Bed-Stuy Gateway and the Fulton-Nostrand Revitalization Project

2nd Annual Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant

Bedford-Stuyvesant's premiere social event is back!

The 2nd Annual Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant is coming up on Thursday, May 22, 2008. Come out and celebrate the continuing revitalization and renaissance of the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business District by helping us celebrate once again inside the beautiful Bedford-Stuyvesant branch of Carver Federal Savings Bank.

• Sample premium wines and cocktails from around the world
• Nibble on Hors d'oeuvres
• Sway to the cool sounds of Bedford-Stuyvesant's Brandon Sanders Jazz Ensemble

Proceeds from ticket sales to the Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant benefit the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association and Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation's efforts to form the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District.

2nd Annual Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant
Thursday, May 22, 2008; 7:30-10:30pm
Taking Place at Carver Federal Savings Bank
1281 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216

Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant is sponsored by:

Presenting Sponsors:
Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association
Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
Carver Federal Savings Bank
Nostrand Wines and Liquors

Click on the Button Below to Purchase Your Tickets Securely via PayPal:

(You will be taken to the PayPal website to complete your transaction).

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Receives a Key Vote of Support From Brooklyn Community Board #3

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, May 5, 2008, Brooklyn Community Board #3 overwhelmingly voted to issue a letter of support for the proposal to create the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District, a major step forward in making the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID a reality.

During the introduction to the evening's presentation, Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee co-chair Edmon Braithwaite stated, "as a small business owner, I see the tremendous potential that this business district possesses as a destination for Central Brooklyn's residents. However, I also face the numerous but easily solved challenges that can be overcome through the comprehensive services of this proposed business improvement district. Through my involvement with the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association (FNUMA) in the last few years, I have seen what our united collective action can achieve on even limited resources. This is why I support the creation of this BID."

Joel Dabu, commercial revitalization manager for Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation which is co-sponsor of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID initiative with FNUMA, followed Mr. Braithwaite's introduction with a presentation on the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID proposal. After a roll call of members of the board, Mr. Richard Flateau, chair of the board's Economic Development Committee stated that his committee voted after its March meeting to recommend that the full board issue a letter of support in favor of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID proposal, after which Community Board Second Vice-Chair Tohma Faulkner called for a vote. The final tally was 29 board members in favor, 0 members in opposition, 2 members in abstention and 1 board member who recused for conflict of interest. The required quorum of 26 board members was met.

The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee will hold two public hearings on the BID proposal on the following dates:

• Thursday, May 8, 2008 | 9am-11am | 1368 Fulton Street
• Wednesday, May 28, 2008 | 7pm-9pm | 1368 Fulton Street

Individuals wishing to comment on the BID proposal must sign up in the 30 minute period preceding the start of each respective meeting. Comments will be limited to two minutes per speaker.

To RSVP for one or more meetings, please call (718) 636-6910 or email FNRPintern1@restorationplaza.org.

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Public Hearings

We invite area business owners and residents to attend the

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Public Hearings

and learn about this initiative to revitalize the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business District (Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenue).

Choose one of the following meetings to attend:

1. Thursday, May 8, 2008; 9:00am-11:00am

Location: Billie Holiday Theater - 1368 Fulton Street - Brooklyn, NY 11216

2. Wednesday, May 28, 2008; 7:00pm-9:00pm

Location: Multipurpose Room - 1368 Fulton Street - Brooklyn, NY 11216

Please RSVP to (718) 636-6910 if you plan on attending one of our public hearings.

The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee proposes to create a Business Improvement District (BID) on Fulton Street (Classon Ave-Troy Ave) and Nostrand Avenue (Halsey St-Atlantic Ave). The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID proposes to provide the following services:

¨ Public Safety Patrols Seven Days a Week

¨ Street Maintenance Services that would include street sweeping, garbage bagging and the maintenance of lampposts and street furniture seven days a week

¨ Promotional and event marketing, arts and cultural festivals to promote shopping and

 cultural groups in the district

¨ Landscaping and beautification services

¨ Capital Improvements and installation of public amenities

The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID is a joint initiative of Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association and

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. For more information about the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID, please call (718) 636-6910 or visit www.BedStuyGateway.com.

