Brooklyn Collective Friday Night

Shop the new collection while enjoying cocktails and live music at the Brooklyn Collective Summer Event!

Friday, July 18th at 6:00 PM
Brooklyn Collective
212 Columbia Street , Brooklyn , NY

Holiday Gifts Pop-up Shop on Columbia Street

Our neighbors are hosting an arts/crafts holiday gift pop-up shop starting today!

Shop the Neighborhood for Small Business Saturday

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting the small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and neighborly. You'll get expert and helpful service that you won't get in the big box stores, and you'll be keeping your money in the local economy. Neighbor-lujah! 


Here is just a sampling of great shops from the District:

Drop in to Union Max to browse their eclectic mix of random bling, kitsch, postcards and more. 110 Union at Columbia.

At Brooklyn General shop fabric, yarn, notions and dry goods. Everything in the shop is 20% off tomorrow. 128 Union Street between Hicks and Columbia.

Old Brooklyn Wine and Liquor Company is a friendly place to stock up on wine and spirits for your parties and gift-giving. 145 Union between Hicks and Columbia.

At Bopkat Vintage find mid-century vintage clothing and accessories for reasonable prices. It's also a great place to find vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations this time of year. 117 Union between Columbia & Hicks.

Brooklyn Collective showcases jewelry, clothing, gifts, and home goods from an everchanging list of Brooklyn artisans.  They're open Thursday to Sunday 1-8. 212 Columbia between Union and Sackett.

Don't forget these great shops further up Columbia Street:

Freebird Books is a cozy shop with an eclectic mix of books with a new emphasis on New York history and culture. 123 Columbia.

Winkworth's collection of lingerie will turn you into the adorable sex kitten you always knew you could be. Open 12-7 tomorrow. The owners encourage appointments for serious try-on sessions. 119 Columbia.

What are your favorite local shops?

Blind Wine Tasting in Red Hook

Friday nights Botta di Vino hosts blind wine tasting from 8:30-10. Cost is the purchase of one bottle. With live guitar, snacks, and games for a chance to win a free bottle.

Tonight, Friday October 7, 8:30-10 p.m.

botta di vino
357 Van Brunt Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
347.689.3664
www.bottadivino.net

New Bike Shop Open in the Columbia Waterfront

There's a nice writeup on our new bike shop, Dog Day Cyclery on Patch.com:

Dog Day Cyclery Fills a Void
http://carrollgardens.patch.com/articles/dog-day-cyclery-fills-a-void

"The small store has so far has been working mostly in repairs, with sales of accessories like bike lights, streamers and seats going steady. Nesbit hopes to soon sell bikes, too, and is open to discussing with customers what else they'd like to see on the shelves."

Dog Day Cyclery just opened on Van Brunt between Union and President and the owners sound like nice folks. Welcome to the neighborhood, Damien and Bill!

Valentine's at The Brooklyn Collective - Feb 11

The Brooklyn Collective Valentine's Event

Please join us for a special Valentine's celebration!

Shop for unique gifts for your sweetie

Over 20 collections by local artists and designers

Complimentary cocktails will be served throughout the evening

along with a special musical performance by Blanche Blanche Blanche

Friday, February 11th

212 Columbia Street

(between Union and Sackett)

7pm-11pm

Featured Artists

Niccole Ugay, Michael Murray, Thimali Kodikara, Beautiful Brooklyn Birds, Edelweiss by Sarah, GIRLFAUXPAS, Lightexture, Plane Jane Project, Skye Fraser, Abbie Zuidema, In The Seam, Alexandra Batsford, Design and Labor, Lewis Henry Nicholas, Twig Terrariums, Sunghee Bang, Rachel Goldberg, Stephen Merola, Catherine Hnatov, elle s'appelle, AshiDashi, Near Modern Disaster, Nancy Waller Handbags, Jess Yam, Sovereign Beck, Courtney P. Hewitt

New comer on Columbia street: Waterfront Antiques

About a week ago, a new spot has opened on Columbia Street between Sugar Lounge and the offices of the Brooklyn Greenway. It is an antique consignment store that specializes in European porcelain and glass, as well as ethnic art.

You can also find oil paintings, vintage jewelry, crystal, silverware, sculptures and antique furniture.

The president is Annick Sawaya. Belgian, born in the Congo, she moved to the US when she was 7 years old. Owning shops in Paris and Cannes, Annick has had 15 years experience in antiques. With this new venture, she wishes to make the store a center for Art Deco and Art Nouveau treasures.

