Every neighborhood needs a place with great coffee and baked goods.  Red Hook happens to have a nationally renowned sweets Shangri-La.  Often, I like to go here to grab a necessary jolt upon experiencing my post-lunch lull.  Also, in the morning, their granola with parfait serves as a tasty alternative to a bacon egg and cheese.  They offer a seemingly endless bounty of cakes, pies, cupcakes, tarts, brownies, cookies, bars etc. which are often met with praise when brought to the office for colleagues to enjoy.  Any time you finish a project or closed a new account, Baked is there for you to treat yourself.  Anytime you are having a bad day, Baked is there with one of their Sweet and Salty Brownies which will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.

Baked is located at 359 Van Brunt St. in Red Hook, Brooklyn 11231 and you can reach them at 718.222.0345

One of our last studio spaces is officially rented to artist Andrew Poneros

We only have 3 commercial vacancies left which includes one last studio space 7C2.  Check out the availabilities tab on our site and contact us if you’d like to see one of them!

What is your name and title?

Steve Tarpin, CEO.

What type of business is your company?

Wholesale Bakery.

What products do you offer?

Pies, pies and more pies, any flavor you want as long as it’s Key Lime.

What is your website and best contact info for potential customers?

http://stevesauthentic.com  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

When was your company founded?

Best of my recollection, 1995.

Where was your company’s original location (if in a location other than an O’Connell Organization property)?

4-years in a studio apartment on Smith Street, 2-years on Columbia Street (155, one of yours).

Why did you move your company to Red Hook, Brooklyn?

Opportunity presented itself, it was a natural. (personal note, Greg offered me a space on the Beard Street pier, overlooking the then vacant parking lot of Fairway. When I couldn’t pull everything together to secure the space, I was devastated, thinking I’d never have another opportunity like that again. Little did I know, there were other plans afoot for me).

How long have you been in Red Hook, Brooklyn?

Since 2001, Spring maybe I’m not sure.

What are some of the best attributes of your current location?

Location, location, location. This lends a great degree of “authenticity” to what we do, key lime pies, on the waterfront, very Florida Keys feel. The vastness of the open space has allowed us to grow and expand in ways that best suit us, rather than us adapting to a space that has already been carved out and segmented in which case WE would be adapting to it. The services (water supply and waste the; exception) have suited our expansion, being on the ground floor is great for us, as we move raw materials and finished product on a regular basis. To expound on the location, aside from being in the area on NYC where most of us (employees) live, the proximity to the BQE and Battery Tunnel (easy access to Manhattan and beyond) has been a great asset.

What are some of the challenges one faces when basing their business in Red Hook?

Its a double-edged sword, as the “Red Hook as a Destination” aspect has also been a boon in terms of the traffic we see. Gone are the internet dial-up days, but cellular service SUCKS throughout Red Hook.

Name one thing that you absolutely love about Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Our landlord! In addition… there really is a sense of community in RH, between businesses and residents. Of course, the location can’t be beat, our waterfront location. RH is a gem, a unique location with a collection of businesses and residents that lend to it being such a special place. Most “hot” neighborhoods eventually succumb to the pressures, businesses are displaced, residents are displaced… so far, RH has managed to preserve its unique quality. (personal note; I love talking about “the ‘ole days, where you could be driving down Van Brunt street and see a friend driving in the other direction. You could stop and chat for a few minutes even when there was a car behind you… the reason being, whoever was behind you was waiting for you to move on so that THEY could chat with the person when you were done. No more of that).

Are there any other businesses that you either frequent, or deal closely with in Red Hook?  If so, what are their names.

Of course Fairway, basically because they’re like no other market. A few of the bodegas, Mohammad and Carmen (across from Bait and Tackle), Bait and Tackle, The Good Fork, Botta da Vino  on Van Brunt, Cornell Robbins, that bagel shop, the one further up VB and we have an account with AFT.

You can come see Steve and the rest of the Key Lime crew at 175 Van Dyke St. aka Pier 41 Suite 319A.  Try The Swingle™ or a whole delicious Key Lime Pie!

Also, check out Steve’s new start-up project: Manos de Mexicanos

The availabilities are being occupied fast.  Our most recent to be taken over is unit 11C at 481 Van Brunt Street.  Butch Kemp Designs will be installing a workshop along with an artist studio in the unit.  Their website is soon to come and Butch and his wife and partner Kaki will undoubtedly be a fine addition to the working waterfront. 

You may contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information on our availabilities (pictured within this site) or any commercial rentals that may be coming available in the near future.

Here in Red Hook we have a growing, vibrant artistic community and within our properties specifically, we rent to dozens of artists, artisans and not-for-profits which cater to artists.  Former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was quoted saying “Politicians don’t bring people together. Artists do,” and this holds true especially in developing communities.  Our artistic Red Hook community has countless ways of involving community members, both young and old, in programs which can be for the betterment of themselves, as well as their neighborhoods. 

Offering studio space to both emerging and long time artists as well as large spaces to groups like BWAC, Dance Theatre Etcetera and The StillHouse Group are some examples of how we try to support Red Hook’s artistic community.

