Friday, July 31, 2009

BEDC's ENTREPENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OFFERED THIS FALL

The Entrepreneur Assistance Program run by the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation teaches owners and potential owners of small businesses how to manage a business successfully and be profitable. This fall's classes are for people in any stage of business development, from start-ups to growth and expansion of existing businesses. The expertise of current business owners and professional business counselors is included in the program.

Classes will be held on Tuesdays, from September 15th through December 15th, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Advance registration is required. A 10% discount is offered to people who register before September 1st, reducing the cost from $250 to $225.

Location: St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, in Brooklyn Heights.

Twenty-five people can be accommodated. To register, call Nina Sampayo at (718) 522-4600, ext. 10 or e-mail her at n_sampayo@bedc.org.

BEDC seeks to reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of Brooklyn by reaching out to and working with entrepreneurs in communities throughout the borough.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

A FOOD LOVER'S GUIDE TO KENSINGTON

"A Food Lover's Guide to Kensington," an article by Nancy J. Brandwein, was published today in AM New York. Her description of Church Avenue as "low-key and scruffy" isn't complimentary, but her overall article is. Ms. Brandwein has written about Sugandha Restaurant, To B Thai, Dan's Select Meats, Dinosha Albanian Village, Bastek Deli, Golden Farm, Russian Homemade Cuisine, Old Brick Cafe Lounge, Taqueria Los Poblanos, NYC Icy, and Shayna's.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

PARKWAY PHARMACY--AN OLD FRIEND


Parkway Pharmacy has been serving Kensington since 1980. This customer-oriented store has a free self-service blood pressure machine on the premises, provides free pick-up and delivery, and offers such services as passport photos, notary public, bill payment service, ATM, fax service, and 5-cent photocopier. And senior citizens are given a 10% discount.

In addition to medical and personal care items, Parkway carries DVDs for adults and children, toys, and children's books.
Greeting cards are always 50% off. 

Parkway Pharmacy
531 Church Avenue
phone: 718-436-5501
fax: 718-437-9490


SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

DORIS IS NOW AT LEJLA'S

Those of you who have been having bad hair days since Doris closed her Doris Beauty Salon on Fort Hamilton Parkway will find her working at Lejla's Hair Salon for men and women at 513 Church Avenue, between E. 5th Street and Ocean Parkway. Call (347) 873-7662 for an appointment.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

SNEAKER DRAMA: NOT JUST SNEAKERS

Everywhere you turn in Sneaker Drama, you'll find something interesting. Besides high-top sneakers (including a pair with a subway map on them), the store has running shoes, walking shoes, and boots. And T-shirts and sweatshirts, with and without wildly colorful designs. And jeans. And sunglasses. And leather belts.

The footwear is for men, women, and children. Nike, Converse, and Adidas are featured.

See for yourself!

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12 to 8, Sunday, 12 to 5

Sneaker Drama
418 Church Avenue, between E. 4th and E. 5th streets
phone and fax: (718) 435-7800
sneakerdrama@optonline.net

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

PLATTERS AT CONNIE'S CAFE

The platters at Connie's Cafe come with a healthy dinner salad or a cup of soup (today's was chicken rice), a vegetable (today's were broccoli, spinach, corn, and string beans), and a potato (baked or mashed) for $8.75. The coffee is served hot--and you can get as many free refills as you want!--for just a dollar. Tax is already included in the prices.

Service is fast. The attentive waitress, Nazy, happily answers questions.

Connie's Cafe
is at 424 Church Avenue, at the corner of E. 5th Street. It opens every day at 6:00 a.m. Or get free delivery, with no minimum, by calling (718) 633-3557.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

RICH FROG TOYS--A REPORT FROM A HAPPY CUSTOMER

This post about Rich Frog Toys was published on the KWT Neighbors listserv. It is reprinted here with the permission of its author.

Rich Frog is located at 211 Church Avenue, between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets. Phone:
(866) 371-1858

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all –
Just wanted to write a quick note about my recent experience at Rich Frog Toys on Church. I went there over the weekend for a couple of birthday presents and was amazed at how much the store has expanded since I was there last. Every time I go, there seems to be more. I've been able to shop for babies all the way up through my 8 year old nephew and the toys have been both high quality and reasonably priced.

Per usual, Alexandra was so helpful at pointing out age appropriate toys in the price ranges I was looking for and was totally non-pressuring as I looked (with my two children browsing as well).

Rich Frog is such a wonderful resource in the neighborhood – and every time I've been it seems I've gotten something extra – a small cloth reusable bag last time I was there, $5 coupons for my next visit this time--between the quality, service, and extras, it's always a great experience. Not related in any way to the owner – just found it an exceptional experience.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

SAVINGS IN KENSINGTON

Today's Daily News spotlights several businesses on or near Church Avenue: Golden Farm, 2E Cleaners, Snow White Laundromat, Marks Tools and Hardware, Hair Pleasure, Ava Nails, To B Thai, Connie's Cafe and Restaurant, and Parkway Pharmacy.

