Dumbo NYC

Notes from the DUMBO, Brooklyn NY neighborhood


Choice Market to Occupy J Condo Location

July 22nd, 2008

As Brownstoner reported yesterday, David Kramer of Hudson Companies revealed that the J Condo retail location on the corner of York and Jay Street (just outside of the York Street, F subway station) will be occupied by Choice Market, which is a cafe in Clinton Hill Brooklyn. Choice Market is a neighborhood cafe and takeout store, which serves organic and healthy foods, has a the boho vibe of a hippie hangout in a college town, according to the NY Mag listing of its Clinton Hill location. As a neighborly community cafe and hang out location, the now empty corner of York/Jay Street has the potential to become a destination for neighbors to grab a coffee and a house baked pastry or a lunch spot for a savory salmon burger or the grilled hanger steak with chimichurri sauce. The above photos are from Gothamist.

{Choice Empire Exanding to Dumbo’s J Condo, Brownstoner}
{Citysearch Listing of Choice Market}
{Camera in the Kitchen: Choice Market, Gothamist}
{NY Mag Choice Market Listing}

Filed in Dumbo Food, Dumbo Retail and Businesses, Jay Street, York Street at 9:01 am
Comments
  • DOT
    All I can say is.... YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! Love the variety of new businesses that are starting to open up here. Enough with the furniture stores already!
  • MisterHotelier
    Great news! They should do well with all the foot traffic in and out of the subway. Welcome guys.
  • Anonymous
    Damn hipsters. The only reason I moved to DUMBO was because I heard it was becoming more gentrified. I was hoping that a Starbucks or Blockbuster would go in that location. Ugh.
  • dunghead
    i was hoping for a kentucky fried chicken!
  • "i was hoping for a kentucky fried chicken!"

    That would be something to see!
  • NEWSFLASH!
    Breaking News: Lovable Dumbo Couple to Adjust Begging Strategy.

    Cracky and partner announced today that they would adjust their begging strategy by splitting their workday between Peas & Pickles and the upcoming Choice Market. They hope to capitalize on the lucrative spare change from morning coffee and muffin consumers heading to the F train. The couple plans to experiment with having someone posted at each location simultaneously, and doing the full press at on location at a time. Cracky and partner are already planning to purchase larger rocks, and are hoping the increased income will fund better crack-smoking equipment.

    The couple have also requested that the L Magazine reposition their magazine dispenser closer to Choice to better facilitate leaning while begging. Cracky added: "God bless you sweetie - got some change?"
  • mike d
    always appreciate it when you can
  • Now green hat guy (doesn't wear green hat anymore) can sit on his bike and give menacing stares to all Choice customers.
  • low bmi
    Neighborhoodies has "Smokey Loves Cracky" T Shirts. They're hot.
  • I'd buy a cane guy t-shirt. Although wobbly dude would probably make the best caricature.
  • wtf
    don't you guys have anything better to do than complain about panhandlers? guess not.
  • kildare
    ah, the idle rich. complain that they work so hard and the poor are oh so lazy. there go those home values! so good to be rich and white. we will get those pan handlers if it is the last thing we do by golly!
  • choice is lovely but suffers from a customer service problem (long waits, confusing order taking system) I hope it's worked out by the time they get to Dumbo.
  • kelsi
    At first we were excited about Choice because the prepared/take out food situation in dumbo leaves a lot to be desired. But then we became disappointed - from what we've heard Choice only takes cash. This would be enough to keep me and my family away. Why would one walk around with wads of cash with every other business in the world taking debit cards. Also, I would never carry cash to pay for prepared food takeout for 3-4 days worth of family lunches and dinners. If they want families to really shop there for take out, they will be smart enough to take debit cards for purchases over $20. or something. This is the 21st century, for godsakes! If they have no interest in making shopping there convenient for their customers then I'll keep trekking to Dean & DeLuca for my family's prepared food.
  • Mr. Dumbo
    Keep those "News Flashes" coming! Thats funny shtuff!

    Can't get enough new food places in Dumbo. Glad Choices arrived. I want morrrrrrrrrre!
  • dumboney72
    yeah, i never go to almondine or bubby's because they don't take debit cards. that would suck if this new place only accepts cash. the only reason for doing so is for tax evasion purposes. i should tell my employer that i only want to be compensated in cash, then.
  • Mr. Dumbo
    Question. Why do people pay by Debit Card anyway? Why not pay by charge card and get points/rewards back?...Just asking.