Restoration Rocks Music Festival - Saturday, September 15, 2007; 12-5pm

September 15, 2007 from 12 PM – 5 PM
Raindate: September 16, 2007
Free in the Restoration Amphitheatre

The Restoration Rocks Music Festival is a free outdoor event featuring several of Brooklyn’s hippest, hottest, and funkiest bands. The event will celebrate Bed-Stuy’s cutting-edge style and Restoration’s 40th anniversary with live sets by Game Rebellion, Martha Redbone, Red Lights to Rio, Roughstars, Sankofa, Shelley Nicoles’s blaKbüshe, Shrine for the Black Madonna, and Tamar-kali. A great choice for any fan of Afro-Punk, Black Rock, New American Underground, or electrifying live music. Come prepared to party. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/restorationrocks or call 718 636 6976.

Wealth Building Tuesdays @ Restoration, September 18, 2007

8 STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY AND
LIVE RICHLY EVER AFTER

Where: Billie Holiday Theater at Restoration Plaza (1368 Fulton Street @ Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY)

When: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 | 6:00-8:30pm

RSVP to (718) 636-6924 or send an email to bmcrae [at] restorationplaza.org.

Join Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation in kicking off its Fall/Winter series of "Wealth Building Tuesdays" at the Billie Holiday Theater at Bedford Stuyvesant's Restoration Plaza with a lecture and book signing by Sharon Epperson, CNBC correspondent and Personal Financial Columnist for USA Weekend. Sharon Epperson's will sign copies of her latest book "The Big Payoff" and will answer questions from attendees.

This event is sponsored by HSBC, Independence Community Foundation, JPMorganChase and the Workshop in Business Opportunities. Additional support is provided by M&T Bank, North Fork Bank and Robin Hood Foundation.

 

Bed-Stuy the latest rezoning focus by the Department of City Planning

Looks like the Department of City Planning is going to focus in on the zoning of Bedford-Stuyvesant. Metro New York, one of those free subway dailies reports that DCP is going to begin the public review process of a proposal to rezone 200 blocks of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Let's hope the rezoning proposal protects the integrity of Bed-Stuy's beautiful brownstone blocks while giving Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenue property owners an incentive to develop more flexible ground floor retail spaces with additional residential units above. Once we know more, we'll post it here.
Link: Bed-Stuy zoning plan begins public review by city today - Metro NY.

Profile a Business: Super Foodtown of Bedford-Stuyvesant

Super Foodtown of Bedford-Stuyvesant
1420 Fulton Street (at Restoration Plaza)
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(718) 623-1831
Official Website:

Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 7am - Midnight
Sunday: 7am - 10pm

Parking: Garage located underneath Super Foodtown, enter on Brooklyn Avenue south of Fulton Street.

Super Foodtown of Bedford-Stuyvesant, located at 1420 Fulton Street in Restoration Plaza is a 31,000 square foot multi-department, full-service supermarket, owned and operated by PSK Supermarkets, Inc.

Since its grand opening in late 2004, Super Foodtown of Bedford-Stuyvesant has won the hearts, or more appropriately the stomachs, of thousands of Bedford-Stuyvesant residents. Noah Katz, co-owner of Super Foodtown with his brother Daniel and father Sydney says, “We have pledged to earn the business of the Bedford-Stuyvesant community every single day,” and from the numerous satisfied residents that frequent the store, Super Foodtown looks to be doing just that. 

“We can totally tailor the product offerings to the unique needs of each community we serve,” says Katz. Super Foodtown has a full complement of departments, including a fresh bakery, a floral department, a fresh service deli, a service “over the counter” butcher department, a service “over the counter” seafood department and expanded perishables fresh food. With all of these amenities, plus the store’s commitment to first-class service, store cleanliness and competitive prices, Super Foodtown has attracted tens of thousands of customers a week. As a reward for customer loyalty, Foodtown offers S&H Greenstamps, a customer rewards program in which shoppers earn points that they can redeem for free and discounted groceries, as well as gifts in an 80-page rewards catalog.

