News

The Cellar@42 Wine Bar and Kitchen Opens at 42 Hotel in Williamsburg

Matthew Fischetti on October 4, 2022

By Matthew Fischetti | mfischetti@queensldger.com

The Cellar@42 Wine Bar & Kitchen at 42 Hotel, a chic wine bar and restaurant within South Williamsburg’s newest hotel, has opened up to the public.

As you walk into the rustic yet modern 42 Hotel, you’ll see stairs straight ahead leading down to The Cellar, a new Williamsburg Wine Bar and Restaurant, serving wine, beer, and modern American-inspired plates. The sleek 2,500 sq. ft. space features flatscreens, lounge seating, virtual fireplaces, an 850 bottle wine cellar, tables, and a cafe.

The menu features small plates and bites to share with friends, including: Wagyu Sliders with aged cheddar and bacon-onion jam and truffle fries. They also offer handmade flatbreads including different options like Margherita, Calabrese, Crispy Chicken, & Wild Mushroom. Beyond that, they also offer wings with housemade sauces including Thai Chili, Buffalo, Hot Honey, and a dry rubbed option.

The Cellar at 42 Hotel also boasts an 850 bottle wine cellar, with a wine list that includes by the glass and bottle selections of wines from all over the globe. In terms of beer, they offer 12 draft lines with rotating craft beers plus an extensive can/bottle selection featuring local breweries like Brooklyn Brewery and SixPoint.

“The food and vibes at The Cellar were amazing during my stay,” said model / actor / influencer, Blaise French, who stayed at 42 Hotel earlier this month. “Eating wings, drinking beer, and chatting with other hotel guests while watching football at The Cellar was the highlight of my NYC trip,” said French.

The Cellar at 42 Hotel just introduced a new series of promotional programs offering discounted plates and drinks. On Mondays and Sundays they will have “Bites n’ Pints”, where drafts will only be $5, Wings are only $10 and sliders are $12. On Tuesday and Thursdays, they will be hosting Social Hour events from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., where drafts are 5$, bites are $12, and wine by the glass is $10. And on Wendesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., bites are $12 while wine by the glass is $10 for Wine Down Wendesdays.

The Cellar at 42 Hotel offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday between 10am – 3pm. Hotel guests will receive 10% OFF their brunch tab.

The Cellar Wine Bar & Kitchen is located inside 42 Hotel in Williamsburg at 426 S 5th St., Brooklyn. The Cellar can be reached via the 42 Hotel phone number: 718.494.4242

The Lady in Greenpoint: North Brooklyn’s newest spooky walking radio play

Matthew Fischetti on October 4, 2022

The map for the Lady in Greenpoint, which starts at the Pulaski Bridge and ends in McGolrick Park.

By Matthew Fischetti

mfischetti@queensledger.com

Rick Paulas always loved Greenpoint. He wanted to do a project based in the neighborhood, especially after being able to move in due to a pandemic rent discount, but after 45,000 words and over a year into a novel – it wasn’t working. While stressing about a $400 rent increase with his girlfriend at local watering hole The Palace, Paulas got the idea to convert the novel into a radio play.

And that’s how “The Lady in Greenpoint”, the new three mile walking audio play was born.

Starting at the Pulaski bridge, “The Lady in Greenpoint” takes you through Greenpoint with stops at The Astral Apartments on Franklin Street, St. Anthony’s on Manhattan Ave., as well as Capri Social Club on Calyer Street, before ending in McGolrick Park – all while delving into Greenpoint’s history amidst a spooky backdrop. The 46 chapter play, complete with charcoal drawings at each stop, follows main character Pauline as you descend deeper into the neighborhood.

“I’ve always been obsessed with ghost tours,” Paulas said in an interview, noting that he always attends the tours in whatever city he’s visiting. “It gives you history that isn’t otherwise available to you. Good ghost stories or good ghost walking tours, they take place in areas where they have a lot of old buildings.”

And Paulas thought with Greenpoint’s rich history, it would be a good fit.

Paulas said that most of the historical research stemmed from reading local history books by Geoffrey Cobb, who has published a series of books about North Brooklyn including the 2019 “Greenpoint Brooklyn’s Forgotten Past.”

“This used to be an Irish place named Murphy’s,” he explained during an interview in Capri Social Club. “The separation exists because men and women back in the olden days, workers would come in at the side door to get their breakfast.”

Author Rick Paulas at Capri Social Club, one of the stops in “The Lady in Greenpoint.”

Part of the inspiration came from a Greenwood cemetery grant program for a walking tour that he never heard back from. Once he decided to pivot from a novel, he was able to get the script done in a weekend.

“Figuring out the path was a little difficult, because three miles is a lot. But also I wanted it to be something long, I didn’t want it to be a half hour, I wanted there to be an element that you’re stuck with this for a long time,” he said.

