Brooklyn Heights woman allegedly stole $700k from co-op, bought 150 pairs of shoes
An update on D’Amico’s closure, Ven.Space’s new archives, Whole Foods coming to Smith Street and more.
Good morning! Last night, I published a scoop on D’Amico Coffee’s sudden closure. And then I published it again because Substack glitched (๑>•̀๑) I’ve since updated the story after a reader tipped me off to more violations. Read it here.
I saw Brad Lander and team outside of the Carroll Street subway stop on Tuesday morning. He was speaking to passersby after debating Rep. Dan Goldman the night before.
Where did you watch The Knicks on Wednesday? I sampled Ramblin’ Chick’s new Knicks-inspired burger (delicious, they don’t miss) before heading to Giuseppina's, run by the brother of my favorite Sagittarius in the neighborhood. I watched the game while the restaurant played Billie Holliday and Frank Sinatra in the background. A vibe!
I really enjoyed this snap Nick Bello took of everyone watching the game out of the back of Prince Street Pizza’s Dominic Morano’s car. The energy in these streets is phenomenal.
In this issue — beer and cocktail bar Hidden Rivers opens soon in Gowanus, Ven.Space’s new archives, Whole Foods is coming to Smith Street, a Loup Charmant pop-up at The Delta, Liz’s Book Bar participates in the city’s first-ever Juneteenth Black Bookstore Crawl and more.
The Roundup
Hidden Rivers, a beer and cocktail bar, is opening at 291 Nevins Street in Gowanus on Tuesday, June 6. Husband and wife duo Patrick Watson and Michele Pravda, who own Smith & Vine wine shop near Carroll Park, are behind it. I’m speaking with Patrick later today and will share more soon.
Ven.Space opened a permanent archive location at 163 President, where past season collections will be on sale. “We will refresh product every so often,” founder Chris Green told me. Hours are Thursday to Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Everything was 50 percent off the pricetag yesterday.
Movement Gym’s Gowanus location is among those named in new Unfair Labor Practice charges filed against the climbing gym chain, according to an email. Workers United, the national union representing Movement workers, has accused the chain of bad faith bargaining.
Whole Foods is taking over the former Rite Aid space at 182 Smith Street. Where do people do their shopping? I like going to Park Natural at Court and Union — great produce, ahead of the curve on non-toxic food options and I found the viral Loonen water there this week. Whole Foods Gowanus can be difficult to navigate, especially on the weekends. I wonder how packed a second, nearby location will be.
Dumbo really is the Times Square of Brooklyn. My jaw dropped at $14 Mister Softee cones. It’s a beautiful neighborhood that is absolutely overrun with tourists and price gouging as a result. How can we help?
New York State no longer requires liquor license applicants to disclose whether customers will be allowed to dance. Venues that previously had a no-dancing condition baked into their license can now apply to have it removed. It’s the latest in an only-in-New-York saga dating back to the city’s 1920s-era cabaret law, which was repealed in 2017.
Recent developments:
Locals rallied on Sunday to urge the city to convert Columbus Park, currently a parking lot used by judges, into an actual park.
There is a petition opposing the change in traffic direction on Woodhull in the Columbia Waterfront District.
A Williamsburg-based developer plans to convert the former Dinosaur BBQ space (604 Union Street) into a nine-story mixed-use building.
The Brooklyn Museum is getting a $48 million upgrade to become more energy efficient.
Red Hook Public Library’s renovation is nearly complete, 12 years after plans were first proposed.
Goings On
Columbia Heights will be closed from Cranberry to Middagh Streets for milling and paving today, June 5.
Loup Charmant, which sells organic cotton clothes, is having a pop-up at The Delta, open Thursday to Sunday. The girls may want to stop by for summer dresses, matching sets and intimates. It is cute. Here’s a pic:
Urban Meadow Community Garden is having an event tomorrow, June 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be a book swap, garden tours, crafts for tots, hot dogs (also vegan ones) and sweet treats. RSVP is here, but not required.
FAD Market returns to Montague Street on Sunday, June 7.
Liz’s Book Bar is one of 10 Black-owned bookstores participating in the first-ever NYC Juneteenth Black Bookstore Crawl, kicking off Friday, June 12. Liz’s is also hiring part-time and full-time booksellers, bartenders and baristas.
Loafers is throwing a fête for Brooklyn Pride’s 30th anniversary on Saturday, June 13.
A free art supply swap at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Saturday, June 13 will accept your unwanted usable supplies and let you take home what you need.
Community organizations and artists are planning a Carroll Street Bridge reopening party on Saturday, June 20 (peeped in the comments on this post). Locals want the historic bridge to be for pedestrians and cyclists only.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is celebrating the longest day of the year with sunrise and sunset performances on the Cherry Esplanade on Sunday, June 21.
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s free summer movie series includes When Harry Met Sally, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Do the Right Thing and more, starting Thursday, July 2.
One Last Thing
A woman allegedly stole $700,000 from her Brooklyn Heights co-op and went on a luxury spending spree. She reportedly spent more than $50,000 on 150 pairs of shoes, including 28 Louboutins and 16 Valentinos, between 2018 and 2024. She also bought $12,000 worth of furs (probably not that many furs?) and a Rolex watch. She was charged with second-degree grand larceny and must return to the court in August. She now lives in New Jersey.
Shoutout K&Y (on court street across from union market), which has great produce and much cheaper than anywhere else in the neighborhood, as well as some specialty asian vegetables and thai basil
Amazing issue! One point to be annoying but maybe helpful... you can't say "A woman stole" or "Brooklyn Heights woman stole" -- you can say, "charged with" or "allegedly" or "Police: Woman stole..." -- note that the Brooklyn Eagle uses all the safe language. Yes, I wrote for Court TV/truTV back in the day, my boss was one of The Smoking Gun founders, and yes — I'm terrified of being sued!