It appears that the salad chain Sweetgreen is soon coming to Greenpoint.
Locals noticed new signage on Manhattan Avenue next to Peter Pan Donuts (727 Manhattan Ave.), in the former home of the Disco Ball Rite Aid/Meserole Theater. The signage contained a number to text for opening day updates. Sending a text did not reveal further information, such as when it’s expected to open.
There is already a Sweetgreen location in Williamsburg, on a stretch of North 4th that over the years has become a regular Salad Row (the fast casual DIG, Cava, and Just Salad have all popped up there as well).
Personally, while I’m a fan of Sweetgreen, I’m a bigger fan of preserving historical spaces with architectural character (not to mention beloved local businesses, many of which have been forced out of the area). Real estate developers Double U Development erected a luxury apartment complex at 1000 Lorimer Street, which is now part of the lot that contains the former Disco Ball Rite Aid space. If the developer’s name sounds familiar, it’s because rent-stabilized Double U tenants in Williamsburg recently spoke to Greenpointers about their fears that they could be getting smoked out to make way for a luxury tenant at 135 Kent Avenue.
Great 2 places next to each other that create long lines
Ugh that’s the end of the neighborhood. I’ve been here going on 11 years and the last few have just seemed a hyper-speed shuttering of small businesses including those remaining Polish-owned. The addition of a sweetgreen will catapult us into more big commercial businesses on Manhattan. Super sad
Instead of finding things to complain about, let’s be happy that the property is finally put to use instead of being boarded up dirtying the street for the past years.
Pumped for this – no great salad spot in the neighborhood. Laughing at the “woe to small business” comment – it was a rite-aid…
Good point.
Sweetgreen is wonderfully mediocre, much like so many other fast casual places where the food tastes like cardboard. As another commenter wrote, at least this isn’t becoming another vintage/smoke/coffee shop. But there is a broader point to be made about lack of small business diversification in the area.
In its last reincarnation as a massive variety drugstore, this large former movie theatre (and later roller disco) was the equivalent of several small businesses, with its wide variety of reasonably priced merchandise. One could find much of what one needed in one convenient place , without straying from the neighborhood. It is missed. Well at least they kept the unique arched entranceway, if nothing else. Who got the large disco ball?
eden’s
More commercial garbage ruining the neighborhood
Sure let’s get another vintage, coffee, smoke shop instead.
The Disco Ball Rite Aid was a great break during summers with its massive air-conditioned space. I used to go in there when my two kids were sleeping in their double-stroller after going to McCarren for hours during the morning, just to get a good break. That Rite Aid was one of the only places in the hood where it could fit through the door. I agree with the above comment regarding finding a lot of stuff one needs in one place.
Looking forward to exciting menu. Also as an old Greenpoint resident, here when Meserole theater was in its hay day. Curious as to menu prices.? Just wondering!Thanks CURIOUS.
win. win. win