Brooklyn’s former steam railroads, the West End, Sea Beach, Culver, and Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island, which chuffed across farmland on the way to the sea, have left a lasting legacy, in that all of them have become subway or elevated lines.
The West End and Sea Beach were named for seaside hotels to which they brought summer vacationers, and even now oldtimers refer to the N and D trains (the letter designations seem to change every 15 or 20 years) by the old railroad names. The Culver is named for the founder of the railroad that was replaced by the F train elevated, Andrew Culver.
And, the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island was so named because it ran from the city of Brooklyn south through Flatbush to Coney Island.
One of the ways that subway lines that were formerly part of railroads can be recognized is that they tend to run on their own rights of way. The Dyre Avenue line (#5 train) in the northern Bronx used to be part of the NY, Westchester and Boston RR, in existence from 1912-1937. The Sea Beach (N train) runs in an open cut between 61st and 62nd Streets, then 63rd and 64th, and finally between West 7th and 8th on its way south to Coney. Meanwhile, the Brighton Line (now the B and Q), which replaced the Brooklyn, runs in an open cut and embankment between Marlborough Road (East 15th) and East 16th Streets south to the seashore.
Brighton Line tracks at Foster Avenue
The Brighton Line has retained an aura of old-time railroading that the other open-cut subway line, the Sea Brach, hasn’t. It runs through the neighborhoods south of Prospect Park, which consist of several planned developments of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries that are chock full of handsome Victorian-era standalone houses, several of which can be seen out the windows of the train. From there it runs south through Midwood and Sheepshead Bay on a raised embankment that interrupts several of the alphabet avenues that run east and west. Some of them actually had to be lowered to allow the traffic under the low embankment — if they are allowed to pass through at all.
The final station of the Brighton’s open cut before it runs on the embankment that begins at about Glenwood road is Newkirk Plaza, or as it was known until 2011, Newkirk Avenue. In an arrangement unique in New York city, a pedestrian walkway runs above the island (express) station on both sides, with shop fronts facing each walkway.
I had originally thought of “Newkirk” as a Scottish name meaning new church, but it turns out it’s yet another of Brooklyn’s many Dutch appellations and honors the immigrant Nieukercke family, through whose farm the avenue was built in the late 1800s. The family had arrived in the colonies in 1659. As it happens the name translates to new church in Dutch as well.
Two views from 1960 and from 2013 looking north from a pedestrian crossover between Newkirk Plaza’s two sides. In 1960 it was possible to lean over a low concrete wall and aim a camera down at the subway cars passing by, which in this case happens to be a BMT Standard. Unfortunately, over the years, other things were being aimed at the subway cars and so, during a Newkirk Plaza renovation in the 2000s, a very high barred fence was placed along every possible opening. You can still stick a camera through the bars, as I did here. photo: Gotham Turnstiles by John Henderson
It’s hard to see when the photo is small, but in the NE part of the plaza, on the right, notice the Ebinger’s Bakery sign, as well as Almac Hardware. We’ll discuss Almac presently, but Ebinger was Brooklyn’s best-known purveyor of baked goods for decades, from 1898-1972…
Ebinger’s was a contemporary of other turn-of-the-century German bakeries in New York like Entenmann’s, Drakes, and Holtermann’s. These bakeries turned out fresh pastries every day—a fragrant collection of crumb buns, lemon bars, nut cookies, and coffee cakes. Entenmann’s would eventually grow into a successful international brand, but only Ebinger’s can lay true claim to the blackout cake. Capital New York
A visit to Ebinger’s on 86th Street was a weekly ritual for our family in Bay Ridge in the 1960s, and though most remember its chocolate cake, I remember Ebinger’s best for its cookies, drizzled with frosting in every pastel color in the rainbow. After Ebinger’s folded in 1972, a couple of entrepreneurs tried reviving the brand, claiming to have gotten their hands on the original recipes, but it wasn’t the same. Those recipes must be buried in a vault someplace along with the original Coca-Cola formula, the one with the coca leaves.
In the Easy Eighties, I had a girlfriend who lived on Newkirk Avenue and, while I usually took late night bus rides home to Bay Ridge, if we were going somewhere on the subway, which in the 1980s was still a graffiti-scrawled mugger-mover, we wound up getting on the train at Newkirk Plaza, which, then and now, is entered by this forbidding-looking short tunnel on Marlborough Road. Back then the walls were completely bare, and the desultory attempt at beautification by stencilling the words “Newkirk Plaza” on the walls in green and yellow Garamond Italic hadn’t yet happened.
The A&N Diner sign, by the way, is a relic of the past, as the diner is no longer present.
Newkirk and Marlborough Roads. The bishop crook posts are a recent addition as is the bulky NYPD surveillance camera. For many years, Newkirk Plaza was crime-ridden and though conditions are better, crime still pays return visits regularly, for old times’ sake.
This is the steel viaduct carrying Newkirk Avenue over the open cut. The green light indicates the station remains open 24/7.
