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Store owners on Court and Smith streets in Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and Carroll Gardens are banding together to create a Business Improvement District, or BID. They have also launched an online survey.

The purpose of the proposed merchants association would be to strengthen local mom and pops, who are facing escalating rents in the area due to recent lease signings from retailers such as J.Crew, Splendid and Rag & Bone, according to DNAinfo. “Merchants on Court and Smith streets are banding together to draw more business to the area so that they can afford the neighborhood’s rapidly rising rents,” said the story.

Like all BIDs, the group would take on sanitation, greening, safety and marketing to help businesses in the area thrive. They’ve also launched an online campaign to raise $10,000 for the BID.

Steering Committe members include D’Amico Coffee, Carroll Gardens Realty, Diane T., Stinky BKLYN, Viceroy Properties and Mazzone Hardware. Pictured above is a lower stretch of Court Street near the BQE.


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. I’m all for BIDs. They can strengthen mom and pops.

    But how does “drawing more businesses” to the area make it more affordable? Unless the BID can somehow increase the amount of commercial space available, more businesses will mean HIGHER rents.

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