Picture Of The Day: No Feeding

Seen on Pacific Street at the old Pacifico restaurant location

Small Wood Clad House On Smith Street Soon To Be Altered

I always wondered about the unusual three-story, mixed-use building at 159 Smith Street between Wycoff and Bergen Streets in Boerum Hill.  Amidst a row of brick buildings that seem to have been constructed at the same time, it was the only one that had wood cladding.  Over the last few years, the paint on the cladding had begun to peel and the house looked in need of  care, but it had a certain charm and had kept its  original ornate cornice as well as nice window details.
Sadly, instead of getting renovated, the building will soon be altered.  Permits for a two-story addition have been approved by NYC's Department of Buildings.

Not only will the addition make the building stick out from the others on that block, the work will most likely include a new façade.  Most probably, the cornice may not survive this alteration either.

Some roof demolition has already begun.

Of late, the building's storefront had been the home of Dr. Garry Levingard, a dentist, who relocated to #208 Smith Street recently.

Another Casualty Of Rising Rents: 'Knit-A-Way' On Atlantic Avenue To Vacate Current Location

Not everyone in the neighborhood knits or crochets, but for those who do, here is some sad news. Seeta Heeralal, owner of "Knit-A-Way', will be forced out of her current location at 398 Atlantic Avenue because of higher rent.

Seeta was just informed by her landlord in November that her monthly rent will increase from $3,000 to $9,000 in January. Any attempt to negotiate has failed so far. (In fairness, Seeta's landlord had lowered the rent from $4,700 to $3,000 during the recent downturn in the economy.)
According to Seeta, the landlord gave her till January 31st, 2014 to vacate.  She hopes for just a bit more time. After ten years building a clientele at this location, she says: "My heart would break if I had to leave."

Seeta took over "The Knittery" from a former boss in 2004 and renamed the business "Knit-A-Way".  At that time,  it was the first yarn store in the area. Today, there are others, but Seeta points out that she took a chance at a time 'when no one wanted to come here."

Seeta is currently weighing her options and is looking at several other locations, but the rent is either too high or the space too small.  She would appreciate any help or tips, so if anyone knows of a small 'affordable' storefront in the area, please contact Seeta here.