Hinsch’s Saved [For Now]!

By on February 1, 2013  Featured story, Food & Drink
Feb 012013
 
Image source: emilydickinsonridesabmx via Flickr

Image source: emilydickinsonridesabmx via Flickr.

American humorist Mark Twain once wrote, “the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

And then he died.

According to Brooklyn Paper’s Will Bredderman, neighborhood institution Hinsch’s [8518 5th Ave], which was expected to close March 1, has dodged the figurative bullet – and will in fact remain on 5th Avenue for the foreseeable future.

Hinsch’s partner Roger Desmond, who helped save the circa 1948 soda fountain and luncheonette in 2011, told Bredderman that a deal he had been negotiating with a “national burger chain” to take over the space’s 10 year lease recently fell through.

And with the iconic ice cream parlor back on the market, Desmond says that in the meantime he’ll do whatever he can to put it back on the path to success – Including having the soda shop moonlight as a romantic rendezvous.

“I want to make it work. I always wanted to make it work. So while I’m here, I’m going to continue to try to make it work,” said Desmond.

Expected to begin sometime in the next week, Hinsch’s will remain open “at least two hours” later than normal. The eatery’s extended evening version will include candlelit tables, jazz, and a new nighttime menu set to feature hamburgers made with beef from renowned meat purveyor Pat LaFrieda.

Alchohol consumption at the re-birthed bop spot will be BYOB, giving you an excuse to dig out that flask you got for Christmas. Classy!

Leske’s To Open New Park Slope Location In February

By on January 28, 2013  Business
Jan 282013
 

What a difference a couple of years can make.

Leske’s Bakery [7612 5th Ave], a neighborhood fixture which has been slinging Scandinavian treats since before many of us were born, almost closed its doors forever in 2011.

But thanks to a group of lifelong fika fans, the 50 + year-old pastry shop was able to reopen in August of 2012 to huge acclaim.

Fast forward a few more months and the kings of kringler are all set to expand to the Slope, as reported by Will Bredderman for Brooklyn Daily.

From Brooklyn Daily:

“We’re old-school Scandinavian, we do things a little bit differently, but we think we have a great product and we thought this would be a great fit for us,” said Leske’s manager and culinary consultant Harry Hawk.

Hawk said Leske’s will move into the former location of the Sweet Treasures bakery on Fifth Avenue between 16th Street and Prospect Avenue before Valentine’s Day, and plan to sell their famed marzipan cakes and kringler at the same prices as in their old spot. Hawk said the new shop will also feature romantic red velvet cakes and black-and-red cookies in honor of the Feb. 14 holiday, items that Slope residents can start ordering now.

Hawk said he likes the trendy flavor and eclectic mix of stores in Park Slope, and believes the neighborhood will welcome Leske’s with open arms — and mouths.

“I love the real foodie Brooklyn. Not only do you have centuries-old businesses, but you see all these new businesses,” Hawk told Bredderman. “That’s what really attracts me to that area. It’s diverse and wonderful, and we think they could use a great bakery.”

[UPDATED] After Loss Of Father At Hands Of ‘Son Of Sal’ Gebeli Family Hit With Steep Bill From Con Ed

By on December 5, 2012  News
Dec 052012
 

Con Edison building (Image courtesy of Stig Nygaard).

[UPDATED] 12/13/12 Con Ed is now saying the store’s electric bill will be prorated not to include charges that accrued during the more than two month police investigation. Read More

After suffering the loss of a father and husband, the family of slain Bay Ridge store owner Mohamed Gebeli is reportedly fighting Con Edison over an unpaid bill from the 77 days their shop Valentino Fashion was an off-limits crime scene.

According to the Daily News, Moe Gebeli, son of ‘Son of Sal’ victim Mohamed Gebeli, is speaking out against the utility for insisting he pay a $734.66 bill – or face the loss of electricity to the small mens clothing shop that serves as the still-grieving family’s main source of income.

“How is this fair?” Moe Gebeli asked reporters last Thursday. “It’s like a slap in the face.” Continue reading »

Alleged Gunman Indicted In Shopkeeper Killings

By on November 28, 2012  Featured story, News
Nov 282012
 

Salvatore Perrone in 2001 (Image source: Franconia Township Police Department).

The suspect in the killing of Bay Ridge clothier Mohamed Gebeli, as well as two other Brooklyn shopkeepers, was indicted yesterday on first degree murder charges, as reported by CBS.

Salvatore Perrone, age 64, of Staten Island was arrested and charged by police just before Thanksgiving last week. Continue reading »

Neighbors, Cops Describe Shopkeeper Killing Suspect’s Delusions Of Grandeur

By on November 26, 2012  News
Nov 262012
 

Salvatore Perrone (Image source: Franconia Township Police Department).

The neighbors of triple murder suspect Salvatore Perrone painted a picture of an unhinged man whose off-putting behavior included posing as a retired police detective, as reported by Chris Francescani for Reuters.

Police sources seemed to compliment the anecdotes of civilians who crossed paths with Perrone – who is currently awaiting his next hearing on first and second-degree murder charges in the brutal slayings of shopkeepers Isaac Kadare, 59, Mohammed Gebeli, 75, and Rahmatollah Vahidipour, 78.

According to the Daily News, cops say the man fellow residents in his Staten Island neighborhood referred to as “Son of Sal,” and who affected a fake Italian accent while speaking with one of his girlfriend’s neighbors in Queens, claimed to work for the CIA during his police interrogation.

“If you work for the CIA, where’s your ID?” asked one investigator.

“At the CIA, we don’t carry ID,” Perrone responded, according to the Daily News source.

