Masa Empanadas opens at 804 Grand Street

Savory + sweet empanadas with a special deal attached

Interior look at the new establishment

Masa Empanadas is open for business. From the same owners of Piccoli To Go, 804 Grand Street now has a new look, menu, and name. From savory flavors like ham + cheese, creamy corn, and Argentinian beef to dessert flavors including apple cinnamon or Nutella banana, Masa serves a bit of everything all in the form of an empanada.

Prices are low ranging from $2.50 to $4 for each delicious empanada, and not to mention Masa offers discounted combos with salads as well. And if you’re worried about missing Piccoli, Masa also serves three varieties of pizzas for any sudden Italian food cravings.

If you stop by tonight + follow @masaempanadas on Instagram then you can try your first empanada for free. Look out for wine and beer to be served in the near future as well. With indoor seating and warm (+ free!) empanadas, Masa is an all around lunch, dinner, or snack option that will have something for everyone.

Nutella + banana empanadas

What's going up on Grand Street?

Detailing the new buildings and developments shaping our neighborhood’s streetscape

Construction at 505 Grand Street

Grand Street is dynamic in shape, with developments usually underway, and always with at least a handful of buildings at some stage of being a work in progress. Here’s information on what’s going up and what you can expect for the ongoing developments on Grand Street.

505 Grand Street
(Union & Grand)

Construction is well underway on this site in progress to a six-story, 14-unit mixed commercial-residential use building. In what will eventually measure a total of 11,720 square feet, the ground floor commercial space will take up 2,630 square feet. BMG Design Build is designing the building.

522 Grand Street
(btw Union & Lorimer)

Structural work is nearly complete for this 6 story mixed commercial-residential development. Standing at 77 feet in height, the structure will provide 10,650 square feet of space, with 1,450 square feet dedicated to commercial-retail use on the ground floor. There will be room for 10 apartments, averaging 920 square feet. There will be some room for bicycle storage in the basement.

L & C associates is managing the design. Completion is likely in 2020 or 2021.

537 Grand Street
(btw Union & Lorimer)

Developers filed plans in October of 2016 to build a 7,579-square-foot building. The plans call for 5 total units and an occupancy classification of strictly residential. The building will be 4 floors.

738 Grand St between Chase Bank and Absolute Power Fitness

738 Grand Street
(btw Graham & Humboldt)

738 Grand Street is a new condo development currently under construction at 738 Grand Street, Brooklyn. 738 Grand Street has a total of 10 units.

For information on current retail availability, check out our business opportunities page which lists Grand Street retail spaces on the market for leasing.

Ammazzacaffè awarded "Bib Gourmand" in Michelin Guide

The award recognizes culinary excellence in “good value” restaurants

The open air backyard garden is mentioned as a highlight for the Italian trattoria.

Ammazzacaffè has just been recognized by Michelin as part of their 2020 guide’s Bib Gourmand selection. The award was created in 1997 to highlight restaurants that achieve Michelin guide quality at more affordable prices.

Michelin states that Ammazza is “bound to surprise you from the moment you enter.” It goes on:

“The large and welcoming space draws you in thanks to an impressive wood bar, sleek dining tables and a handsome penny-tiled floor. Both the tables and light olive-tinged walls are dressed minimally—the former with wild flowers and the latter with beautifully framed photos. The garden outside will transport you to a trattoria in Umbria—on a dime. The well-edited menu spins to the season, but get nibbling on grilled pancetta spiedini, topped with a spicy aïoli and agro dolce. Follow this up with such light and simple pastas as garganelli tossed with a cream-kissed ragù Bolognese and Parmigiano—this is Italian cuisine in all its glory.”

— Michelin Guide

This is the first year that Ammazzacaffè has been selected for the Michelin Guide, joining the ranks of just 7 total Brooklyn restaurants named for the award. Opening at 702 Grand Street in 2016, the restaurant’s name directly translating to “coffee killer” and alludes to a traditional Italian liqueur consumed with an after dinner espresso. The restaurant also happens to be at the location of author Betty Smith’s childhood upbringing, that inspired her novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Ammazza is a regular participant in both our summer and winter Grand Street restaurant weeks, where you can enjoy their Michelin quality cuisine for prix fixe prices up to $35. See more information on our last restaurant week here.

Find Ammazzacaffè’s full menu here, make a reservation, and follow @ammazzacaffe.nyc for updates on their events, such as weekly jazz performances on Sunday from 7pm to 9pm.

