The fastest way to strengthen a neighborhood’s heart is to feed its stomach.
So say people in Carroll Gardens, who want to see a supermarket in the old Longshoremen’s medical center on Court and Union streets. How widespread is the desire to have a supermarket? Even the owners of some of the specialty shops on Court Street — the very stores that would have to compete against a big grocery store — support the idea of competition.
The Clarett Group acquired the longshoremen’s building at 340 Court St. last year and the company plans to build a seven-story building. That’s too tall for some people, but there’s a silver lining: Clarett wants the project to include a supermarket on the ground floor. It’s a much-needed amenity.
Walk five blocks north or south from 340 Court St. and you’ll pass at least 12 small food shops — including F. Monteleone & Cammareri bakery, K&Y Fruit and Vegetables and D’Amico’s Coffee. The specter of one-stop shopping and lower prices of a Key Food or C-Town might seem like a death knell for the nearby independents, but supermarkets and local specialty shops can peacefully coexist. In fact, they always did on Court Street — until, ironically, the Key Food closed about two years ago (it’s now a CVS). Indeed, some of the small, mom and pop food stores miss their bigger neighbor.
“It was better before the Key Food closed,” said Lenny Cristino, the baker and co-owner of Monteleone & Cammareri. “More people [were] walking up and down the strip.”
Indeed, many shoppers keep coming back to the mom and pop stores, but some longtime residents can be bought for the lowest prices.
“I shop for the sales,” said Mark Karwowski, who had just bought produce at K&Y and a morning nosh at D’Amico’s. “I’m not loyal to any store.”
This mercenary mentality could lead to the death of the local fruit and vegetable stand or butchers — but only if the supermarket has high-quality items at low prices, which would clearly be a win for local consumers.
Still, some Carroll Gardeners are torn about how to save money when shopping, yet preserve the neighborhood’s character. It requires a balancing act, said resident Katia Kelly.
“I try to do one big shopping out at Pathmark two times a month, and the rest of the time shop at the small shops on Court Street,” she said.
That’s a woman after my own heart. A little extra effort and everyone wins.
Mike McLaughlin is a staff reporter at The Brooklyn Paper.
THE KITCHEN SINK
Brooklyn Heights: Brendan Dugan just got tapped to be the new president at St. Francis College. Dugan replaces Frank Macchiarola, who led the Remsen Street institution for 12 years. Dugan, a St. Francis alumnus (’68), was chairman and CEO of the metro New York division of Sovereign Bancorp. We wish him luck. …
Insurgent state Senate candidate Daniel Squadron, running to unseat longtime incumbent Marty Connor this fall, scored the Working Families Party endorsement. That’s nice, but he’ll need a squadron of lawyers to get on the ballot, if election law expert Connor holds to his usual form. …
Cobble Hill Councilmember Bill DeBlasio reached a compromise with the mayor on his bill to launch a recycling program for televisions, computers and other electronic gadgets. It’s going to happen, you e-wasters, so get ready to e-cycle! …
Boroughwide: Our friends at the gay and lesbian political clubhouse, the Lambda Independent Democrats, have new co-presidents, Terrance Knox and Dan “Double L” Willson. But, more important, they’re having a party on April 17 at DUMBO’s Water Street Restaurant. The goal is to “see more of you,” the co-leaders said. We know they mean that in a political sense. Call (718) 361-3322. …
Ran into former congressional candidate — and, if you ask him, future borough president — Chris Owens on the subway the other day. Owens is now president of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, but don’t look for another campaign just yet. He needs to put some fuel in the ol’ tank. …
Downtown: Students at Urban Assembly School of Music and Art are collecting spare pennies for charity. How about heading to the school, which is at 49 Flatbush Ave. Ext., right by the Manhattan Bridge, and emptying your pockets? Call (718) 858-0249 x7082 for info. …
DUMBO: Larry Leonardi and the gang at Front Street Pizza have done it again. Fresh from the success of their taco slice, the maestros have created a spicy turkey corn chowder that’s worth a trip (from Brooklyn Heights even)! …
Carroll Gardens: More evidence of the existance of Sanfrooklyn: Our pal Susan Weintrob (who is not related to our publishers, by the way) is leaving Hannah Senesh Community Day School, that Smith Street private powerhouse, to take a job in San Francisco. Weintrob ran the school for six years. …
Park Slope: Our pal, Nica Lalli, had an op-ed in USA Today about raising her atheist kids. You tell ’em, Nica. …
Get the kids ready for the NYPD’s annual “Unity Showcase Festival” on Sunday, April 13. A police source told The Brooklyn Paper it’s the equivalent of a trip to Epcot Center, except instead of countries of the world, the exhibits are about the neighborhoods of the borough. It’s from 11 am to 5 pm in Bartel-Pritchard Circle at Prospect Park West and Prospect Park Southwest.