Paulas enlisted a slew of friends to do voice acting, which include New York City based writers and journalists. They did it D.I.Y style, simply recording into their phones.

While creating a project like this could be daunting, Paulas said that he had a lot of fun learning more about audio production, working with actors and picking up charcoal drawing.

“You get the idea in your head of wanting to make something. And for something like an audio project, its not the hardest thing in the world. It takes a lot of logistics,” he said “I would hope that someones inspired to make their own thing somewhere else,it was really fun.”

“I came up writing blogs and those things are immediately disposable, the next day they’re gone. But something like this, you put it out there and hope for the best, people find it or they don’t.”

Readers who want to check out the play can find the project on https://theladyingreenpoint.mystrikingly.com. The suggested ticket price is $10, to be sent via Venmo (Rick-Paulas, last four digits: 0608) or PayPal (rickpaulas@gmail.com).

Dough Doughnuts opens in Downtown Brooklyn

Matthew Fischetti on September 14, 2022

By Brooklyn Star Staff

news@queensledger.com.

Brooklyn-based donut shop Dough Doughnuts is now expanding to Downtown Brooklyn.

Beginning on Sept. 22 Dough will be joining Time Out Market, a 21,000-square-foot waterfront food market that is home to over 20 different eateries.

“We are thrilled to join Time Out Market New York – it’s a place people visit to get a real taste of the city so it’s a perfect spot for us and our doughnuts which you get to enjoy all day long,” Steve Klein, co-owner of Dough Doughnuts, said in a statement.

To celebrate their new 55 Water Street location, Dough will have a limited release of a new exclusive flavor, the Brooklyn Blackout: a chocolate brioche doughnut filled with chocolate pudding, topped with semisweet chocolate glaze and sprinkled with chocolate cake crumbs. The new DUMBO location will also feature Bonjourno Artisanal Coffee, a roasted coffee from Western Europe, to get your caffeine fix.

Dough will also be giving out a free t-shirt or cofee mug with a purchase of sixdoughnuts.

St. Josephs University moves up 30 ranks in best colleges

Matthew Fischetti on September 14, 2022

By Brooklyn Star Staff

news@queensledger.com

St. Joseph’s University, New York was once again named one of the nation’s top universities by U.S. News & World Report, moving up 30 spots in the rankings for Regional Univerisities – North Category

The independent university founded in the Catholic tradition, landed in a 6-way tie at #48 for top universities. St. Josephs also received accolades as the #18 Best College for Veterans; #19 top university for Undergraduate Teaching in the Regional Universities – North category and #43 for Social Mobility.

“Both our recent elevation to university status and our most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings make it clear that St. Joseph’s University, New York is an institution reaching new heights with still more to do,” President Donald R. Boomgaarden said in a statement. . “These rankings are testaments to the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty and staff. I could not be more proud of all we have accomplished and more optimistic about the bright future that lies ahead.”

President Boomgaarden announced that the New York State Board of Regents had approved St. Joseph’s College’s petition to be elevated to university status, and would change its name to St. Joseph’s University, New York, this past April.

With campuses in Brooklyn, Long Island and Online, SJNY was selected to this year’s list of top Regional Universities–North based on its high graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources per students, graduate indebtedness, alumni giving and social mobility, as well as the number of veterans enrolled and eligibility in the 9/11 GI® Bill Yellow Ribbon Program.

Through its Brooklyn, Long Island and online campuses, the University offers degrees in 60 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.

Brooklyn Back To School Bash: Photos

Matthew Fischetti on September 1, 2022

By Brooklyn Star Staff

news@queensledger.com

Over 500 kids were served with new backpacks, fresh hair cuts, and more to get ready for the new school year at Atlantic Terminal on Saturday, (Credit: Ido Simantov)

Partners included Emblem Health, St. Joseph’s College, Brooklyn YWCA and the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. (Credit: Ido Simantov).

Greenpoint Ferry opening delayed again

Matthew Fischetti on August 30, 2022

By Matthew Fischetti

mfischetti@queensledger.com

After 16 months of repairs and delays, Greenpoint residents will have to hold out even longer to see their ferry service returned.

On Thursday Aug. 25, Lendlease, the private developer that owns the pier, announced that service will not return until late-October or early-November, after the company previously stated that it would open at the end of this month, due to issues with the pile work. Work on the ferry landing started in May of last year.

“Lendlease has not demonstrated the necessary urgency in returning ferry service to Greenpoint, and our community cannot trust that ferry service will return in ‘late-October/early-November’ anymore than the previous timelines that Lendlease has failed to meet,” Greenpoint Councilman Lincoln Restler said in a Thursday statement. Restler also called on the Economic Development Corporation, which oversees the NYC Ferry system, to explore alternative access at a publicly owned pier.

Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher echoed similar sentiments:“For nearly a year and a half, we have been working in good faith with Lendlease and the multiple agencies who have jurisdiction over repair work on the India Pier Ferry stop, trying to identify and resolve bureaucratic obstacles to restoring much-needed service. We are now completely out of patience. It’s clear that private entities have no place owning public transit infrastructure. The City needs to get a hold of this situation right now.”

A spokesperson for the NYCEDC said that the group “looks forward to bring NYC Ferry service back to Greenpoint as soon as Lendlease safely restores the landing.”

A source with knowledge told the Greenpoint Star that the NYCEDC will be preparing a response to the pols’ letter in the upcoming weeks.

42 Hotel opens in Williamsburg

Matthew Fischetti on August 30, 2022

By BK Star Staff

news@queensledger.com

42 Hotel, a new luxury lodging in Williamsburg officially opened its doors to the public earlier this week.

Located on 426 S 5th Street, the 60-room building features amenities like floor-to-ceiling windows, lounge chairs, JBL Bluetooth speakers and high speed internet access.

The hotel offers six different room packages, ranging from 240 to 320 square feet and handicap accessibility options.

Designed by architect Lucas Lee and interior designer Andres Escobar, the new hotel sports a self-described “rustic but modern” design, with Edison style bulbs adorning the lobby.

The hotel also features a beer and wine lounge, called the Community Lounge, where both local and international craft beers, and “Americana-inspired small plates” will be on the menu. Additionally, 42 Hotel has partnered with Brooklyn Speed Coffee to run their cafe, offering breakfast burritos and “third wave” coffee.

The lobby of 42 Hotel

“42 Hotel is excited to serve the residents and tourists of Williamsburg. Our hotel is all about ‘community,’ and we will be partnering with local businesses to provide hotel guests with a unique Williamsburg experience,” the management team said in a statement.

“We hope that guests will enjoy all of the details that our team has spent years on crafting.”

42 Hotel also offers perks like same-day laundry, access to a fitness center and conference room options for patrons.

Reservations can be made directly on their website: https://42hotel.com/

5 Rules For Small Business Grant Funding Applications in NY

webadmin on August 11, 2022

Starting a business is expensive. You have to test new products, secure inventory, research market trends, etc. There’s no shortage of costs for a startup business. But if you haven’t even started selling yet, where does the money come from?

Seasoned small business owners might have a network of financiers, but for entrepreneur rookies, securing funding before you’ve had a chance to prove yourself can be tricky.

Every new business can do with a bit more cash, but the application process for government issued small business grants involves more than putting your name on a list and waiting for a deposit. Not every grant is right for every business and understanding how grant-issuing organizations evaluate applicants is imperative to securing the financial assistance you need.

If you plan on investing the time and energy into applying to a small business grant program, it’s important to understand the options available and pick the grant that’s right for your business.

Small business grants are offered by all kinds of organizations, to all types of businesses, with a wide range of values, missions, and functions.

There’s no single set of criteria that can be applied to all grant opportunities, but generally, grant-lenders are looking for small businesses that embody their organization’s stated purpose and add value to a particular community or industry.

Small business grants are not loans, so lenders aren’t expecting to be paid back. They’re not investment capital, either so issuers aren’t expecting to own assets of your business. But that doesn’t mean that small business grants don’t come with expectations and incentives. Issuers still expect a return on their investment, just not a monetary one. Instead, organizations that provide small business owners with grants want to feel confident that your business idea contributes to their organization’s mission⁠—whether it be a common good, innovation in a particular industry, or economic growth in a specific community.

A small business grant isn’t necessarily “free money” either. Grant issuers often have stipulations about how the money can be spent, sometimes even spending the money themselves on specific resources they believe will help your business grow.

If you’re to fund a small business and looking to apply for a business grant, here are some key points to keep in mind:

Look for grants within your industry: A lot of small business grants are industry specific, so it can help narrow down your search if you focus on organizations and research institutions within your specific industry. Focusing on one industry also builds buzz around your business and can help build connections with industry figures who may be able to offer guidance and investment opportunities.
Read the eligibility requirements carefully: Read the requirements carefully and evaluate whether you qualify for the grant. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, contact someone from the organization and ask.
Make sure your business aligns with the organization’s mission: Organizations that provide small business grants do so in the hopes of achieving a specific goal they are deeply invested in. Ask yourself how your business model helps contribute to achieving this goal. If the answer is hard to find, you might want to consider applying for grants with another organization.
Know what you’ll be spending the grant money on: Have your business plan ready and know how the money will be spent. This will make the organization understand more clearly how your business aligns with their mission.

Focus your pitch on innovation and expansion: Organizations that issue small business grants typically favor business that they see as innovative, forward thinking, and on a path to growth. Focus your pitch on new technologies you might be developing, and what your business can do to help the organization with its mission.