Seen on the far wall is a chipping painted ad for the former Independence Savings Bank.
Originally chartered in 1857 as South Brooklyn Savings Bank, it remained primarily a Brooklyn-based bank and retained its headquarters on Court Street. In 1975, the name was changed to Independence Savings Bank.
Starting in 1992 it started to expand outside of Brooklyn with the purchases of banks such as Long Island City S&L (NYC), Bay Ridge Federal Savings(Brooklyn) and Staten Island Bank and Trust(NYC). At its height it had $5 billion in deposits and branches throughout New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties. In 1998 the bank converted to a public stock corporation from a mutual savings bank. By 2005, the banking environment was changing and it couldn’t keep up due to its size and decided in September 2006 to sell itself to Sovereign Bank. wikipedia
Newkirk Plaza is the product of a grade crossing elimination on the Brighton Line that took place between 1904 and 1908. This placed the line in its present-day open cut and embankment. Newkirk Plaza was created when residential buildings were placed along the line between Newkirk and Foster Avenues, and pedestrian walkways built along the open cut surrounding the station entrance. Shops occupied the ground floors along the walkways– and Brooklyn had stumbled into its first shopping mall. This occurred anywhere between 1908 and 1913. Brooklyn wouldn’t have another shopping mall until Kings Plaza at Flatbush Avenue and Avenue U opened in late 1970.
For every one of those years (or nearly so, since it has been here since 1914) Almac Hardware has been a presence here. Photos of the Plaza in its early days are scarce (if you have any, pass them along) but Almac does appear in the 1960 photo above.
Returning to the Marlborough Road entrance, the south side of the wall has a mosaic addition under way. The mosaic by Carlos Pinto, as well as Susan Jaramillo’s mural on the north side of the wall, have been installed by the Brooklyn Recycle Project. Flight is the theme of both works.
Susan Jaramillo’s lighthearted mural showing the residents of Midwood and Ditmas Park flying over the neighborhood includes a Hasidic gent with helicopter blades on his shtreimel, a burka’ed woman, a yogette floating above the scene without wings, jet packs, winged skates, and other various flying methods.
That Double Dragon illuminated sign for a Chinese restaurant is the same one I remember form the early 1980s, and the restaurant is still there, unlike the A & N Diner.
This is a view of the platform sometime in the Swingin’ Sixties, when BMT Standards still rumbled along the line. Cast your gaze to the northwest, where the Lipton Drugs sign can be seen. photo: nycsubway.org
In 1999, when I visited the plaza, the sign was still there, though the drugstore was long gone. These signs are heavy, bulky, and difficult to take down, so they tend to outlast their parent stores.
There is a pharmacy on the Plaza, though, according to the Daily News, Leon’s barbershop next door has been in business for a century. I imagine they mean there has been a barbershop in that space for a century, since Leon himself doesn’t look a day over fifty.
A look at the 100-year-old multifamily homes, with carefully wrought cornices and large window lintels, lining the Plaza, with storefronts on the ground floor.
A street clock was installed as part of the early 2000s renovations.
Newkirk Station Liquors, another longstanding Plaza business.
Looking over the pedestrian bridge connecting the Plaza’s two sides. A large apartment building faces the Plaza on its southwest side. The Type B lampposts and tall fences are part of recent station renovations.
Here’s a closer look at the Minar Food Market sign, which is likely several decades old but still gets the job done; why replace it?
The Newkirk Plaza station house has been renovated, as well, leaving it with a more spacious interior than you’d think, and a couple of new skylights.
The east side of the stationhouse features a plaque, placed in 1908, that commemorates the grade crossing elimination along the Brighton Line that brought about Newkirk Plaza.
Bob Diamond, of Atlantic Avenue railroad tunnel fame, wrote a lengthy treatise on this project in Rapidtransit.net several years ago, accompanied by some fascinating photographs.
A look at bicycle parking along the crossover, and the east side of the Plaza.
Lin’s Market harks back to the old general store days, as its awning sign advertises “jewelry, bags, hosiery, hats, toys, watches, stationery, varieties,” and claims itself to be the “ultimate hobby store.”
I don’t think Lo Duca’s Pizzeria has anything to do with Mike Piazza’s replacement at catcher for the Mets a few years ago, Paul Lo Duca, who liked to play the ponies. The big A in the window means the fare is safe under NYC’s restaurant inspection rating system, though I’ve never seen another letter in any window.
Banners on lightpoles at the Plaza tout Victorian Flatbush. Technically, neighborhoods like Caton Park, Beverly Square East and West, Prospect Park South, Fiske Terrace, Midwood Park etc. aren’t actually in Flatbush, unless you count their former status in the town of Flatbush that was ultimately absorbed by Brooklyn.
Among the goods offered at Alex’s Medical Supplies, another venerable Plaza business, must be orthopedic shoes.
A view of one of the Plaza’s Type B’s, which give a white light, and the high fence protecting the tracks.
