Overbearing Traffic? MTA got you down? We Have Two Words for You: Pedal Power

Remember going to your local bicycle shop as a kid.  Getting that first bike with the banana seat.  Putting baseball cards in the spokes for what seemed like the coolest sound around!  Well, local bike shops are back.  Whether it’s nostalgia for simpler days of yore or the greening of our collective conscience, it’s cool to see that bikes are back.

In the Prospect Park/Lefferts section of Brooklyn, Bike Life signed a lease for 229 SF at 50 Lincoln Road.  A real mom and pop bike shop, Bike Life caters to the kid in all of us, as well as to health-conscious and green-conscious consumers.  Besen Retail represented both owner and tenant in this deal.  According to Senior Retail Specialist Elliott Dweck, who represented Bike Life, retail in this neighborhood is making a move away from the ubiquitous deli and nail salon, and trending more towards boutiques, organics, health/health food and, of course, cycling.  Take it from Elliott, the proud owner of a Trek Beach Cruiser bicycle!

In Williamsburg, in another deal negotiated by Besen Retail, BicyclePlus.Net signed a lease to open a 1,500 SF bicycle showroom at 145 Borinquen Place.  Stop in to check out the bikes, both new and used, and you just might find Elliott loading up on the latest gear.

Stay on your bike and take a ride over the bridge into Manhattan to Echelon Cycles and its 1,200 SF showroom of performance bicycles at 24 Horatio Street.  Besen Retail negotiated this deal too.  Could Lance Armstrong (or Elliott Dweck) be riding for the Besen Retail Cycle Team in the next Tour de France?

While we’ve blogged about these openings in previous posts, we’re just excited to see this trend.  So, if you want to get back into biking, check out one of these new bike shops.  Happy biking!

 

They buy used bike!

 

If you’re interested in selling a used or new bike, head over to BicyclePlus.Net (The brick-and-mortar store, because the website happens to be down, ironically).

BicyclePlus.Net

145 Borinquen Place

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

(G Train to Metropolitan Ave. or L Train to Lorimer St.)

-Matt

145 Borinquen Place Fully Leased!

145 Borinquen Place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

We’re extremely proud to announce that all three spaces at 145 Borinquen Place are fully leased! Located on a triangle corner at the intersection of Grand Street, South 1st Street, and Keap Street, this Williamsburg centerpiece is part of one of Brooklyn’s most trendy neighborhoods, including the Victor Osborne Hat Shop,  Bustin Boards Flagship Store, and a Paul Smith Sale Shop. Along with the Green Olive Church, and “Lighthouse” Restaurant (Macao), the Borinquen Street storefront will soon be transformed into an old-fashioned bike shop with more than 50 feet of frontage to display bicycles (this was our third bike shop this year!). As we’ve mentioned before, none of this could have happened without the help from our friends at Dermot Realty Management Company, with special thanks to Raj Maret. It was a great team effort.

We wish much success to all of the tenants. Be sure to check back for posts and updates on the leased spaces.

-Jerry

The Unintentional Soundtrack of World Cup 2010

Although the song Waving Flag by Somalia born artist K’naan was chosen by FIFA as the official anthem of the 2010 World Cup, it seems as if the fans in South Africa have decided to add their own soundtrack to the mix, the vuvuzela.

The infamous vuvuzela in action (courtesy of Reuters UK)

I noticed that the infamous horn, which produces a sound not-unlike that of an angry swarm of bees, can easily cut through the thick chatter of a bar filled with rabid soccer fans during a recent visit to Mulholland’s Sports Bar while showing a retail space in nearby Williamsburg. 145 Borinquen Place serves as a prime location to open up a bar, which will act as a perfect complement to the new Macao Mediterranean Restaurant setting up shop right next door, leased by Besen Retail last year.

Although FIFA has been repeatedly pressured by athletes to place a ban on these irksome noisemakers for serving as a game-time distraction for both competing teams, they announced that they will not prohibit the vuvuzela from the World Cup unless it proves to be a physical hazard to players and fans alike, which isn’t such an impossibility based on the antics of soccer’s notorious ‘hooligans.’ So for now, players, fans, and at-home viewers have to continue listening to the sweet buzzing sound of the vuvuzela.

-Jerry

Learn to Pickle, Butcher and Brew

Ever want to learn how to make your own pickles? How to butcher your own pig? How to brew your own beer? The Brooklyn Kitchen in Williamsburg can teach you. The shop is an eclectic kitchenware shop offering locally made copper cookware, knives, canning supplies, and aprons, but also offers classes on the side.

