Jerry, our incomparable Editor, has moved on to bigger and better adventures in the world of digital marketing and advertising. But, have no fear, he remains our Editor-at-Large and just may surprise us with wonderful posts and priceless photos when we least expect it! Check back regularly as we have assembled an enthusiastic team of writers and guest bloggers who will attempt to fit Jerry’s big shoes (actually, his big Sambas)! We’ll miss you Jerry.
We’re working on some exciting new posts, a couple of updates and perhaps a scoop or two!
This morning, The New York Times ran a front page article chronicling the rise of the Kennedy Fried Chicken Empire, highlighting the ongoing debates regarding the legality of multitude of imitation restaurants that have been popping up all over the country.
Among a short list of copycats of the Kennedy brand with accompanying regal-themed monikers, the article mentions Crown Fried Chicken, a food establishment which we is more than often equated to the RC-Cola of Second Tier Fried Chicken Restaurant Chains.
A while back we opened up an authentic C-F-C at approximately 330 East Gun Hill Road in the Bronx, (the address system in the Bronx can be a bit quirky at times) and we’re proud to say that their doors are still open today, and that they’re firing on all cylinders.
Opening up one of these restaurants can prove to be a viable investment, according to a survey taken by the people at Grub Street, they tend to be quite profitable.
So if you’re in the mood to take on the Colonel and his secret blend of herbs and spices, go ahead and open up your own Kennedy’s, Crown, or any other restaurant of your choosing.
Give us a call at (212) 213- 6480 or check out the expansive list of retail spaces for lease at our website.
We have the perfect space for you.
[The New York Times, Grub Street] Photo Courtesy of iFood.tv
-Jerry
Musical Trains Armed with a NYC Subway Map and his knowledge in HTML5 programming, web engineer Alexander Chen created a new kind of self-playing instrument, and was nice enough to share it with the rest of the internet. The project, titled Conductor: mta.me, treats each mapped subway line as a musically tuned string able to produce a specific sound when crossed over, or “plucked” by another subway line which spawns every few seconds. Check out the demo video above, or just click here to give it a whirl. Also, Here’s an idea! Why don’t you hope on one of the subway lines from mta.meand take a trip uptown to check out one of our brand new Upper East Side exclusives for lease? -Jerry [Conductor: www.mta.me from Alexander Chen on Vimeo via gizmodo]
(Source: besenretailblog.com)
![this is what happens when you put magic in a blender, and then add ice cream. [blueberry-pomegranate shake @brgr]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfqy0dGT4x1qg9crio1_1280.jpg)
this is what happens when you put magic in a blender, and then add ice cream. [blueberry-pomegranate shake @brgr]
It’s snowing today in New York, and you have no idea what to do with yourself.
If you get a chance, head on over to your favorite coffee spot*, grab a seat by the window, and just watch things happen.
Earlier today on my way to the bank I decided to do just that, and it was totally worth it.
Direct your browser over to The Besen Retail Blog for more pics.
Enjoy the Day!
-Jerry
*If you’re new to the blog, our #1 coffee spot happens to be Stumptown Coffee Roasters at the Ace Hotel on 29th street.
Earlier today we took a trip to the Upper East Side to scope out two new Besen Retail exclusives listings at 81st Street between 1st & York and 78th Street between 2nd & 3rd . On our way up Park Avenue we spotted The Roses, a collection of giant rose shaped sculptures designed and crafted by figurative artist Will Ryman, a New York City native.The exhibition was unveiled to the public today, (crazy coincidence, I know) by the Paul Kasmin Gallery, in conjunction with New York City’s Department of Parks & Recreation and the Fund for the Park Avenue Sculpture Committee.
The 25 foot sculptures are situated along the Park Avenue Malls (the long patches of grass in the middle of the street), and cover the ten block stretch from 57th through 67th street.
We managed to snap a few pictures out of the side window of Retail Specialist Evan Silver’s car during one of the rare moments when he wasn’t barreling up the busy city street, so excuse their shakiness.
[Huffington Post, NY Times, Will Ryman]
Head on over to the Original Article for more pictures of the exhibit, and a really neat poll!