Looking north from Foster Avenue along the west side of the tracks.
When I crossed the Foster Avenue bridge over the railroad cut, I was disappointed to learn….
…that the old Newkirk Plaza signage, in Garamond Italic pressed metal lettering, one of my favorite fonts…
…was no more. The fence was repainted, but replacing the letters must have cost too much dough, and the neighborhood youth would simply resume pulling them off. In the future, these sort of signs will be vandal-proof holographic images.
3/3/13
108 comments
These pictures bring back great memories. I lived on Newkirk Avenue between Argyle and Rugby from 1970-2 while attending Brooklyn College. I would walk to school most days, often through the plaza. I rode the Brighton line a lot, but can honestly say, I don’t think I ever did much shopping at the plaza itself. Thanks for the wonderful pictures.
I lived at 1212 Newkirk Ave from about ’57 to ’63. Attended PS 217 and remember Newkirk Plaza so well. My first crush was on a classmate, Claire, that lived above one the stores on the plaza. I used to look for her when my Mom went shopping at the A&P around the corner. I got my first pair of glasses at the Optometrist’s office and opened my first bank account at the Dimes Savings Bank. Seeing these pictures brought back so many memories and tears to my eyes. Thank you
Hi David!
I lived at 1212 Newkirk and remember you and your brother Dale! Would love to catch up with you!
I lived across the street from 1212 Newkirk, in 1205 Newkirk. My parents bought the house in 1940 when I was 4 yrs old, and mother sold it in 1957 when died dad. Ah, nosalgia!
Hi David. Found this post just recently. OMG over the years thought of you as well.
Found memories of Newkirk Plaza. Just was friended by a couple of people from the old neighborhood. Where did the years go? Hope you have a good life Claire
Hi David, I lived on East 16th from 1942-1961. Lived over the luncheonette in the middle of the block. Attended PS 217 and graduated in 1959.
Did you have a sister by the name of Sharon? I lived on Newkirk Ave.
Nope
I enjoyed the walk down memory lane. I lived in the neighborhood from the early 60’s until 1979 when
I was married and then moved to Queens. Brooklyn will always be home.
Anyone remember Grillos? It was a pretty well known seafood restaurant on the plaza that my family patronized a couple of times when I was a kid in the 70’s. The only thing I remember about the place was upon entry we had to walk through the kitchen to get to the dining room to be seated. Been gone since the mid 80’s I believe.
Grillos also had a fantastic fresh seafood market–the very best in this area of Brooklyn. Shopped there very often. They were displaced when a bank expanded and they settled on an avenue in another neighborhood. They couldn’t make it there and soon disappeared. It’s a shame.
I just saw this post. I remember you vividly. My first crush as well. Just happened upon this site.
Grilled was great. We bought fresh seafood there at least once a week. Their take out was great as well. Seafood combination plates. Broiled or Fried with Cole slaw, lemon wedge and great French fries. Does anyone have more pictures, like the Plaza Deli, owners were Arnie and Sophie, Lindeman Florists. Waddles Honby Store and the great Puzza place.
Grillos was great. There was a back entrance off E16th St. but the stench of the dumpsters back there made it
rough. The back door brought you right into the dining room. I have a friend that worked there as a waitress
in the early 70’s. Actually though you walked through the fish store to get to the little dining area in the back.
I remember Grillos. My brothers Bobby and Allen would go fishing off the boats in Sheepshead Bay and sell their catch to the store owners.
Was trying to think of the name. I loved grillos
Two points. I doubt it if that picture with the Standards was taken in the 1960s. Could have been 70s or 80s during a fan trip. The standards never looked that good in service during our lifetime. They were dirty grey all over from the steel dust in the tunnels because they never we’re washed, and forget about a silver or white roof. Also in the 1960s, it was the D types that rode the express tracks. The Standards were always used in local operation.
Second point, in the 1970s, the Department of City Panning when trying to beautify Newkirk Plaza was trying to get the shop keepers adopt uniform signage. I think that would have given the Plaza an entirely new look and it really would have looked like a mall. Guess they didn’t want to splurge for the extra bucks and the city couldnt come up with the funds due to the budget crisis.
Yes, the silver-topped roofs are a give away that the photo shows a fan trip set of Standards, long after their retirement. However, the Standards did see service from time to time operating as Brighton Beach Express trains on the express tracks. I remember their being used as Chamber Street express trains, as well. Also, during the summer run of the Franklin Avenue shuttle to Coney Island, the Standards operated on the express track once south of Prospect Park.
Back in the day (1956) I would go regularly to Waldell Hobbies. It was located at the north side of the passageway just a few strides west of the station house entrance.
Correction Allan and Keith.
The picture of the silver roof BMT Standards were not on a fan trip, but in revenue passenger service. In the late 1950’s. One set of Standards were repainted green with silver roofs. As museum cars, the Standards were never painted with silver roofs.