Started by ameture chefs who needed a place close by to get their kitchen supplies, The Brooklyn Kitchen vows to not use markups like other retailers, offering fair prices to their customers. The classes aren’t bad either, with prices ranging from $40-$120. Interested in trying it? Tonight’s class is  “Beers of the World: Belgium,” taught by Brooklyn Brewery’s Chris Basso. He will discuss the history of Brewing in Belgium and go over some styles of beer throughout Belgium’s history. Sign up for classes here on their calendar of events, or visit the store at 100 Frost Street. 

After class, stop by space for lease 145 Borinquen Place, the perfect location for your restaurant. Sitting next to the upcoming “Lighthouse” restaurant, it is bound to be a popular destination for NYC foodies.

-Caitlin

Can I move to Cupcakeland?

While I love Manhattan, a land filled with buttercream frosting, rich red velvet cake, and mountains of sprinkles seems like a better deal… most likely cheaper too. Cupcakeland just moved in to Williamsburg, offering an array of fresh cupcakes baked daily by Polish owners Alex and Kate. Cupcakeland uses only the best ingredients like Callebaut and Valrhona chocolates, King Arthur flour, Madagascar bourbon vanilla, and organic fruits and dairy. One of the best parts might be that Cupcakeland has so many flavors! Some of the varieties include apple, green tea, peanut butter, mint, strawberry, and classic vanilla.

If you are also thinking about moving to Cupcakeland, head to 390 Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, not far from space for lease 145 Borinquen Place.

-Caitlin

145 Borinquen Place in Renovation Mode

Partners from the Macao Trading Co. recently leased space 145 Borinquen Place, and now it is undergoing construction. In visiting the space today, I could see the building is coming along nicely, and will soon be ready to open as a new Mediterranean-style eatery. Don’t forget, the 1400 SF plus 600 SF basement space on the other side of the building is still for lease!

Seriously Sustainable: skinnyskinny

Filled with an array of natural soaps, scented oils, potpourris, and pet toys, newly opened boutique skinnyskinny is the Brooklyn hub for all things organic. When owner Clara Thomas couldn’t find an orgnic soap that worked for her, she got creative and made her own. Her products are hand crafted, all natural, and in eco-friendly packaging. Soaps sell for $8, and come in scents like basil mint, lavendar black pepper, and corriander and lemon. Cats and dogs can also go green with handmade toys and soaps.

Not only do shoppers have the opportunity to browse bath salts and lip balms, but also can see Clara’s workspace where she makes her products. Want to make your own? Skinnyskinny offers 3 hour soap making classes for $90 each. Visit the shop at 129 Roebling Street in Williamsburg, not far from space for lease 145 Borinquen Place.

-Caitlin

No Nonsense at Hickoree’s

Hickoree's Hard Goods in Williamsburg (picture via NY Times)

Hickoree’s Hard Goods, a utilitarian style pop-up shop, will be selling their work-style clothing and accessories for men until the end of January in Williamsburg. The shop captures a no nonsense, zero frills style, much like Lower East Side store Kai D. Offering a selection of leather boots, thick jackets, vintage handkerchiefs, and even wood, tobacco, and whisky scented colognes, Hickoree is the perfect location to find one-of-a-kind gift ideas.

The current store is located at 439 Metropolitan Avenue, close by space for lease 145 Borinquen Place. Make sure to get out there soon, because it will only be there for a limited time! In the meantime, visit www.hickorees.com.

-Caitlin

Don’t Throw it Away!

Retrogreen in Williamsburg

Andre van Hoek doesn’t follow today’s throwaway culture. Owner of Retrogreen, a shop of repurpose objects of the past, Andre uses old materials that he found while he was traveling the world and recreates them for his store. Retrogreen carries industrial and distressed farm furniture, mirrors, 1960′s artwork, retro lamps, projectors, vintage bicycles and eyeglasses. To decorate the eco-friendly shop, Andre used discarded wood cabinets, craft shelves, and mirrors. Visit the store at 204 Bushwick Avenue between Meserole and Scholes Streets in Williamsburg, and pick up some unique items to adorn your home.

-Caitlin

Multitasking at Old Made

Boutique/Concert Hall/Art Gallery, and soon to be record store, Old Made is making its debut in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Opened by Leah Adams-Kroll and Frances Pezik, the vintage store is stuffed with vintage dresses, blazers, sweaters, and even old board games, typewriters, shaving kits, and other knick knacks. The loft building will show off some of Brooklyn’s up and coming musicians and artists, while providing a living room-esque setting for visitors. Old Made is located at 441 Metropolitan Avenue between Marcy and Meeker Avenues, not far from space for lease 145 Borinquen Place.

-Caitlin