    Also, you mean to tell me that when you buy a $2.75 Baguet at Almondines, you expect them to swipe a card? Sounds dumb to me. (I agree that "Restaurants" like Bubby's and Grimaldi's have a nerve not to.)
  • dumboney72
    I said debit or credit UNDER $20.!!!! If you're going to criticize, get your facts straight first.

    Whatever, debit or credit - the point is - if I am going prepared food grocery shopping for my family why do I have to carry $200-$400 IN CASH?

    Anyway, if someone wants to use a debit card to swipe a $2.75 baguette, that's their prerogative - maybe its easier to keep track of their expenses?? What's wrong with that? This isn't 1970.
  • kelsi
    my busband is right.
  • dumboney72
    It would be dumb to swipe a CREDIT CARD for a $2.75 baguette.
  • tempaccount
    If you have a credit card that gives you points back per dollar spent I see no reason why not to use your credit card for small purchases. In fact, it would actually be SMART to swipe a credit card for a $2.75 baguette because many credit card companies will round that up to 3 points.
  • dumboney72
    Perhaps, but only if you're paying your account off in full every month, otherwise you are paying interest on your $2.75 baguette, bringing it to a higher price.
  • tempaccount
    Well yes, that was actually my assumption in my previous comment. If someone can't pay their credit cards off at the end of the month, then they probably shouldn't be spending $2.75 on a baguette in the first place.
  • dumboney72
    true, that.
  • ugh!
    PLEASE SHUT UP!!!! ALL OF YOU!!! YOU MAKE MY HEAD HURT!!!
  • 0%
    Just to add to the earlier posts. Nowadays cc's are offering 0% on purchases for up to 6 months. So technically you can buy $2.75 bagels, rack up your points and not pay any interest on balances left over. Provided you pay everything back within 6 months. I'm so smart!
  • dumboney72
    Then why are you reading these posts - and posting on top of it?
  • Nounou
    I love my husband Kiki.

    Nounou.
  • blitzen
    I hope Choice takes credit cards. I hate fumbling for cash and then having to run to the cash machine.
  • wtf
    whew. well, i'm glad y'all found something else to complain about.
  • Boney Bob
    Most places don't take CC for purchases under $10 because of processing fees. I see no problem with this. Most people carry at least a few bucks on them.
  • kguard
    The idle rich do carry money. They use there assistants for that.

    Also what fool thinks that stores that take cash only do it for tax evasion purposes? Oh yesi forgot, it is like that fellow said earlier, the idle rich.

    Those darn poor business owners are such cheats!!!

    Maybe one can give to panhandlers via debit card too?
  • derf
    The Chase bank on Jay has the highest ATM fees outside of a strip club.
  • kguard
    So does their online banking. No need to go outside. Just order the stripper in.
  • I want to drip that bagel cream cheese all over my body and have crackey lick it off.
  • kiki
    i love my husband nounou

    kiki!

    and i also hope choice market will take credit/debit cards. it not only annoying and inconvenient but shady! consumers should have the option atleast to pay via cash/credit/debit even if it's for a $.99 purchase! that simple! isn;t it ultimately all about customer service and satisfaction? if a business has to worry about the nominal surcharge fees then maybe it's not a good time to start a business! you can always just absorb those surcharges into the overall operating budget! mark up some products an additional $.05 to cover that and no one will miss it or even know about it!
  • I love my pimp uonoun
  • Boney Bob
    Naivete...such a beautiful thing.
  • Dumbo Newbie
    I'm moving into the neighborhood and it's very exciting to see the new businesses moving in. I live in the heart of West Chelsea right now and there are no places to pick up food (let alone good food) within a wide radius. It's literally a culinary wasteland with the exception of large restaurants. The closest thing to a small cafe to grab a snack is a gas station convenience store. So, being in Dumbo will be a welcome change. I think people mistakenly assume that it's easier to get things in the city when that's not always the case even on gallery row in Chelsea. I welcome the small neighborhood with a few "choice" quality spots. Reminds me of living in a more intimate city in the Pacific Northwest.