Also note that the third rail is the old elevated style without wooden protection boards. The reason why it was called elevated style was because wooden elevated cars with overrunning contact shoes ionce traversed this line. Chicago Transit Authority uses this same stlye today. The dangerous elevated style thrid rails were replaced in 1959, so that picture predates that year.
William, you are so right. I should have noted the lack of third rail covering. Another tipoff would’ve been the fact that many of the men are wearing hats. However, I do not remember seeing any Standards with the green and silver combination.
“I do not remember seeing any Standards with the green and silver combination”
These were the only Standards that were painted that way. Back in the 1940’s,some were painted tan with silver roofs. Three hundred eight nine Standards were rehabbed between 1959-62, and their exteriors were not painted. The last Standards ran on the Myrtle-Chambers line on August 4, 1969.
Yes, the third rails are the tipoff. But to be clear, subway-style third rail is also overrunning, as distinct from under-running third rail used on the former New York Central (now Metro North).
The reason that el-style third rail had to be uncovered was that the contact device from the el car’s wheel trucks contacted the eletrified rail directly from above and would have been blocked by protective covering of the rail. Subway-style contact “shoes,” on the other hand, extend out from the wheel trucks like a tongue and slide along the top of the electrified rail but under the protective boards.
the platform appears to be made of wood, which means the photo was likely taken prior to the platform lengthening project undertaken in the mid 1960s.
Hi William,
I believe I know your brother, Mike. All the best to you & him!
Harry Eisenberg
I remember Waldell’s at the southeast corner of Cortelyou and Rugby Roads, across from PS 139. I bought all my Matchbox cars from Mr. Waldell.
Wasn’t Waldell on the Plaza itself? Near the station house right by the Cave” entrance on the Newkirk Ave. side.
That shoe sign is the greatest.
A Post Office on the west side of the Plaza had a very serious fire in the early 1970s.
The fire occurred in June of 1971. De Sica’s pizzeria and the post office were heavily damaged. The archway over the arcade was teetering, ready to fall after the fire. A Daily News article back then stated the fire was caused by arson, started in the pizzeria.
It was arson. Post office is where it started, not pizza place. I knew both of the kids involved with it. They were neighborhood kids. Post Office, dress shop, pizza place, shoe repair. For years after the fire, the partially melted sign of HOLIDAY GREETINGS AND CARDS hung as it was. I sold fruit on the plaza in early 1970s a couple of doors down from Almac.
The Newkirk fire was prior to March of 1971. my mom took me there the day of the fire when I came home for lunch from PS 217. She passed in March 1971. I also knew one of the kids involved. I do remember the site was empty for a very long time with just the floors of the burned out stores remaining and a steel column or two.
My family owned the Pizzeria in the 1960’s. I used to help out. My parents were Jack and Jean, brother Jim and me Connie. The fire happened after they sold the store. If anyone has any pictures please let me know. Thank you.
Just want you to know that this was my first ever taste of pizza. It was after a class trip around 1960-61! Wonderful memories!
My family owned De Sica’s Pizzeria in the 1960’s. I also help out at the store. Wonderful memories. My parents were Jack and Jean. Fond Memories. If anyone has a picture of the store please get in touch with me. The fire happened after they sold it. What became of it and the dress store right across the street? Thank you.
Connie I remember you so well. Had a giant crush on you. I would stop for pizza with my dog and you would always feed him cheese. Great memories
Connie, when it was finally rebuilt the space occupied by De Sica’s became a newsstand/candy store. I don’t know what’s there now. There is a NEWKIRK AVENUE page on facebook wit 250 members. The fire and De Sica’s are mentioned often. If you do facebook you should join. Just request entry and tell them your connection to De Sica’s. I’m sure there are many who remember you. So far the only pictures are 1 or 2 of the burned out post office.
It wasn’t the Post Office. It was a pizza place. The Post office moved out before then to Newkirk. The Pizza place was burnt down by John Lianetty, and then the Te Amo was built by the Hussen Family, who are the only family that remain on Newkirk Plaza with another deli accross on the East Side, They have been there since 1974
The post office, dress shop, pizza place, and Seamans shoe repair at the end of the tunnel all burned, I posted a picture of the back of the burned Newkirk post office a few years ago in the Newkirk Ave FB group.
TE AMO!!! I thought it was Optimo. I always got the 2 names mixed up. Don’t ask why. Back in the 80’s my cousin and I used to buy El Mundo newspapers from there because the paper always featured an article on Menudo. Even the we didn’t understand a lot of Spanish, we loved Menudo. Te Amo was right near the alleyway to Marlboro right? Does anyone remember the name of the Bagel shop that was closer to Foster Ave side?
The corner :”Law Office” in the photos is Marlborough and Newkirk. That used to be the Plaza Lounge, a neighborhood pub.
Just saw this post, my father was a bartender there 1950s.
