The New Greene Grape Annex: Not Just A Place To Eat, But A Place To Gather

Today is the first official opening day of the new Greene Grape Annex restaurant at 753 Fulton Street (at South Portland Avenue). We were on hand for a preview last night with Greene Grape friends and family, celebrating the latest addition to local entrepreneur Amy Bennett’s Fort Greene artisanal establishments.

The new restaurant will gather the quality eats and expertise the Greene Grape has provided to the neighborhood over the past 10 years through its grocery and butcher shop, wine store and café, this time all under one roof. In addition to fresh coffee, pastries and muffins, and artisanal cheeses, charcuterie and freshly made open-faced sandwiches as well as expertly selected beers and wines will be served.

But Amy’s vision of this Annex incarnation, which existed previously across Fulton Street, is something larger than her earlier endeavors—it’s a way to say “thank you” to the the neighborhood that has made her stores such a success over the years by providing a gathering space for the community.

“We hope this is a place to bring everybody together,” Amy said between chatting with the many friends and well-wishers who stopped by to congratulate her on the new venture (and sample some of its treats). “The neighborhood really embraced the Greene Grape early on, and we grew, and now I feel like we’re something they can be proud of. This neighborhood is special in the way that people embrace you. So in addition to being a way to showcase what we do, this is a way to give back.

“Already people have asked me ‘Can we have a crochet group here?’ ‘Sure.’ That’s why the space is designed like it is… I want everybody to feel there’s something here for them.”

From its previous role as the Greene Grape Provisions grocery store, which relocated further up Fulton Street (to 767, between South Portland and South Oxford), the space–with its open floorplan, communal tables, long bar, and a sunroom featuring comfy couches and cushioned seats–has been transformed into one that encourages conversation.

Amy’s longtime friend and former Fort Greene neighbor Paul Holdengraber couldn’t conceal his excitement as he surveyed the new space and the crowd that had gathered to sample the Annex’s food and spirits.

“It’s so fantastic to look around–people from all walks of life coming here tonight,” he said. “Hopefully this will create a space of congregation where people can meet.”

Holdengraber, who is director of the New York Public Library’s LIVE from the NYPL series, expressed the hope that the Annex might collaborate on literary events with the Greenlight Bookstore across the street.

“There are two places of nourishment: one that nurtures and heals the mind and one that feeds the body,” he continued. “And then a third, in vino veritas. You will have the possibility of sitting down here with books and wine. What could be better?”

And, like her Greene Grape ventures, Amy sees part of the Annex’s mission as an educational one–she says wine tasting, cheese, and knife skills classes could be on the way.

Local resident Irene Zimmerman has always valued the learning process as a Greene Grape customer, noting how it is something of a two-way street.

“I like their attention to quality and customer service as a growing and learning experience,” she said. “It’s not just ‘this is what our customer experience is,’ but changing as they discover more about their clientele.”

Zimmerman expressed her admiration for the new space, and envisioned herself spending a lot of time there.

“I really like the way they laid the place out. I like how open and comfortable it is,” she said. “I’m the type of person who becomes a regular. So if I love this place, and it works for me, this will be another place that I live.”

Another of the Annex’s major draws will be its menu items–more than half of their produce will be sourced locally, their charcuterie items will be made in-house, and their beer and cheese will be supplied by longtime vendors. Indeed, the next phase of the Greene Grape odyssey will be manned by its dedicated staff.

“We have about 70 people working for us, and we’ll add about 15 here,” said Amy, listing the many associates who had contributed, whether in designing the space or selecting and producing the menu items, to getting the new Annex off the ground.

“Three years ago,” she admits, “when I started this project to move the store and do this, I didn’t have the funds. I kind of didn’t believe in myself, but I’m so happy I jumped into this.

“It really is a big collaborative effort,” she says. “I often joke that my job is taking credit for the work of others. I grew up in the Midwest where that’s the worst thing to do.”

The Greene Grape Annex will be open seven days a week from 7am, closing at 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 11pm Fridays and Saturdays. Stop in to wish them congratulations, or call them at 718-858-4790.

Photos and reporting by Paul McCaffrey