Grab a drink with a "Pour Writer" at Thompson Brooke

Literature + cocktails: Writers take over the bar at Thompson Brooke for “Pour Writer” events

Menu from a previous “Pour Writers” event with Ann Brashares

Banter with your bartender may never be more interesting. In an ongoing series, Thompson Brooke invites prominent authors to take over bartending responsibility for the night. Most recently, Michelle Ruiz Keil took the helm, who’s debut YA novel in May All of us with Wings won her critical praise.

Next up is A Series of Unfortunate Events author Daniel Handler, who writes often under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket. Other notable authors such as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants author Ann Brashares and author Andrew Ridker of New York Times editor’s choice The Altruist. Each Pour Writer has their own specialty cocktail for the night, Ridker’s was Gin & Generosity and Brashares dished out Manhattans.

Thompson Brooke is a New England style tavern famous for their oysters located at 631 Grand Street. Brooke Costello, who also founded Brooklyn catering company Red Table owns the restaurant and hosts the “Pour Writers” series.

Follow @thompsonbrookerestaurant for updates on the series, and catch Handler behind the bar with delmonico cocktails on Wednesday, October 23rd from 8-10pm.

We've launched our new website!

Explore our public art collection, find savings card deals on our live map, + read through our latest news blog.

photo credit: Owley

Can you tell that we look a little different? This Saturday we unveiled our completely revamped website, replacing the previous look which had been in place since 2012.

The changes aren’t all just aesthetic either. Our website has a brand new public art gallery, new blog format, interactive district maps from live xyz, and a video catalog with documentaries presented by the BID.

We also are now more accessible figuratively and literally. Our support us page allows you to directly reach out to us for volunteering and sponsorship, and our userway accessibility options on the bottom right of your screen allow for our website to be read or listened to by anyone, not just the abled.

Lastly we’ve broken down our work and what we do in each of our 5 neighborhood initiatives: cleaning, greening, events, arts, and stories; so we can connect more clearly with our residents on the work we do to take care of Grand Street.

Take a tour through our website and explore our new features. You may learn a little bit more about us and learn more about what’s going on in the neighborhood.

News banners to line Grand Street--Sponsorship available

The BID is now seeking sponsorship for new streetlight banners

Logos will be placed at the three dots.

Our street lights are receiving a makeover. After 2 years of our previous blue-green street banners, we’ve worked with Brooklyn artist Morgan Winter to shake things up.

Drawing inspiration from the Brooklyn-native perennials the BID planted through the Hort this past spring, Morgan applied her vibrant technique of stencil drawing over water color to bring life to our banners.

While we cannot wait to install our newest art piece following a busy summer of 10 new murals, we first need sponsorship from local businesses that make our work possible. Whether your business is ground floor retail or out of your apartment, displaying your logo on these eye catching canvasses shows everyone your contribution to the community and bring more attention to your brand.

As a 501(c)(3) non profit, the majority of your contribution will be tax deductible and your sponsorship will go directly towards improving our shopping corridor with our 2,800 hours of cleaning in fiscal year 19.

The implementation of new colorful street banners is central to our Grand Street Arts Initiative to invest in Brooklyn artists and to cultivate an art collection that better represents the community of creatives that make Williamsburg unique.

If interested in sponsoring, please reach out to john@grandstreetbk.org. Look out for the streetscape changes in the coming months.

Cleaning up Grand Street--By the numbers

Our 7 day a week clean team collects 5,700+ buckets of trash in a year

One of the Grand Street BID’s most vital functions in keeping the neighborhood thriving for shoppers and businesses is our robust cleaning + sanitation program. You may recognize our star sweeper Mamat in the picture above, and while he stopped to pose for this picture, Mamat is busy each day collecting an average of nearly 16 buckets of trash on Grand Street.

Those daily totals add up to an average of 5,700+ buckets of trash over the course of a year. That is in addition to the BID’s efforts removing stickers + stains and making 50+ quality of life calls to 311 + DSNY that total to 2,800+ hours spent cleaning up Grand Street. With help from Ridgewood Restoration Corp, the BID removed 159 incidents of graffiti on Grand Street in fiscal year 2019. That’s our version of talking trash.

