INSIDE: GET THE RIGHT RESULTS WITH OUR CLASSIFIEDS SECTION Yo u r World — Yo u r News BrooklynPaper.com • (718) 260–2500 • Brooklyn, NY • ©2017 Serving Brownstone Brooklyn, Sunset Park, Williamsburg & Greenpoint AWP/14AWP/144 pages • Vol. 40,40, No. 30 • July 228–August8––August 3, 220170177 • FREE SERVING UP OUTRAGE Residents protest at controversial new Crown Heights restaurant Changing Brooklyn By Colin Mixson Brooklyn Paper This conversation was over be- fore it started. The owner of a Crown Heights restaurant criticized for using the neighborhood’s violent past as a promotional tool was a no-show at a rally there on July 22, anger- ing residents who thought they would have a chance to work things out. “We gave her a perfect oppor- tunity, even if she just wanted to Photos by Jason Speakman do damage control. But she didn’t Summerhill owner Becca want to talk to anybody,” Ayanna Brennan advertised this Prescod, who has lived locally wall’s fake bullet-holes as an for 30 years, said of restaurant attraction for her new Crown What a nut owner Becca Brennan. “It’s to- Heights restaurant. tal bad business.” The event was organized as Sinister squirrel attacks fi ve a way for community members “The reason we maintained to speak directly to the owner of the distressed wall is for the in Prospect Park biting binge “boozy sandwich shop” Summer- aesthetic,” Brennan said in the hill after she incited ire last week statement. “We have kept other By Colin Mixson with a press release that boasted a elements of the original space as Brooklyn Paper Wild well to create a visually engag- “bullet hole–ridden wall” inside 30-year Crown Heights resident Ayanna Prescod spoke railed against Summerhill outside Call it a cautionary tail! the recently opened space at 637 ing experience.” Brooklyn the Nostrand Avenue business on July 22. Stephens said that Brennan con- A squirrel bit five people Nostrand Ave. between Bergen near Prospect Park’s entrance Street and St. Marks Avenue. tacted her and fellow demonstra- at Parkside and Ocean avenues The business’s social media ac- lonialist gentrifier were posted neighbors’ good graces. unintentionally making light of tors after the event in an attempt Those chomped on include a counts promoted the wall — which around Crown Heights. “I ended up ripping up the list the nabe’s conflicted past in her to arrange a follow-up discussion, in a July 18–20 serial chomp- 7-year-old girl and an East Flat- Gothamist later confirmed was Organizers of the rally brought of demands and saying ‘Boycott marketing. but she is not sure whether they ing spree, and the city is urging bush man who said the squir- not perforated by bullets — in a list of demands — which in- the establishment,’ ” said Justine “I deeply apologize for any of- will accept the reviled restaura- meadow patrons, human or oth- rel sunk its teeth into his finger advertisements for its $12 cock- cluded repairing the hole-ridden Stephens, a rally organizer. “As a fense that my recent comments teur’s offer. erwise, that the potentially rabid when he tried to feed it near the tails, in addition to featuring im- wall — and other suggestions for community I don’t think it’s our might have caused,” she wrote. “I “We haven’t responded,” said may have attacked to seek med- Parkside and Ocean avenue entry ages of 40-ounce bottles of rosé making amends with the com- job to hold them accountable — did not intend to be insensitive to Stephens. “We’re still developing ical attention. on July 11, the New York Daily served in brown bags. The res- munity to the event. But when that just makes it easy for them. anyone in the neighborhood, and what we’re going to say in reply.” “It has exhibited extremely un- News reported . And at least one taurant’s profiles on Instagram the proprietor did not appear and I think they can see the anger and I am sorry that my words have Crown Heights was home to usual behavior and we are urg- victim, a jogger who witnesses and Yelp — where it currently sent a lone representative to face hurt they’ve caused.” caused pain.” a three-day riot in 1991 that set ing anyone who has been bitten watched the rambunctious rodent enjoys a one-and-a-half-star rat- the crowd with a statement on her Brennan, a former corporate But she stopped short of prom- off when the motorcade of a Ha- by it, including any pets, to see attack, has yet to be identified by ing — were flooded with critical behalf, the demonstrators tore up tax attorney and self-described ising to fix the controversial wall, sidic Jewish leader ran over two a doctor or veterinarian,” said the health department, which is