“Traditionally, we reach out to every non-profit organization in every community we serve,” says Katz, “offering everything from product for fundraising events to loaned staff members for community restoration efforts. We’ve helped restore playgrounds, rebuild libraries and serve up strawberry shortcake at community festivals. Whatever each community wants and needs in the way of support, we’re there to help get it done.” Since arriving in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Super Foodtown has demonstrated this commitment to the community: It signed up as a corporate leader of the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association, and Noah Katz serves as co-chairman of the Bed Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District Steering Committee.

By shopping at Super Foodtown, residents get fresh food at great prices and at the same time make an investment in the improvement of the Bedford-Stuyvesant. Through the rent paid by Super Foodtown for its space, Foodtown shoppers’ dollars directly support the community-based social, educational and economic development initiatives of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. “Our participation in communities is never limited to selling products and paying the rent,” said Katz. “We expect to be a resource for the neighborhood, a place that will bring people together.”

About the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District

 

The Vision of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee:

We declare that the Bedford-Stuyvesant Gateway business district is the business and cultural destination of choice for all residents of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Clinton Hill, northern Crown Heights, Ocean Hill and Brownsville.

Through the services of the BID, We are committed to:
•      A safe, clean and aesthetically attractive commercial and cultural destination;
•      Fostering thriving and profitable businesses;
•      Providing a variety of retail goods and services from a mixture of national brand and locally-based companies, including minority and women-owned small businesses;
•    Valuing the diverse history, culture and styles of the residents of the Bedford-Stuyvesant and wider Central Brooklyn communities by offering goods and services that respond to the community’s wants and desires.

Jump to Sections:

• What is a BID and why form one now in Bedford-Stuyvesant?
• Facts about the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID
• FAQ's about BID's, by the New York City Department of Small Business Services
• Voice your support for the formation of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID by signing our ballot and email/fax or mail it back to us. Click Here to download the Bed-Stuy Gateway Ballot Form PDF to your Computer. Print it out, fill in all fields (very important) and fax it to (718) 636-6903 or mail it back to us. For more information about the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Formation Campaign, call (718) 636-6989 or email

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID in the Press/Media:
Link: Queens area fights to stay low-rise; another campaign for Bed-Stuy BID | Crain's New York Business (subscription required). PDF Version: Click Here to Download

PDF: New York Daily News - April 15, 2007 - Bed-Stuy in a BID for BIZ - by Rachel Monahan

PDF: Our Time Press - April 16, 2007 - Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant a Success!

News 12 Brooklyn Reporter George Spencer Provides an Overview of the Proposal to Create the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID - first aired Monday, April 16, 2007. News 12 Brooklyn is available only on Cablevision and Time Warner Cable Systems in New York City.

A Bed-Stuy Video Introduction

Ahh...the joys of YouTube. While perusing the YouTube video vault this evening, we came across this excellent and expertly produced short video about the Bed-Stuy community at a crossroads; It's a great introduction to the contemporary neighborhood appropriate for old timers and newbies. Created by Blue Boat Productions.

Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association Recognizes Leaders & Partners in the Revitalization of the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business District

The task of revitalizing a business district and community is work that involves frequent collaboration and the assistance of many willing partners. At the Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant, FNUMA’s Board of Directors recognized the following individuals, businesses and organizations both within the FNUMA membership and throughout the Bedford-Stuyvesant community that have had a significant impact in furthering the mission of FNUMA to create a clean, safe and vibrant Bed-Stuy Gateway Business District. While there are no doubt many worthy individuals and organizations in Bedford-Stuyvesant that fit these criteria, FNUMA’s awards committee, chaired by Miriam Miranda of Thriftway Pharmacy and Sandra Chase of Curves Fitness for Women, nominated a select group of individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond the normal call of duty to assist FNUMA in its mission.

The Precinct Buddy Certificate of Recognition was awarded to five officers from the NYPD's 79th Precinct whose work ethic exemplified the NYPD's motto of Courteous, Professional and Respectful service. These officers have gone out of their way to  get to know the businesses located in the business district and established a warm, professional relationship with many of the proprietors; activity which strengthens the partnership between the business community and the NYPD and therefore helps to reduce incidences of crime.