But, the BID also performs a variety of other neighborhood essentials such as our greening efforts which maintained 33 tree beds and installing 22 new tree guards in FY19. With the Hort, the BID also plants + maintains native Brooklyn perennials in our tree beds throughout the district.

Next time you see Mamat on the street, give him a ‘thank you’ for working hard every day to keep Grand Street gorgeous.

Landline opens with games, trivia + happy hours

The bar at 790 Grand Street is your newest spot to hang out or compete with your friends

The eastern end of Grand Street near Bushwick Avenue has a new bar joining the neighborhood. Landline opened last week looking to fill in a gap as a place to relax and hang out in a part of the district where only a handful of bars currently live.

The 4th iteration of a popular Brooklyn bar family, Landline comes from the founders of Uncle Barry’s in Park Slope, Watershed in Carroll Gardens, and Moot Bar in Clinton Hill. Landline thus serves as the natural extension of the business into the growing East Williamsburg community.

Their drink menu aims to satisfy all patrons with equal parts beer, wine, and cocktails, and the happy hour until 7pm takes $2 off most choices. The beer list is refined and has critic favorite craft brands like Maine Beer co and Cigar City, and a rotating line of local Interboro brews to come.

If you’re the competitive type, Landline is also the spot for you. A shuffleboard table greets you when you walk in, a dart board claims a place in the back, and the bar hosts original trivia every Wednesday at 9pm. The prize for winning is a hefty $50 off your tab.

Stop by Landline at 790 Grand Street and follow them @landlinebrooklyn. After that, look out for Landline to participate in future Grand Street savings programs + events.

Retro themes line the bar like rotary telephone wallpaper

Chongkho opens with Thai fusion + public art

Chongkho opened its doors last week bringing classic Thai cuisine with fusion options along with new public art to the neighborhood.

Chive dumplings served with a sweet soy sauce

The latest restaurant opening on Grand Street, Chongkho at 562, comes with a diverse Thai fusion menu and has already made its mark on the neighborhood. Before its opening, signs of life appeared at the former home of Desy’s Clam Bar when a new mural by JPO popped up on its gate. Chongkho and JPO connected through a family friendship, and he agreed to paint the gates to liven the new site while also contributing the 11th new mural on Grand Street in 2019.

Before that however, Chongkho got its start when Apichada, the chef + owner, was working in the hotel industry in Manhattan when she realized she wanted to open a restaurant. She took the L train into Brooklyn and decided to skip Bedford and get off at the Grand Street station looking for an open place. She landed at 562 and got to work opening the location with her daughter Orawan.

The result is a menu that consists of a mix of Thai, American + international cuisine. You can order every Thai classic from curry to pad thai, and everything from mussels to pasta to burgers as well. The eatery also has a unique selection of summery beverages like Thai iced tea and butterfly pea lemonade. Chongkho has the makings of the perfect destination when you’re seeking comfort food of any origin, and the perfect compromise when you and your SO or friend can’t agree on where to go. Either way, be sure to stop by and try a bit of everything. You can see the full menu here and you can follow them at @chongkho_bk.

The gate of Chongkho painted by JPO
Photo credit @walkinggirlnyc

Carneval opens at 507 Grand Street

The “carnival” themed bar + grill brings bright costumes and Latin food to the neighborhood

The Latin fusion restaurant opened this August

A new colorful and fun bar + grill, Carneval, opened its doors on Grand Street this month and is already shaping to be a neighborhood mainstay. Serving as both an ode to the Latin culture of carnivals and the Latin heritage of the Williamsburg neighborhood, Carnival was opened by Mike Cruz, who grew up in Williamsburg, for the local community on Grand Street.

Carneval states that their goal is to “bring great food, creative drinks, culture, and fun to the vibrant Williamsburg Brooklyn neighborhood” as a way of “showing love, pride and loyalty for the neighborhood that raised us.”

The restaurant combines its themes of Latin carnival culture and its Williamsburg roots seamlessly. It’s decorated thoroughly with masks + costumes hanging on the wall and a mural of a “carnival” taking place on the J train emerging from the Williamsburg bridge that acts as the eatery’s centerpiece.

The food menu shares flavors from various cultures, as it was inspired by Cruz’s own global travels, ranging from tacos to yuca to penne a la vodka. The cocktail menu offers the same variety and color at an affordable price of $10 and a daily drink special. Brunch is also available for a prix fixe cost of $40 with complimentary mimosas and sangria for 90 minutes.

