Signage Up at Park Place Pharmacy

The pharmacy that's been in the works on Park Place between Seventh and Flatbush is just about ready to open, and last night signage went up. 

The no-frills Park Place Pharmacy is much smaller than the two competitors that are just steps away, Duane Reade and Kings. Whereas those behemoths sell just about everything under the sun, though, this one will be a lot more specialized. 

Two neon signs dominate the back of the space; one says "Consultations" and the other says "Prescriptions." There are a couple coolers stocked with beverages, and a few racks on the two walls with soap, shampoo, lotions, and the like. Nothing too out of the ordinary. 

There's certainly plenty of competition, but this seems to be to be almost like a pharmacist setting up a private practice. A man I spoke with who appeared to be the owner told me that it should be open within two to three weeks. 

Sterling Place Coming to 148 Seventh Avenue

Sterling Place, the "eclectic curiositites & essential goods" store with locations on Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill and further down Seventh Avenue near Tenth Street, will be opening in the space that from 2005 to about seven months ago was half of specialty good store D'Vine Taste, on Seventh between Garfield and Carroll.

Sterlng Place sells furniture, gifts, furnishings, home decor, jewelry, and plenty of other items that are good to have around the house. It's high-end merchandise, but it's the type of place where you can essentially furnish a whole apartment with stuff they sell there and be very satisfied.

D'Vine Taste, the family-owned Middle Eastern/ exotic good store, opened in the space next door in 1987, and took over this storefront in 2005. Last September, though, they shut this half down.

Mazar and Corcos Fornino Deal Falls Through, Landord "Wants McDonald's"

It looks like Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos won't be taking over the Fornino Space after all.

Corcos sent me a Facebook message on Friday, and had this to say:

"Your leads were correct, I have been in negotiation for il Fornino for at least three months. Agreed on lease and all, and today the owner of the space changed her mind. She wants to go chain, more $, more security. I get it, but I am kind of bummed, I really wanted to be in the neighborhood."

Mazar also confirmed the rumor via Twitter. "The rumor was true," She tweeted. "Was abt to take over Il Fornino space in Park Slope. Landlord tripled rent and wants McDonalds or Olive Garden:( sorry PS."

This news isn't only disappointing, it's a bit frightening. It now seems almost certain that a chain will take over the space, and who knows which one will snatch it up first. It's most likely too large for a McDonalds or Starbucks, but does seem just about perfect for an Olive Garden, or Beef O'Brady's. Whether a big chain restaurant like that will do well in the space remains to be unseen, but it appears as if they'll be giving it a shot.

The couple isn't finished with the neighborhood, yet, though; they're still on the lookout for a location nearby.

Open for Business: Stoop Juice, 443 Seventh Avenue

Stoop Juice, the juice, smoothie, and healthy snack shop, opened recently on Seventh Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets.

The small shop has a few seats, but is mostly just a place to grab a juice and go. Their menu is about as healthy as humanly possible, all products are made from Greenware, and they're paper-free. They offer a wide selection of juices and smoothies made from organic fruits and vegetables, as well as juice cleanses.

Yelp reviews are mixed so far, with positives including knowledgeable service, fresh ingredients, and loyalty cards, and negatives involving priciness (16-ounce juices sell for around $7) and lack of options for smoothie add-ons. There's certainly a market for this type of product in the neighborhood, though, and there really isn't anything else like it in the area, so in my opinion they shouldn't have any trouble developing a loyal fan base and staying in business.

Signage Up at Park Place Starbucks

It's been a little over a month since Starbucks announced, via construction permit, that they'd be taing over the cavernous space recently vacated by Five Guys, on Park Place between Seventh and Flatbush Avenues. Construction began in earnest shortly afterward, and has been chugging along at a rapid clip ever since. Yesterday morning, signage went up.

It's not too obtrusive; the only element of it that's visible when you're not looking at it head-on is a small medallion next to the doorway. Still, there's no way to miss that this is a Starbucks.

I'm interested in seeing what the final layout for the space will be; there's potential for plenty of natural light and lots of seating, and I'm sure the company has its finest architects on the case. I have a feeling that it'll be open by June.