The recipients of the Precinct Buddy Certificates of Recognition pictured with FNUMA leaders are (left to right): Officer Eric Ortiz, Officer Juan Montez, Miriam Miranda (Awards Committee Co-chair), Detective Tony Cipri, Nicole Bayley (Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant Committee Co-chair), Officer Terrence Marsh, Officer Sandra Rivera, Sandra Chase (Awards Committee Co-Chair).

From Toast to Bedf...

The Police Officer of the Year award was selected by the members of the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association from five nominees and resulted in a tie between two members of the NYPD's 79th Precinct who were selected to receive this honor. FNUMA's Police Officer of the Year has undertaken signficant actions that have increased the level of partnership between the NYPD and the merchants association, reduced the level of crime and increased the sense of safety in the business district.

Nominees for the Police Officer of the Year Award and winners (in bold):
Inspector (Chief) Phillip Banks
Police Officer (Seargent) Neteis Gilbert
Captain Donald Lyons
Captain Charlie McEvoy
Police Officer Anthony Saunders

FNUMA President Hardy Joe Long (left) and FNUMA Executive Director Joel Dabu (right) present the Police Officer of the Year Award to Police Officer Anthony Saunders (center).

From Toast to Bedf...

FNUMA Vice President Edmon Braithwaite (left) presents Captain Donald Lyons (center), commanding officer of the NYPD 79th Precinct, with the Police Officer of the Year Award.

From Toast to Bedf...

FNUMA's Community Leader of the Year was selected by a vote of the membership of the association from five organizations or individuals outside of the FNUMA Membership that were nominated by the awards committee and recognized to have made a significant contribution to the FNUMA's mission to create a cleaner, safer and more convenient business district. The winning organization is recognized to have gone above and beyond the organization or individual's call of duty to assist FNUMA in achieveing its goals of revitalizing the business district.

The nominees for Community Leader of the Year and winner (in bold):
Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
Brooklyn Community Board #3
Carolyn Sanders-James, Mayor's Community Assistance Unit
Council Member Albert Vann
The Doe Fund

Joanna West receives the Community Leader of the Year Award on behalf of her organization, The Doe Fund, which has donated the street sweeping and sanitation services of its Ready Willing and Able team to the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business District since late 2005 in an effort to assist the formation of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID.

From Toast to Bedf...

FNUMA's Business Leader of the Year Award was selected by the FNUMA Membership from among five nominees from the Membership who are recognized to have made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the merchants association, above and beyond the usual call of duty of FNUMA membership. This member has undertaken actions that have produced significant positive change in the business district; examples of which include: Has brought new businesses and members to the organization; Has expanded the message of the importance of revitalizing the business district to other organizations or forums beyond the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association; Has taken part in service to the community.

Nominees for the Business Leader of the Year Award and winner (in bold):
Birdel's Tapes & Records
Carver Federal Savings Bank
Flowerworks
Nostrand Wines & Liquors
Washington Mutual Bank

Joel Dabu (left) and Hardy Joe Long (right) present Edmon Braithwaite of Nostrand Wines & Liquors (center) with the Business Leader of the Year Award.

From Toast to Bedf...

Inaugural Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant: What an amazing party

What an amazing party we had in Bedford-Stuyvesant this past Thursday, April 12. The inaugural Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant was a smashing success and we want to thank everyone who helped to make the event such a success, from our event sponsors, to our elected officials, organization partners, merchant association members, volunteers and Bedford-Stuyvesant neighbors who all came out to help us kick off the public phase of the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District Formation Campaign (more details on that to come soon on this website).

Our very own Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz kicked off the Toast and the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Campaign in boisterous Brooklyn style with a proclamation.

From Toast to Bedf...

Elected Officials and Leaders of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee celebrate the Borough President's proclamation of April 12, 2007 as Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant Day in Brooklyn.

