Construction Approved At 1502 Cortelyou (updated)

Looks like we may be getting another restaurant in the neighborhood. Department of Buildings has approved work at the location of the old Cornerstone/Solo Bar (aka Brick Oven Pizza) on the corner of Marlborough.

We just received word from the owners that it will be an authentic Spanish Tapas / Wine Bar on the Cortelyou side, and a “Ramen shoppe” in the back on the Marlborough side.  According to the contractor we spoke to at the space today, it will be a Thai restaurant, though we have not yet been able to confirm that. Given how long it has been since anything was happening at the spot, please forgive us in case it turns out to be something other than a Thai restaurant – we will let you know wither way as soon as we do.   Renovations will include a new door, flooring, ceiling and some mechanical work to the tune of over $80,000, according to the permits filed.

While we wait to hear back from the owners, a bit of history.

The corner of Cortelyou and Marlborough Roads has a long history as home to various bars. According to neighbors who have lived here longer than us, before it was Hurley’s, it was Monroe’s. Then Hurley’s, then Alexander’s, then Boxers, then the Cornerstone (closed in 2007), then Solo (closed in 2013). It was then supposed to turn into a pharmacy, but that did not work out and resulted in two attempts at selling pizza, which did not work out either.

It has been sitting empty since the summer of 2014, and we cannot wait to see something actually succeed in the spot. We also quietly hope the new tenants decide to keep the pixelated murals by our fantastic neighbor and artist Juan Carlos Pinto on the Marlborough Road side.