Hi DumboNYC readers. BlankSlate, based in Dumbo Brooklyn, manages advertising for DumboNYC. They’re an important part of why I am able to keep DumboNYC up and running. They’re fast growing network of premium sites focusing on urban audiences (including Brownstoner, Brokelyn, The L Magazine, Brooklyn Magazine and many more. BlankSlate is excellent at connecting local merchants and businesses to DumboNYC and we hope the ads have been useful for you. The revenue from the ads are recycled back into the community to support non-profit organizations. We hope it’s a win-win-win for the readers, small businesses, and organizations.

BlankSlate is growing and is looking for a Digital Sales Assistant. The Digital Sales Assistant will work closely with BlankSlate’s ad sales team on all aspects of the sales cycle, from lead generation to media proposals, to social media, as well as campaign management and ad trafficking. You’ll gain knowledge of all aspects of digital media advertising as well as the ability to create your own path with a unique and growing media company.

For details, go to Blankslate.com. Be part of the Dumbo community and contact them or forward to someone you know who would be interested.

(Side note: Contact brad [at] blankslate.com for advertising options. For advertisers, not only will you be sending your message to a targeted crowd in Dumbo, ad revenue is donated to support the Dumbo community. If anyone would like to be a one time or regular contributor, guest writer, or photographer, please contact me.)

Dumbo has a community of furniture craftmakers and studios such as Olga Guanabara (which moved to 215 Plymouth Street in August 2012), Journey Home, Shibui, and Baxter & Liebchen, among others.

While several have moved (see below), a new furniture maker has set up a studio on Plymouth Street, Mark Jupiter. We caught up with Mark in Dumbo:

Q: How did you get started in the furniture making business?

A: I have been making furniture my entire life. It started in my father’s woodshop as a child and evolved into making custom pieces for the Homes I build as a founding partner of the award winning prefabrication green housing company New World Home.

Q: How long have you been in business?

A: This will be our first year in business with our official launch happening now. We will be a first time exhibitor for BKLYN Designs in Dumbo this year (May 10-12, 2013).

Q: Why Dumbo?

A: To begin with my family and I live in Dumbo and have for going on 6 years now. So that was the easy part. However, we could not have picked a better neighborhood to start the company. DUMBO is going through a wonderful expansion period so we hope to serve all the new residents that are in need of something different when it comes to decorating their apartments. There is also a lot of buzz about the neighborhood in general so it makes it a fun place for the industry in general to come and visit.

Q: Where do you find your inspiration?

A: Great question – and a tough one. My immediate answer would be nature, but I also think i get a lot of inspiration from the great furniture designers around the world. The trick for me is to combine that inspiration with something the public can relate to and most importantly….afford.

Q: What do your clients like about your pieces?

A: They like that nobody else has them. That they are unique and specific to them. However, beyond this, they really appreciate the great stories behind the reclaimed materials and the care in which they are combined and constructed.

Congrats to Mark on the launch of his business! (Images courtesy of Mark Jupiter)

There have been several furniture makers in Dumbo who have moved either due to space constraints, high rents, or expansion – Counter Evolution (Moved from 10 Jay St to Navy Yards in 2012), City Joinery (left in June 2011 after rent hike and moved to MA), Prague Kolektiv (closed in February 2009), Bruce Marsh Designs (moved in 2009), ABC Carpet (closed the Dumbo location in 2006), WONK (moved out of 68 Jay St in October 2009), Aswoon/Susan Woods (closed the Dumbo location in 2008 and moved to Navy Yards), Jay East (67 Jay Street, closed retail location in 2011), From the Source (65 Jay Street, relocated to Greenpoint).

Mark Jupiter (markjupiter.com)
191 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
email: info@markjupiter.com
phone: 718-401-6600

Showroom hours:
weekdays 9:30 am – 5 pm, weekends 12 – 5 pm or call for an appointment

The following six condos are new to the Dumbo Brooklyn market for the week of February 17-26, 2013. Four of them are 102 Gold Street condos:

• 02/23/2013: [In contract] 102 Gold St, #6F (Corcoran), $589,000 ($861/sf), $348/mo cc, $14/mo tax (15-year 421A tax abatement), 684sf, 1 bed, 1 bath
• 02/21/2013: 42 Main Street #4C (Halstead), $925,000 ($880/sf), $850/mo cc, $37/mo tax, 1050sf, 1 bed, 2 bath
• 02/20/2013: 70 Washington Street, #11V (Halstead), $1,425,000 ($974/sf), $528/mo cc, $80/mo tax (15-year 421A tax abatement), 1,463sf, 2 bed, 2 bath
• 02/19/2013: 102 Gold St, #4F (Corcoran), $485,000 ($741/sf), $333/mo cc, $13/mo tax (15-year 421A tax abatement), 654sf, 1 bed, 1 bath
• 02/19/2013: 102 Gold St, #1R (Corcoran), $895,000 ($706/sf), $645/mo cc, $26/mo tax (15-year 421A tax abatement), 1,267sf, 1 bed, 1.5 bath
• 02/23/2013: 102 Gold St, #5F (Corcoran), $495,000 ($756/sf), $334/mo cc, $13/mo tax (15-year 421A tax abatement), 654sf, 1 bed, 1 bath