From left to right: Edmon Braithwaite (Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee Co-Chair, Vice President of Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Assn.), NYS Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries, NYC Council Member Letitia James, NYS Assemblymember Annette M. Robinson, Joel Dabu (Executive Director, FNUMA; Commercial Revitalization Manager, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corp.), Hardy Joe Long (President, FNUMA), Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Noah Katz (Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Steering Committee Co-Chair), Colvin W. Grannum (President/CEO, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation).

From Toast to Bedf...

Bacardi USA and its brands was one of the 18 companies represented at the Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Wellcare Health Plans, a Corporate Member of FNUMA, was also the sponsor of the entertainment at the Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant.

From Toast to Bedf...

The Brandon Sanders Jazz Ensemble really jazzed up the house.

Finally, a toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant's bright future.

From Toast to Bedf...

Lots of New Storefront Action

It's been a while since we've had a chance to really update this site with juicy tidbits of retail happenings in the Stuy, and we apologize. Please don't take our silence as an indication that nothing has gone on in Bed-Stuy Gateway, because as the following picture indicates, a place we speculated a year ago as a rumored site for a Dallas BBQ, has turned into a prime example of retail co-location: Gamestop and Children's Place - Genius! More news to come on other storefront developments.

Previously: Bed-Stuy Gateway: Heard on the Street: Do we smell BBQ?

So who and what exactly is going to be at the Toast to Bed-Stuy?

Curious to know exactly what wines and spirits you'll be able to sample at Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant? Scroll down to see a list of companies scheduled to exhibit at the event.
Click on the image below to view a list of companies exhibiting Distilled Spirits

Click on the image below to view a list of companies exhibiting wines

Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant Press Release

Download fnumatoast_to_bed_stuy_press_release_final.pdf

Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant Wine & Cocktail Tasting and Fundraiser; Thursday, April 12, 2007 7-10pm

Celebrate the continuing revitalization and renaissance of the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business District by joining us at the Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant Wine Tasting and Fundraiser.

• Sample premium wines and cocktails from around the world
• Nibble on Hors d'oeuvres
• Listen to the cool sounds of Bedford-Stuyvesant's Brandon Sanders Jazz Ensemble

Proceeds from ticket sales to the Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant benefit the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association and Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation's efforts to form a business improvement district in the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business District.

Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant
Thursday, April 12, 2007; 7-10pm
Taking Place at Carver Federal Savings Bank
1281 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216

Toast to Bedford-Stuyvesant was sponsored by:

Presenting Sponsors:
Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association
Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
Carver Federal Savings Bank
Nostrand Wines and Liquors

Media Sponsor:
Our Time Press

Entertainment Sponsored by:
Wellcare Health Plans.

The Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association Would Like Your Input

The Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants Association is conducting a survey to determine what are the most pressing issues negatively affecting the success of the business district in the minds of our stakeholders (property owners, business owners and residents and visitors to the area). We will use this survey to determine what kinds of services might be needed to address the conditions that affect our business district and community.

Your input is very important to us and will help this organization be a better steward of the community.

This survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete.
To complete the survey, please CLICK HERE or paste this link into your browser.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=474303189070
Thank you.

Profile a Business: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar® of Bedford-Stuyvesant

Citing a lack of casual dining restaurants in the neighborhood, Apple-Metro, Inc., the New York Metro Area franchisee for Applebee's International, made a commitment to provide this service to Bedford-Stuyvesant and opened in February 2006.

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar®

Bed-Stuy
1360 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(718) 943-8005

www.applebeesny.com

Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 11a.m.–Midnight
Friday–Saturday: 11a.m.-1 a.m.
Sunday: 11a.m.-11p.m.

 

General Manager Oscar Rodriguez and his service staff views customers as guests who they are welcoming into their family home. Each guest is greeted with the door held open by one of the host. Being guest driven, Oscar wants to ensure that each and every person that enters to dine leaves satisfied and happy.

Applebee’s attention to customer satisfaction goes beyond service. Their unique menu includes Applebee's signature favorites accented by a constantly changing special feature, including a variety of seasonal appetizers and entrees, perfect for those diners looking for variety. The current menu includes dishes created by Food Network celebrity chef Tyler Florence.

Happy Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 4-7p.m.
(Summer, Fall) 10p.m.-midnight          
(Serving both top shelf and well liquors)