Sheepshead Bay Starbucks’ Neighbor a Disappointment

Mystery solved. Signs went up this morning, and the new business on Nostrand Avenue and Gravesend Neck Road will be yet another 99ȼ store.

When we first reported (to a lukewarm reception [and here,too])  that the Starbucks next door was to open in December, we didn’t yet know who the neighbor would be. Starbucks, after all, was to take up a small section of the two-unit retail lot, with the bulk going to a mystery biz. But we’ve gotta admit, we’re totally underwhelmed by this announcement.

USA 99ȼ store has a few other locations in the city, usually in working-class and lower-income neighborhoods. And honestly, we have nothing against them. But the arrival of Starbucks, with nearby Brennan & Carr, some good pizza in the area, a much cleaner looking KFC, and a host of newer, better businesses along the avenue – we were really hoping for something that would continue to signal a turnaround of that lackluster section of Nostrand. But this is more of the same. Does Sheepshead Bay need another 99ȼ store?

(Photo and tip courtesy of Arthur B.)