
BROOKLYN — AFTER NEARLY 40 YEARS of supplying Americans with party supplies and decorations, Party City is closing down, according to CNN. The company operates three retail locations in Brooklyn: 625 Atlantic Avenue, 2265 Ralph Avenue and 3797-3849 Nostrand Avenue. CEO Barry Litwin in a Zoom meeting told all corporate employees that their salaries and benefits ended last Friday, and that stores will cease operations on Feb. 28. Employees will not receive severance pay. The store has reportedly struggled to cope with high costs and lower consumer spending resulting from inflation, and had declared bankruptcy last year, only exiting three months ago.
“It’s really important for you to know that we’ve done everything possible that we could to try to avoid this outcome,” Litwin said to the company’s corporate staff at their last meeting, CNN reports. “Unfortunately, it’s necessary to commence a winddown process immediately.”












SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.

ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.