Two Storefronts on Van Brunt

This is a bit beyond this site's purview, but every now any then I just like to comment on neighborhood stuff. 360 and Pioneer Inn were two eateries on Van Brunt Street—one fancy and white collar, one down-home and blue collar, both good—that helped mark Red Hook as a dining and carousing destination. Then both suddenly shuttered last year, 360 first and then Pioneer later. Pioneer, as I understand it, closed for prosaic reasons: DOH problems. 360's closure, however, is the stuff of legend. The general idea is that celebrated chef Arnaud Erhart cracked and headed to Timbuktu or Tahiti or some such retreat and has yet to return. Nobody knows for certain. Whenever some reporter does find out the true story, it'll make a hell of a read.

Anyway, there's activity at both addresses. The Pioneer Inn, as has been reported, is under new management and will soon become the Brooklyn Ice House. The front has been painted white and the Pioneer Inn sign has finally been taken down. There's lots of liquor lined up on the bar. Can't tell if it's leftover from the Pioneer's reign, or new stuff brought in by the Ice House people.

As for 360, it's for rent. Still looks like 360 inside. But there's a new message, emblazoned on a t-shirt, hanging in the window: "Stop and Think." Stop and think about what? About renting the place? About going into the restaurant business? About renting in Red Hook? About life?

What are you trying to tell us, Arnaud?! And where are you??!!!

Also: Our Mayor Is a Kooky Paranoiac

Taken in its entirety from City Room:

Mayor Bloomberg’s Least Favorite Word

By Diane Cardwell

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg may have a few words like “unconscionable” that he cannot say frequently enough, but there is at least one word he apparently cannot abide: “maintain.” It has such a negative connotation for the mayor that reporters wanting answers dare not speak its name.

Witness the exchange at a City Hall news conference this morning with a reporter, Michael Frazier of Newsday, who began a question this way:

“Mayor, you maintain that you kept a dialogue open with the Sean Bell demonstration–”

Mr. Bloomberg cut off Mr. Frazier, snapping: “‘Maintain’ is a word I don’t think is appropriate, sir. Next time you have a question, you want to insinuate that I lie, just talk to the press secretary. I don’t think we have a question for you.”

The reporter protested, “Yes you do.”

Mr. Bloomberg: “No I don’t, sir. We’ve finished it. ‘Maintain’ is a word that has an implication–”

Reporter: “Well I’m sorry. I didn’t mean–”

Mr. Bloomberg then called on another reporter, but could not resist a parting shot at Mr. Frazier, saying, “Got some nerve.”

For the record, Webster’s New World College Dictionary (Fourth Edition) lists one definition of “maintain” as “a) to uphold or defend, as by argument; affirm b) to declare in a positive way; assert.”

I wonder how he feels about these words: "Reactionary," "Petty," "Childish," "Doctrinaire," "Paranoid."

Queens Crap has the video.

Our Mayor Is a Kooky Megalomaniac

Two interesting articles about Bloomberg the Miracle Mayor over the weekend.

This piece in the New York Sun says that "Lawyers for Mayor Bloomberg are asking a judge to ban any reference to the Second Amendment during the upcoming trial of a gun shop owner who was sued by the city. While trials are often tightly choreographed, with lawyers routinely instructed to not tell certain facts to a jury, a gag order on a section of the Constitution would be an oddity."

I'm not fan of modern, gun-nut interpretations of the Second Amendment, but banning references to it in a trial? Controlling, much?

Then there's this piece in the Daily News about how Bloomie budgeting a whopping $2.1 million into the City's new budget to "on a massive charter reform that, depending on various theories floating around, will try to:"

a) Allow Bloomberg to run for a third term.

b) Do away with the public advocate or borough presidents.

c) Remake the way development deals and zoning changes are done in the city.

d) Turn some signature Bloomberg projects, such as PlaNYC, into permanent goals.

e) Streamline a 300-page document filled with minute and redundant dictates.

The cost is twice what the last Charter Revision Commission spent in 2005.

Hey, if you want $2.1 million to revise a document, you've probably got some big plans.

Finally, in a press conference in England with the Mayor of London, Bloomberg, pompously giving advice to his fellow politician, said, when asked how the new London mayor should handle the press, "You don’t have to match your answers to their questions. If you don’t give the right answers to their questions, they asked the wrong questions."

