Openings & Closings

Welcome back to openings and closings. This week, we have lots of corporations joining our borough, as well as new tea and sweet shops. We’re saying goodbye to a Park Slope institution and see-you-later to the Mediterranean in Williamsburg.

Openings:

21 Flushing Avenue, off of Navy Street. Navy Yard

Wegmans grocery store opens at the Brooklyn Navy Yard (a favorite of ours) in October. They’ve apparently made good on their promise to hire local people. According to a press release, the company “hired 540 people, most of whom are from nearby neighborhoods in the borough.” This is the chain’s first location in the New York City area, and will open on October 27th to the public.

166 Flatbush Avenue, between Dean and Pacific Streets. Prospect Heights

Brooklyn’s first outpost of the controversial chicken fast-food chain opened on September 12th. It was met with mixed reactions from the community, with some activists claiming that the restaurant, which has made headlines for its anti-gay marriage agenda, has no place in the borough, and others lining up around the block for the opening.

295 Grand Street, between Havemeyer and Roebling Streets. Williamsburg

LCD Soundsystem’s frontman James Murphy opened up a Cafe in Williamsburg, Grubstreet reports. The spot is right next to his other venture, the Four Horsemen, a natural wine bar and restaurant. This new spot will primarily serve coffee and pastries. Right now, they’re open seven days a week. Murphy’s love for coffee is apparently well-known, and fans look forward to the new venture.

165 Bedford Avenue, between N 8th and N 9th streets. Williamsburg

This new spot had its official grand opening on September 20th, although they’ve been open to the public since late August. They serve food in the traditional Xi’an style, including items like vegetable cold-noodle, pork dumpling soup, and kelp salad. The restaurant is not related to NYC favorite Xi’an Famous Foods, and was founded by three women. There are several small round tables inside, and you can also take out.

Chobana

8602 3rd Avenue, between 86th and 87th Streets. Bay Ridge

This new Turkish spot in Bay Ridge opened in late July of this year. The inside of the space is minimally designed, with several metal tables and chairs, and a long red booth along one wall. The menu features classics like kabob, gyro, tabouli, and hummus.

712 60th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue. Sunset Park

This Hong-Kong style dessert shop has many locations around the country, with one of the latest in Sunset Park. The spot had its grand opening on August 1st. Their menu features lots of sweets, including mochi, grass jellies, and tofu pudding. In addition, they serve some savory items like butterfly shrimp, calamari rings, and curly fries. The space has lots of seating with comfy dining-room chairs and warm lighting.

5503 8th Avenue, between 55th and 56th Streets. Sunset Park

This Sunset Park spot opened to the public on August 30th, according to their Instagram. They specialize in milk teas, cheese teas, and smoothies. Their new Brooklyn location occupies a narrow space, and features counter service.

279 Malcolm X Boulevard, between MacDonough and Macon Streets. Bed-Stuy

Sergio’s opened their latest location in Brookly in early August. The chain, which also has locations in Riverhead and North Carolina, has been around since 1975. They serve the usual – pies and slices, as well as pastas, calzones, heroes, and desserts.  The spot takes up the corner on Malcolm X and McDonough and offers delivery and pick-up.

145 Driggs Avenue, between Russell and Humboldt streets. Greenpoint

Greenpoint’s latest ice cream shop had their soft opening in early August. The inside has counter-service and several stools along the walls and overlooking the big front window. They serve the classics- banana splits, soft-serve, floats, and baked goods, as well as some new inventions like their purple lady frappe with low-fat raspberry ice cream and black-and-white shake.

Closings

Milk Bar 

The Milk Bar outpost in Carroll Gardens has permanently closed, according to a report from Eater. They say that the staff will relocate to a new location in Nomad, opening this fall.

John Tucker, the owner of Rose Water in Park Slope, announced in an email that the restaurant would be closing this year. The restaurant, which has been open for 19 years, will have their last day on Thanksgiving. Tucker said that he will be taking a management position with his favorite nonprofit and leaving the restaurant industry.

“I have so much gratitude; first and foremost, to our customers. The appreciation that you’ve shown us over the years, and show us every day, to this very day, has always made this project worthwhile. From the bottom of my heart, thanks to each and every one of you,” Tucker wrote. A Thanksgiving menu is forthcoming.

Williamsburg’s Zizi Limona has closed. According to their website, they will be opening in Chelsea on 8th Avenue in September of this year. “Don’t be a stranger,” they say. The restaurant served Mediterranean cuisine and was a critic favorite.

Juniper, a cajun spot in Williamsburg has closed. The spot was BYOB and served a variety of dishes, including fried shrimp, wings, and jambalaya.

Correction: A previous version misstated the nature of Mr. Tucker’s nonprofit.