The most valuable piece is this painting by Abbott-Fuller Graves, entitled Dusk, and priced at $10,000. But relax, prices of other items start at $15, so you are sure to find a little something for any occasion.

Here is Annick's favorite piece.
A Chinese neo-guardian figure, which was originally made to guard against evil spirits
(from the 18th century, possibly even older).

This was my favorite piece,
(in case anyone wants to get it for me for Christmas. Hint, hint, Chris)
a Navajo sterling silver bracelet.

Come by tomorrow night, Thursday, December 2nd, from 6 to 8 pm, for a wine and cheese opening party and discover Annick's treasures.

Waterfront Antiques is located at 147 Columbia Street - 917.805.2968

This Sunday: Pop Up Shop at ArtsCetera! on Smith Street

On Sunday, November 7th, from 11am to 6 pm, ArtsCeteraʼs child-centric Cobble Hill studio will transform into a weekend storefront market for holiday shopping, featuring goods from a diverse group of local artisans and entrepreneurs.

Many of the designers who will be featured throughout the season come from the local Etsy community and The {NewNew}, a vibrant collective of indie Etsy artisans in the NY Metro area.

With handmade clothing for men, women and children, jewelry, accessories and items for the home and well-being, as well as books, CDs and gifts for kids, the Pop-Up Shop will run Saturdays and Sundays through December 19th. Each weekend will feature both new and returning vendors, so shoppers will always find something fresh to see at the Pop-Up Shop. Each weekendʼs line-up will be posted at ArtsCetera's website.

The opening includes refreshments, a child-friendly area so kids can play while parents shop and a raffle of gifts donated from our vendors to benefit ArtsCeteraʼs Neighborhood Arts Partner, The Early Childhood Programs of the Lutheran Family Health Centers.

Vendors:
Overall Baby - Reinventing the look of childrenʼs overalls
Jenny Kim, owner

Kataplin - Whimsical and Unique Clothes for Kids, Babies and Adults
Luciana Toyos Gambarino, owner

Lio & Linn - Unique and stylish Jewelry & Home accessories
Masumi Hyashi, owner

Nordea Soaperie - Handmade soap and body essentials
Nordea McKoy, owner

Elements for Inspired Living - One-off fashion accessories and unique decorative items for the home
Cynthia Black, owner,

Barefoot Books - Award-winning childrenʼs books, CDs and Gifts
Robin Muskin and Jessie Barker, Brooklyn Reps

Weʼre also grateful to local businesses for their donated goods for opening day, including:
Denise Fasanello Floral Design for lovely floral arrangements, and Betsy Thorleifson of Nine Cakes for a bounty of their delicious mini-cupcakes.


I am very excited to invite you all to check it out, as I embark on a new adventure thanks to Robin and Nanette!!

Bourbon and Cheese tasting

Heaven Hill Distilleries and BKLYN Larder Specialty Cheeses pairing at Char No. 4

September 14th, 2010

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month and dry dock wine+spirits is celebrating with Heaven Hill Distilleries and BKLYN Larder at Char No. 4 in Brooklyn, NY with an intimate American whiskey and cheese pairing on Tuesday, September 14th.

Featured whiskeys will include Elijah Craig, Evan Williams and Bernheim Wheat Whiskey. Sergio Hernandez, cheesemonger from BKLYN Larder and Jessica Butts, representative from Heaven Hill Distilleries, will be leading the cheese and whiskey tasting.

Tickets are $40 per person and space is limited.

Two sessions are available, 7pm and 9pm; please contact Char No. 4 for tickets at 718.643.2106.

dry dock wine & spirits, located at 424 Van Brunt Street in Brooklyn, is Red Hook's neighborhood wine & spirits store, offering outstanding value and high quality from smaller vintners, producers and importers from around the world. We offer over 400 hand picked wines with 50 choices priced $12 and under, as well as a beautifully edited selection of spirits. dry dock has been featured in both Imbibe and Out magazines as a destination shop with an eclectic collection of craft-distilled spirits including over 75 whisk(e)y choices.

Wine & spirits tasting weekly; open m-w 12-9, th-sat 12-11, sun 12-8.

BKLYN Larder, located at 228 Flatbush Ave in Park Slope, Brooklyn specializes in hand crafted cheeses, homemade prepared foods, and special and sustainably produced grocery items.

