maybe the employees can also fight crime on their lunch break.
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Michael says:
“Artisinal”? Nah, just decent. John’s is weak, and Connecticut Muffin’s is terrible if you don’t get it fresh (they never change it past a certain point in the day). The Farm has great coffee, but not open on weekends or early enough for the early commute.
So, I agree: a better coffee alternative would be great. (And, yes, I brew my own, too!)
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Anna says:
Market has coffee! It’s good!
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Ellen says:
Maybe the Farm or Sycamore should consider opening for coffee in the morning–like Building on Bond, and continute their regular service later in the day. I make an excellent brew at my home, but it would be nice to have a place to pick up come good strong freshly-made coffee in the morning.
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Terwiliger says:
Screw another Coffee shop. how about a Tea Lounge?
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J says:
What about a 99 cent store?
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Ditmas Newbie says:
What is this obsession with coffee anyway? Introduce me to tea I’ve never heard of. Do it in a really cool bookstore, even. I want to dose on exotic caffeinated beverages then do some browsing in the stacks, or vice versa.
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matthew says:
What’s the deal with Vox? I’ve been out of the city doing business for a couple months, and when I left, things were up in the air…
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New store says:
What we really need is a legal Marijuana store…Vox Pop’s future.
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MID says:
I agree with twitter post! Vox Pop has let us down too many times. Having artisanal coffee in the neighborhood would not mean running John’s out of business. Those small places will always have their loyal customers and without competition no one would be able to improve their product or business!
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new bar says:
What about a place to grab a burger, a beer and watch a game. There’s Solo kitchen & Bar that ostensibly doesn’t have a kitchen– They have 1 TV and don’t subscribe to any sports packages. Where’s the burger, beer, sport bar?
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Goodness says:
New Store — haha.. Vox Pot?
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bkforman says:
Since we are all requesting things, I would like a place where one could get something like a cobb salad or good chicken ceasar salad. Also, a clean smoothie, yogurt or ice cream shop would be great too.
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Emily says:
773 Bar always has “the game” on, whatever “the game” is at that moment. They seemed to have food offerings, too, but I must admit I haven’t tried them.
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Emily says:
On a semi-related note, I’ve had a fire burning to try to start a business in the neighborhood for awhile now. I think I have a great idea that could really add to the ‘hood, but I have no real business experience – I’m also young, so I have no capital. If there are any neighborhood entrepreneurs out there or brilliant suggestions, please post.
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Matt says:
Ellen, maybe I misunderstand you, but I believe that is precisely what the Farm does these days. They open for breakfast/take-out coffee at 8 am.
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Michael McWatters says:
Matt, they do, the issue is they don’t do it early (8 am and after), and they don’t have it on weekends.
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James says:
8:00 is early for me… but then, I don’t have to commute to that *other* island.
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william says:
I would like to see a cafe’ on Church with big hearty excellent soups.
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sensitive_plant says:
I concur with the burger/beer/game and big salad desires. I always think a place like Bonnie’s in the Slope would do well here. Pretty inexpensive (I think their burgers are about 8 or 9 bucks), solid food, a few good beers on tap, a couple TVs, friendly service, and both counter and table seating all make for a great neighborhood place. Businesspeople, if you’re out there, hear my call!
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jaguar_gorgonne says:
I have never heard so much whining and crying in my entire life that what I read on this blog. There are places with good coffee in the neighborhood but they don’t open early enough. Apparently the Farm should pay somebody to open earlier than 8 am just to cater to the needs of those who leave for work earlier than 8 am? Are you that much of a junkie that you can’t wait until you get to whatever neighborhood you work in to buy your coffee? And, please, enlighten the jaguar as to what exactly “artisinal” coffee is. That term makes no sense to me whatsoever. By the way, what this neighborhood needs is a gym. Does anybody seriously think an independent book store would survive more than a year? There are very few book stores, let alone independent bookstores, left in the city. As much as I love to read, I highly doubt that Ditmas Park, even wonderful Cortelyou, has the foot traffic to make a book store a viable option.
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Michael McWatters says:
Your whining about people’s comments far outweighs people’s opinions about what might make this a better neighborhood. Check a mirror.
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jaguar_gorgonne says:
I know Michael, you want a special coffee shop that opens just for you to accomodate your schedule and makes the coffee just the way you want it. I get it.
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Amaunet says:
There is a gym, a Bally’s, right off Flatbush Ave in between Church and Beverley.
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Michael McWatters says:
I love guys like Jaguar. They post anonymously all their venom and frustration. You’ve even resorted to childish insults on here. If you hate this blog, why are you here?
