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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Recipe For Easy Entertaining In Carroll Gardens

Carroll Gardeners Max Kelly, a photographer, and Erin Merhar, a food stylist and recipe developer, have collaborated numerous times on photo shoots in the last few months. The resulting images are always stunning.

Max and Erin have kindly allowed me to post these images from their latest shoot. And below, you will find Erin's recipe for those divine home-made rosemary crackers with sea salt pictured in the photographs.

All ingredients are available locally.

From Erin Merhar:

Since becoming a chef, I’ve also taken on the role of dining consultant for my friends and family. “What should I make for dinner, Erin? I have celery, rice and balsamic vinegar.” This is not an uncommon request.

The question I prefer to get is: “I have to bring an hors d’ouevres to a party. What can I bring that’s EASY and that everyone will love.” I could rattle off any number of dips or miniaturized appetizers, but my best answer is: if you aim to please, do a simple cheese plate.

From my experience with entertaining, an interesting cheese paired with special condiments will grab as many rave reviews as the Vietnamese spring rolls you slaved over for hours. A wedge of gooey, soft-ripened cheese, orange blossom honey—or maybe the pear mostarda that you picked up on your last trip to Italy— with a soft baguette will always do the trick.

For those of you who are still looking to provide your handcrafted touch, here is a simple cracker recipe that might actually be quicker to make than running to a bakery for that baguette.

Homemade Crackers with Rosemary and Sea Salt

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon of chopped, fresh rosemary

1 Tablespoon heavy cream

1 tsp Maldon, or any other flaky sea salt

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the flour, kosher salt, black pepper and chopped rosemary and mix until combined. At this point, the dough will be crumbly and a bit dry. Set the mixer on low, then drizzle in just enough heavy cream to make long rectangle, about 1 ½” high, by 2” wide. Rest the formed dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. With a sharp knife, slice the dough into crackers, 1/8-1/4” thick. Place on a cookie sheet, and prick each cracker twice with a fork. Sprinkle with sea salt. Bake 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden.

Chef’s Note: The cheese pictured is La Tur, crowd-pleasing a blend of cow, sheep and goat’s milk cheese from the Langhe valley region of Piedmont, Italy. La Tur can be purchased at Union Market at 288 Court St.

Erin Merhar is a food stylist, recipe developer and personal chef living in CarrollGardens, Brooklyn. She loves wine, cheese and all things Italian. She can be contacted at mintfare@gmail.com or via her website at

www.mintfare.com.

Max Kelly is self-taught photographer whose style is at once modern and classic. Through this blend of old and new, he composes a unique perspective of the world around him. He can be reached at maxkelly@maxkellyphotography.com or through his website at www.maxkellyphotography.com

Related Post:

A Recipe For A Winter Evening In Carroll Gardens

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Was Everyone In The Neighborhood At Union M*rket This Afternoon?

With most stores in the neighborhood closed for this first day of the New Year, it would seem that Union Market on Court Street became everyone's favorite food market by default.

From the cheese display, to the meat counter, all the way to the checkout, there were long lines. One would have thought they were giving food away....

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Comment Of The Day: Sourcing Guide, Anyone?

Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "After Months Of Anticipation, Doors Finally Open At Court Street's Union Market":

You'd think for the price there would be a sourcing guide.

All I really want to know is where its from and when it was picked.

NYC has some of the worst produce in the world. Its old devoid of taste and nutrients.

This place gets its produce from the same place every other NYC shop does, just has a higher mark up.

The concept of local food is still very very distant to any of the food hawks. Fairway perhaps the worst.

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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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