Char No. 4 is a whiskey bar inspired by a passion for bourbon. It features over 150 American whiskeys and serves a menu of American fare with a Southern influence. Char No. 4 is located 196 Smith Street in Cobble Hill.

Reminder: Books Through Bars bbq and book drive Saturday 5/8

Just a reminder that there will be a great event at Freebird on Saturday, 5/8, from 2-6pm! Details according to a Freebird email:

Just a reminder that if you have leftover books and are looking to make space in your cramped apartment, we are leading a book drive on May 8 for the grassroots organization, Books Through Bars, a non-profit which donates books to prisoners across the country.

Since the occasion roughly coincides with the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain's passing, we will honor his memory with Six Point beer, grilled food, and, of course, T-shirts! All Freebird's proceeds from the sale of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer T-shirts (made by our friends at Novel-T) will go to Books Through Bars, which also needs money to cover the costs of postage for their donations.

Speaking of which, books donated to BTB are tax deductible. Books Through Bars is especially looking for books in the following categories -- and preferably in paperback, to cut down on postage costs:

• African-American history, especially 20th century
• Native American history
• Latin American history
• Radical politics
• Social sciences and psychology
• Dictionaries, thesauruses, and Spanish-English dictionaries
• Learning world languages
• How-to (drawing, chess, sign language...)
• Mayan and Aztec history
• Memoirs and fiction by people of color
• Mythology
• Poetry anthologies

That said, we don’t want to turn away any generous offers and what BTB can’t use will either make its way into Freebird’s general population or off to another charitable organization.

Freebird Books
123 Columbia Street (between Kane and Degraw streets)

BBQ and book drive for Books Through Bars - Freebird - 5/8 from 2-6pm

The non-profit organization Books Through Bars recently found a temporary new home on Columbia St. in the basement of Freebird Books and Goods. Welcome them to the community on Saturday May 8th from 2-6pm by attending a "BBQ and Book Drive" being held for them at Freebird! (see details below)

If you can't make it to that event, staff from Books Through Bars also accepts book donations at other times. More info can be found on their site here.

Details from Freebird's site are as follows:

Saturday, May 8, 2-6 pm

BBQ and Book drive for Books Through Bars

“Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail. What you gain at one end you lose at the other. It's like feeding a dog on his own tail. It won't fatten the dog.”
--Mark Twain

Over the past month we have readied our basement for the grassroots organization, Books Through Bars, a non-profit which donates books to prisoners across the country. Now that they have made the move from Boerum Hill, they are in need of filling up their more spacious new digs downstairs. There are lots of shelves that need to be restocked. Please help us out.

So in the spirit of spring cleaning (you know those walls are closing in on you) and Mark Twain, whose passing 100 years ago we also note, we will make our backyard a book drop and party space for the occasion. BBQ and beer will be on hand, not to mention Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer T-shirts special for the occasion (from our friends at Novel-T). All Freebird’s proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts will go to Books Through Bars.

Books donated to BTB are tax deductible. Books Through Bars is especially looking for books in the following categories -- and preferably in paperback, to cut down on postage costs:

• African-American history, especially 20th century
• Native American history
• Latin American history
• Radical politics
• Social sciences and psychology
• Dictionaries, thesauruses, and Spanish-English dictionaries
• Learning world languages
• How-to (drawing, chess, sign language...)
• Mayan and Aztec history
• Memoirs and fiction by people of color
• Mythology
• Poetry anthologies

That said, we don’t want to turn away any generous offers and what BTB can’t use will either make its way into Freebird’s general population or off to another charitable organization.

Freebird event at Jalopy on 4/25

Special event at Jalopy Theatre (315 Columbia Street)

Sunday, April 25, 6 pm

Admission free

Music performance and book discussion with David Hajdu and Karen Oberlin

In conjunction with the release of his new collection of essays, Heroes and Villains, David Hajdu dishes about the music biz and performs with his wife, jazz-pop vocalist Karen Oberlin. James Marcus joins them on electric guitar and lap-steel guitar, along with Seth Fahey on stand-up bass and clarinet.

More info on Freebird's site here

Torso/Broadcast 6 screening at Broolyn Collective - Tonight!!!

BROOKLYN COLLECTIVE
196 Columbia Street
Brooklyn NY 11231
April 16 2010 8:00 p.m.