I don’t really see a good coffee shop that opens at, say, 7 am, as a big deal, anymore than your saying you need a gym. I commute an hour to work, so yeah, a good cup of joe that supports a local business would be nice. But, of course, your comments are valid, and everyone else’s aren’t.
Post with your real name, “Jaguar.” Stop hiding.
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chefesse says:
I’m with Jaguar on this one. Bookstores (aside from the occasional Barnes and Noble) are a thing of the pre-Amazon past (there used to be one on Cortelyou) Opening a coffee serving establishment extra early without substantial foot traffic isn’t worth the cost. I leave at 7:00 am and buy my (crappy watery) coffee from a cart on the other island if I haven’t made it myself. A gym would be great…I’d have no more excuses. (How bout on CIA amongst those car repair and gas stations?)
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Michael McWatters says:
Nicely said, chefesse, and good suggestions…and all written without attacking other posters. See, it can be reasonable here?
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chefesse says:
Flatbush between Church and Beverley? too far! I want a closer gym!
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A-Train says:
Who needs a gym when we live but a few blocks from a huge, green, free “gym” where you can work out to your heart’s delight
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william says:
I think there should be one of those “exercise stations” things in the parade grounds.
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chefesse says:
prospect park? too far!
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william says:
Chefesse, It sounds like you need to move to the northern part of the neighborhood.
And be a chef in the new cafe on Church Ave.
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Lauren says:
Yes a gym! I’m skeptical about Bally’s just because I have friends who’ve joined, and they’ve told me that Bally’s policy makes it almost impossible to quit (even if you move). I am kind of new to the neighborhood, so I have yet to visit the YMCA on Flatbush, but what do folks think of that?
I love being near Prospect Park, but knee problems no longer allow me to run. I also don’t like the idea of being in the park on my own when it’s dark, which is quite often a possibility in the fall and winter.
Does anyone else have any gym or other sorts of workout recommendations in the area?
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christopher says:
I have to say, Chefesse, if you won’t even walk to Prospect Park, will you really go to the gym anyway? 0:)
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Michael Cruz says:
I don’t see any of this as whining or complaining so much as voicing ideas on potential improvement of the area. Which, to be sure, is one of this goals of this site… and I don’t think people are necessarily lacking coffee choices, but C Muffin is not a fun or inviting place to hang out and enjoy your joe (or tea). It’s cavernous and feels a little like a cafeteria. And John’s is great for rushing in and out but obviously not hanging out.
I think business models have proven than neither a hang-out coffee/tea shop nor an independent bookstore can survive on their own. Perhaps someone can combine the two and create a Soho Housing Works type-place (without the urine-y smell).
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Travis says:
@ chefesse – FYI, there already is a gym on “CIA amongst those car repair and gas stations.” Maybe it’s not your scene, but it’s cheap, and always open. It’s not a health club, but it’s definitely a gym. I think they also do month-by-month.
I dunno the exact address, maybe somebody else can post it.
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Brenda from Flatbush says:
I want a really good, not horribly expensive FISH STORE!!!
FISH!!!!! please!!! -
william says:
There are several fish stores on Church which are pretty good. We have established a pretty good relationship with them. They are super nice dudes.
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athlete says:
@ Lauren: there is a new Y over on 8th Avenue & 15th Street in the old Park Slope armory — just opened.
@ Emily: Can you open a good fruit store? thanx.
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Monica says:
I’d like a place to buy clothing. Because there are so many restaurants opening that it’s getting difficult to fit into mine.
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chefesse says:
Even though I was kidding about the park and Flatbush and beverley being “too far!” the truth is if the gym isn’t on my path to and from? I’d probably never get my (fat) butt in there. (I know, excuses excuses excuses). Travis…you still here? Where amongst the car repair shops and gas stations may this gym be? I don’t need an exact address. If it’s clean? I might venture in…sweaty and funky? nah
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Michael says:
I don’t think if it as a complaint but the original tweet makes a pretty good point. A good coffee shop that is good to go as well as taking seat in decently comfortable space would be pleasant.
While the muff is decent option to go, the space is not warm or inviting. Vox on the other hand does have a passable, dilapidated, quirky, and amusing space that I wouldn’t drop into if I needed a quick to go. It also reminds me of the Tea Lounge of today with all the events happening in the evening making it a different beast from a traditional cafe. If you recall the original Tea Lounge on 7th Ave and 10th street, I think you may understand the request well.
