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.

Mazzone's On Court Street Switching Over To Ace Hardware

Mazzone's current sign

and future sign

Here is some news about Mazzone, the family- run hardware store at 470 Court Street in Carroll Gardens. In an email Matt Mazzone writes:

 After 40 years with True Value, we are in the process of switching over to ACE hardware. I've attached an image of our new sign, which should hopefully be going up in the next few weeks. Our infamous tools that are going up the side of the building will also be refurbished at the same time. Sometime in the spring, we'll be painting the building and probably doing some work on our storefront as well. 

Little by little we have been letting our customers know, but I'm sure there are going to be a lot of people wondering what is going on when they see the new sign go up. So for the record - we did not change ownership, and as much as I tried, I couldn't convince any of the hardware stores in Hawaii or the Caribbean to switch places with me =).

Glad to know that you aren't going anywhere despite the rein and the snow, Matt. Couldn't imagine Mazzone Hardware anywhere else but right here in Carroll Gardens.