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Pete's Candy Store Owner to Open New Bar 'Splitty' as Rope Comes to an End

By Janet Upadhye | October 23, 2012 8:22pm

CLINTON HILL — A local dive bar favorite is shutting its doors.

Neighbors love Rope because they can get cheap drinks, play skee ball, choose music on the juke box, or simply chat with a friendly bartender on a Tuesday night. But the boozy nights of the friendly watering hole are ending on Oct. 26.

Rope owner Frank Moe also owns local hotspot, Hot Bird.  WIth a change of ownership at the Rope building, and with only one year left on the lease, Moe thought the time was ripe to let go of Rope.

"I did somewhat feel that beyond the business aspect I wanted to pass on the store to someone that I felt would bring something positive to the neighborhood and to all the patrons who loved Rope," said Moe who sold the bar to Andrew McDowell, owner of Williamsburg's popular music venue Pete’s Candy Store.

The new bar, Splitty, will serve Chinese steamed buns and eventually expand hours to include breakfast and brunch, according to Brownstoner. The backyard will remain open.

Opening dates are still unknown, but the space will undergo some renovations before Splitty opens its doors.

"They are coming in to start remodeling soon after we close," said Rope bartender Matthew Avanon. "Rope has been a great neighborhood bar, we're sad to see it go."

Some locals are not only sad about the end of their quaint spot, but also apprehensive of anything "Williamsburg-y" arriving in its place.

"A Williamsburg bar opening here?" said one Rope regular who did not want to give his name. "There goes the neighborhood."

But if Yelp reviews of Pete’s Candy Store are any indication of how Splitty will be run, the neighborhood has nothing to worry about. Yelpers consistently praise Pete's for its chill vibe, intimate feel and cheap drinks.

"Best bar in NYC, period," said Yelper Doug W. "I am getting teary-eyed just thinking about it."

And Moe has faith that Splitty will be a positive addition to the neighborhood.

"As soon as I met Andrew I knew he was the right person," Moe said. "Pete's Candy store is a landmark for people who go to bars. I am looking forward to him opening."