Market does have some of the right components going on but the space is sadly to small to be anything more. If it did, I think both the store side and cafe would do quite well. Good drinks, fine pastries, and gourmet foods. You never knew how you could empty your wallets for so little. I’m kidding!
We could also have a Cafe Grumpy with $12 cups of coffee from clover machine and possibly a Gorilla with their employee walkouts to add to the chatter here. Then again, let’s not.
Maybe I’ll just plain quit drinking coffee. Best idea yet!
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nycgal says:
There is a gym on CIA next to the movie theater- between Aves H & I. I go to a gym near my work but the place on CIA looks decent, they have a website: http://www.spartangymny.com/index.html
Personally I agree with Monica that clothing stores are the most lacking in this neighborhood. They would be the one type of business I would patronize if it were available. Although I do enjoy a variety of restaurants IF they are affordable.
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Anna says:
I like our neighborhood and I like my neighbors. I like talking about what other businesses we’d support here and other ways we’d like to interact with one another. It’s fun!
And as far as coffee, no, I absolutely cannot wait until I make it to the other island to imbibe. In fact, I start brewing it on my way into the shower. If you’re not utterly dependent on coffee to fire up your brain pistons, I salute you. I however, do. Desperately. And I pay handsomely for it. If it’s not your bag, you are stronger than I. But I am weak and I like my caffeine, my friend, and I will happily support any and all establishments that make a good cup quick. That’s not whining. It’s enthusiasm. -
Travis says:
The gym I was talking about is, I think, near the Kent on CIA. 1166 Coney Island Ave., according to Google Maps….. I dunno what you mean by sweaty and funky; it’s a perfectly serviceable, old-school gym. Think cops, not yuppies. Anyway, it’s worth a look.
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Jamie says:
The gym next to the Kent Movie Theater is Spartan Gym. Spartan is a very apt descriptor – no frills, but it’s clean, well-maintained, with all the free weights and benches you could want downstairs, and a decent variety of cardio and resistance training equipment upstairs. It’s cheap – $300/year – and convenient, open 7am to 7pm weekends, and 24 hours midweek.
If you’re near the northern end of the neighborhood, Kensington Fitness at Caton and East 2nd is another option. It’s a little more expensive, but you get free aerobics, spinning, and yoga classes and they have TVs on the walls.
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Alex says:
artisanal coffee? barf. go to park slope and get it.
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Cherish says:
I go to Spartan gym. Staff (two guys all i see there) are friendly. Gym is clean. It’s just cardio equipment (treadmills, bikes, etc.) and weight machines, free weights. It’s just the basics, which suits me perfectly, since I’ve never been a fan of aerobics classes. I wish there was more area for stretching, but i live within walking distance, so I stretch when I get home. $45per month, $100 every 3 months.
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tom says:
from twitter @CroptoCup
hey @gabrielkahane – ur gettin’ your wish very soon. crop to cup shop to open super super soon on cortelyou rd. like within 1-2 weeks. -
sarah says:
1 to 2 weeks???? how is that even possible? QUICK, SOMEONE GET ON THE CASE.
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sl says:
…maybe Catskill Bagels will be serving Crop to Cup coffee?
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oldtimer says:
I grab my coffee @ johns @ 5:00 am everyday. Its fresh, hot, and affordable. Come on people the place is there for so long for a good reason, get with it. people.
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Cat says:
Well, since we are in a complaining mood. How about a good spanish restaurant–good rice and beans, mofongo ….There is a good restaurant on the flatbush extention…would be nice to have one closer that I like.
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GD says:
I agree with Cat….we need a good spanish restaurant…let me correct that…we need a puerto rican/dominican/cuban restaurant in this neighborhood …these places always have good food for decent prices…there are some around (flatbush ave, newkirk ave) but quite frankly, they are not too clean…. whenever we want to get this “spanish food” we have to travel to 4th ave
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Catwoman50 says:
Exactly GD….I think a spanish restaurant would be a wonderful addition and very busy!!!!!!!
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Nai says:
I R a bunch of elitists. The real question is who is Gabriel and why are we feeding into her snobbish tweet. Also, it seems like everyone like to play arm chair entrepreneur or talk about how to run some one else establishment.
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Sarah says:
I’m going to throw in my wish too – How about a really awesome dry cleaners (like 7th Avenue Cleaners in the Slope — yes, I said it, the slope!)? Sylvia’s is mediocre at best with a bad attitude (seriously, are they afraid their faces will break if they smile?), and my first attempt at Best Choice Cleaners made clear they were the worst choice, since not only did my clothes not appear to have been dry cleaned, they still had wrinkles in them and the collars were all smooshed.
