By Linda Collins
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Like the swallows to Capistrano, grocery stores are returning to Downtown Brooklyn.

Although still shuttered, a new market will soon replace the Associated market that closed this summer at the Concord Village residential complex at Tillary and Adams streets. And the new tenant is a resident of the complex.

Suzanne Schwimmer of Schwimmer Realty brokered the 15-year lease for the new food store — which will be called Concord Market — on behalf of the new tenant, Concord Village Supermarket Inc., with Victor Vora, president.

It is a 3,000-square-foot space whose address will be 91 Tillary St. Douglas Elliman represented the landlord, Concord Village Owners Inc.

“The market is expected to open sometime in the early part of 2009,� Schwimmer told the Eagle yesterday.

Vora and his family are 30-year residents of Concord Village, according to Schwimmer, who said he knew first hand what his neighbors wanted and deserved in their food market experience. He was selected because he is a highly experienced retailer with over 35 years of business operation in Downtown Brooklyn, presently operating three businesses in MetroTech as well as the Brooklyn Greyhound Bus agency on Livingston Street. He has also served for many years on the board of the Metrotech BID.

“As with other large residential enclaves in Downtown Brooklyn, an onsite supermarket is much more than just another business. It is a highly valued service and amenity for the residents,� said Schwimmer.

The other market to open soon will be in another large residential enclave, the new residential building known as State Renaissance Court at 200 Schermerhorn St.

To be called Brooklyn Fare, the new market is not a chain, according to Hesky Brahimy, developer, building manager and landlord.

Brooklyn Fare will occupy the large corner space of 6,034 square feet plus a smaller 965-square-foot adjacent space, he said.

Moe Issa, business owner, told the Eagle yesterday he negotiated a 30-year lease and is planning a January opening.

“I had wanted to open earlier, but it is just not possible,� he said, adding that he grew up in the area and knew what was needed most by neighborhood residents.

Currently a New Jersey resident, he said all his businesses have been in Brooklyn. He mentioned Sixth Avenue at Flatbush and Warren Street as places where he has lived.

Issa sounded very excited about the store as he listed its amenities — food to go, a seafood department and a butcher, a cheese bar with a selection of at least 500 cheeses, a chef onsite, a bakery and a kitchen.

“The kitchen will be an open kitchen in the middle of the store where we will have cooking classes,� he said, adding, “It will be a really really nice store but with reasonable prices.�

In addition to the Red Cross Brooklyn office, which is already open at State Renaissance Court (with a lease also negotiated by Schwimmer Realty), a new coffee and muffin place opened recently operated by owner Angie Li.

Calling it Renaissance JavaCafe, Li told the Eagle she is serving coffee — including cappuccino, espresso, chai tea and other specialties — plus muffins, soups and panini sandwiches.

“We have tables and chairs and wi-fi Internet access, “said Li, who was not represented by a broker. She happened to be passing by the building, saw the sign and called the management office.

As reported in the Eagle last week, Gristedes supermarket at Henry and Clark streets in Brooklyn Heights remains closed, except for its pharmacy section, after being gutted by fire in early April. But the grocery chain posted an update on the McBrooklyn blog, the main part of it reading as follows:

“Our crews are working fast and furious to bring you an updated, full service and modern supermarket as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience while we continue to push for the opening. Our newly renovated full service supermarket will include a full service Chock Full o’ Nuts Cafe with breakfast sandwiches and s full array of coffee selections. Our in-store bakery will feature a highly qualified baker preparing baked goods fresh daily as well as specialty cakes and pastries. Our deli will feature a Gristedes original Mike’s Sub Shoppe with a cornucopia of fine sandwich selections. Our deli will also feature a fresh Olive Bar, hot food and prepared Meals To-Go.�

As an update, workers were seen just this week unloading shelving for the store. However, they were not forthcoming about the store’s exact reopening date.

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