A Moment Back In Time: Before There Was Union Market On Court Street...

photos courtesy of the New York Municipal Archives Collection

Here is a wonderful blast from Carroll Gardens' past.  Friend and reader Mary P. recently sent me a link to the New York Municipal Archives Collection and to the great old photos of the one story building at 288 Court Street.
The photos were taken by the NYC Department of Finance for taxation purposes in the mid- 1980's, when the building housed a store that sold Italian decorative items such as lamps, shades, ornate chandeliers and Capodimonte Porcelain, which has been continuously manufactured in Naples, Italy since 1743.

I remember the place well, but by 1984, when I first came to the neighborhood, it seemed as though it wasn't doing cut business any more.  I must admit that I never set foot in it, something I regret now.
I don't even remember the name.
Sometime in the early 1990's the  closed and a sporting goods store took it over.  ATLAS SPORTS only lasted a few years at the location, however, and soon, it became a BLOCKBUSTER Video store.
It sat empty for quite some time after the video store closed, and in 2009, work started on the Union MARKET store that occupies the space today.

According to my good friend Joe Alameda, before the building housed the Italian Decor shop, it was a   school for casino croupiers. But even before that,  Joe told me: "In the 1950's and 60's it was AARON'S Department Store in the 1950's and 60's. They sold juvenile furniture and the really big baby carriages which where called 'Cadillacs'.  Aaron's also sold toys, bicycles and models."

Does anyone remember the Capodimonte store and its actual name?  How about Aaron's or the croupier school?  Do you happen to have some photos?   I would love to find out.

*A big thank you to Mary for sending these photos my way.

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After Months Of Anticipation, Doors Finally Open At Union Market On Court Street

After months of anticipation, the doors of the new Union Market store at 288 Court Street finally opened and frankly, it was worth the wait. Not only is the space beautiful, but everything, from the produce, meat, fish, cheese and bread looks amazingly fresh and delicious.
But it is no doubt the prepared food section which will appeal and bring people in the neighborhood back to the store multiple times. Neighborhood residents will be glad to stop here to get a freshly roasted chicken, grab a prepared side-dish and a fresh loaf of bread as an alternative to restaurant take-out.

It certainly doesn't offer a wide-enough selection to be able to compete with Fairway, but hey, not everyone has a car, nor do people want to spend their week-end going to Red Hook to shop.

I, for one, think this is a great addition to the neighborhood. Much better than the ratty Blockbuster that was there before.

Let me know what you think, dear Neighbors!




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Union Market On Court Street Fully Stocked And Ready To Open On Tuesday. Really!

Monday was supposed to be the grand opening day of the new Union Market at 288 Court Street. But, the doors remain closed to the public until Tuesday morning. No doubt, the delay was due in part to the snowstorm over the week-end. A glimpse through the window revealed that the shelves and the produce bins are fully stocked.
Outside, the sign was really to be hung on the façade.

Let me know what you think of the store as soon as you get a chance to go in.
Would love to get your opinion, dear Reader.


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Old Blockbuster Space Continuing Its Slow But Steady Transformation Into a 'Union Market'

The old Blockbuster space at 288 Court Street is continuing its slow but steady transformation into a Union Market, purveyor of fine food .
Big posters in the storefront's windows now easily identify the space as the future home of local, organic and prepared food. A glimpse into the now almost completed space revealed new gleaming refrigeration units.
Can the cheese, bread and olive oil be far behind? It looks as though the estimated opening in December is right on schedule.



Related reading:
Union Market On Court Street Moving Along Nicely


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Union Market On Court Street Moving Along Nicely

The door was wide open at the future Union Market at 288 Court Street today. By the looks of it, the construction is proceeding on time.
Back in September, I was told that the store could be open by the end of the year. That now seems very likely.

This location was once the home of Blockbuster. After standing empty for quite some time, news that a specialty food store was moving in was welcomed by the neighborhood as a nice addition. Union Market was described to me as " a Trader Joe's and a regular supermarket" with lots of prepared food.

How about you, dear Reader? Looking forward to shopping there?



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A Glimpse Into Future 'Union Market' On Court Street

Work has been ongoing at 288 Court Street, the site of the old Blockbuster, which will soon be home to a 'Union Market' specialty food store. Yesterday, on my way to Brooklyn Heights, I caught a glimpse at the space through the open door. Looks like the first refrigerator units are being delivered, though construction is still in progress.

I had a nice little chat with a young man who looked like he was in charge. He told me that the store will most likely be opened before the end of the year. He described Union Market as being a blend of Trader Joe's and a regular supermarket, with lots of prepared food.

I have no doubt that the market will do well, but am apprehensive about what this will mean to some of the smaller stores such as Mastellone's and the new green grocer, both of which are just across the street.

What are your thought?




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Finally, Some Action At The Old Blockbuster on Court Street????

The following email received from a reader sent me down to Court Street immediately. It simply said:

"Looks like some real action is happening at the old Blockbuster building. Windows have been sprayed to block what is going on inside and it looks like the ceiling has been removed.
Anyone know what is happening?"

Of course I needed to inquire and take some photos. The Court Street storefront, at 288 Court, which has been empty for a few years now, is one of the largest retail spaces in the neighborhood. Local residents have been speculating on its future ever since Blockbuster vacated the site. For a while, a rumor circulated that McDonalds was coming to that location. Others thought that a supermarket would rent it. There was no end to the possibilities...

As I approached yesterday, I could see that work had indeed been done since I had walked by, just days prior.
The windows have now been frosted, the dropped ceiling has been removed and electric wiring was hanging down from the ceiling. A long ladder was propped against the façade of the building.

I heard voices coming from the roof, so I waited around to see if someone would come down, so that I could ask what was happening, but had to leave after a while.


According to Brownstoner, the building was sold to Broadmill Development in mid-2008 for $3.7 million.
The "Retail Space Available Sign" by Ripco is still hanging on the building and the space is still listed on Ripco's web site. Of course it could be that the owner of the building is simply doing some maintenance work. But maybe, finally, after all this time, it has been rented?

Anyone know?



For an interesting retail history of the building, read the comments on this post:Former Blockbuster Space On Court!

***UPDATE***

Brownstoner just reported this morning that the space has been taken over by Union Market.
Cool, I say. What is your opinion, Neighbor? Like the idea???

Photo and logo courtesy of Union Market

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