Greenpoint
Cafe Cito Bogota
A Shooting At The Production Lounge?
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
This email comes courtesy of R.C.:
Hey Miss Heather
Thought you may like a little play by play of what the heck is happening out my window at this very moment.
Its 3:47 am.. and I was awaken by something that sounded like gun shots out my front window.
I was quickly shaken out of my bed and my thought was gun shots???? But why. Then I remembered instantly, OH PRODUCTION LOUNGE!Sure enough, a small commotion was brewing outside.. people moving around quickly and fighting or trying to get away inside the “amazing bar” that has fallen upon our neighborhood. I noticed someone locking the door and keeping its patrons inside the bar, not letting anyone out. I instantly thought this is not going to be good. Cops show up, not with lights on nor sirens , about 5 cars and the place starts to flood out… cops direct the flow of people that were all exiting the bar away from Kent street direction and back towards Greenpoint Avenue on Franklin.
I thought I was dreaming when I heard “the shots” but I obviously was not when the presence of cops showed up outside my home ( I live on the same block as this shit den of a bar)Â and started to filter the lovely patrons of “P-LO” as I like to call this humble establishment away.
Its 3:53 now and the block is barricaded by cruisers on either side of this block on Franklin. From what I heard to what is now happening outside seems like yes maybe they were shots fired but no arrests or heavy breakouts resumed. Some people did run away at the moment I started watching and taping (yes I captured footage of this on my mini HD camera) this incident at the P-LO But now the block is barricaded by 10 or so cops…
The cops are now walking around the block with flashlights looking for something?? gun shot shells maybe?
What ever this is going on we need to close this place down for good! It’s revolting and not what Franklin Street is about.
I guess its officially a crime scene when police tape is surrounding the entrances to the block on either end now.
A few cops are walking back and forth the block..flashlight in hand.
4:15 a.m
Cops walking around still. nothing seems to be urgent. talking on and off with who I think is one of the owners of this place.Let us hope that this is the end of this place. But I fear it wont be…
The P-Lo needs to go!!!
So just thought I would let you know about whats happening and ask you how the heck do we shut down this HELLHOLE that has plagued our quiet hood.
This isn’t the only email I got on the subject of this shooting either. Tony writes:
i heard 6 gunshots last night at 2:30 am from my place on Kent street.
i called 911. didn’t venture outside. NYPD just called me and asked if i had any other info.
they said a woman got shot on the corner of Kent Street & Franklin but that she’s going to be okay.
this is fucked up.
I can hardly wait to see how they spin this one at the next 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting.
Miss Heather
Photographer’s (my) Note: This is 158 Franklin Street. The bullet that penetrated the front door managed to go through a second door in the interior of this domicile and lodged itself in a wall. I have it on good intelligence that bullets managed to find their way to the second floor of this residence as well. One destroyed a hat hanging on a rack (better the hat than the wearer, I suppose). It should also be noted that the owner of this house just finished renovating it from top to bottom. Now it has a few bullet holes to give it that “gritty” “urban” feel.
UPDATE: Apparently this matter has found its way onto Yelp;
While this place has been drawing my snarky ire since it opened for myriad reasons (laughable decor, seeming utter distain for the idea of a unified neighborhood fabric, loud, raucous club nights exhibiting contemptible taste levels vis-Ã -vis music, general waft of sadness and desperation, etc., etc.), I always considered it unfortunate joke that would be quickly and deservedly shuttered. But last night things took a much more serious turn…
You can read the rest by clicking here.* (A special thanks goes out to Greenpointless for bringing this to my attention.)
*NO YOU CAN’T: Yelp has pulled the posts.
THIS WEEKEND: The Brooklyn Record Riot
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Although I am not a vinyl enthusiast myself the fact of the matter is I know a great many folks who are. Bearing this in mind I wanted to pass along that the Third Annual Brooklyn Record Riot will be going down this upcoming Sunday, February 15, at The Warsaw right here in Greenpoint. Here’s the 411 per their press release:
Hey kids, the Brooklyn Record Riot is less than 96 hours away and the buzz is still growing mysteriously…this may our best show yet! BRR #3 features a number of new dealers (hey, I’ve never heard of them either but they promise great things), along with old stalwarts and local heroes. Plus we are now offering the DOLLAR ROOM, the area that also houses the bar (oh ok, have a beer while digging). Everything in this room is a buck, records and CDs, full-length albums and 12″ singles. Phast Phreddie leads a stellar group of DJs (identities unknown, tunes classic), and the Warsaw is cooking and cooking getting ready for this kielbasa and pierogi-fest. Of course the drinks will be flowing and the vibe steamy. Records of all genres and price-range will be offered. Hip families will be strolling around. There are always a few fanatics who make a crazy scene. Hours are from noon to 8pm and admission is three dollars (total lunatics can pay twenty dollars from 10am to noon)…
Early admission (10:00 a.m.) will set you back $20.00. Otherwise regular admission (from noon until 8:00 p.m.) is a measly three bucks! For more details point and click your way over to Iris Records.
