A Look At Vacancies On 7th Avenue
Rents on commercial storefronts in Park Slope have, not surprisingly, been on the rise, which means that some stretches of our business areas can occasionally feel a bit empty for long periods of time (some longer than others). Along 7th Avenue from Flatbush Ave to 9th Street, and just off 7th, there are currently more than a dozen storefronts that are either empty, or for rent and soon to be empty. Let’s take a look at how they all currently stand.
Most recent business: Sposabella Couture, a bridal boutique that moved to Manhattan.
Vacant since: December 2013
Rental details: Will welcome all kinds of business, including a full-kitchen restaurant. Space is 4,950 square feet (the listing doesn’t specify, but that has to be including the basement), and it’s listed by Douglas Elliman for $9,500 per month.
Most recent business: The Walk-In Cookbook, a conceptual food/recipe shop that put together all the ingredients and instructions you needed to make a meal at home.
Vacant since: February 2014
Rental details: Can be used as retail or a restaurant space, and there’s a walk-in available if you want it. It’s 1,200 square feet and just across the street from 69A 7th Ave, and it’s listed by Warren Lewis Sotheby’s for $9,500 per month.
Most recent business: Yogo Monster, one of the many frozen yogurt shops in the neighborhood, which closed down before we got even more of them, somehow.
Vacant since: October 2012
Rental details: No cooking allowed, so maybe another fro-yo joint? (Kidding, guys.) It’s 1,150 square feet and being rented by the owner for $10,500 — the prices are only getting higher as we head toward Center Slope.
Most recent business: Chiles & Chocolate, a Oaxacan restaurant that swapped storefronts with Amin, an Indian restaurant that was replaced by another Indian restaurant.
Vacant since: October 2011
Rental details: Sitting empty the longest out of all these listings, the owners recently revamped the storefront, which neighbor J points out “really adds continuity to what is actually a beautiful building.” Looks like they’ll still consider restaurant use, but at $12,800 per month, as listed by Warren Lewis Sotheby’s, for 1,150 square feet, this is one of the most expensive (but not the most expensive!) places available on this strip.
Most recent business: Currently Bank of America Home Loans, which is set to close on July 11.
Vacant since: N/A
Rental details: The space is not currently listed for rent anywhere, so we’re hopeful there’s a quick turnover, and that the small space won’t be vacant for long.
Most recent business: GameStop, which consolidated with another location on 5th Avenue in South Slope.
Vacant since: March 2014
Rental details: This 1,100-square-foot space was originally listed at $14,900 per month, but Rita Knox Realty current has it at $12,900 per month, just a hair more than the old Chiles & Chocolates space.
Most recent business: Sweet Melissa, a beloved bakery that cited a struggle in a tough economy over the past few years as the reason for the closure.
Vacant since: October 2013
Rental details: Here’s the most expensive listing on the 7th Avenue strip (and tied for most expensive in this lineup!), at $14,000 per month for the 1,300-square-foot space, which is the largest available directly on 7th, it looks like, but has no basement access. The listing from Realty Collective says its open to all businesses except restaurants — the ideal spot for J. Crew, maybe?
Most recent business: Currently a Citi Home Lending Center, and with this and the Bank of America space above, we’re guessing this is not a great time for dedicated home lending offices?
Vacant since: N/A
Rental details: Like the BoA space, this one is still up and running, and hopefully will stay that way until a new tenant is lined up — who can’t be, according to the sign, a food business or a nail salon. The 1,000-square-foot space is listed by the owner, who can be reached at 718-768-7619.
Most recent business: L&O Personal Process Cleaners, which was seized by City Marshals and then shuttered after being in that space since 1983.
Vacant since: September 2013
Rental details: It will supposedly be a new outpost of the European Wax Center chain, though “space available” notices are still posted in the window, by the same real estate company that has the neighboring listing below.
Most recent business: Currently home to Ocean Fish Market, which tells us they will be out of this space in June, and hopefully in their new spot on 7th Avenue in July.
Vacant since: N/A
Rental details: Though it’s still up on the Sabre Real Estate site, this 1,050-square-foot space (no price listed) says it’s off the market elsewhere.
Most recent business: This was the first location of Zito’s Sandwich Shoppe — thankfully we can still grab an Autogrill at their 5th Avenue spot.
Vacant since: September 2013
Rental details: Still no listings available for this 1,100-square-foot space, though the Zito’s guys said a few months back that the rent would be around $10-12,000 per month, adding that’s “tough for anyone.”
Most recent business: Visions, the eyecare and eyewear spot that moved across the street when Stitch Therapy moved out.
Vacant since: Dec
Rental details: They’re open to all uses, but admit the 650-square-foot space needs some TLC. It’s listed by Ideal Properties for $3,800 per month — the least expensive, if smallest, space in this list.
Most recent business: Leaf & Bean, which, after 41 years in business in Park Slope, is closing when their lease runs out at the end of this month.
Vacant starting: June 2014
Rental details: The space, which is across the street from the former Visions space listed above, does not appear to be listed anywhere yet.
Most recent business: Two Boots, the family-friendly restaurant that opened here in 1989.
Vacant since: November 2013
Rental details: And here is the most expensive retail property that is merely near 7th Avenue. It’s listed by Farran & Associates for $14,000 per month, and they say there are 2,800 square feet “under the roof” (so, including basement?) and 1,200 square feet available in the front on the sidewalk and the backyard.
Now that you’ve had a chance to see the sizes and prices of all these spots, what do you think? Is there a chance for a small business, something other than a large chain, to make it at these prices? And if so, what kind of businesses do you think are needed, and can do well here?