Carneval requires no dress code, but it certainly offers every other theme to either make you nostalgic of Latin carnivals or eager to see one yourself. It’s ode to the Williamsburg community that it calls home is genuine to Cruz’s own local upbringing. Experience what the Infatuation calls a “perfect for a party that ends with you swinging by the next day to pick up your credit card,” or go any time for the great food and atmosphere.

Mural on the back wall connecting the bar + grill with Williamsburg’s Latin heritage

Introducing the Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative

A new campaign to bring our work closer to the community

A new logo + materials to help identify our work to the community

The Grand Street Business Improvement District (BID) is proud of our work keeping the East Williamsburg neighborhood clean and vibrant since 1985, but we still have a lot of work left in connecting to the residents whose everyday lives are affected by our numerous programs and services. We recognize that we’re in a changing neighborhood, and we want the BID to play a visible role in connecting all our local communities.

Our neighborhood is experiencing a dilemma common to many NYC communities. How do we create a commercial corridor that serves all residents, new and old? As a community-based organization, we also have the additional factor of determining how the BID fits into this question as a long-serving institution in the community.

We were awarded a grant from the NYC Department of Small Business Services to participate in the “Neighborhood Design Lab” program to reconcile this challenge and met with some stakeholders in the community to listen to feedback. The results of these meetings led us to determine that we needed to be more clear in our messaging, and do more to create the Grand Street BID as a space where all shoppers are welcome and invited to all businesses.

This leads to our new campaign, the Grand Street Neighborhood Initiative, our effort to better demonstrate and articulate the BID’s role as a positive force in the neighborhood and to show how the BID creates a vibrant place for everyone to live, work, and play. We’ve updated our visual identity and messaging to be more clear about our role as an organization working to care for the Grand Street community, and developed postcards + other materials designed to clearly identify what we do.

The goal of this initiative is to create a more defined neighborhood where residents and stakeholders all belong to one larger community, and we are excited to do this work. Let us know who you are and what you think about us and our neighborhood, we have unique surveys open for residents, businesses, and property owners. You are an important part of this process, and we want to hear from you.

Unique postcards available for residents, businesses, and property owners.

It was a Grand summer in Williamsburg--Let's recap what happened

Grand Street has changed a lot since May, here’s what you may have missed.

Artist Don Rimx with neighborhood students

7 new murals celebrating our community

The summer kicked off with the painting of Olor a Azucenas, el perfume del barrio at 609 Grand Street by Don Rimx. Simultaniously, Chris Jehly painted Internal View on the gates at 98 Bushwick Ave. Rimx drew influence from the small business community on Grand Street and the Puerto Rican heritage of the neighborhood to produce his work as an ode to the community. Jehly used his style of “in the moment” creativity to create surrealist works reflective of the vibrant and colorful commercial corridor. This project was funded by Council Member Stephen Levin and managed by the Grand Street BID. The BID hired a local curation business Owley to record and produce videos to document the process, which you can see here.

Artist Chris Jehly painting the gates at Grand Seafood

These murals were followed up quickly by the BID partnering with the Lisa Project and Pride NYC to paint 4 Pride inspired murals at 723 Grand Street. Artists Damon Johnson, Paid MSD, Paul Richard, SINNED + Ria Burns-Wilder visited the neighborhood in June to bring each of their unique styles to create an original work to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. You can see their work below. Read our full article here.

Left to right: Paid MSD + SINNED

Damon Johnson returned to the district again in July to complement the BiscoSmith work “SET THE PACE” by painting hummingbirds and flowers on the Western facing wall of Key Food with his style of bright colors contrasting the stark work to its left. Read the story here.

Original work by Damon Johnson

Summer Restaurant Week Triumphs

14 restaurants on Grand Street took part in this year’s iteration of the annual summer foodie event. With prices from $12 to $35, the event offered an alternative to diners in BK who didn’t want to have to travel to Manhattan to enjoy a Restaurant Week. The event drew attention everywhere from national press like the Wall Street Journal to local blogs like Bushwick Daily. With a complete guide to every participating restaurants’ specials, locals were able to find deals at their favorite spots and try something new at a discount. See the guide and full list of menus here.

DOT parking regulations change the roadway

Shot of the new south side bike lane on Grand Street

To accompany the two new protected bike lanes on Grand Street, the DOT has placed new parking regulations designed to finalize the comprehensive plan for the roadway. Here’s what has changed:

Commercial Only Loading Zones have been added mid-block on the North side of Grand Street and at some side street intersections, enforced from 7am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. The loading zones convert to regular 1 hour metered parking from 4pm to 10pm.

