Goorin Brothers Hat Shop Gets Temp Signage

Earlier this month, I broke the good news that a classic hat shop will be opening up on Fifth Avenue between Union and Berkeley. Now they've gone and officially announced their upcoming opening to the neighborhood, by way of some temporary signage in the window.

To recap, the San Francisco-based Goorin Brothers has been in existence since 1895, and sells hundreds of varieties of hats for men and women. There are nineteen other locations across the country, including one in the West Village.

They're also hiring; ideal candadates are "bold individuals who are creative, independent, outgoing, have excellent customer service skills, and an eye for detail."

Construction Underway at Fleisher's Meats

It caused quite a stir when news broke a couple months ago that an outpost of one of the country's finest butcher shops, upstate-based Fleisher's Meats, would be opening up in the space last occupied by Hog Mountain, on Fifth between Union and Sackett. Activity in the space, however, has remained at a standstill since then.

Last week, though, a crew installed some plywood in anticipation of construction of a brand new facade, and the space is in the process of being gutted.

Fleisher's is expected to open in the fall, which is getting closer by the day.

Foundation Work Begins at 131 Sixth Avenue

Construction has begun at the site of one of the few empty lots on Sixth Avenue, between Sterling and Park.

The one-story structure that was previously at that loctation was home to a laundromat and the short-lived Sadie Mae's Soul Food (and before that the equally short-lived Yakitori Canteen). The building was demolished a couple years ago, and the site had looked like this since then.

Slated for the site is a three-story structure designed by architect Ariana Braun, with doctor's offices on the ground floor and apartments on the second and third. No renderings are available yet.

Prime Six's Facade is Finished

It's been a long time in the making, but Prime Six, the restaurant/bar/lounge/club for Barclay's Center patrons/purported bane of the neighborhood's existence coming to the corner of Sixth and Flatbush, now has a completed facade. Not sure about you, but I think it looks pretty good.

Dark wood is obviously the predominant theme, along with lots of small-pane windows that look like they'll open up to the sidewalk. Almost looks like it could be some sort of mead hall.

After 21 Years, Eye Shoppe on 7th Expanding

In 1990, the husband and wife team of Michael and Paula Stoff opened up Eye Shoppe on 7th on the corner of Seventh Avenue and President Street. Now, 21 years later, they're ready to expand into a new store five times the size of the present one, in the storefront last occupied by Video Forum, two blocks away between Garfiend and Carroll.

"Most of the other eyeglass stores in this area have downsized over the years, but we're expanding," said Michael. "We're going to keep both locations at first, and then decide if we need to keep the current store. The landlord has been nothing but great to us over the years."

On top of the 5x expansion, the new shop will have an in-house exam room and a vastly expanded selection. It should be opening any day now.

Congratulations, Michael and Paula!