    Btw, props on the Blog and all the people who are so passionate about the neighborhood that participate. It's been a huge help when making a decision about migrating across the river.
  • Welcome to the neighborhood, Dumbo Newbie. Don't mind the crazies on the blog. And I say that with respect. :) Dumbo can still use some good places to eat, so Choice Market will be a welcome addition to Almondine, Front Street Pizza, reBar, Superfine, Rice, and the other food places around the area.
  • DOT
    Speaking of cash only business tax evasion:

    http://www.nypost.com/seven/07242008/news/regio...
  • Mr. Dumbo
    Hmmm...What more is there to say about Credit Cards? LOL...One of my proudest CC accomplishments was switching back and forth between Cards starting with $40K Debt at 0% teaser rates over 5-6yrs. I finally paid it off. A couple of hundred is all it ended up costing. The trick was always pay on time. Anybody else have some good/bad CC stories?
  • Rawr
    Yawnnnnnnnnnnn. Boy that was boring.

    Welcome to Choice! More food options are much needed around h'yeah. I hope they deliver. Woo!
  • keiferdude
    A buddy of mine goes to Pratt and we went to Choice for burgers recently. In my experience, Five Front, Water Street Cafe and Bubby's all have a better, bigger burger. Also, its true they don't take credit/debit cards and that was a bummer. Even crappy bodegas all take debit cards these days. If a retail establishment feels it doesn't like the fees associated with taking debit cards, then they should build it into their prices and/or write off the expense - it is a cost of doing business. I'd rather pay a few cents more than have to go running around looking for an atm - my time is worth more than that. Also, my buddy (same guy) used one of those non-bank, free standing atm machines recently and he was ripped off to the tune of $1,250 (in addition to the really high fee to use the machine). I will definitely think twice before patronizing a business that doesn't promote convenience and/or not buy as much if I did. They can at least take debit/credit for purchases over a certain amount, say $10 or $20 - I think thats a fair compromise.
  • mod squad
    $1250! That was one expensive burger!
  • Old West Chelsea
    Dumbo Newbie,

    How long have you lived in West Chelsea? There is great food there. Try the Half King (you can take out or have it delivered) or any of several places in the Chelsea Market. And Brick Oven 33 has pizza that is much, much better than Front Street PIzza. Check it out before you move.
  • Dumbo Newbie
    OWC:

    Thanks for thee suggestions. I've actually checked out all the places you suggested in my 4 years here and I don't mean to imply that you can't find great food in Chelsea when in fact Chelsea is a foodies dream. I live a few steps away from the Half King and while there are times that I enjoy their food on site, I've never had a good delivery experience with them. I guess what I'm missing is a more intimate spot (vs a restaurant) in the area without having to schlep over a few avenues. When I first moved to this area I used to call the Red Cat my kitchen because I ate their so often.

    I'll miss these spots, but I'm looking forward to exploring Dumbo's smaller, low key, more intimate venues where I can duck in to get quick, tasty provisions.
  • Fort Greener
    Hmmmm...not sure what to make of the Dumbo comments here...perhaps the poor air quality and ConEd wires are zapping a few brain cells!! Anyway, to the defense of Choice Market, debit cards/credit cards or not, the food is of high quality and great taste for extemely good prices. It is worth the few extra steps to an ATM. I seriously don't think one would be still complaining about having to get cash after enjoying the food. And if you're going for a baguette anyway, one could use the little bit of extra exercise to the teller. As for the panhandlers--I know a once very wealthy individual who lost someone dear to them as well as their mental stability and thus their ability to maintain their extremely lavish lifestyle--my point being, never judge another unless you've been exactly where they are, and while I hope you do appreciate your lot in life, do remember...shit happens!!! :)

    Best of luck, Choice!!! xooxoxo
  • Gregg
    Regarding above post from Fort Greener, who said:

    "I seriously don’t think one would be still complaining about having to get cash after enjoying the food."

    Fort Greener is clearly confused here - the problem is we don't get the food before we get the cash - GET IT?! - we get the food AFTER the cash - THEREFORE, we won't ever be trying the food!
  • wtf
    gregg - shut the f up. we'll all be happy you won't be clogging the line at choice. GET IT?!
  • Gregg
    wtf - that was very kind of you - people like you and your hatred ruin an otherwise informative blog and great neighborhood - why do you think your opinion is the only one thats valid? i suppose if i, too, wasn't able to get a credit card, i'd be angry too.
  • This thread has gotten to be very embarrassing.
  • floodthezone
    What's the deal with this place? Credit crisis put the kibosh on the opening?
  • Jstein
    they're not moving in now. period. same thing with that supposed daycare place on adams street. with so many storefront still open (like the front street ones over from front st pizza, i doubt jacob's ever going to find a shmuck to take that jay st corner for 10k a month!
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