After 36 Years, Court Street Office Supplies Will Close Its Brick-And-Mortar Location
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS – Founded in 1982, the family-run Court Street Office Supplies has been stocking nearby offices, homes, schools, and courthouses with legal forms, pens, toner, and stationery products for more than three decades.
After February 20th, neighbors will no longer be able to stop by 44 Court Street, across from Brooklyn Borough Hall, to browse the merchandise or make copies as the business owners are closing up the shop to focus on their online business. Court Street Office Supplies will continue to operate from its warehouse at 139 11th Street in Gowanus, taking orders over the phone or via email.
“The first thing people should know is our decision to close the store at 44 Court Street has nothing to do with rent,” store owner Jacob Gutman said in a release. “Our landlord has been wonderful to us all these years, and has worked hand in hand with us to help us stay open for as long as we have. Our challenge has been the shift in how people purchase things these days,” he explained.
Since most people purchase their office supplies, and just about everything else, online today, Gutman states that his business is restructuring to accommodate this shift in shoppers’ habits as well as to expand its office furniture sales.
“We have always sold office furniture, but in the past 5 years have developed a specialized office design, layout, and consultation business,” Gutman says. Court Street Office Supplies has a team of designers who sets up custom workstations and configures spaces for a variety of offices and practices.
And while the store will be shutting down, much of the staff will be relocating to the Gowanus facility. “Even though some people’s jobs may change a bit, we expect that everyone will stay,” Gutman’s wife, Chaya, says.
“Not working with our customers face-to-face will be a bit of a let-down, that’s something we all enjoy,” said Miriam Abramowitz, the widow of Lazar Abramowitz, Gutman’s former business partner.
Starting Wednesday, January 24 until their last day (Tuesday, Feb. 20), Court Street Office Supplies will have a “Going Out of Business Sale,” with items marked down 50- to 80-percent.
Court Street Office Supplies
44 Court Street (between Remsen & Joralemon Streets), Brooklyn Heights
718-625- 5771
Store hours:
Monday through Thursday—8:30am to 6:30pm
Friday—8:30am to 2:00pm