I loved the Brighton line precisely because it felt “old-time.” I grew up in the Bronx, on the No. 6 line, but that had none of the romance of an old-time train. It was efficient, that was all. I don’t recall how I got there, but one Saturday I took the Brighton to wherever I changed for the train to the 95th Street line, and from there onto the ferry to St. George. Pure heaven.
the barber shop was owned by John Messina in the late 60s early 70s. He took it over when Paul retired. Got many haircuts there as a kid growing up on East 16th Street.
My father (Rudy) Anthony Fischetti had the barber shop on Newkirk and Marlbourgh Rd…we lived upstairs over the shop..also lived over Almacs in the early 50s…went to PS 217…this was in the 50s.
Karen, I remember you from the barber shop…
I used to hang out there with some others because we were all collecting coins, including your father.
There was a table in the back of the shop where we all sat..
I think I was younger then you.
I have a house upstate now and a grown son….
John Messina owned the place until the 1990s. Leon was one of his barbers, and Messina sold it to him in late 90s,
We always went to John Messina’s for our haircuts. In particular I remember the barber named Sal (whose own head didn’t provide much material for barbering); he used to advise me to put olive oil on my hair to keep it from falling out. Maybe that worked for a while — Now, at 63, my pate more resembles his from those days.
I remember Paul and John very well. Paul told me I would never lose my hair. I wish he had been right. I lived on E. 16th Street from 1947 to 1971 (with a few years out for college).
So did I Glenn. Worked in the shoe store between 1955 and 1960. I remember when we burned Christmas trees in the street right after Christmas
I remember when John started at the shop. Paul used to tell my father that I would never lose my hair. Unfortunately he was wrong.
Concerning the Newkirk Plaza. I owned the Lipton Chemist Pharmacy at 14 Newkirk Plaza from 1959 to 1977..
The heavy metal sign that you show hung over our doorway. The Pharmacy was originally opened 1n 1907. It had the most popular soda fountain in the whole area. It vanished in early 50s when all those aerosol products hit the market and the space was better used for display. The remodeling of the Plaza was the idea of the then active Newkirk Plaza Merchants Assoc. I made speeches all over town to get support and finally got funding from Washington D.C.. We had the buildings steam cleaned,put up fancy lights and spruced up in general. That was in mid 1970s.There is more but I have run out of space. Yes Grillos was great, I still miss it. What a meal for $3.75
My parents owned Walkers Beauty Salon, at 8 Newkirk Plaza,, from around 1955 to 197 ?. I pretty much grew up on the Plaza, it was a great place. Al & Mac, Sam at the toy store. Feldbaums. There was a custom corset-bra shop next to my parents. On & On….
As a neighborhood kid (Rugby btwn Foster and Newkirk — I was often the delivery boy for that Drug store (Pharmacy is too “uptown” for me). Mid-50’s, I was 12-14 years old. Asked by Mr. Lipton(??) to stop by every day after school at about 4PM. Went home after the deliveries were done. I can’t remember how much I got paid but I clearly remember him asking “how were the tips today”? If I shrugged and said OK I guess— he’d reach into the till and add some more coins to my “Pay”. Another reason to worship the Brooklyn of that era.
[…] There are numerous mistakes concerning its vibrant present and its past that need to be rectified. Newkirk Plaza Share this:GoogleFacebookTumblrPinterestGoogle+ James Jerome […]
Mr. WALsh there are many corrections aboUt the Plaza, Like the camera store before the Bagel store. which then became a camera store and video place with she store inside. In the aerly 90s, the Bagle store bought out the camera store, and the camera store was reduced to a small shop next too the bagel store up until 2002, when the shoe store was all that remained. Also no one mentions Moriarty’s pub, or Feldbaum’s restaurant or the Jewish deli.
Moriarty’s was my fathers bar (Bill), just wondering if anybody here remembers him.
Is this the Moriarty’s Bar on Flatbush Ave. & Park Plc.?
No it was in the plaza.
Hey Erin, was wondering if anyone was going to mention the bar. Say hi to Dad and mom. Last time was a Nicie’s wake. Regards, Linda Riviezzo Schaffer
Wasn’t it on the corner of Marlborough and Foster?? At the beginning of the Plaza.
And didn’t it serve hot corned beef sandwiches??
Billy Moriarity and Paul Darcy manned the sticks at Mo’s in the 60s and 70s – a large OLR (Our Lady Of Refuge) contingent would show up nightly! The Bar softball team played in the Red Hook Arc League while the other neighborhood team East 17 Street around the corner played in the fast pitch doubleheader Sunday League in Luna Park Playground in Coney Island! A good rivalry between both teams-some players played for both when there was no schedule conflict-other times they either played against one another or the teams would combine rosters and play outside games vs other bars!!
YesI do! The best years of my life were spent there ❤️Diane ONeill
Boy, did this bring back memories…
I spent most of my childhood on that plaza.
In the late 50’s I worked for Almac Hardware and also at Grillos as a dishwasher.
My mom worked at the Ebingers for years, I think until they closed..