102 Gold Street:

70 Washington Street, #11V:

42 Main Street, #4C:

See all ‘new to market’ posts

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• Brooklyn Bridge Park Brings In Fornino, Luke’s Lobster, 20Feb2013, Gothamist
• 10 Under the Radar Spots in Dumbo, 19Feb2013, Brooklyn Exposed
• A New Design for BBP Build to Prevent Flooding, 22Feb2013, Brownstoner
• Court Halts Cobble Hill Hospital Closure, 22Feb2013, Brownstoner
• New Concessions Lined up for Brooklyn Bridge Park, 21Feb2013, Brownstoner
• Creatives Boosting Rents Here at Manhattan’s Expense, 21Feb2013, Brownstoner
• Miss America & Markowitz To Celebrate Fairway’s Reopening On 3/1, 21Feb2013, BHB
• BBP Launches Volunteer Docent Program To Lead Public Tours, 20Feb2013, BHB

(Photo by ceonyc on Instagram)

Olympia Wine Bar’s official opening is on Tuesday, February 26, 2013. Karen Johnson, who co-owns 68 Jay Street Bar is also opening Olympia Wine Bar less than half a block apart. We caught up with Karen at 68 Jay Street Bar who told us, “The neighborhood needs more places where people can gather and enjoy a drink. I know people are hoping for more food options, and I would love to provide that. But Olympia’s small kitchen will be turning out small plates with room for growth. We’ll be serving appetizers such as cheeses and crostinis to start.”

We mentioned in a previous post that Olympia, in a nod to Dumbo’s history, was the name given to the waterfront community in the late 1700s. And speaking of community, Karen has been deeply involved in the neighborhood for a long time as a resident, local business owner, holds board positions with the Dumbo Improvement District, and represents Community Board 2. 68 Jay Street Bar has been open for 9 years, bringing live music, cocktails, and community together. Olympia Wine Bar is a new chapter for Dumbo with what will be its own distinct vibe. Come check it out and welcome Olympia Wine Bar!

Olympia Wine Bar
54 Jay Street, Brooklyn NY 11201 (at Water Street in Dumbo)
Daily hours: 4pm-midnight

Previously:
{Olympia Wine Bar at 54 Jay Street, 11feb2013}
{Owner of 54 Jay Street Looking to Open Wine Bar, 04Jun2012}
{Ajimas Grocery on Jay Street Closed, 14Apr2011}

Last October, Brooklyn Bridge Park requested proposals for the creation and operation of Park concessions. Yesterday, Brooklyn Bridge Park announced the new park consessinaires for the smokestack building (pictured above), Pier 5, and Pier 6. The new concessionaires, Luke’s Lobster, No. 7 Sub, Ample Hills Creamery and Fornino Pizza, will begin operating this summer.

The Smokestack Building, under the Brooklyn Bridge, will feature a joint operation by Luke’s Lobster and No. 7 Sub. Operating the Pier 6 restaurant space will be Fornino-The Art & Science of Pizza, while Ample Hills Creamery will operate the new concession stand located at Pier 5 for the 2013 spring/summer season. Per BBP:

“In addition to their award-winning lobster rolls, Luke’s Lobster will sell a variety of food options including grilled cheese sandwiches and gluten-free soups. Working alongside Luke’s Lobster in the Smokestack Building will be No. 7 Sub, an offshoot of No. 7 restaurant in Fort Greene. The sandwich shop will offer unique options such as Turkey Meatloaf, Zucchini Parm, and Roasted Delicata Squash. No. 7 Sub will also offer cold-pressed juices and breakfast sandwiches to serve our early morning park visitors. Both concessionaires will operate seven days a week.”

Also returning to the park will be Calexico Carne Asada, Blue Marble Ice Cream, and Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar. Smorgasburg will also be returning to the park on April 7, 2013 with their weekly food market at the Tobacco Warehouse. There’s an open call for Smorgasburg food vendors for the 2013 season.

The Smokestack Building in Brooklyn Bridge Park is in Fulton Ferry Landing across from Ignazios Pizza (4 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 — Google Maps.)

Last week, DNAinfo published an article about the improvements in the local schools, PS8 and PS307. Per the article, PS307 has seen one of the biggest improvements in reading and math scores in Brooklyn last year:

At P.S. 307, Principal Roberta Davenport has transformed her school over the past eight years. According to Insideschools, since Davenport took over the school in 2004, P.S. 307 has increasingly become a place that makes students and teachers proud.

Davenport upgraded the art room, reached out to the DUMBO arts community to create opportunities for her students and decorated formerly dim school hallways with students’ work. She also cracked down on bad behavior with more suspensions.