The reporter effectively captures the appeal of our neighborhood: "With bustling streets, a diverse ethnic makeup, and plenty of prewar apartments, Kensington is a great place to live."

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

CONNIE'S CAFE - A NEW RESTAURANT IN KENSINGTON

Ron Lopez has written in Kensington Stories about the recently-opened Connie's Cafe ("both the food and the price are right"). Connie's mother, "who helps around the restaurant and does some of the cooking," is featured in the Daily News article Savings in Kensington. And here's a photo of Connie's sister at work behind the counter.

Connie's Cafe
424 Church Avenue, at the corner of E. 5th Street
Open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free delivery, no minimum
(718) 633-3557

SUPPORT LOCAL, INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

Monday, July 20, 2009

CON EDISON: FREE ENERGY SURVEY AND REBATES FOR BUSINESSES

Business customers can get free energy surveys and rebates from Con Ed for using energy efficient heating, cooling, and lighting.

Business customers who use less than 100 kilowatts per month can get a free energy survey of their businesses and learn how to spend less money and save money. Con Ed will install, for free, compact fluorescent lamps, low-flow aerators, high pressure rinse sprayers, and a water heater thermostat setback.

Business customers can get up to 70% in rebates on the installation of high efficiency lighting, ballasts and fixtures or if they retro commission their existing heating, ventilation and cooling system, or if they install an Energy Star rated programmable thermostat.

For more information and to sign up for a free energy survey, fill out the online form or call 1-877-870-6118.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

NYC SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The NYC Small Business Resource Center calendar lists seminars, training sessions, and meetings for small businesses. Many of the events are free. Many of them are in Brooklyn.

Some of the events are "Financing for Your Business," "Business Loan Informational Session," "Researching the 5 P's of Your Marketing Plan: Product, People, Price, Place, Promotion, "Money from the Government for Your Small Business," "Free Money for Your Business," "Marketing Basics," and "Create a Website for Your Business."

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE DAY

Friday, August 7, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A talk will be given by Con Edison on "Small Business Energy Saving Advice," by ACCION USA on "Small Business Loans," and by CAMBA Economic Development Corporation on "Counseling, Training, and Loans."

The event will be held at the District Office of New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker, 4515 Avenue D, between East 45th and 46th streets,
Brooklyn, NY, 11203.

For more information, contact Mynah Gooden in Senator Parker's office at (718) 629-6401.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

SEAN CASEY ANIMAL RESCUE'S SUMMER CELEBRATION AND ADOPTION OPEN HOUSE

Hamilton Dog House
Annual Summer Celebration and Adoption Event
Saturday, July 18th, noon to 5:00 p.m.


Join the good people at Sean Casey Animal Rescue for a fun-filled day of pet-friendly activities, food, games,music, prizes, and free goodies for four-legged friends.

Visit the delightful animals that are available for
adoption and eager to live in loving homes.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, beverages, and more will be sold to raise funds for the Sean Casey Animal Rescue Adoption Van.


Sean Casey Animal Rescue
153 E. 3rd Street (between Caton Avenue and Fort Hamilton Parkway)
(718) 436-5163
http://scarnyc.org
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NY637.html


SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

WANTED: MORE PUBLIC LITTER BASKETS

Let's get more public litter baskets in our shopping area!

Public litter baskets for street corners can be requested from the Department of Sanitation either online
or by calling 311.

The online form asks where you want a litter basket placed and why. The choices for "why" are bus stop, high pedestrian traffic, school, subway, commercial area, and other.

You can make the request anonymously or include your name, phone number, and e-mail address.
 

Sunday, July 5, 2009

EVERYBLOCK: THE LATEST NEWS FOR 11218

Keep up with the latest news in zip code 11218 on EveryBlock. EveryBlock includes business reviews, restaurant inspections, liquor licenses, building permit actions, sign permit actions, political news items, crime reports, graffiti cleanup requests, graffiti cleaned, lost and found postings, locations in the media, real estate listings, property sales, photos, and street condition reports.

CHURCH AVENUE TO BE ONE-WAY?

"Hoots and hollers were the order of the day as East Flatbush residents and merchants made it clear that they did not want to see Church Avenue turned into a one-way street. DOT plans to return to the community for further discussion in October."
"One way No way, Flatbush residents declare for Church Avenue," The Brooklyn Paper, July 2, 2009, https://www.brooklynpaper.com/one-way-no-way-flatbush-residents-declare-for-church-avenue-2/

Saturday, July 4, 2009

BROOKLYN POTHO MELA PHOTOS

Close to 200 photos taken at the 2009 Brooklyn Potho Mela Street Festival are posted on the website of The Brooklyn Voice. The festival, held on June 14th, was sponsored by the Church McDonald (Bangladeshi) Business Association, Inc.