BK Southie » Sovereign Bank

Hi! I’m back from vacation!

The Bay Ridge Avenue Key Food is open! Woo hoo! With freakin’ valet parking! (And apparently a bag check.) (Bay Ridge Journal, Bay Ridge Talk)
From the “If You Don’t Have Renter’s Insurance, Buy Some Now” file: A stalled construction site in Sheepshead Bay was knocked down by last weekend’s storm and fell into a neighboring house – which will now have to be demolished. By the way, what exactly will it take for the Bloomberg Administration to own up to oversight of the DOB? I would have thought that people getting killed and buildings getting demolished by collapsing cranes would have done the trick… doesn’t seem to have even been a blip on Mayor Oligarch’s radar. (Sheepshead Bites)
The Apple Dumpling Gang strikes again, this time at a Sovereign Bank in Gravesend. (NY Daily News)
Not only will John Strong’s version of the freak show be coming back to Coney Island – it will be coming back with a three-year lease. (Amusing The Zillion)
I never went to the Chip Shop in Bay Ridge while it was open. Does that make me a bad person? I was told over the weekend that their food was overrated anyway. Well, whatevs! Apparently the new-ish Welsh pub Long Bow is supposed to be all that and much more. (Brooklyn Paper, via Left In Bay Ridge)
In a multi-year lease of another kind, the Brighton Beach Post Office will be staying open for at least five more years. (Sheepshead Bites)
Around 40 rides at Coney Island are awakening from their slumber this coming weekend for Palm Sunday. Last night from the Q-train, I could see one of the kiddie rides in the Wonder Wheel park being tested out. And the boardwalk food stand Paul’s Daughter was seen earlier getting their cash registers ready. (Amusing The Zillion)

(Photo credit: Brian Hedden)

Street

(All photos: Brian Hedden)

Thanks to shorter days and the time change, I don’t get to see my neighborhood in the daylight much anymore. The main commercial strip does have a cool look to it, though, in the early evening.

Silver Rod

Silver Rod is a mere independent pharmacy on a street lined with CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreen’s. But they’re pretty much guaranteed to have EVERY item on your child’s back-to-school classroom supplies shopping list, so suck it, CVS. The pharmacy storefront used to be bigger, but a couple of years ago, they “gave up” the corner to make way for a 24-hour deli. Yes! In times of need I have walked out here from my apartment at 3am. Though the more likely scenario has me making a 3am drunken pit-stop on my way from a Manhattan rock club.

Bank Lamps 1

Bank Lamps 2

This Sovereign Bank started out in life as a South Brooklyn Savings Bank. Even at night, you can tell they need to get the front exterior a good washdown. But forget that for a moment – check out those lamps. Says Forgotten NY:

Like many metropolitan-area banks, the SBSB had the peculiar tradition of erecting its own light posts in front (especially if the bank was on a corner). Many of the posts still remain, like these, and some still illuminate.

And these illuminate as well. Sweet.

Around South Blogistan – Mar. 22, 2010

Early Evening On 18th Avenue

Redistricting: “A baby alien popping out of a stomach,” and other mild reactions

On Redistricting: Time To Downsize The Capitol

Mashup: Our love of Bay Ridge, Downton Abbey, and nine-figure lottery payouts

BK Southie Eats: Nablus Sweets

Tomorrow: “Bay Ridge, Etc” Book Launch

BK Southie Eats: Return To Europa