messages in response, and fliers the credo, saying it was not their Toronto transplant, said in the which she said would be kept in- Guyanese immigrants, killing Health Department commis- recommending any bitten person that called its owner a racist, co- responsibility to get her back into statement that she was sorry for tact for cosmetic purposes. one of them. sioner Mary Bassett. See SQUIRREL on page 6 New prospect for a rock venue Arcade Fire releases album at Park Slope’s gilded Grand Prospect Hall By Lauren Gill Prospect Hall’s gilded grand ballroom to The hall will hold between 1,000 and the hall’s new clientele. Brooklyn Paper celebrate the release of its new album, 1,500 fans, who applied for the coveted Some neighbors have complained Arcade Fire made their dreams come “Everything Now,” with a show that was concert tickets by answering the ques- about concert-goers taking parking true! livestreamed on Apple Music. tion, “What do you like about the first spots and swarming area streets after The rock band performed a July 27 al- The opulent four-story, 16-room single from the new album?” gigs, according to Halkias, who said he bum release show at Park Slope’s Grand venue usually hosts weddings and par- Arcade Fire sent out a message to at- wished that the big events he has taken Prospect Hall — the ornate venue known ties, but recently branched out to ac- tendees on July 24 instructing them that on to keep his business af loat didn’t up- commodate concerts and festivals to there will be a “hip and trendy” dress set locals. for its slogan, “We make your dreams help pay the property’s rising real es- code for the occasion, with no flip-flops, The owner listens to every band that come true!” — fulfilling the wildest tate taxes, Halkias said. crop tops, or phones allowed. wants to play his venue to make sure wishes of the space’s owners, who said Other big name guests of the gold Putting on big concerts is different groups are befitting of the space, and they hoped that they gave the musicians leaf-adorned site include old-school blues than preparing for lavish weddings — said Arcade Fire is “great.” a night to remember in return. band Hot Tuna and electronica duo In- where everything is “glass, glass, glass,” Superfans hoping to secure a con- “They made my dreams come true so fected Mushroom. according to Halkias — but the owner cert ticket flooded Grand Prospect Hall’s why shouldn’t we make theirs?” said Mi- And after seeing the over-the-top said he doesn’t prefer one to the other phone lines ahead of the July 27 show, chael Halkias, who co-owns the 104-year- space, reps for Arcade Fire wanted to get and has a blast watching young people according to Halkias, who said one man File photo by Bess Adler old hall on Prospect Avenue between Fifth in on the action too, according to Halkias, rock out under the chandeliers. drove up from Florida to attend. Michael Halkias, left, and wife Alice, hosted a grand show by Cana- and Sixth avenues with his wife Alice, the who said he couldn’t blame them. “I enjoy whatever I do,” he said. “As “People went crazy to find tickets,” dian rock group Arcade Fire at the Grand Prospect Hall on July 27. woman who utters the catchphrase in the “Everybody knows that I do events so long as people are happy, I’m enjoy- he said. Other musicians, including blues band Hot Tuna and electronica duo venue’s storied commercials. they called me and said ‘I love your place.’ ing it.” Reps for Arcade Fire did not return Infected Mushroom have also played the space. The Canadian outfit took over Grand I said ‘Thanks, I love it too,’ ” he said. But not everyone is having fun with a request for comment. Park apartments ready to rise Judge: Pier 6 towers’ construction can proceed, but won’t infl uence ruling By Lauren Gill a 34-day process of hammering “We are gratified that the judge some positive developments. clearer violation of the GPP than Brooklyn Paper 400 steel beams into the ground agreed with us and decided not to He made the case that the park’s [the 28-story tower].” They’re going up — for now. — on July 19. grant the temporary restraining 2006 General Project Plan — the Billings, who has been charged A judge denied an order to halt The Heights Association’s at- order,” said David Lowin, vice agreement that mandates it only with administering asbestos cases, construction that began on two torney, Richard Ziegler, argued the president of real estate for the build what is necessary to fund said she will be tied up with those towers at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s construction will be noisy and in- green space.