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Myrtle Avenue Businesses Shutter to Make Way for Residential Development

By Janet Upadhye | April 3, 2013 7:19am

CLINTON HILL  — Big changes are headed for Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill.

The Associated Supermarket, a post office, and small businesses such as Nikki Beauty Supply and New Fantastic Cleaners are all closing up shop to make way for new residential and commercial development on the busy stretch.

Silverstone Property Group acquired all the buildings from 504 to 524 Myrtle Ave. last December for $5,557,500, according to Brownstoner. The New York City-based real estate firm now owns the entire south side of Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street and Grand Avenue.

And they plan to build up.

Silverstone recently applied for two Department of Building permits — one to “readjust the existing structure height” at the addresses and one to renovate and expand the existing commercial space there. The zoning of those blocks allows for an eight-story building.

“The recent revelation that the owner of the Associated building and post office building plans to build up on his sites has forced many retailers who were on month-to-month leases to relocate,” said M. Blaise Backer, director of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership. “As of now, we believe every retailer in that strip except one has found another space on Myrtle who wants one.”

Silverstone Property Group did not immediately return calls for comment.

The Associated Supermarket is expected to close by the end of the week, but the shutdown will only be temporary. When construction on the project is finished in about a year, the popular neighborhood supermarket will return bigger and better, officials said. The supermarket recently shared a post-construction floor plan that includes a fresh salad bar and new produce, deli and baked-goods sections.

Associated is giving neighbors a hand in what could be a difficult transition, offering free shuttle rides to the supermarket's location on Waverly Avenue and Brooklyn Fare at 200 Schermerhorn St. starting April 15. The service will last for one month. Associated is also offering 20 percent off on all groceries.

Other small businesses on the strip have already relocated. Bergen Bagels is now at 536 Myrtle Ave., T-Mobile will be at 436 Myrtle Ave., and New Grace Kitchen relocated to 545 Myrtle Ave. It is unclear whether the post office will return to its current site at 524 Myrtle Ave. after construction.

Another major change coming to the area is that the New York City Public Design Commission approved plans for a Myrtle Avenue public plaza at the end of last year.  

The plaza, slated for the south side of Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street and Emerson Place, will include “improved crossings, new bus stops, dozens of new trees, large planters with ornamentals, game tables, a water fountain, a permanent art installation, moveable tables and chairs,” according to the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership.

Construction on the Myrtle Plaza will begin this summer and is expected to last one year.