Common Estate Planning Mistakes By A Brooklyn Lawyer

webadmin on August 9, 2022

Estate planning is meant to provide peace of mind to you and your loved ones in the event of your passing. There are some easily avoidable mistakes which can cause unnecessary time and cost. This article will try to list just a few in an attempt to help people avoid them. All specific matters should be discussed with a competent Brooklyn estate planning attorney.

One mistake we sometimes see is a parent transferring appreciated assets like stocks or real estate to their children directly. This causes the children to lose an important tax benefit called the step up in basis, costing the children unnecessary taxes in the future. We have an in-depth article about this topic linked here. In addition, the parent loses certain tax benefits such as the primary residence capital gains tax exclusion, and STAR benefits. Instead, the parent should consider placing the property or assets into a living trust to avoid probate while keeping the step up in basis and other tax benefits.

Another lost opportunity is failing to list beneficiaries on accounts or failing to properly fund a trust. Probate can be avoided entirely simply by listing beneficiaries on bank accounts, investment accounts on life insurance policies. Forgetting to list your beneficiaries on even one account will cause an estate to have to be opened after you pass away for that account. Similarly, we have seen clients set up living trusts to avoid probate but then forget to properly fund the trust, thereby avoiding much of the benefit of a trust.

When planning an estate, it is important to have advance directives set up as well. These documents, which include a health care proxy, power of attorney are important tools to be used when someone can’t make their own medical or financial decisions. We often see clients who need help transferring their home or assets in order to qualify for Medicaid, but are unable to do so themselves because of a lack of mental capacity. For these clients, a power of attorney makes it possible to have their agent(s) make decisions for them, but the key is that the power of attorney and health care proxy has to be set up while you are of sound mind. Missing the opportunity to do it early on may mean the difference between getting the help you need quickly and going through a long and expensive Article 81 Guardianship proceeding.

Contributed by Roman Aminov, an award winning attorney in Brooklyn, NY located at 600 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230. Schedule A Consultation today by calling (347) 766-2682 or visiting https://www.aminovlaw.com/.

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2022 Elections Profile: Senate Candidate Elizabeth Crowley

Matthew Fischetti on July 29, 2022

By Matthew Fischetti

mfischetti@queensledger.com

Elizabeth Crowley wants to represent Queens again. And Brooklyn. Oh, And Manhattan too.

Crowley, a former city councilwoman from Glendale, is running in the newly redrawn Senate 26, which straddles Western Queens, Northern Brooklyn, and Eastern Manhattan. Crowley is no newcomer to politics, coming from a large political family (her cousin was former Congressman Joseph Crowley, who AOC upset in 2018) and has run for a slew of offices over the years.

While the district originally encompassed her home of Glendale, Crowley said that her vision and platform apply to a greater swath of New Yorkers.

“I went to college at FIT, I went to grad school in Brooklyn. I identify with the city as a whole,” Crowley said in an interview. Crowley said that while she represented different neighborhoods back in the council, she pushed for policies that benefit New Yorkers across the board.

Crowley pushed against firehouse closures, fought to close Rikers, and advocated for increased greenway and transit options during her time on the city council. She lost re-election against Councilman Robert Holden in 2020.

“Most of them [inmates] have some level of anxiety, depression and a significant amount of the population as a serious mental health diagnosis, such as schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. And many of them have no family and no support system,” Crowley said of her decision to support bail reform, even though she noted that the legislation went too far in offering bail to alleged violent offenders.”So either way, they’re going to cycle in and out, in and out.”

Crowley said that affordability issues, child care, and education would be among her top issues if elected. In order to tackle the affordability issue, she says that New York needs to build a massive amount of affordable housing with transit to support the development.

“I have constituents in this district, over $3 million houses, in Greenpoint, pay less than property tax, then a modest, 1,000 square-foot homeowner in the district – or even, let’s say, a homeowner in southeast Queens. It’s a city-wide issue that needs to be addressed,” Crowley said, highlighting her desire for broad-based property tax reform. Earlier this year, a group of bipartisan legislators from Albany to the city council called for the issue to be addressed in the next legislative session.

While Crowley said that she wasn’t a fan of 421(a), the city’s now expired affordable housing tax break that critics said didn’t invest enough in actually affordable units, she said there still is a role for the government to subsidize construction.

She also said that she would explore options to reduce construction by “working with unions and project labor agreements to bring down wages, or to get some guarantees or give back to them for the cost of the project.” Crowley has received the most amount of support from labor unions thus far in the race.

The other candidates in the race are Kristen Gonzalez, Mike Corbett, and Nomiki Konst. The election is on Aug. 23, with early voting occurring from Aug. 13 to the 21st.

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