Metered parking has changed on Grand Street from 2 hour to 1 hour and is enforced from 8:30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday.

Meters have been added to the cross streets of Grand at Union, Lorimer, Manhattan, Humboldt, and Bushwick avenues. Side street meters will be 2 hours and enforced from 8 or 8:30am (depending on the block) to 7pm Monday to Saturday.

We’ve also seen increased enforcement on parking in commercial loading zones and bike lanes. To see the fees associated with each violation, click here.

New plantings + tree guards decorate the streetscape

The Hort planting perennials on Grand Street

With funding support from Council Member Reynoso, the BID oversaw the installation of 22 additional tree guards in the district from Bushwick to Leonard along Grand Street. Additionally, the Hort, with funding from the Council Member, planted additional Brooklyn native plants in tree pits throughout the district.

While the summer may be wrapping up, you can still look forward to more neighborhood improvements from the BID. With fall and winter months ahead, you can look forward to expansion of our savings/ discount programming as well as holiday decorations + events in the neighborhood.

Celebrate National Night Out with the 90th precinct

The community event combines food, activites, and safety information.

Mark your calendar for August 6th to join your local precinct’s block party. The 90th precinct is hosting their own National Night Out event at two locations: Brooklyn Arbor School Yard, 325 South 3rd Street and Bushwick Houses, 24 Humboldt Street, Humboldt Street & Flushing Avenue (PSA 3).

You can look forward to a family friendly event with BBQ, face painting, bouncy castles, and performances from Nieves Latin Dance Studio, a karate school, and a DJ.

If you don’t have a ride, the precinct is also offering rides for individuals who come to the precinct office (211 Union Ave), and large groups who can request to be picked up at 718-963-5309 with prior notification.

While you enjoy the event, thank your local officers, and look out for your NCOs (Neighborhood Coordination Officers) Officer Tizzio and Officer Melendez to say hello. Post your pictures, tag @grandstreetbid, and #NationalNightOut.

JPO paints gate at 562 Grand Street

The piece was commissioned by the incoming Thai restaurant Chongkho

The work contains elements signature to JPO pieces

Grand Street received yet another original work from a well-respected street artist last week when artist JPO (John Paul O’Grodnick) painted the gate of the former site of Desy’s Clam Bar.

JPO is a NYC based artist whose art appears across the city, in galleries, and even in clothing lines. His paintings can be easily recognized by the abstract puzzle-like shapes of people depicted in vibrant color. His art has been used by the Governor’s Ball music festival and GAP, and his work can be found in DUMBO, Little Italy, and various NYC locations.

The incoming Thai restaurant Chongkho commissioned the work, bringing the district its 11th new mural this year. See other notable works by JPO here and follow him @JPOart. Follow us @grandstreetbid for the most up to date news on our arts initiatives.

Your guide to Restaurant Week on Grand Street

From fine dining to quick meals, your guide to all the prix fixe highlights August 12th – 25th

Thompson Brooke’s catch of the day + oysters draw foodies from every corner of Brooklyn

Williamsburg’s food scene has exploded in the past decade, and Restaurant Week on Grand Street is the perfect opportunity to explore new cuisines, or patron your favorite spot at a discount. With 14 restaurants on six blocks, sorting through all the menus may seem daunting, but we’re here to guide you through. Click here for the complete list of restaurants, prices, and menus August 12th-25th. Restaurant Week is a celebration of all the chefs, small business owners, and foodies in Brooklyn, so we’re here to keep it simple for you.

The classics:

Bahia Restaurant

Salvadoran pupusas may be the best comfort food you’ve never had. Although it has been on Grand Street for nearly 20 years, the already welcoming atmosphere of Bahia stepped up its game further with complete indoor and exterior renovations. We recommend the combo of 2 pupusas for appetizers, talapia, and flan for dessert with sangria included with your meal for $24.

Mussels from Le Barricou

Le Barricou

Since 2006, the French restaurant has elevated Grand Street’s restaurant scene, becoming a destination for visitors in Williamsburg and even being named one of the top 100 brunches in the country by Yelp. For the ultimate french dining experiences, we recommend the escargot, moules frites, and gelato for $35.

