J. Crew announces second Brooklyn store in DUMBO

Empire Stores location expected by holiday season

May 22, 2018 By Gordon Walker Special to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Empire Stores, seen here from Brooklyn Bridge Park. Eagle file photo by Lore Croghan

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J.Crew, the well-known clothing retailer, has announced that it will be opening its second Brooklyn store at Empire Stores in DUMBO, in addition to its current store in Williamsburg, by this year’s holiday season. The store will be based on the ground floor of a former warehouse at 55 Water St. The company leased 3,500 square feet of retail, according to the Commercial Observer, and the asking rent in the 10-year deal was $150 per square foot.

Midtown Equities, a real estate company, brokered the deal. Until recently, Empire Stores, which sits in Brooklyn Bridge Park, was just abandoned warehouses. However, that all changed when Midtown Equities, Rockwood Capital and HK Organization refurbished the complex and transformed it into prime real estate and retail space.

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Leaky Pipe Leads to Overflowing Water Bill

A leak in a basement pipe has led to a water bill of $44,000 for a senior Canarsie couple. Two years ago, according to NY1, the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sent them a notice, saying they were using so much water they should have a plumber check for a leak. Cecil and Rita Thomas called a plumber, who fixed the leak. However, DEP said that because the leak was not repaired for nearly a year, the pair still owed the huge sum of money. Lawyer Scott Kohanowski has helped them apply for relief under a city water bill forgiveness program. With his assistance, DEP cut their bill in half, NY1 reported – but the Thomases still owe $23,000. “Even if I had a hotel here, I don’t think it would have been that much money,” Rita said.