BROOKLYN HEIGHTS – COOKBOOK AUTHOR AND chef Alison Roman is set to open an outpost of her boutique grocery/cafe concept store First Bloom in Brooklyn Heights this fall, reports Curbed, expanding from its first location in the Catskills.
The store is set to have a small cafe and coffee bar, as well as a retail floor. First Bloom describes its offerings as simple and tasty: “The best versions of the simplest thing.”
The former Bentley’s store in Brooklyn Heights is shown here vacant. Photo: Mary Frost/Brooklyn Eagle
Roman, who shot to fame developing recipes from her home kitchen in a third-floor Brooklyn walkup, is hiring for several positions, including a head chef and head baker. She did not confirm the store’s location, although some speculated that the former site of the Bentley’s shoe store on Montague Street, where a for-rent sign recently came down, could fit the bill.
The influencer said she wanted to keep the store low-key, writing in her newsletter, “We’re catering to a neighborhood of real people, not the internet.”
Bentley’s on Montague Street. Photo: Mary Frost/Brooklyn Eagle
Lara Birnback of the Brooklyn Heights Association, in a statement to the BrooklynEagle, welcomed Roman to the neighborhood, writing, “Alison, you’ve made a great choice! I’m sure the Brooklyn Heights community will welcome First Bloom with open arms.”
Kate Chura, executive director of the Montague Street Business Improvement District, reflected on the remarkable resurgence of the street over the last several years, which likely helped attract Roman. “Montague Street has really come back to life with a fresh breeze of new restaurants and shops of quality and diversity,” she told the Eagle.
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.
