Today’s New York Times profile of eatery entrepreneur Jim Mamary and his partners delves into the topic of the controversial Hoyt Street oyster bar which was the subject of an epic and bitter struggle with the community. On the one hand, they say the hassle cost them money and was very personal and they’d never do it again. On the other hand, they joke that as “revenge” they should keep chickens in the back yard and have “a petting zoo.” Here’s the key passage:
The oyster bar struggle involves decades-old zoning and dueling predictions over whether it will attract a few discreet slurpers of Sancerre and Wellfleets or hordes of smoking and retching yobbos to a quiet street.
Delays and legal fees have cost $20,000. Community board hearings have been nasty. And the partners have been soured by rants on Carroll Gardens blogs, particularly one calling Jim Mamary an “opportunistic idiot” and “slob” who “ruined my neighborhood.” Even if he gets a liquor license, Mr. Mamary said, “I’d never open another place on Hoyt.” Mr. Harding, more blunt about the complaints, wants to see if he can seek revenge by keeping chickens in the wine bar’s yard. “We’ll give eggs to orphans,” he said. “We’ll have a petting zoo.” More conciliatory, Mr. Mamary waves his hand as if to calm down his friend and cautions, “I’m not sure we want to say that.”
Uh, too late, he sort of said it in the Times.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Kyle // Jul 9, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Ha! I love these guys! They rule.
2 Peregrine // Jul 9, 2008 at 4:24 pm
The Farm on Adderly has anchored Cortelyou Rd. and Pomme de Terre is a gem in a place no one thought a great restaurant could exist.
If the people around Hoyt Street don’t want them we (Ditmas Park) will welcome and patronize more of their creations.
I had the stuffed zucchini blossoms and a wonderful red wine at the Farm last night. Yum.
The people near Hoyt sound clueless.
3 Hoyt Street resident // Jul 9, 2008 at 6:42 pm
We are clueless, Peregrine, we’re public school teachers, city workers, archivists, business owners, corporate types, realtors and artists.
Not a brain among us.
Now the kids on the block range from 1 year to 18. That’s where you’ll probably find the cluemore ones.
One simple yes/no question: Would you, Peregrine, buy a home next door to a latehours bar? Be honest now.
4 Anonymous // Jul 9, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Perigrine is a freak hick. “ohhh stuffed zuchini blossoms”. . Jerk. shut up. go back to yer cable TV and spandex bike shorts..
Now, does mamary mean he will never open anything on hoyt again meaning the wine bar is his last hurrah? or will this oyster bar slob thing be his last thing on hoyt street? after he gets his way.. I mean the liquor lic. I can’t imagine him opening across from the projects. dem folks just ain’t clueless ’nuff fer zuchini.
And will that trout place supply his oyster bar with day old crap to save a buck? Alan, jump ship!!
5 Peregrine // Jul 9, 2008 at 10:28 pm
The Hoyt Resident wrote….
We’re;
public school teachers
Half our kids don’t gradate, good job
city workers
Loved that transit strike good job
archivists
Did he say Nerd?
business owners
Keeping another business out of business, good job
corporate types
Sharks in a pool, good job.
Realtors
Keeping a business from opening, good job
Artists
Real artists live in late night haunts
…the kids on the block range from 1 year to 18
The 18 year olds are dying to get in. The one year olds sleep like a baby, they wake up every two hours and scream, poop and wake everyone else up.
“Would you, Peregrine, buy a home next door to a latehours bar? Be honest now.”
I would NOT try to destroy a business, I would make the owners aware of concerns.
I lived on Cornelia St. in the village for 25 years before moving here. It is the home to the Cornelia St. Café that has music late and 6 other restaurants. Everyone respected each other but managed to live and let live.
I repeat. The UPTIGHT neighbors near Hoyt are clueless.
But that’s OK. Jim Mamary is planning one and maybe two more businesses near us.
We welcome him and his pioneering spirit to bring good food, drink and, Oh Yes, FUN to our area.
6 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2008 at 9:11 am
wtf, is this Brownstoner now?