Signage Up at Barclays Center

The day is fast approaching when the city's newest arena, The Barclays Center. will open its doors at the intesection of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues, most likley changing the area for better or worse. Construction is progressing on a daily basis, and on Friday the big letters went up. 

Many thanks to a reader for sending the above photo along. 

Open For Business: Little Things Too, 139 Seventh Avenue

A second Little Things toy store has opened just three doors down from the original, on Seventh Avenue between Carroll and Garfield, in the space last occupied by pet food store Beastly Bites, which closed less than two months ago.

As opposed to the cluttered, packed-to-the-brim Little Things, which specializes in higher-end toys, this one is neat and spacious, and will feature seasonal merchandise and items for bigger kids, like arts and crafts supplies. Currently they're stocked with back to school supplies.

Little Things Too, 139 Seventh Avenue Brooklyn NY 11215.

Open for Business: Du Jour Bakery, 365 Fifth Avenue

Du Jour Bakery opened yesterday in the space last occupied by Perch Cafe, on Fifth Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets. Run by the husband-and-wife duo of TJ and Vera Obias, it's chock full of sweets, pastries, and baked goods both sweet and savory, and it's clear from a visit during their soft-opening party on Sunday that there's some major talent at work here. 

Owners TJ and Vera are at left

First, the space. There's a lot of seating available but also a full display case showcasing TJ and Vera's creations, and the room is simply appointed with exposed brick walls, dark wood floors, wooden tables, and a marble counter. There's a well-lit, sunny vibe, and it comes across as an ideal place to while away some time over a cup of coffee.

But I wouldn't advise sticking with just the coffee. The breakfast menu is loaded with delicious-sounding baked goods, all made in-house: croissants, cinnamon buns, everything pretzels, ham-and-cheese brioche (above), Quiche Lorraine, muffins, scones, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and for dessert there's almond bread pudding (below, which was also on the dessert menu at Dovetail), creme brulee, cheesecake, and banana pudding. There are also cheddar chive biscuits and Hawaiian buns, on the menu at Pork Slope and Talde, respectively (the chefs are good friends with Dale). A full menu of composed brunch and dinner dishes will soon be rolled out as well. 

As is probably clear by now, TJ and Vera aren't just bakers, they're full-blown pastry chefs, with sparkling resumes. TJ's logged time at Dovetail, Morimoto, Gordon Ramsay at The London, and Cafe Gray, and Vera earled her stripes at The Russian Tea Room and Buddakan, where she met Dale (who introduced her to TJ). They'd never worked together before now, and TJ is handling the savories while Vera handles the sweets, which also include custom cakes and pies. 

According to their website, the goal of Du Jour is to "showcase their love of food and all things sweet." We're pretty lucky that they decided to do it in our neck of the woods. 

Du Jour Bakery, 365 Fifth Avenue Brooklyn NY 11215. Phone: 347-227-8953.

Subway Construction Underway in Leaf & Bean Space

It was last month when I first brought you word that the space formerly occupied by Leaf & Bean, the coffee and tea shop on Seventh between Union and Berkeley that's since re-opened around the corner, would next be home to a Subway sandwich shop franchise. The construction paper has gone up in the front windows, and it looks like the space is in the process of being gutted. 

For those who were concerned that the classic storefront (1930s-era in my judgement) would be dismantled, it looks like thanks to Landmark laws they're forbidden from altering it in any way. According to a letter posted in the window, in fact, the only alterations they're allowed to make are to the interior, and while they'll be installing air conditioning and HVAC equipment, it won't be "visible from any public thoroughfare, ... and will not affect any significant architectural feature of the building."

New Bookstore/ "Mini-Gallery" Coming to Reel Life South Space

A video store closes, and a bookstore opens. 

Some cryptic signage went up last week in the front window of the space last occupied by video store Reel Life South, which closed back in March on Eighth Avenue between 11th and 12th Streets, and as opposed to a traditional "Nice to Meet You!" note, the owners have decided to introduce themselves via QR code. 

I've scanned it so you don't have to, and here's the message that came up:

"Hi there! We're going to be a brand new bookstore, reading club, mini-gallery, and community space opening in October. Our mothership is in Dumbo, and we'll be bringing the best stationery, kids, YA, novelty, cooking, decorating, and style books we have there and more...Maybe some wonderful coffee, hard candy...and other items one might find in a general store (that was also a mini gallery and reading space!)

We can't wait; we hope you are as excited as we are!

Dan & Suzanne

(proud PS 107 parents!)"

They also provide a space to sign up for their mailing list, so if you're interested scan the code below or check out their website. Looks like it will be called Powerhouse on 8th, and it's an offshoot of Powerhouse Books in DUMBO. Sounds intriguing!