Recently in Shopping Category

Seems like every time I walk down Smith Street something changes. Flirt is no more on Smith Street, which is sad because it was one of my favorite neighborhood boutiques. The location in Park Slope is still active, however, so now I'll just have to schlep myself over to 5th Avenue. In better news, Refinery (a long-time neighborhood stalwart for great purses) is looking quite spiffy in its new space just a few doors down.

Though an equal opportunity religious icons store (saw a few Buddhas), most of the stock seems centered on Latin American Catholic imagry, plus a healthy dose of mysticism. So next to your more traditional rows of Jesus and Mary icons and Catholic prayer candles, there's a whole shelf devoted to a variety of oils that ward away evil and the like. I checked it out on Saturday and then came back for some photos on Sunday (when it was closed, naturally).

Anyway, if you're looking for any religious icons, Columbia Street has your one-stop shop.

I went shopping in Park Slope on Saturday as I hadn't been over there in forever and wanted to check out a different shopping scene. Walking 5th Avenue, I was reminded that a lot of stores in Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill also exist in Park Slope: Soula, Flirt, Lucia. And today, I found out that Flight 001, new to Smith Street, will be opened a store on 5th Avenue in November. Brownstone Brooklyn can now travel with ease. (Now how about bringing a Bierkraft to our side of the neighborhood?)

New Flight 001 location:
58 Fifth Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.789.1001

Oh how happy I was to see that the East Village's Exit 9 had finally opened a store at 129 Smith Street between Pacific and Dean streets. Exit 9 is one of those stores I discovered in my early days of living in New York (now more than four years ago) and always return to when I need a gift for others (or myself). I once asked the owner why he didn't have a store in Brooklyn, and he replied that rent on Smith Street was more than the rent he was paying to be on Avenue A. Either he got a good deal or decided to get in before the rent shoots even higher. Regardless, now two of my favorite Manhattan gift stores, the other being Flight 001, are now within walking distance. That makes me happy, if my wallet a bit lighter.

It's gotten itself in the New York Times over the proliferation of retail chains (Lucky Jeans, Starbucks, last year's American Apparel). So does this spell the end of chains on Smith due to overexposure? ;)

On Saturday from 11am to 7pm, Design Just Out of Reach is having a sale (10-50% off), that may just put the store's furniture within reach. People who love floor samples take note.

Design Within Reach
76 Montague Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201-3305

This yet unfilled store is on the west side of Smith Street near Douglass, across from Copy Cottage. Its storefront is below.

Also new and open on Smith: Homage at 151 Smith Street (near Bergen), a skate shop in summer with snowboarding gear planned for fall.

Took a walk up Smith today, and noticed a bunch of new restaurants and stores.

Started with brunch at Carniceria, the new Argentine steakhouse that replaced Porchetta. Even before chef Jason Neroni had his run in with the law, I was no fan of Porchetta, finding it full of experiments that came nowhere close to working. And while I can't judge Carniceria from one brunch, I did like the vibe in there a lot--windows open to the street, pleasant staff, decor that's actually a bit less fussy than the old room. My partner had the huevos rancheros, which were pleasant and had a flavorful red sauce, while my "benedict" came with patties of chorizo on crispy "Indian" bread and had a mild, creamy hollandaise that pepped up after a few good shakes of hot sauce. Nothing mind-blowing, but I'm satisfied enough to go back for dinner.

Well, lookee there. It lives. Po looks cute and not as expensive as I'd feared with most of the entrees clocking in under $20.

Walking by Sackett, I noticed a funny little stand down the block. Maybe I'm the last to know this, but apparently we have our own empanada lady in the neighborhood. I grabbed a chicken and a chorizo one for $1.25 a piece, and though I can't say they were the best I'd ever had, it was an encouraging experience in light of the Red Hook Ballfield drama.

Finally two "coming soons" that were less exciting to me, but will probably please a few folks reading this. Both up toward Bergen.

Want to support that idealistic Brooklyn dream of working at home and crafting quirky products that other Brooklynites who have to go to work every day will then buy and help support? I know I do, which is why I'll be at the Renegade Craft Fair at McCarren Park Pool this weekend (11am-6pm both days). According to the website, the there will be 200 booths and close to 300 artists on hand. Last year I remember being almost more entertained by what people shopping were wearing than what vendors were selling. Either way it's a good time.

Another refreshing opening in the neighborhood: Lee Lee's Valise (see Plus Size Diva, Too Fat for Fashion). The store, which stocks women's clothing sizea 12-24 obviously has its niche, but based on the number of women browsing tonight it's found itself an audience. The boutique located in the space previously known as Bleach House and opened in record time.

A few things of note from Plus Size Diva

Lee Lee’s Valise has quite a history. It started out as a longshoreman’s social club back in the days when the old-timers like Al Capone and Albert Anastasia walked the streets of Brooklyn. ... In addition we are going to offer “Jim’s Corner” in our back store which opens up on President St. ... Jim has set up an enclave in the back where the husbands can relax in a comfortable chair and watch the game while enjoying some coffee or soda and batting the breeze.