Third Annual Brooklyn Record Riot
February 15, 2009
The Warsaw
261 Driggs Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
While you’re in the area why not check Greenpoint’s very own Permanent Records, Eat Records and scrounge around for hidden treasure at The Thing— at two bucks a disk, how can you lose?
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Life On Mars
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Follow are a few shots from a film shoot I stumbled upon yesterday while out for walk. Enjoy!
A most unexpected feast on Milton Street.
Trucks aplenty.
In all the years I have lived here I do not think I have ever seen this garage door open.
There were a slew of cool old cars on Noble Street. This Corvair was hands-down my favorite!
Much was afoot on Franklin Street.
This is not to suggest it was all work and no play on the Life On Mars set. These chaps were clearly having a good time while catching a few rays on Noble Street!
Miss Heather
Cookie Road Update
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Not too much to report here save I spoke to the owner of the store (whose incredibly adorable pup, Lola, can be seen above). She putting the final touches on the place and is awaiting another battery of inspections by the city. If all goes well Cookie Road should be open for business next month! As I have mentioned before, my dentist’s husband attended their evening of free tastings several months back. His review was glowing. Whether or not this is due to the quality of the product or is part of some vast conspiracy to drum up more fillings remains to be seen tasted.*
Cookie Road
97 Oak Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Miss Heather
*This is a joke.
Junk Has Arrived In Greenpoint
No, I’m not talking about that kind of junk (it made its resurgence in my fair nabe known some time ago).
Rather, Junk, the thrift store located at Driggs Avenue and North 10th Street has opened a new space down on Franklin Street! I spoke with a gentleman working there and he said they officially opened last week and still had a great deal of merchandise to roll out. As of my visit today they had a great deal of affordable furniture for the choosing. This is a good thing given the dearth of furniture options here (no disrespect to Greenpoint Furniture intended). I wish these chaps the best of luck!
Junk II
216 Franklin Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
HOURS: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: MORE SNOW!
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Green Street.
India Street.
Java Street.
Kent Street.
Franklin Street.
Noble Street.
Miss Heather
A Very Curious Phenomenon
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
(Or: The Franklin Street Lending Library)
Anyone who lives on Franklin Street near India and has eyes (or ears) probably knows the story of this place. It used to be a garage but thanks to Karl Fischer (and the stringent criteria used for the issuance of modification permits) it is being “modified” GUTTED into a ten story luxury apartment building replete with professional office space. But the purpose of this post is not to malign this development (although it richly deserves it). Rather it is about a certain bicycle parked in the premises.
This bike, to be precise. Over the last month I have noticed a very curious phenomenon: people are leaving (exchanging?) books via its basket. Follow are a few visual aids (in chronological order) to give you a better idea what I’m talking about.
Three poetry books.
One book on web design.
My husband is a big fan of Neal Stephenson so after I took the above photograph he nabbed this tome.
A how-to book about knitting and a book about contemporary American women artists.
The top book in this assortment is about pirates. It should be noted that took the above photograph at 8:00 p.m. When walked back by later (11:00 p.m.) the books were gone. Anyone know what’s going on here? If so, please share. My curiosity is driving me crazy!
Miss Heather
Has Anyone Seen Tiger?
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
I am sad to announce that Tiger, Oreo’s replacement at the Franklin Corner Store, has gone MIA.
If you have seen this handsome little guy or know of his whereabouts please contact the Franklin Corner Store. This is no weather for a cat (especially one as cute as this one) to be out on the street.
Franklin Corner Store
210 Franklin Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
(718) 389-8524
Thanks.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Barracuda
Filed under: Area 51
This little bit of Red Hook comes courtesy of Franklin Street.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Video Du Jour: Special National Hug Day Edition
Yesterday— to say the very least— was an interesting day. First it was finding a burned out car on India Street on the way to meet someone for lunch. Then when I was walking home on Franklin Street a SUV tore past me spewing forth the special perfume only to be found from smoldering high grade weed. I found the latter rather disturbing because (as many of my fellow Greenpointers can attest) the driving skills of my fellow Garden Spotters are marginal at best— even when sober.*
Anyhoo, these concerns quickly faded into the recesses of my consciousness when I reached Calyer Street. That’s when I was greeted with the sounds of shouting. As Jane Fonda so sagely observed in the movie Barbarella:
…good many dramatic situations begin with screaming…
This occasion was no exception. In fact one of the shouters was brandishing a 1 x 4 for added dramatic effect.
Maybe these gents are discussing the pluses and minuses of Michelle Obama’s inauguration gown? Everyone’s a critic I suppose. I for one thought it was very nice.
Miss Heather
*Watch how they parallel park, for example.
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