Also,
If you want to find out more info about our new spaces for lease, let us know!
-Jerry
Break out your dust-busters, things are going to get… crumb-y.
About a week ago The New York Times reported that after going public through a $66 millon merger with an investment company, the people behind the Crumbs Bake Shop are planning to open up 200 new locations across the country over the course of the next four years. Word on the street ((That word being the actual sign hanging in the window of the store pictured above)) is that one of those 200 new bakeries will be “ready soon” at 2 Park Avenue (32nd & 33rd), just a few short blocks away from our Manhattan offices.
Once they open it may be time for us to implement an additional stopover into our morning coffee runs.
-Jerry
UPDATE: Retail Specialist and Upper West Side resident Evan Silver has just reported that Crumbs has opened a new location at Columbus Square, joining several national retailers such as Whole Foods, Modell’s and TJ Maxx.
Click here to keep track of the new Crumbs that’ll be popping up everywhere.
What’s changed:
What hasn’t:
Time to get to work.
(starting monday)
-Jerry
Mike Seidmon - Larry David
What more can we possibly say about this picture, aside from the fact that it’s pretty good… [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36BvyC_ODRM] http://besenretailblog.com/2010/07/28/photo-of-the-year-2010/
“Dump Truck” - Executive Director Matt Mager 
http://besenretailblog.com/2010/11/22/dump-truck/
Waffles and Dinges, for taking the time out and responding to heartfelt tweets 
http://twitter.com/#!/waffletruck/status/3249269205106690
Blue Roost Petite Cafe Since the day of the lease signing, we’ve been looking forward to seeing the Blue Roost open its doors at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. You must try the cupcakes. 
http://besenretailblog.com/2010/10/28/the-blue-roost-petite-cafe-is-open-for-business/
Bicycles This year alone, Besen Retail has done business with Echelon Cycles in Greenwich Village, Bike Life at Prospect Park/Lefferts, and BicyclePlus.Net at Borinquen Place in Williamsburg. As you can see, we have a thing for bikes. 
http://besenretailblog.com/2010/11/08/overbearing-traffic-mta-got-you-down-we-have-two-words-for-you-pedal-power/ Runner-up - skateboards In other news, I ride a skateboard to and from work in order to cut down on the morning commute time, and am now Besen Retail’s first sponsored rider. Check out the Besen 3: 
and the Besen 4: 
http://twitter.com/#!/besenretail/status/25687383816 Besen Retail Road Warrior Evan Silver - for trudging through one of the largest snow storms the city has ever seen, and making it to the office on time. 
Stumptown Coffee Roasters at the Ace Hotel swept the polls for a second year straight for our favorite place to kick back and enjoy some of the best coffee NYC has to offer. 
http://besenretailblog.com/2010/06/08/tuesday-morning-meetings-are-back-on-at-stumptown/
Executive Director Matt Mager took last year’s slogan to the next level. http://besenretailblog.com/2009/10/30/besen-retail-line-of-the-week-103009/
A Special Farewell to those who have moved on from Besen Retail:
Caitlin Heikkila - Moved into Brooklyn and started her own blog called Becoming Brooklyn (definitely worth checking out). Mike Seidmon - Returned to Indiana University to complete his senior year, and will be back when he graduates in May. We look forward to having him join us. Murray Doueck - Moved on to become the Director of Leasing at One NYC Real Estate
An Extended Welcome to those who have come aboard over the past year Jerry Dweck- Marketing and Research Associate (blogger) Hilly Soleiman- Luxury Retail Specialist
What to look out for in 2011:
Rosario’s Famous La Bella Pizza and Pasta at 38-01 Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria. Mmmm…Pizza.
Lighthouse- a Mediterranean restaurant from the Macao/Employees Only team, located at 145 Borinquen Place in Williamsburg
Besen Retail completed 43 deals over the course of the year, and we don’t plan on slowing down any time soon. We’ve introduced a healthy amount of new businesses to the New York City economy, from the largest national tenants, to the most humble mom and pop stores, we’ve seen it all. We had a fantastic year, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the new year will bring. We wish a happy and healthy new year to all of our readers.
Thanks,
Besen Retail