Win and Chip are just the newest additions to a group of talented, successful artists along the Red Hook Waterfront.  Both 20-somethings, these two came to us from a studio in Sunset Park.  Win McCarthy’s work is described as contemporary sculpture whereas Chip Hughes creates abstract paintings.

You may find our artist studio availabilities by clicking the tab at the top of the page.

Another one of our availabilities has been rented with two more on the verge of lease signing our vacancy rate has hit a new low.  Who says commercial real estate is on a downturn?  Not on the Red Hook Waterfront!

This space has been rented to Spot Certified, Inc. offering Canine Bed Bug Inspection teams for Exterminators, Corporate & Commercial Clients, Federal, State & Local Governments & Municipalities, Property Management Co’s., Landlords & Attorneys. Our current clients include Hotels, Hospitals, Casinos, International Corporations and Real Estate Agencies.

If you would like to see our additional vacancies please visit our frequently updates Availabilities section.

What is your name and title?
Jon Kane - Director- OpticNerve USA™

What type of business is your company?
Commercial Film Production

What products do you offer?
Motion picture conception, production, post production, music and sound design to Madison Avenue, cable TV Stations, network TV Stations and corporations as well as feature film production and music video creation.

What is your website and best contact info for potential customers?
http://www.opticnerveusa.tv

When was your company founded?
1992

Where was your company’s original location?
West 22nd Street, Manhattan

Why did you move your company to Red Hook, Brooklyn?
It is the best place on the planet to do what we do, in our opinion.

How long have you been in Red Hook, Brooklyn?
3 years

What are some of the best attributes of your current location?
The inspiring and calming qualities of doing creative work at the edge of the sea staring at The Statue of Liberty.

What are some of the challenges one faces when basing their business in Red Hook, Brooklyn?
Transportation and the distraction of having such an incredible view out your window of the water, sky and Statue of Liberty.

Name one thing that you absolutely love about Red Hook, Brooklyn.
The water, the sky, the mix of people, and the parking. And the feral cats. Oops that’s 5 things.

Are there any other businesses that you either frequent, or deal closely with in Red Hook?  If so, what are their names.
We deal very closely with Sunny’s and Bait and Tackle, on nearly a daily basis. And of course Fairway, Fort Defiance and The Good Fork. And that INCREDIBLE 99¢ store next to the housing project. I got a fly swatter there with a LIGHTER on the end of it!!!!

Name one thing that other businesses have to look forward to when exploring the possibility of moving to Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Blowing your clients away with a relaxed seaside vibe in the middle of New York City. The ONLY problem with how awesome this area is (especially 499 Van Brunt) is that your clients don’t ever want to leave, and that can be irritating.

Finally, why should someone move their business to Red Hook, Brooklyn?
If one wants space, parking, and love a water view, and psychotic sunsets over the Statue of Liberty out their window, this would be a great choice. And feral cats.

Need another reason to move your business to Red Hook?  Defonte’s Sandwich Shop located on Columbia St. between Coles and Luquer gives you just that. 

For just around 10 bucks you can get a third of a hero mounded with anything you want.  One of my favorite memories as a little kid would be to go to Defonte’s on Saturdays… I would always get the Sausage and Peppers on a third.

Now I’ve evolved in terms of my consumption of these heros.  The Nicky’s Special, The Valentino, Roast Beef and Gravy, and of course Peppers and Eggs.  Their Pastrami sandwich isn’t bad either.  My personal favorite thing that they serve is their “Hot Salad” - many would call this Giardiniera.  Theirs is the best around.

Not only is their food nostalgic, gigantic and scrumptious, it also is ready within 2 minutes from when you order.  Another reason it is perfect to pick up during a lunch break.  If you don’t believe me go to the ORIGINAL Defonte’s, bring your sandwich down to the waterfront and envision your business in one of our Civil-War Era Warehouses (with frequent trips for Sausage and Peppers and Manhattan Specials).

From the Red Hook Economic Development Newsletter….

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2011, 10AM-5PM

LOCATED IN THE PS 15 SCHOOL YARD,
along Van Brunt between Sullivan and Wolcott

**OPEN CALL FOR VENDORS OF ALL STRIPES**
For more info email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Red Hook’s local community school PS 15 (Patrick F. Daly School) in conjunction with Red Hook Economic Development (RHED) will host the first annual Red Hook Fall Flea on September 25th in the PS 15’s school yard from 10am-5pm. Attendees will enjoy diverse vendors, a variety of activities and entertainment including children’s music fave Audra Rox, Added-Value’s green-market, and so much more!

The Red Hook Fall Flea is currently accepting applications for vendors of all kinds, from food to clothing, antiques to crafts & collectibles, and services to community groups. The modest commercial vendor fee of $40 to $75 will go to benefit the PTA-sponsored programs at PS 15. Special consideration for nonprofits! Early confirmed vendors include The Good Fork, Metal and Thread, Tiburon, and more! Vendor confirmations are due by Friday, September 2.

Additionally, RHED will operate a ‘Made in Red Hook’ themed booth for local artists and artisians. Ideal for those who want to participate in the flea on a smaller scale. No upfront fee; but 15% of booth sales will go to benefit RHED’S activities. Contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more info about the ‘Made in Red Hook’ booth.

To apply for a vendor booth, or to get more information,
email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 718-791-1968.