PROSPECT HEIGHTS — For the Babels, opening the neighborhood’s first “lifestyle bar” is a family affair.
Two sisters, Marva and Myriam Babel, and their nephew Kenneth Crum are behind the soon-to-open shop Ode to Babel, located on Dean Street between Underhill and Washington avenues in Prospect Heights, which they describe as a mix between a coffee shop, cocktail bar and boutique.
“We just wanted to do something different and create a space that was stimulating,” said Crum, sitting between his two aunts at a long glass table at the center of the shop. “You can come in the morning, sit here, have a cup of coffee, write a poem … and feel inspired. Or come here with a friend and just feel comfortable and chill — at home.”
The space has a full bar and seating for about 30 people, they said, and will be open seven days a week starting on Friday, August 21, with precise hours to be determined.
Besides offering booze, espresso and light snacks like charcuterie and pastries, Ode to Babel will sell a curated selection of artwork, housewares and body care products from Brooklyn's independent artists, the trio said.
“It’s shopping, but shopping for unique [things] or things that are made with love,” said Marva, who has a design background.
“Not mass-produced,” Myriam added. “Things that you could actually go to the studio and meet the artist, meet the creatives, know who they are.”
For the opening, the shop will offer candles, body oils, wall hangings, hard-to-find interior design magazines, hand-woven bicycle baskets and ceramics. The line-up of products will likely change periodically, they said.
“Our focus on the retail was primarily giving a platform to Brooklyn-based designers,” like Bushwick-based artist Sonomi Kobayashi, whose artwork currently hangs on the shop’s walls, Marva said.
The co-owners also hope to bring private events to the space, including birthday parties, readings and launch parties for musicians or visual artists, which they’ll plan as they come up among their circle of creative friends in the borough, where all three were born, raised and now live.
“We’re just from gritty Brooklyn … and have the smarts and know what we love,” Myriam said.
The effort is the first business for each of the owners, who described the project as “boot-strapping.” To cover the cost of opening — including their espresso machine — the group is fundraising $8,500 online from friends and family and had nearly reached their goal as of Friday.
Ode to Babel is located at 772 Dean St. For more information and updates, visit the store’s website.