At the end of the alleyway on the plaza was a pizza place and then it was a hobby shop.
The slices were 15 cents.. So was the subway…
Near Grillos was a big shoe repair place that had those booths where you could sit and wait while the repaired your shoes.
We used to solder a nail to a nickel and then bang it in the wooden step to the train station and watch people trying to pick it up..Great fun at the time.
I still live in the house on Ditmas Avenue that my parents bought in 1963. I took the subway my school in Manhattan every day for the next six years and now take the Q from Newkirk Plaza every day to work. I remember with fondness all the places mentioned in this lovely article and in the nostalgic comments. Grillos was great and I also remember the deli that James Sullivan mentions. That was where I learned how good turkey and corned beef tasted together, a favorite combination to this day. On a sad note, I thought that the people who enjoyed this article might wish to know that Paul Goodman, who owned the Almac Hardware store, died suddenly and much too soon this past Spring. He gave so much to the neighborhood and will be sorely missed.
Do you remember the name of the Pizza place. I’ve been searching for someone who remembers it.
In the 1960’s it was De Sica’s. Victor Cucolea (not sure of the spelling), then my parents Jack and Jean Barnao. The fire happened after my parents sold it.
My family owned the shoe store shoe repair shop next to lipton drug store
I worked their between 1955-1959. Mostly in the finishing area.
[…] are two blogs that are incorrect concerning Newkirk place and they are:Forgotten NY and Lost City. I know, I lived and still do since 1962, and my brother since 1957, two blocks […]
I lived aqt 625 Marlborough Road from 1942 to 1958 when I married. What I remember wojuld fill at least hundreds of volumes I was a friend of ( among others) Carl Cirillo who, if I remember correctly was the son of the owner of Grillos. I went to Erasmus and Brooklyn College and I had most of my social education at Pauls on the Plaza which was on Newkirk Avenue close to the Plaza..the bull sessions there lasted until the wee hours of the morning and you could learn more at those sessions than if you were a reporter for the Times. Remember 7 or 8 newspapers per day including the Sun, Journal American,Herald Tribune, Daily Mirror,The Forwards,Italian American as well as the Times and News What about Ruttas bakery , Feldbaum Bar and Grill?? More stuff if interested..,
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Someone who does not truly appreciate the history of Newkirk Plaza wrote this article. Two points, one included and one excluded, demonstrate the lack of historical accuracy. No historian/reporter would attempt to describe business on the Plaza without dedicating a specific section to the Barbershop and the long-term, insightful business-leadership provided by Leon. The included statement that the Plaza has a significant history of crime is simply untrue.
Having used the Plaza from 1958 to 1967 EVERY day, I agree with your observation about crime. Never saw it — never heard about it.
[…] are two blogs that caught my attention four years ago and that is Forgotten NY, and the other is The Fading Ad Blog. Both blogs have become books. I met Mr. Jump,, the author […]
I lived at 1212 Newkirk from 77-80. don’t remember to many people that lived there then but some of the names I see here I do.
My memories of the Plaza date back to 1939, when we as a family lived at 1517 Newkirk Ave . I would as a 5 year old look out the window, (we lived over the Fairfield Laundry store next to the subway,) and see the people coming off the Plaza. Some stopped at Ebinger’s ,others at the milk and egg store next store or the candy store on the corner of E 16th and Newkirk. As the years went and I started at St Rose in 1940 the war started a few months before I turned 8. Those years with the blackout drills and ration stamps left me with a great apperaction for what I have now. My older brother had a shoeshine box that he used to make a nickle or a dime at the subway entrance, later when he went into the navy I took over and did it for a short while till I got a Brooklyn Eagle paper route .That route encompssed 15th and 16th st from Foster to Cortelyou. Graudating from St Rose in Jan. 1948 and then on to Brooklyn Tech. Jan. of 1952 into the Navy. Those streets and the Plaza were part of my playground growing up along with Newkirk Ave and St Rose. Very fond memories from that era.At 81 I may be the oldest person posting about the neighborhood.
You may be the oldest and I may be the 2nd oldest. Family bought 1205 Newkirk Ave in 1940, I was 4 years old. Sold it in 1957 when dad died. Went to PS 217, then to Erasmus Hall HS in 1950.. How sweet, the nostalgia. Please remain in good health, neigbor John
Richard
I was looking for the names of Brooklyn restaurants from the 50’s when I came across this site.
I lived at 2301 Newkirk Ave during the 50’s (IIRC) wen to PS 152, then to Midwood HS, graduated in 1953…
I vaguely remember the Newkirk plaza, but reading about it jogs my memory…
I was trying to remember the names of the restaurants downtown off Flatbush avenue…Brass Rail…etc
Jon you maybe the oldest lasting since my father knew you, but I have been here for 55 years. The sign concerning Minarr’s is not an old sign- It says 859- This are was 434-The fire happened in the post office and young friend started it. Still friends with Mike Grillo
My mom and I were so excited to discover that her grandmother, Ola Mae Newkirk, is descended of these same Nieuwkirks (multiple spellings abound) through whose farm Newkirk Avenue was built, so we’ll be trekking out to check it out in person soon. Neat. Thanks for this great post.
