Four & Twenty Cafe at Brooklyn Public Libraray

Emily and Melissa Elsen recently opened Four and Twenty Blackbirds Cafe in the Central Brooklyn Public Library. The sisters are the owners and operators of one of Brooklyn’s most beloved pie shops by the same name since 2010. They have been operating a temporary version of the cafe, with a limited menu, since the beginning of the month, but have officially rolled out the full menu at the new space at the library in Grand Army Plaza.

Cafe Hours: Mon-Thurs 9AM–6PM, Fri-Sat: 10AM–6PM, Closed Sunday

Food and Tech Entrepreneurs: Branding 101

Join other aspiring food and technology entrepreneurs for a four part course of Food Startup Branding 101. You can join either in person or online. Food and Tech

In-N-Out Opens Replica of Their First Ever Burger Stand To Celebrate 66th Anniversary

In Baldwin Park, CA, a 100-square foot replica of the first In-N-Out burger stand opened. The interior is donned with original amenities including an antique Coldspot refrigerator, vintage fryers and two-way speakers in the drive-through lane. Unfortunately, there’s no food at this location as it is intended as a showpiece only. 

Parm Opening Upper West Side Location

The team behind Parm, Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, plan to expand their popular Italian casual dining concept to the former Lansky’s Old World Deli space on Columbus Avenue this summer. This is not the only new location in the pipeline for the Italian restaurateurs; Parm will likely come to Williamsburg and Brookfield Place.

Chef Driven Market May Open in Union Square Park

As of yesterday, the New York State Court of Appeals ended a six-year-long battle which would determine whether a “Chef Driven Market” could open in Union Square Pavilion; they ultimately acquiesced to allowing it. It’s probable that restaurateur Simon Oren will open his planned full-service establishment with 200 seats; however, the Parks Department has the final say in authorizing the proposed menus along with other operational logistics.

Pop-Up Stores Gain Popularity in Airports, Domestically and Internationally

Pop-up shops in airports are gaining international recognition and success, reports USA Today. These small (yet fruitful) and transient retail enterprises have already made headlines in malls and upscale shopping streets; more recently pop-up shops have burst onto the airport scene in an impactful way.

“From a business standpoint, it’s a great idea,” said Ramon Lo, editorial director of Airport Revenue News. “Short-term leases can give vendors a chance to dip their toes into the airport arena and build awareness for street-side locations,” while allowing airports to vet new operators and, often, fill unused spaces, he said.

Pop-up restaurants have been a huge hit at Copenhagen Airport, where top Danish chefs served special tasting menus from an open kitchen. Every few months a different company creates a pop-up in the “Brand Box” in the airport’s main tax-free shop.

In October 2013, JetBlue hosted a three-day Farmers Market in T5 at JFK International Airport. “That was such a successful pop-up experience that we’re now looking at how we can integrate it more on a regular basis,” said JetBlue spokeswoman Tamara Young.

Hickory Farms tested the idea of a Holiday Market shop at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport during the most recent holiday season.

It can often take some negotiation with airports to secure the space for pop-ups, “but airports are motivated and sometimes ask for these pop-ups because they of course share in the benefit of the sales,” explained Hudson Group spokeswoman Laura Samuels.

 

San Francisco’s Day-Old New York Bagel Craze

The demand for New York bagels is very high— so high that San Franciscans are willing to form 2-hour long lines out the door, in the rain, to the Eastside Bagels pop-up. Eastside Bagels is serving Russ & Daughters bagels, shipped overnight, and their latest venture has proven to be such a success that plans for expansion are in the pipeline.

Smorgasburg Vendor, Beehive Oven, Opening Brick-and-Mortar Eatery

Brooklyn-based biscuit vendors, Treva and John Chadwell, are aiming for a spring opening at 743 Driggs Avenue. Beehive Oven, the acclaimed biscuit vendors at Smorgasburg, will announce plans to serve beer and wine at tomorrow CB1 Brooklyn meeting.

Sweetgreen Expanding to Williamsburg and Tribeca

The sustainable and local salad and wrap chain, Sweetgreen, will be making its way to Williamsburg at 162 North 4th St and to Tribeca in the former Il Mattone space this summer. Co-owner Nicolas Jammet said in regards to the upcoming Brooklyn location: “Sweetgreen was born to live in Brooklyn and we could not think of a more perfect neighborhood than Williamsburg.”

Dave Pasternack to Join Forces with LDV Hospitality

Chef Dave Pasternack of B & B Hospitality Group’s Esca is partnering with LDV Hospitality (Scarpetta, American Cut) in an Italian fish restaurant venture. The restaurant will open in the old Promenade Des Anglais space. “I’m calling it Barchetta, which means small boat,” said Chef Pasternack. He continues, “It’s taken me 14 years, but I’m finally doing it.” Esca patrons need not worry, as Pasternack has no plans to leave.