Open for Business: Hungry Ghost Cafe, 253 Flatbush Avenue

The new cafe that's been in the works on the northeast corner of Sixth and Flatbush Avenues officially opened to the neighborhood on Friday. Hungry Ghost is the brainchild of Murat Uyaroglu, who also owns Prospect Perk further up Flatbush. This one's much larger, though, and is primed to become a very nice asset to the community.

It's a well-designed space, with a simple gray and white color scheme that makes the most of the ample natural light that the large windows allow in. Coffee is from Stumptown and baked goods are from Little Buddy Bisciut Company (whose South Slope brick-and-mortar location had quite a following before having to shutter last year). There are also several sandwiches on offer, like ham and Swiss with sauerkraut and mustard, curried chicken salad, and fresh Mozzarella with roasted tomatoes. All baked goods are made in-house and a full breakfast is served until noon every day; here's the entire food menu.

Murat hopes the cafe will become a standby gathering place for the neighborhood, and all signs point to it being a runaway success. It's got a relaxed vibe, there's plenty of room to sit, and the offerings are quality. He hopes to soon offer beer and wine as well.

Murat behind the counter

Hungry Ghost Coffee Bar and Cafe, 253 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn NY 11217. 718-483-8666.

New Bar Called "The Monro" Coming to 481 Fifth Avenue

I first learned back in January that a bar was in the works in the space that was last home to Puppets Jazz, on Fifth Avenue between 11th and 12th Streets. Well it looks like things have been progressing nicely for the owner, an Englishman named Vinnie, as signage has been installed revealing the bar's name: The Monro.

Not much info on what's planned is available (and the door was locked when I walked by), but Vinnie told me back in January that he planned to turn the space into an English pub. Not sure if that's what's in store here, but judging by the signage it looks like it'll have a nautical theme. Looks classy, no?

Jennifer Convertibles Out, Medical Center In on Fifth

The spacious Jennifer Convertibles, the furniture store on Fifth Avenue between Seventh and Eighth Streets, shut down as planed last week, and the next tenant, a walk-in medical center named Premier Care, has already announced that it will be moving into the space.

The new medical center will be open seven days a week, and walk-ins are welcome. Seems like it'll be a good place to go when you're looking for some middle ground between a Band-Aid and the ER.

"A Shoe Grows in Brooklyn" Coming to 14th and Seventh

The two long-vacant storefronts in the building that was once home to the Minerva Theater, on the northeast corner of Seventh Avenue and 14th Street, will soon both be occupied. As noticed a couple weeks ago, a store called For Your Bathroom is opening up in the building's southern storefront, and last weekend temp signage went up revealing that the other retail space will next be home to a store called A Shoe Grows in Brooklyn.

On the shop's Facebook page, the owners, who live nearby, call it "a store with roots in the community," and go on to offer the following description:

"From your little seedlings to your towering maples…we are the place to go for fun, fashionable and functional shoes for you and your growing family. Founded by two neighborhood parents, we strive to bring you not only the shoes you need and want at affordable prices, but a superior customer experience and outstanding service.

We carry a wide variety of styles and brands for everyone in the family, from tots to teens and men and women. We offer a friendly, comfortable environment for everyone, and invite you to explore the store, our shoes and all of our merchandise, which includes unique gift items made by local artists and authors.

We have a special place for kids to play and draw while you shop for them (and yourself!), and we also host story times, readings from local authors, and other kid friendly events.

If you have any suggestions about how we can improve our business, we want to hear them. If there is something you love and don't see, or have special shoe needs, please let us know. Our goal is to be a collaborative partner in the special Brooklyn community where we are raising our children. Whether shopping for yourself or your family, come to A Shoe Grows in Brooklyn for the latest and greatest in shoe fashion!"

Fro-Yo Coming to Fifth and Prospect Place

Many thanks to a tipster for passing along the above photo, taken of the storefront that was last home to the disappointing Juice Masters, which closed two months ago after about a year in business on the southeast corner of Fifth and Prospect.

Looks like we're in for another straight-ahead fro-yo shop, called Yogurt Berry (knockoff of Pinkberry, anyone?). It'll be self-service, there'll be 14 flavors, and they better work their tails off to stay in business in a neighborhood chock-full of fro-yo options.

Most likely the owners of this place are unaware that another yogurt place, Oko, recently shut down just up the street.