From the email announcement:
TORSO // Broadcast 6 has been in production since 2005, but on April 16th 2010, it will finally premiere. What started as a science fiction short has expanded into an extensive mythology. From Brooklyn to San Francisco - from Dover to Portland - from Philadelphia to Reno - TORSO has been all across America collecting footage. Our adventures took us through mountains, deserts and cities, all of which have been captured on 8mm film. From bedazzled masks to hand-crafted televisions, we're sure you haven't seen anything quite like this.

On Friday, April 16th at 8:00 PM, the Brooklyn Collective will premiere TORSO // Broadcast 6. Come join TORSO for a night of drinks and revelry as we celebrate the culmination of five years' work!

Please feel free to contact us with any questions. RSVP requested.
mail@torsotorso.com
www.torsotorso.com
+1.516.695.4693

View the trailer here:

TORSO // Broadcast 6: Trailer from Jesse Corinella on Vimeo.

Reds Tapas space to become Pimentel Dry Cleaners

Realty Collective's blog has the scoop on what is to become of the Red's Tapas Bar space, and it turns out it will become a new dry cleaning business. While we loved Red's and would love to see another restaurant there, we're very happy to see any new business in general and eliminate vacant comercial spaces!

Welcome to the neighborhood Pimentel!

Read more about it at the Realty Collective blog here.

Image above from Realty Collective

Love and Longevity at Union Max

Union Max, which opened in the Spring of 2000, is often cited as being one of the first businesses to open up among the new wave of shops, restaurants, and bars that have emerged during the revitalization of our area - and it has managed to stay open while many others have not. Opting not to sell online or even maintain a website, they choose to stick to what they know and love, selling vintage beads, jewelry, clothing, and other collectible goods out of their storefront on the corner of Union. St. and Columbia. Making it even more special, the shop is a true family business, run by a mother and two daughters. We recently caught up with one of the daughters, Rachel Goldberg, to talk about the shop and the neighborhood, and to take some photos of their great merchandise.


WoCS: What did you do before opening Union Max?
UM: We sold at fleamarkets and trade shows

WoCS: How did you land on Columbia St.?

UM: My sister moved to an apartment on Carroll and Hicks in 1998 and we had heard about this great antique furniture store owned by Barry Jetter called "general Nitemare. We made the huge trek over the BQE to check it out. My mother who had been in the antiques business for over 20 years had seen many shops go out of business because of landlords raising the rent once a neighborhood got more popular. We always wanted to open a shop but she refused to rent. She wanted to be able to buy the space out right and at the time we were able to buy our store for a ridiculously low amount.


WoCS: How has Columbia St. changed since you first opened?
UM: Incredibly, I moved to the neighborhood in 2000 when we opened the shop. When we first opened the only shops were General Nitemare, Margaret Palca bakes ( who was only doing wholesale at the time) and us. They had just padlocked a building that was a drug den on the corner of my building. The building on the corner of Union and Columbia ( across from us) was an empty lot. The foot traffic was nil.

WoCS: Have these changes impacted your business in any way?

UM: It took about 3 years but now there is now steady traffic in the neighborhood and like I said we don't have a landlord who wants to raise our rent. My Mother...Smart Lady.

WoCS: Is most of your clientele local, or do people travel from around the city?

UM: We get both. We have a steady clientele from the neighborhood. We've been around long enough and we have such a unique stock that we get people from the city coming and buying from us to resell in Manhattan.

WoCS: What are your favorite hangouts in the neighborhood?
UM: Mazzat is great great food. I was sad to see Pit Stop close


WoCS: How do you explain the high concentration of vintage shops in the neighborhood?

UM: I think people open vintage shops because they are in love with antiques. You have to do it for the love in this neighborhood. We all have second/real jobs that feed our habit.

Rachel is also part owner of Brooklyn Collective with Tessa Phillips. An interview with Tessa about Brooklyn Collective will be coming soon.

The Spring Event at Brooklyn Collective and General Nightmare Antiques

The Spring Event

presented by Brooklyn Collective and General Nightmare Antiques

March 26, 2010
7pm-Midnight
196 Columbia Street
Between Sackett and Degraw

Please join us to celebrate over 15 new collections! Paintings, photography, sculpture, film, jewelry, clothing and accessories all from local artists and designers.