A gun found in Perrone’s – aka “John Doe Duffle Bag’s” gym bag matches the ballistics of a gun used in three separate killings of Brooklyn store-owners this year. Mohammed Gebeli of 5th Avenue’s Valentino Fashion was the first of the three shopkeepers to be killed. The murder of Gebeli, a beloved member of the Bay Ridge community, occurred on Friday, July 6, 2012.

Perrone will remain in Rikers Island’s North Infirmary wing until his next court appearance, which is expected to be sometime today.

Undefeated Local Boxer Sadam Ali Preparing For Saturday’s Aviator Fight At Bay Ridge Gym

By on October 25, 2012  Sports
Oct 252012
 

Image source: Google maps.

United States Olympian and Brooklyn native Sadam “World Kid” Ali has been hitting his gym at 6825 5th Ave this week in preparation for a highly anticipated Saturday bout at Aviator Sports Complex [3159 Flatbush Ave] in Marine Park.

Image source: Wikipedia Commons.

Born and raised in Brooklyn by his Yemeni-born parents, Ali has four sisters and a brother. He began boxing at the Bed-Stuy Boxing Club at the age of eight, after being inspired by Yemeni-British boxer “Prince” Naseem Hamed.

After participating in the 2008 Olympics, Ali had his pro-boxing debut on January 17, 2009, handily defeating opponent Ricky Thompson in just 1:42.

Then, right here in Brooklyn less than a year later, the 2008 U.S. Olympic lightweight and first Arab-American boxer to go to the Olympics scored an “overwhelming second-round knockout” of New Orleans’ Gary Bergeron (12-6, 7 KOs), who, according to reports “had no answers for anything Ali threw at him.” Click Here For Details On Saturday’s Fight

Gebeli Family Renews Call For Community’s Help In Catching Shop Owner’s Killer

By on July 30, 2012  News
Jul 302012
 

Last Friday, News 12 Brooklyn reported that the family of slain clothing store owner Mohamed Gebeli, along with State Senator Marty Golden – who is a retired NYPD officer, and local business owner Habib Joudeh, gathered in front of Valentino Fashion [7718 5th Ave] to renew the call for neighbors to help in the search for a suspect.

Police say they still have no leads and no one has come forward with any information.

Joudeh, the owner of Pharmacy On Fifth [6914 5th Ave] who had joined Senator Golden in amassing a $10,000 reward for information leading to a break in the Gebeli murder case, expressed the community’s condolences, and along with Golden, made it clear that the murderer must be brought to justice.

“His life was cut short and now we must make sure that justice is served, and he did not die in vain,” Golden told reporters.

“Mohammed was a friend and we all lost him,” Joudeh said as he, as well as Gebeli family and friends pledged to continue to seek answers.

An incoming 911 call on July 6, alerted police to 65-year-old clothier Mohamed Gebeli, whom friends reportedly found unconscious on the floor of Valentino Fashion, which Gebeli had owned and operated for four years.

New And Improved Leske’s Bakery To Open Its Doors August 8

By on July 25, 2012  Business, Food & Drink
Jul 252012
 

It’s official! Leske’s Bakery [7612 5th Ave] has set a reopening date.

Bay Ridge’s only Scandinavian Bakery is planning to open its doors once again on Wednesday, August 8, at 11:30 a.m.

After arousing the interest of blogger Brooks of Sheffield back in April, co-owner Harry Hawk had personally assured readers that Leske’s latest incarnation will be “turning back the clock” in terms of fresher, storemade ingredients and a renewed commitment to the bakery’s original level of quality.

We can’t wait to check it out!

Concern For Gebeli Family, Business Grows As Hunt For Killer Of Beloved Shopkeeper Continues

By on July 12, 2012  Featured story, News
Jul 122012
 

Image source: Google Maps.

As the NYPD continues its search for the killer(s) of beloved local clothing merchant Mohamed Gebeli, businesses owners and residents remain both nervous and concerned, reports Paul Katinas for the Brooklyn Eagle.

Unfortunately, as of press time police were still left with “no suspects and no motive” in the case.

In the aftermath of the cold-blooded murder of such a well-liked member of the community, the people who knew Mohamed Gebeli attempt to honor his memory.

“He was a good guy,” civic leader and longtime friend Katherine Khatari told Brooklyn Eagle. “There was a homeless guy who used to walk up and down Fifth Avenue and Mohammed would give him socks for his feet. He was very good to my husband and me. We went through a lot together.”

Khatari’s thoughts also drifted to a family left fatherless.

“I hope this murder is solved right away, so his family can have peace of mind. His wife works in a Dunkin’ Donuts and his son works in a car service. They’re real Bay Ridge people,” Khatari said. Continue reading »

Identity Of Local Store Owner Who Contributed To $10,000 Reward Revealed

By on July 9, 2012  News
Jul 092012
 

The identity of a local business owner who matched the $5,000 reward offered by State Senator Marty Golden for information leading to an arrest in the murder of beloved clothing shop proprietor Mohamed Gebeli, has been revealed.

Jessica Bakeman is reporting on website Politics on the Hudson that Habib Joudeh – the owner of Pharmacy on Fifth [6914 5th Avenue] contributed half of the reward – which currently stands at $10,000.

From Politics on the Hudson:

During remarks at the Bay Ridge Arab American Bazaar held in Bay Ridge, Golden stated, “Mr. Gebeli was killed Friday night in an incident that has destroyed a family and has shocked a community. I am announcing this $5,000 reward today so to encourage anyone who may know something to help solve this case to contact the authorities.

“I thank local leader Habib Joudeh, of Pharmacy on Fifth, for matching the reward…”

The entire community remains on edge as neighbors, friends, and customers – many of whom are returning from summer weekends spent out of the neighborhood – continue to be shocked by news of Friday night’s deadly apparent robbery at Gebeli’s store Valentino Fashion [7718 5th Ave].

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