“She changed the tone of the school,” Assistant Principal Bill Diederich told Insideschools.

More notably, Davenport improved her students’ math and reading scores. According to the Daily News, P.S. 307 saw one of the biggest improvements in reading and math scores in Brooklyn last year.

The school has come a long way, but the principal knows that their work is far from done. They have sent the below open house and forum schedule to provide the community with updates to their school program:

Daniel Hale Williams School (PS 307) is a community school committed to academic & personal excellence for ALL Students is holding open house sessions on the following dates.

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

• Thursday, Feb. 21, 8:30-10:00am
• Tuesday, Mar. 5, 8:30-10:00am
• Thursday, Mar. 14, 8:30-10:00am

INFORMATIONAL FORUMS

• Tuesday, Feb. 26, 6:00-7:00pm
• Tuesday, Mar. 5, 6:00-7:00pm

Common Core Aligned Academic Curriculum

• Pre K – 5th grade
• Classic Children’s Literature
• Technology Based Instruction
• Mandarin –Speaking, Reading, Writing
• Social Emotional Learning
• Violin & Keyboarding Program
• Visual Arts
• BRAND NEW Computer Lab
• School Based Health Center
• Dental Clinic
• ASD Horizon-Autism Spectrum Disorder Program
• Brooklyn Ballet
• Award Winning Cheerleaders
• Basketball & Track
• Cookshop
• Parent Workshops

Afterschool Programs

• Horizons at Brooklyn Friends School
• YMCA
• Kids Orbit

PS 307 (ps307.com and schools.nyc.gov)
209 York Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (at Hudson Avenue in Vinegar Hill)
For more information, call 718-834-4748

Previously:
{PS 307 Open House in Vinegar Hill (May 3, 2012)}
{Jam On DUMBO Bringing Musicians to P.S. 307, 24may2012}
{PS 307 Open House 2010}
{Youth-run Farm Stand at Farragut, 16oct2009}
{Dumbo Mural by Tattfoo and PS307 Children on Front Street, 29feb2008}
{PS 307 Spring Arts Festival, Sat, 5/19/2007}

Since Abhaya Yoga studio opened in Dumbo in April 2010, they have had a big following from Dumbo residents and people who work in and around Dumbo. Abhaya is also an educational center where yoga teachers in training come to study from all over the country. The only dedicated yoga studio in Dumbo offers 34 classes of various levels throughout the week but also has a yoga practice combined with live music (the only one of its kind that we know of).

Every Friday evening from 6:30 – 8pm, Abhaya Yoga offers a full flowing practice with live music to kick off your weekend mood with DJ’s, drummers, Kirtan singers, and more. Every Sunday morning from 8 – 9:30am, students can experience the bright early sunshine combined with the sweet sounds of live music.

About the founder Tara Glazier (from abhayayoga.com):

Tara Glazier, a long-time professional classical ballet dancer, pursued a modern dance carrier in New York City after receiving her BFA in Dance Pedagogy at the University of Hartford/ Hartt School. During her time in NYC, she fell in love with yoga, studied to become a certified Anusara as well as Vinyasa teacher and made it her life’s passion. It has been a great gift for Tara to create a community at Abhaya Yoga where friends can come together to share the conversation of yoga in a beautiful, supportive environment.

About Abhaya Yoga Studio:

Abhaya yoga specializes in a dynamic style of Hatha yoga which draws influence from Anusara and Vinyasa yoga. All classes are taught by highly skilled teachers who seek to integrate heart, mind and body. The studio is open seven days a week with regular daily classes as well as special events and workshops. New students get one week of unlimited yoga for $25.

Abhaya Yoga (www.abhayayoga.com)
10 Jay Street, Suite 600, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Brooklyn Cupcake has a new retail storefront at 61 Pearl Street in Dumbo. This is their third location (along with their Williamsburg and Long Island City ones). Among the 18 flavors include tres leche, french toast, tiramisu, and red velvet. Welcome to Dumbo!

(Photos courtesy of Dumbo Parents on facebook)

Brooklyn Cupcake
(facebook.com/brooklyncupcake)
61 Pearl Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
tel: 718.576.3600

Hours: 12noon-7pm

(CAM interview video by bigcitypix)

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• Large Vinegar Hill development site sells for $25M, 14Feb2013, TRD
• 39-53 Jay Street To Attract Huge Retail, 14Feb2013, Commercial Observer
• PS307 and PS8 Make Improvements, 11Feb2013, DNAinfo
• Spotlight of Chocolatier Jacques Torres, 10Feb2013, NYT
• Windows Papered Up at the Fulton Street Five Guys, 14Feb2013, Brownstoner
• 133 Water Street, #4B, $899k, 2bed, 1049sf, 12Feb2013, Brownstoner
• 110 Livingston Street, #16K, $1.1M, 1177sf, 14Feb2013, Brownstoner
• Condo Listings Arrive for 102 Gold Street, 12Feb2013, Brownstoner