A Moment Back In Time: A Stretch Of Smith Street In The Late 1960's

Back in the late 1960's, early 1970's

The same stretch of Smith Street today

Just recently, I came across a xerox copy of a black and white photo of the stretch of Smith Street taken in the late 1960's.  The image shows numbers 349, 351, 353 and 355 Smith Street located between Carroll Street and Second Street.
Though grainy,  one can see that the four buildings have not changed much.  This is no doubt due in part to the fact that #349, #351 and 353 fall within the Carroll Gardens Landmark district, the smallest in all of New York City.
What is more fascinating are the commercial spaces and the former businesses that occupied them then and now.

349 Smith Street
No doubt, many remember Joe's Superette and its famous prosciutto and rice balls.  Sadly, after 50 years at the same location, the business closed in 2011 when second owner Leo Coladonato passed away.
Avlee, a new Greek restaurant just opened up there last month.

351 Smith Street
When I moved into the neighborhood in 1985, Venuti's, a small hardware store, was still open.  Mr. Venuti, a heavy set elderly man, operated the business with his son and his daughter-in law. (I believe her name was Michelle, but I could be mistaken).  I remember the owner most for his custom of pouring a shot of rather harsh brandy to all his customers at Christmas time.  I must admit to leaving the store with quite a buzz once, when my mother and I stopped in to buy a few of the wooden ornaments Mr. Venuti had added to his inventory during the holidays.
I still have them.
Mr. Venuti and his son passed away one after the other just a few years later and the store closed.
Ting Hua, a Chinese restaurant, has been operating here for quite a few years.

353 Smith Street
When Frank's Italian Delicatessen opened two doors down from Joe's Superette, it created  a bit of a stir because,  from what I gathered from neighborhood old-timers, Frank at one time worked for Joe, Joe's wife Ann and their two sons, Joseph and Steven.  When Frank opened his business so close to his former boss'  place and competed with Joe's Superette,  many were cross at him.

At one point, Frank's moved to the corner of Smith Street and 2nd Street, across from the subway station, where it is still to this day.

A Korean deli has occupied the storefront at number 353 for a very long time now.  Though the deli has remained virtually unchanged for the last decades, the Korean owners have changed at least three times since I have moved here.

355 Smith Street

A laundromat has operated at this address for a number of years.  I must admit that I don't really remember what was there before.  It would appear that in the late 1960's, it was either an office or a social club.  

Does anyone remember more about these stores? Its owners?  I would love to hear your memories and stories about them and other businesses in the neighborhood. 

Read More

Avlee, Smith Street's New Greek Eatery, Now Open

Avlee owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos

There is a new fun and health eating option in the neighborhood.
Avlee, the Greek/ Mediterranean restaurant at 349 Smith Street, between Second Street and Carroll Street, just opened for lunch and dinner.   The owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos held a soft opening for their new eatery last week-end and officially launched yesterday.

According to Poulos, Avlee means 'garden' in Greek. "We felt that it was a great name for a Greek restaurant in Carroll Gardens," he told me a few days ago. It also reflects the fresh ingredients used to make all of the traditional Greek fare.

Avlee offers a nice range of appetizers like Tzatziki, taramasalata, tirokafteri, spanakopida or domatosalata, a tomato salad with shaved red onions and feta cheese ($6 small, $11 large).  Of course, the menu also includes Gyro and Souvlaki. Try the Chicken Souvlaki Platter with tzaziki sauce in a grilled pita ($14) or the Pastitsio ($15).
And don't forget to sample the Greek wine or beer with your meal. (There is also Greek sodas.)

Walk all the way to the back of the restaurant to a mini-Greek grocery display and check out Greek products like jams and olive oils.

There are a few tables for dining in and in warmer weather, more tables will be available in the garden. You can also stop by and order take out.

Avlee Greek Kitchen

349 Smith Street

(Second Street and Carroll Street)

Read More

New Greek Eatery On Smith Street To Be Called "Avlee'

The new Greek/Mediterranean restaurant, which is slated to open at 349 Smith Street later this fall, will be called 'Avlee'. A web site is in the works, but does not yet provide menu information. According to owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos, the eatery will have counter service and seating both inside and outside in the back yard.

The storefront was once occupied by Joe's Superette, an Italian deli owned by Leo Coladonato. Many in the neighborhood still miss Leo's sandwiches and prosciutto balls.

Read More

New Mediterranean Restaurant On Smith Street Planning a Mid-August Opening

Anthony DeBella, Peter Omlor,  Peter Rogakos, Andrew Poulos, Lucy de Carlo, Triada Samaras

As reported earlier, the space at 349 Smith Street between Carroll Street and Second Street once occupied by Joe's Superette, will become a Mediterranean/ Greek restaurant.  

According to owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos,  construction is progressing nicely and if everything goes well, they hope to be open by mid-August.  A wine and beer license is in the works.  The new eatery will have counter service with seating both inside and outside in the backyard. 

On Wednesday morning,  Poulos and Rogakos met with residents from both Carroll Street and Second Street to address concern about the outdoor space.  Both owners reassured those who attended the meeting that they will be respectful of their neighbors and will close the backyard space at 11 PM.

They also promised to keep the line of communication open, which was greatly appreciated.   

"We would like to see you thrive here, " said resident Triada Samaras. "We need a Greek restaurant on Smith Street."

Read More

Former Joe's Superette On Smith Street Becoming A Greek Eatery?

I must admit that every time I walk past the former Joe's Superette at 349 Smith Street,  I think of Leo Coladonato and of his incredible sandwiches. When the deli man passed away in May of this year, the door to his Carroll Gardens institution was closed forever.  Gone were Leo's famed deep-fried prosciutto and rice balls.  Gone were those delicious hero sandwiches. (My personal favorite was the Italian tuna in olive oil with shredded lettuce and sliced tomato. To die for.)
As long as the iconic 1960's blue sign with the yellow lettering is still up above the storefront, I have been able to pretend that Leo's place is not really gone from the neighborhood.  But, as we all know, time always marches on.
Behind the old metal roll-down gate, the former deli has been gutted (without permits and at night, I may add) and a new door now leads to the back yard. The old store sign will probably come down soon. 
Word on the street is that a Greek eatery will be taking over the place.  A worker in the place told me that the place will be opening in the next two or three weeks.
May the new eatery be a worthy successor to Joe's.

Read More