I'm sorry. Was that supposed to be funny?

Trader Joe's Doesn't Want Us to See

After an interminable wait, Trader Joe's finally began work on transformed the former Independence Bank building at Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn a couple weeks ago. And now what do they do? Paper over the glass doorways for a little privacy. For months on end we were free to peer in on the unstirred dust inside the yawning cavity of the huge edifice. Now that there's actually something to look at, our ocular inquiries are not welcome. Oh well.

A Talk With Michael Perlman, Diner-Saver

When I first heard the name Michael Perlman, in connection to the saving and relocation of the Moondance Diner, I thought, "Oh, some crusty old preservationist has come to the rescue. Good." I picture a grizzled old Villager with a beard, wire-rim glasses and sandals, smoking cigarillos. When I heard Perlman's name again, in connection to the relocation of the Cheyenne diner to Red Hook, I thought, "Gee, this guys gets around. And he gets things done!" Soon I found out he was a boychik of 25 from Queens! What gives? I usually don't do interview on this blog, but I had to find out the story behind Gotham's littlest preservationist. I shot him a few questions, and he sent me back following long, but very earnest and sincere answers.

Lost City: Are you a native New Yorker? If not, when did you move here?
Michael Perlman: I am a native New Yorker. I grew up in Forest Hills, NY, and proudly reside there to this day. Several generations of my family have as well, so I intend to further that legacy.

LC: How did you get so interested in diners? What is it about New York's freestanding diners that you find so worth saving?
MP: Historic freestanding diners are becoming an "endangered species" today at an alarming rate, but to our advantage, they were factory-built and pre-assembled, and therefore manufactured to move. Diners are among the "ultimate public institutions" which harbor countless memories and bridge the generations. They brought together individuals of various occupations in a cozy and striking ambiance. Diners are places where memories come alive, and traditionally, patrons from various classes would casually sit side by side, and converse freely on just about any topic. Being that freestanding railway car-inspired diners shaped NYC communities, and initiate bold flavor, their loss is often most heartfelt. They are a preservation priority.

LC: How did you find the buyer for the Moondance?
MP: I formed the Committee To Save The Moondance Diner in Feb 2007. I convinced Extell Development who owned the land, to reconsider their position on demolishing it for a condo. I figured, "Why not pick it up and move it?" I encouraged them to donate it to the RI-based American Diner Museum, in exchange for a tax write-off. ADM sold it to a couple in Wyoming by posting it on their website with my help.

LC: How did you realize the Red Hook move for the Cheyenne?
MP: In the tale end of March, AM-NY informed me that Manhattan's Cheyenne Diner was closing on April 6th, and would likely be jackhammered into oblivion for a condo. That was when I immediately stepped right up, formed the small but determined "Committee To Save The Cheyenne Diner," and submitted a proposal to property owner George Papas. Thankfully, he seemed enthusiastic about meeting with me, and responded to my written proposal the very same day. After devising a figure of $7,900 with Papas, and generating press coverage, prospective buyers numbered 24 within a record-breaking two weeks. Most contacted me via e-mail, and a few by phone. They came from as far as Indiana, Cheyenne WY, Ohio, CT, NJ, & Upstate NY. Most parties of interest came from the five boroughs. [Red Hook developer] Mike O'Connell was the winner, since it was basically a first-come, first-serve basis. They agreed upon $5,000, considering the rigging costs, cost for securing permits, and lot acquisitions, and restoration that excitingly awaits. I am informing the 23 parties that lost out, about the remaining few classic freestanding diners that are in jeopardy (in NYC and one in Paramus, NJ).

LC: You're pretty young for a preservationist. What drives you?
MP: In summer 2005, I was passing by the Trylon Theater at 98-81 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, and it was heartbreaking to see contractors taking jackhammers to its mosaic tile ticket booth which memorialized the Trylon monument. The entrance pavilion's mosaic and terrazzo floor also depicted the Trylon monument, but has since been cemented over. The Art Deco theater was built during the 1939 World's Fair (which took place nearby in Flushing Meadows), and the Trylon and Perisphere were the signature monuments. This fueled my preservation efforts, and also awakened the dormant preservationist in many community residents, amongst other supporters. Now I Chair Rego-Forest Preservation Council (est. 2006), which advocates for Individual Landmarks and Historic Districts in Rego Park & Forest Hills.

