Cursed Brooklyn Heights Space Zaps 7 Restaurants
Every neighborhood has a cursed storefront — maybe it was once a Latin fusion joint, only to be turned into a high-end seafood spot, downgraded to a fish fry joint, and then switched into a coffee shop. But can you ever get a cup of coffee without being haunted by the memories of a bad…
Every neighborhood has a cursed storefront — maybe it was once a Latin fusion joint, only to be turned into a high-end seafood spot, downgraded to a fish fry joint, and then switched into a coffee shop. But can you ever get a cup of coffee without being haunted by the memories of a bad taco you ate there many moons (and owners) ago? In Brooklyn Heights, 41 Clark Street is among the local cursed addresses. Since 1982, seven restaurants have passed through the 5,000-square-foot space.
Roger Desmond, who is the owner of its latest (and most recently deceased) incarnation, Palmira’s, told the NY Sun that the building was struck by lightning in 2003, forcing the restaurant to spend its first two years hidden beneath scaffolding. When the scaffolding came off, the restaurant still couldn’t make money:
“We gave it a shot, but there just aren’t enough people in the neighborhood to make a 150-seat restaurant work when you need to make $25,000 a week just to break even,” [Desmond] said.
The article also notes that smaller restaurants, like Henry’s End and Noodle Pudding, do better in this neighborhood — but does anyone have a better idea for the huge space that Palmira’s vacated?
Brooklyn Locale Fails a Seventh Eatery [NY Sun]
Goodbye Palmira’s [Brooklyn Heights Blog]
Palmira’s [Homepage]
Yes, please turn it into something for little kids. They need space in our neighborhood.
Could it be something more fantastic than pre-school: a wonderland of sorts.
There is a gym right next door already, Eastern Athletic — Duh yourself!
I agree with the 4:36 poster: kids’ facilities would be great. How about a drop-in playspace or another preschool. The area preschools are completely maxed out and both Dumbo and Hts parents are desperate to put their kids into decent preschools — regardless of expense.
Perhaps the Palmira could be combined with the empty (unrented) Clark St space in the building that has college dorms.
A gym, for all the local traders to burn off the calories they ingested at high end restaurants in Manhattan, which is where they eat. Duh.
They’ve been holding Creative Kids art classes in the restaurant. My 21 month old has been going there once a week. I’d love to see more toddler/kids facilities. Maybe something like Mamalu’s in Williamsburg?