The retail space on the ground floor of the Absolute on Myrtle is mighty large.  A source told me that a gym might be interested in the space.

Thoughts?  Do you want a chain gym, or a local gym?

Personally, I’m cool with the Bed-Stuy Y, although it’s become about 100xs more crowded this year.  And I’m not surprised, given the affordable pricing and the nice facilities (although I do wish they would separate the cardio machines from the weight machines, which are cramped in so tightly that it’s hard to move around when people are using the machines!).

I hope it’s not a NYSC, which I found to be way overpriced (at least last time I was a member).  It would be nice to have an option closer than the Y or the Crunch (which I hear is also super crowded).

Sapolo (Spanish and Chinese food) on Myrtle closed down recently, but rumor has it that they’re reopening.  What gives?

Back in 2006, readers were less than pleased when a Quiznos opened on Myrtle Avenue. (And yes, CHB has been publishing since 2006!) We had all hoped for a non-chain.

They’ve since closed.

A source tells me that Barking Brown will be opening a second location there in order to split up their products (clothing and accessories).

Their current store is located at 468 Myrtle between Washington and Hall.

An anonymous source tells me that someone has been considering opening a beer garden in the building next to the Absolute on Myrtle Ave.  Said proprietor is allegedly an experienced beer garden operator.

A few years ago, I noticed a mysterious structure that looked like a greenhouse skeleton on Clinton Avenue north of Myrtle.  Readers informed me that it belonged to the church on Waverly north of Myrtle.  They also noted that the church congregation was very noisy (and not just to newbies, either).  When I used to park on that block I often found the road blocked off by members’ cars (my own personal annoyance).

Brownstoner reports that the church is finally ready to finish this place up.  The discussion over there centered mostly around the anticipated aesthetics of the structure, and the idea of smaller churches renting space in beautiful old churches in the borough, thus helping those buildings stay open (and preserved).

So?  Have these folks still been noisy?  What do you think about their new digs?

Speaking of new establishments on Fulton, a reader informs us that a sports bar will open on the same block as Olivino.  Maybe in the former home of BKNY?  Or is that something else now?

Recently, a reader tipped me off to a potential bar opening on Fulton next to Brooklyn Cares Vet:

Hi! I think there might be a new bar going in around 946 or 948 Fulton St at Cambridge Place (next to the Brooklyn Cares vet clinic). It’s under construction, but the door was open the other day and I saw what looked like a big long plywood counter going in. Do you know anything about it?

I walked past last week and only saw what looked like construction – but no one was around to ask.  Have the scoop?  This could be pretty cool, and a good way to link western Fulton (home to Olivino wine shop and bar and the new Just Taste It) with the eastern end (Outpost).  Maybe they’ll even be open when the post office is.  I know I usually feel like a stiff drink after leaving that place.

As many readers know, the brownstone used as Miranda and Steve’s home on Sex and the City (both the TV show and the first movie) is located on DeKalb Avenue between Washington and Waverly.

The movie sequel is currently filming in Manhattan, but the crews are scheduled to return to DeKalb next week.  Prop load-in is taking place this week, and filming is slated to take place over the following two weeks.

Maybe the ladies would like to meet CHB for a local cosmo?

A few weeks ago, it was announced that the original Bonita in Williamsburg would shut its doors.  Now Eater is reporting that the DeKalb location will also close (and might reopen as a Marlow and Sons).

I am NOT pleased.

Pequena, the tiny (duh) but delicious Mexican eatery in Fort Greene will open a second location on Vanderbilt Avenue, just south of Atlantic!

The restaurant will open in place of the Barrette bar, which just closed recently on Vanderbilt (at Bergen) in Prospect Heights. The owners are behind the local empire responsible for the original Pequena, Maggie Brown, Olea and Moe’s.

Not sure when it will be opening (I actually called them to ask and the woman who answered said, “I have no idea!”), but they have already painted the outside yellow.  Here’s hoping they’ll be open before summer is over.

Technically Prospect Heights, but still walkable for the southern part of the neighborhood.

(Thanks, Russell, for this tip!)