LC: What's your next mission?
MP: My next mission is preserving the historic Ridgewood Theatre (55-27 Myrtle Ave, Queens, NY) shuttered in March, marking the end of its consistent nearly 92-year run as a first-run theater. It is considered by theater historians to be the longest continuously operating neighborhood theater citywide, and potentially throughout the U.S. The theater was purchased last year by real estate agent Tony Montalbano of Montalbano Realty Corp. In March, when the theater was closed without notice, a vinyl banner went up around the marquee, stating "Retail space available in Ridgewood Theatre." Even though the owner is advertising retail for the two ground floor theaters, and considering the reopening of the upper floors' screens for showing films, many locals would favor adaptive & creative reuse of the ground floor, involving the performing arts. Otherwise, portions of the interior may be gutted without respect to its history, and the facade may be altered rather than restored, if worse comes to worse. A typical retail establishment can open almost anywhere, and considering the theater's history, it deserves much better! I am trying to find a historically-sensitive performing arts-related tenant or two for the owner, and if anyone is interested or knows of a potential investor, I encourage them to contact me ASAP.

I am also dedicating much of my time towards surveying Forest Hills & Rego Park for potential Individual Landmarks & Historic Districts, since we have a history dating back to 1906, but the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission only designated 2 sites in Forest Hills, and has been turning a blind eye.

Some Stuff That's Interesting

Restauratuer Danny Meyer, the king of Union Square, not wanted in Union Square.

Robert DeNiro, who loves NYC oh so much (if we are to believe the American Express ads), to defile it with ridiculous-looking skyscraper.

Marion's, neat retro-swank joint on the Bowery, has closed for renovations—we hope.

Nathan's hot dogs are now more expensive. Like everything else in the City.

Bloomberg unwittingly criticizes himself.

Developers Deb Scotto and Billy Stein are against the Carroll Gardens Place Text Amendment, which would redefine (or, rather, properly define) some neighborhood street as "narrow" (which they are), not "wide" (which they're not), and thus curb nasty development. Hm. That more proof the amendment's a good idea, in my opinion.

Small condos will not ruin Minerva's view of Lady Liberty. (NO condos wouldn't impair it at all.)

Hey, Brooklynites! Make $90 grand a year? Feel pretty good about it? In two years, you'll be considered poor.

A Good Sign: Cafe Belcourt

It's not often a new sign makes the "Good Sign" cut. But a little blonde whipper-snapper sitting on a barrel downing a giant stein of beer? What's not to like?

Belonging to Cafe Belcourt, on Second Avenue in the East Village.

Veniero's Endangered

I don't know. Call me irrational, but I don't think the level of person who grows up to become an inspector at the DOH should be allowed to enter a place as hallowed as Veniero's pastry shop, let alone pass judgment on it.

I understand that health and hygiene are serious matters and the public must be protected. But oughtn't certain vaunted and illustrious businesses be handled by a more select crew of hyper-competent and culturally senstive professionals, not just the run-of-the-mill, clipboard Nazis? Perhaps an elite department within the DOH—Special Businesses Unit—could be formed, one which understands the seriousness of its task, and treats its subject will all due respect. They could wear really swanky suits, too.

Just an idea. Anyway, the DOH shut up Veniero's—all 114 years of it—good yesterday. The bakery contends that a fix-up program resulted in a pest problem. Could be. The bakery think it may reopen on Thursday.

Robert Moses, Reveal Your Secret

Van Voorhees Park is situated at Congress and Hicks streets in Cobble Hill. Being so close to the docks, it features a number of nautical and oceanic touches. A metal fish kids can hop on. Four sprinklers in the shape of large snail shells.

It's all very nice. But one adornment perplexes me: a sort of flagpole, topped with a sculpture of a snail shell, from which a flying bird is emerging. Huh? Is there some allegory I'm missing here? Since when do birds fly out of shells? Why is the sculpture so tiny, and at the same time so prominent, being set eight feet in the air. Robert Moses was famously particular about the decorative details of the many parks he created in New York. What did he intend here?

For some reason, the thing reminds me of the Bernini's famous "Snail Fountain" in the Village Doria Pamphili, one of my favorite fountains in Rome.

Eat Your Heart Out, Robert Downey Jr.

Don't fret! Call Ironman!

Home-spun marketing at its Brooklyn best.