A Moment In Time: Fire Alarm

Saturday noon,

at the corner

of Union and Smith Streets.

Four, no...wait,

five fire trucks

were responding

to an emergency.

Anyone know what happened?

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Brooklyn Rooftop Crop: The Giant Zucchini Of Baltic Street

Between clothing that was hung out in the sunshine and the rusted air conditioning ducts and fan, a bumper crop of zucchini is growing on a small rooftop on Baltic Street, right off Smith Street.
And my, how huge they are. As I stood there, looking up and taking photos, a small crowd gathered to see what I was taking pictures of.
" Wow, do you see that?" said someone. " Those are the biggest zucchini I've ever seen."
Everyone was mighty impressed that such squash could be grown on a rooftop in Brooklyn.
" I walk by here every day" said another, " but I never bothered to look up. I had no idea those things were growing up there."

Well, I would probably have missed it myself, had it not been for reader JLWS, who told me to check them out. Thanks JLWS!







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Picture Of The Day: Hard Questioning On Smith Street

I was not prepared for such questioning
so early in the morning,
as I walked down Smith Street.
I admit,
that for the next few blocks,
I pondered the question.

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Deli To Open In Space Once Occupied By No.1 Dry Cleaner On Smith Street

What Is....

285 Smith Street today

Retail space soon to become deli

What Was...

In the 1920's when the store was James Butler's Grocery Store

Number 285 Smith Street in the 1940's

285 Smith Street in 2008 after No.1 Dry Cleaner closed



Building in 2008, looking down Sackett Street

Back in January 2008, the No.1 Dry Cleaner closed its doors at 285 Smith Street. Since then, the retail space in one of the nicest buildings on Smith Street has been sitting empty.
In February 2009, the building was sold to a young couple for $2 million. Judging by the big new red letters on the façade of the building, it now seems that a deli will open at Number 285. And not just any deli, but Smith Street's 'finest'! (I guess, we'll have to wait to decide for ourselves.).
Back in the 1920's, James Butler operated a grocery store at that very location, so it seems right that the space will once again be used for the same purpose. I rather like that.
In the late 1980's and through part of the 90's, there was a great little flower shop there. The owner of the store sold great postcards and more unusual dishes and vases. Does anybody remember her?

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REMINDER: Come Celebrate Smith Street's 7th Bastille Day And Pétanque Tournament

What can be better than pairing Pétanque, Pastis and Smith Street?

If you agree, you must, and I repeat, you must come out to Smith Street for Bar Tabac's Bastille Day Celebration 2009 on July 12th. This is by far one of the funnest, most unique events in the neighborhood and I can't wait! I had a blast last year.
Of course the great music, delicious food and drinks are reason enough to love this event, but what makes it super fun is the Pétanque tournament. It is North America's largest tournament, with more than 80 teams taking part in 2009. For that purpose, a few blocks of Smith Street will be closed and turned into a giant sandbox, or rather, Pétanque courts.


Bar Tabac is at 128 Smith Street at Dean Street. The Bastille Day celebration will start at 12 PM and will continue till 10pm.
For further information, go to Bar Tabac's web site or check out the official Brooklyn Boule Blog


To hold you over, here is a wonderful little video clip taken from Marcel Pagnol's movie Fanny, featuring the great French comic actor César as Rému.

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A Moment In Time: Umbrella and Dog

On Smith Street,
in the snow,
he was guarding the umbrella
for his master
who was inside buying coffee.

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A Moment In Time: Rendez-Vous Chez Bar Tabac

On a sunny Sunday afternoon
that felt more like spring
than the dead of winter,
a group of friends had gathered in front of
Bar Tabac on Smith Street
for, most likely,
a brunch rendez-vous.

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When Getting Ready For Superbowl Involves Rolling The TV Down Smith Street

Not willing to miss the Superbowl, the three men rolled the television from the corner of President and Smith Street all the way down to the next street corner. When they arrived at the Smith Union Café, they proceeded towards the restaurant's side door to the kitchen, where they most probably worked.

" I guess you want to watch the game" I said to them.

" Yes, yes" was their answer.

But as they got the heavy set nearer to the kitchen door, a young woman came out and scolded them.

" You must be kidding" she said.

They looked disappointed. I did not stick around to find out if they were able to take the TV inside, but I sure hope so for their sake.



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Caught Red-Handed: Behind Plywood Fence at 250 Smith Street, Work Not Conforming To Permit

Once the home of the 'Rosemary Room': 250 Smith Street

Something did not seem quite right with the construction at 250 Smith Street from the start.
For one thing, it has been going on forever. Second, the permit issued for a renovation of existing commercial space to a restaurant and bakery on the first floor and an eating and drinking establishment in the basement did not match the scope of work going on behind the plywood fence
Occasionally, when the door was open, one could see that there was a lot of digging going on and a lot of dirt being removed. It also looked as though part of the building's back wall had been removed.
Obviously, others had noticed too, including the Buildings Department.
On January 14, 2009, a D.O.B. inspector responded to a complaint that the work at the site was done without displayed permits.
A violation and stop-work order were issued. The inspector noted:
WORK DOES NOT CONFORM TO APPROVED PLAN. REAR CELLAR EXTENDED. POSSIBLE SECOND STORY TO BE ADDED.
I guess there are still owners and builders out there who think they can add a story to a building without anyone noticing...


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