Grand Morelos*

The 24/7 Mexican diner + bakery offers one of the best steals of Restaurant Week, and has some of the best prices for the amount of food you get in all of Williamsburg. Guacamole to start, fajitas for the entree, and tres leches cake from the bakery for $20.

Los Primos

Los Primos is another Grand Street mainstay that you must visit if you live in the neighborhood. Serving traditional dishes in an atmosphere that feels like your meal is home cooked, Primos never fails to deliver with flavor. Try the nachos, fried pork chop, and homemade flan for $25.

The new:

Thompson Brooke

While Thompson Brooke opened its doors only a year ago, it’s already built a solid reputation with its New England style cuisine and those delectable oysters. Come at happy hour to split an $18 bottle of rose along with your $35 feast. You cannot go wrong with their famous oysters, shrimp and grits, and french toast doughnut.

Mad for Chicken

The latest restaurant to open on Grand Street, Mad for Chicken provides a casual scene to hang out, eat chicken wings, and drink beer. Basically, if you like fried chicken, this is the place to go with your friends. Order the grilled corn, 10 piece wings, and ice cream for dessert for $20.

Enjoy outdoor seating at Tacos Project

Tacos Project

Take advantage of the summer weather and relax for a bite outside. The backyard is filled with greenery and has umbrellas to shade the lawn chair + bistro seating. With a few menu options available, we recommend the arepas to start, pabellón for dinner, and horchata to drink all for $18.

The chic:

AmmazzaCaffe

A surefire hit for a special night out or family dinner, AmmazzaCaffe is Italian dining at its best. Enjoy outside in the backyard or book your reservation for Sunday night from 7-9 pm to listen to live jazz music while you eat. $35 goes a long way when you order tartare crostino (sea trout), reginette (pork shoulder in pasta), and pannacotta for dinner.

Los Tacos McOndo*

A block away from the new G and L entrance on Union Ave, Los Tacos has both the food and convenience. The stylish taqueria and bar make for a nice combo for date nights, casual meetings, and nights out. Queso fundido, quesadillas, and churros with fruit are a great way to go for $26.

(pictured right) Crispy fish tacos from Los Tacos

Indian Kitchen

Indian Kitchen wants you to share your dishes for Restaurant Week. Bring a friend or two and the price goes down to $11 per person. The menu is extremely flexible as well: you get a vegetable appetizer, 2 entrees of your choice, naan, and rice pudding for $22.

The impromptu:

Thip Osha*

The casual thai restaurant has the most options of any restaurant on the list, so if you like to leave a lot of room to decide what you want, then this is your place. For $19 we recommend the dumpling appetizer, the duck noodle soup (because just look at it), and the coconut custard for dessert.

Roasted duck soup from Thip Osha

Sandwich Shop*

Gourmet sandwiches galore. The Sandwich Shop offers a steal with $17.75 for a bag of chips, any sandwich, wrap, or bowl, and a can of beer. Our favorite sandwich is the el penzini, with prosciutto and pear for just the right complement of sweetness.

Lobster fries from Ryujin

Ryujin*

If you’re craving umami, then ramen from Ryujin should be your destination. Their lobster ramen and fries have gone viral for good reason, as its hard to find anywhere else that actually serves you a full lobster in your dish. We recommend the fries, spicy tan tan men, and a cup of sake for $25.

Crystal Lake

Teaming up with Tacos Lokos 4ever, Crystal Lake is jumping into Restaurant Week providing the relaxed bar feel with delicious snacks to go along. You can get a rice & beans app, two tacos, and a Coco Loko (coconut vodka & pineapple) all for $20.

New Damon Johnson mural brings color to Key Food

Damon returned to the neighborhood for his second piece on Grand Street

The mural can be seen at 575 Grand Street

Damon Johnson returned to Grand Street for the second time in a month’s span to paint his signature graffiti art flowers + hummingbirds. The artist who was once a Grand Street neighborhood resident is now based out of Portland, and completed the work while visiting.

Working closely with Damon and Key Food, the BID facilitated the effort to make the space available for the mural to be painted. The art now brings color and vibrancy to a wall often tagged with graffiti.

This piece is now the 10th new mural on Grand Street in 2019, creating a street art collection that more faithfully reflects the large community of artists the neighborhood has fostered for decades. With the growing collection of murals, Grand Street will likely see continued attention from future artists looking to admire or break into the NYC street art world.