Does anyone remember the name of the Kosher Deli that was right next to Grillo’s?
It was called the Plaza Deli, Anyone remember the Patio Restaurant, my family of 6 dined there in the 50s.
I lived on Marlborough rd. Your mother Etta and my mother were good friends .ai knew your brothers Arthur and sister Roxy .You lived at 1319 Newkirk Ave….
Joe Woods you were friends with my sister Marilyn..IT was a great neighborhood back then
There was a Jewish deli at 6 Newkirk Plaza called the Dolmatch Dairy and Delicatessen (the Plaza Deli is there now). We moved to the neighborhood in 2016 and found out afterwards that it was in fact owned by my Great-Great Aunt and Uncle, Bronsy and Duda Dolmatch. If anyone here has memories of it, I would be delighted to hear them! A photo of it is here: https://brooklynhistory.pastperfectonline.com/photo/868F2832-324B-46C5-A6EF-201118328115
My father, Lenny Eisenberg and his brother in law (my uncle) Paul Greco owned Plaza Radio at 13 Newkirk Plaza from the late 1940s to the mid 1960s. My grandfather, Meyer Eisenberg owned it before then. I’m also told that previous to that, Meyer owned a stationary store and later cigar store on the other side of the plaza. We lived on Foster Ave and later moved to North Bellmore, LI.
I remember Plaza Radio well. Bought all my records there. Paul would let you listen to the record before you bought it. I bought my first transistor radio from Paul. Didn’t he have a daughter named Susan?
He did indeed and a son Paul
Was Plaza radio the store that had a speaker that played music, embedded in a wall (where there used to be ads for the local merchants) near the south end of the northbound Brighton Line platform? Does anyone else remember those ads? I remember there was one for ‘Lipton the Chemist.”
I remember that
Howard Lesser owned the Liquor store in the 60’s and 70’s. He was my friend’s father and we sometimes helped break down the boxes that were there
Hey there! I was born and raised in an apartment building located at 1302 Newkirk Avenue back in the 1960’s-1970’s. My dad and brother owned the candy store on the corner of Newkirk and Rugby Road, I believe it was called Sam & Barry’s. I remember they has a juke box in the back of the store, and red and chrome counter stools where the local kids would come in and sip on an egg cream or ice cream soda. I attended P.S. 217 from 1965-1971, and have very fond memories of playing with the neighborhood kids. We were a wild bunch! I remember some of the neighborhoodboys going around collecting cans, playing stickball and football in the streets, even jumping from one rooftop to another… boy, what were we thinking? At any rate, we all lived to tell the tale (thankfully)! Most of us kids were poor, but you would never know it! Those were some happy times!
Hey there Scott! I slept at 630 Rugby Road — but LIVED at Sam & Barry’s. It was the neighborhood teenage hangout from approx. 1957 to 1962 (when most of us graduated High School and moved on).
Collectively we were the primary source of revenue and agita for Sam & Barry during those years. I’ll guess that on any given Friday night in the summer there were 15-20 boys and girls in front of that store. There was another candy store (at that time called Flink’s)– corner of Westminster and Newkirk. Also had a large following of neighborhood teens — but about 3-4 years older than us. Did your family have the Coke tub filled with ice/cold water and bottled soda? Sorry we missed each other.
Oh wow this is bringing back so many great memories. I lived on Newkirk between 22nd & 23rd. the not so nice part. My cousin and I used to” walk up the road” as we used to say, to take the train at Newkirk Plaza to go to school in Park Slope. After we crossed Ocean Ave the neighborhood got nicer. At least that’s what we thought. I remember there used to be a bagel shop toward the Foster side of the Plaza. Never knew the name but they had great bagels. Also, I’m not sure, but I think i used to frequent Lin’s Market. From the description it sounds like the place where I used to get my ears pierced. My second, third, forth, fifth. and sixth ear piercings Hahaha. Like i said I’m not quite sure if it was Lin’s but it was definitely Asian owned and they sold all the things that are described. I was very small inside and packed. I bought my mini backpack there. There was also an Optimo across the way. We used to buy El Mundo Newspaper because they would always feature an article about Menudo. Loved them. ahhaha…such great memories. I love this site.
my neighborhood.. noah’s ark pets?
I’ve been trying to remember the name of the Jewish
Deli for years! I grew up on Glenwood Rd. My Dentist
Who’s office was on the corner of Foster Ave and Rugby
Rd was G. Michael Grillos, son of one of the original
owners. I remember the camera store, my father took
a lot of home movies and pictures so we were in there
a lot. Manufacturers Hanover Bank was in the corner of Foster and Marlboro Rd. Then the camera store, a beauty salon, an ophthalmologist, Holiday House and Newkirk Pub. At the very end of that side, at the tunnel going to Marlborough Rd, was an old time luncheonette with
booths and a soda fountain. It was a popular after school
Spot for ice cream and milkshakes. On the other side
Was the hardware store, The Lamplighter Pub, a
Woman’s clothing store, Te-Amo, florist, Lipton chemist,
The Jewish Deli, Grillos Seafood and the Savings Bank.