Featured Artists
Lisel Ashlock
Bud McNichol
L.J. Lambillotte
Jesse Corinella
Jen Kelly
Lewis Henry Nicholas
Alexandra Grecco
Jess Yam
Design and Labor
Alexandra Batsford
LanVy
Off the Mat
elle s'appelle
Created by Fortune
Rachel Goldberg
AshiDashi
Tatoo Girl Lingerie

Complimentary cocktails will be served throughout the evening

Plus! A special live performance by SORD

For further info please visit
www.brooklyncollective.com

Image courtesy of Bud McNichol

Uncle Louie G coming to Red Hook

This Spring, Uncle Louie G Gourmet Ices and Ice Cream shop is moving into Space 414, previously an art gallery, at 414 Van Brunt between Coffey and Van Dyke streets

According to a press release that we received yesterday about the space, the shop will offer 60 flavors of ices and ice cream, as well as shakes, slushies, waffle and brownie sudaes, and other "yummy lip licking delights." The release continues to say that there will be a sidewalk serving window and a 10 seat indoor "totally kid friendly" space. They have also planned ahead for colder months by stating that they will offer soups, wraps, and paninis.

Upcoming classes at Brooklyn General

Brooklyn General has some new upcoming classes. You can never have enough stuff listed under the "hobbies/skills" section of your resume.

SEWING CHILDREN'S CLOTHES
Create a one-of-a-kind garment for a child.
Session A: Tuesdays, February 23, March 2, 9 & 16 @ 10 am-12 pm
$160/session

KNITTING FINISHING, TIPS & TRICKS
Beautifully knit projects can be ruined by sloppy finishing. This class will give you the skills you need to make your knitted garments a success from start to finish.
Session A: Sundays February 28 & March 7 @5pm-7pm


To sign up please call the store at (718) 237-7753!

See you at the shop!

alt.Brooklyn.Valentine w/ Red Hook Lobster Pound, Dry Dock, and more....

Red Hook Lobster Pound has been circulating the following email in promotion of this great upcoming special:

Show some real love by cooking up some of the best that the local Brooklyn food purveyors have to offer.

Seafood has long been considered an aphrodisiac, a belief that can be traced back to the ancient Greeks who believed their goddess of love Aphrodite was born of the sea, and that the ocean's creatures were her playmates in the game of love, and gosh, lobster is the king of seafood and The Meat Hook has the sexiest meat and butchers around. Combine that with the briny flavor of Rick's Picks, the sultry sea salt caramels from the vixens at Liddabit Sweets, all topped off with a trip to the best new wine store on the block, Dry Dock Wines, and woken up the next am with a delicious and socially responsible cup of coffee and we say that you have a guaranteed full-on night/morning of whoopee.

The Red Hook Lobster Pound has put together the ultimate in alt.Valentine's Day (and the morning after) feast in a pot. Each package includes:

A 15 quart Lobster Pot w/ steamer insert
2 1.5 lb lobsters

Bibs, Crackers and Lobster Picks
Cooking Directions
Chocolates and Sea Salt Caramels from Liddabit Sweets
A Jar of People's Pickles from Rick's Picks
Morning After Green Chorizo Sausage from the Meat Hook
½ lb Special Blend Coffee from Crop to Cup
A bottle of Selected Wine from the Dry Dock Wine and Spirits

The Valentine's Day Pot is available for Pick up at the Red Hook Lobster Pound on 2/13 and 2/14 from 12pm-6pm. Wine must be picked up from Dry Dock (down the street from the Pound). Price is $115 without wine, $140 with wine.

Reservations and pre-payments are required and will be taken up to 2/12. Stop by the pound or send us payment via paypal for this special purchase to redhooklobster { at } gmail.com

Book reading by John Dermot Woods at Freebird this Sunday, 1/24

Sunday, January 24, 7 pm

John Dermot Woods reads from his novel The Complete Collection of people, places & things

John Dermot Woods lives with his family in Brooklyn, NY. His debut novel is The Complete Collection of people, places & things (BlazeVOX). His stories and comics have appeared in many journals, including The Indiana Review, Hobart, American Letters & Commentary, Salt Hill, and 3rd Bed. His comic chapbook, The Remains, is forthcoming from Doublecross Press. He edits the arts quarterly Action,Yes and organizes the online reading series Apostrophe Cast. More information can be found at www.johndermotwoods.com.

Freebird Books
123 Columbia Street (between Kane and Degraw streets)
Brooklyn, NY 11231
718-643-8484
http://www.freebirdbooks.com/directions.html