The mural now sits next to the installation from fellow New York artist BiscoSmith, and complements Damon’s other work at 723 Grand Street, bookending the central part of the district.

You can find the work on the eastern facing wall of 575 Grand Street in Williamsburg. Tag pictures of the mural with @damonnyc and @grandstreetbid.

Grand Street Restaurant Week: 5th Annual Summer Event

14 Williamsburg restaurants offer can’t miss prix fixe deals

Pollo from AmmazzaCaffe

The Annual Summer Restaurant Week on Grand Street offers North Brooklyn residents fine dining and quick eats for bargain prix fixe prices. Book your reservation at any of participating location to get in on discount dining offers exclusive to Grand Street and only during Restaurant Week. Read through our guide to find the spot for you and see our recommendations. And find the full list below.

Snap a picture of you, your meal, or your friends on your night dining out with the #DineOnGrand for the opportunity to win $50 to a Grand Street BID restaurant of your choice!

Le Barricou – $35 – menu

Thompson Brooke – $35 – menu

AmmazzaCaffe – $35 – menu

Bahia Restaurant – $24 – menu

Ryujin – $25 – menu

Mad for Chicken – $20 – menu

The Sandwich Shop -$17.75 – menu

Thip Osha – $19 – menu

Indian Kitchen – $12 – menu

Los Tacos McOndo – $26 – menu

Grand Morelos – $20 – menu

Tacos Project – $18 – menu

Los Primos – $25 – menu

Crystal Lake – $20 – menu

Grand Street BID Announces 5th Summer Restaurant Week

The annual event will take place from August 12th to 26th.

Taste mussels from Le Barricou with soup + gelato dessert for $35

Foodies look out. The Annual Summer Restaurant Week on Grand Street is set to take place again this August, offering fine dining and quick eats for bargain prix fixe prices. Acclaimed destinations Le Barricou, Thompson Brooke, and AmmazzaCaffe will participate again offering 3 course dinners for $35. Neighborhood favorites Bahia Restaurant, Grand Morelos + Sandwich Shop will once again offer steals from $18 for 3 courses.

Our complete lineup will be announced soon, but you can expect many familiar faces in the program, as a sign that the Grand Street Restaurant Week is attracting visitors to patron our thriving restaurant scene and providing opportunity for locals to explore new dining options.

Additionally, our social media contest will again award $50 to a lucky diner who shares their night out with pictures of their dinner, friends or family at one of our participating restaurants with the hashtag #DineOnGrand.

Follow us @grandstreetbid to stay up to date with all of the deals, and its never too early to book your reservation for the 2 week summer event.

DOT street changes take effect

Parking + loading zone changes to be enforced in the coming week.

Beginning next week, DOT will begin making additional changes to parking regulations on Grand Street. Look for new traffic signs + paint for direction as the following notable changes take effect on Grand Street:

Commercial Loading Zones will be added mid-block on the North side of Grand Street and at some side street intersections, enforced from 7am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. The loading zones will convert to regular 1 hour metered parking from 4pm to 10pm.

Metered parking will change on Grand Street from 2 hour to 1 hour and be enforced from 8:30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday.

Meters will be added to the cross streets of Grand at Union, Lorimer, Manhattan, Humboldt, and Bushwick avenues. Side street meters will be 2 hours and enforced from 8 or 8:30am to 7pm Monday to Saturday.

Note: Parking in a bicycle lane in NYC is illegal and will result in a $115 ticket.

Plan to make adjustments ahead of time for deliveries, loading times, and parking to avoid fines.

Grand Street celebrates 34th Annual Meeting

The BID brought the community together to look back on the year.

Pictured: Cynthia Rogers of Williamsburg Animal Clinic with BID Executive Director Erin Piscopink.

The BID celebrated another year of accomplishments on June 20th at the 34th Annual Meeting. Keeping the neighborhood clean, sharing our community’s stories, planting trees, hosting events, and bringing art to the district, the BID was hard at work keeping Grand Street a premier Brooklyn destination to live, work, and play.

The community also awarded select individuals and businesses who made extraordinary contributions to the district or demonstrated notable commitment to the neighborhood.

The winners are listed here:

Williamsburg Animal Clinic for exemplary advocacy on behalf of small businesses.

Bahia Restaurant for impressive storefront improvements

Spa Ella for showing commendable commitment to the neighborhood by opening a second storefront in district

Find the full annual report here.