Moving on to Foster Avenue, does anyone remember
The Bakery owned by Neil Diamond’s aunt and uncle?
Their son was in PS 217 when I went there and Neil would stop in the bakery when he was in Brooklyn. A few blocks down was Punch and Judy’s shoes. It was a
good place to grow up!
Hi Nadine.
It was a GREAT place to grow up !
I lived two doors down from Punch & Judy’s shoe store – I’d wait in there after school till my mother came home from work – many fond memories of so many places you all have mentioned !!
Does anyone remember the name of the Pizza Place on the south side of the Marlborough walkthru back in the early sixties? I worked at LR&M Photo Finish (I probably developed and printed all of your pictures). I used to alternate lunch at either Grillo’s (best cocktail sauce in Brooklyn) and the Pizza place. Went to PS 217 only for 6th grade when I moved to Brooklyn from the lower east side; then Ditmas, Midwood (yes I had Mr. Wolf for Math 4 times!). My fav Midwood teacher was Mrs. Tobin in English. We lived on Glenwood Road and Westminster.
November, 2020
I visited Newkirk Plaza a few days ago—probably my first visit in over 50 years. What I noticed is that part of the plaza seemed to have been cut away (the part that is just north of the alley.. So one can’t walk on that side of the plaza, all the way to the street. I was hoping that someone would comment on this. Was there a more complete plaza there, or was a section cut away, exposing more of the tracks below???
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
Seth Joseph Weine
As far as I recall the walkway ended a little bit after the tunnel. If the walkway ever went to Newkirk Avenue it had to be before the 1950’s.
To Nadine-
There was a great Jewish deli on Newkirk at (I think) Rugby Rd. called Roths.
It was amazing…all home cooking.
I bought my shoes at Punch and Judy I went to 217 with Paul Grecco and Tommy Grillo. I bought the Bobsey Twins and Nancy Drew books at the Holiday House. I remember Both excellent Pizza Places and later the fruit store and the Chinese take out. It was agreat place to grow up. The D train got me everywhere. To sch ool, the city, the beach. My grandfather was the forman at Ebingers for years. Mainly
I would love if my best friend Karolyn Kramer would get in touch with me
Here is a correction that needs to be addressed. My father was the original owner of Paul’s Barber Shop. Named Paul Pasqualicchio. From 1926 to 1958, barber shop was located at 17 1/2 Newkirk Plaza. I helped him move to 7 Newkirk in 1954 after building was sold and he was asked to vacate. All published data indicates that shop was always at #7 but it was
not. I can recall taking weekly receipts to bank across the Plaza. I still have some of those canvas money sacks.
In the late forties, he bought one of the first sun tan machines for tanning faces. Window poster advertised ” Florida Sun
Tan. There were four barber chairs. Minimum of three barbers were always available.
I can remember he ran a very tight ship. Barbers were not allowed to nap, and had to stand at their respective chairs when a customer came in, so he could select without being patronized. Only magazines allowed were Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, and National Geographic. I always stopped by on my way home from Brooklyn Technical High School.
A visit to Grillo’s Fish Market for fish was a Friday ritual.
What was the name of the Chinese Latino combination restaurant that was located at Newkirk Plaza at least in the 80s. It was the first place I learn to appreciate black beans and white rice. I lived in a basement apartment in the area.
Thanks for the memories. I ” lost” my last comment, can’t repeat it now.
What a lovely stroll down memory lane. Reading all the comments and looking at the pictures really brought back so many childhood memories and left me in tears. My God, it’s been a whole life time since I lived on 1422 Ditmas Ave. I lived there from 1974 until 1989 when I joined the Navy. My father was a dentist. I attended St. Rose of Lima School. I used to like going to the toy section at L.H. Martins. Thank you for this site.
Looking at these pictures really brings back a lot of memories. Livied on East 16th Street between newkirk and Foster, I had close friends like Randy Forte, heard he passed away a while ago. Hung out with the guys like Andy and Eddie Cole, them and a lot of their friends used to come up from Ocean avenue we used to sit on the stoops at night. Had four sisters and one brother we both enlisted into the Navy after attending PS 217. Worked in the shoe store for a while owned by tony casale. Had good times at sheepshead bay and Coney island.
SO many memories. I lived on Ocean and Foster and always went to the Plaza. Going to Ebingers as well as the bakery on Foster (Perhaps called Lindeman’s) was always great. The Jewish Deli had the best corned beef on club. I used to get all of my Nancy Drew books at the variety store but I can’t remember the name.