Friends Beautiful Nail Spa Opens at 749 Grand Street

Sandra and Anita

Welcome Friends Beautiful Nail Spa to 749 Grand Street! Friends Beautiful is a Nail Spa only a block away from the Grand Street L Train Station that opened in late 2023. Carlos (owner) opened the Nail Spa alongside his family, employing his niece Anita as a nail technician. They offer a wide variety of services including manicures, pedicures, waxing, massages (both on a chair and table) and face masks - making them a one stop shop for all your grooming needs. 

Friends Beautiful Nail Spa offers a variety of ways to save on their services. On Mondays they offer discounted manicures and pedicure combos. On most holidays they have a prize wheel for customers, offering prizes like free pedicures. They have their own gift and rewards cards - racking up 10 visits (where you spend $13+) wins you a free manicure!

Carlos has said they’ve felt very welcomed in the neighborhood so far and have enjoyed their reception. He says that Grand Street is a diverse and friendly area, with a wonderful community that he feels him and his family fit right in. Swing by Friends Beautiful Nail Spa on 749 Grand Street for your nail and grooming needs!

Cover Photo by Bryan Hernandez.

Medusa Slithers On To 618 Grand Street

Medusa Brooklyn slithers on to 618 Grand Street! Medusa Brooklyn is a gastropub, offering a variety of cocktails and other alcoholic beverages alongside small bites. They’re owned by seven different people, some from the acclaimed Our Wicked Lady in Bushwick. Medusa’s dishes take inspiration from Greek and Western cuisine, with a full menu to come soon. A wide variety of drinks at different price points are offered at Medusa, inclusive of everyone’s different tastes.

The interior is beautifully designed with a mixture of art-deco and greek motifs, inspired by the Greek mythological figure Medusa. A snake-scale diamond shaped wallpaper adorns most of the walls. Underneath the bar is the same snake-scale pattern in a neon-green lit LED light fixture. The rest of the interior includes an exposed brick wall, stone tiles, and a ceiling that are all remnants of the original Bushwick Country Club (which used to call this space a home). The backyard gives off a cozy vibe that emanates from the solar powered lighting adorned on top of the various New York perennials that they’ve planted outside

The owners of Medusa explain that they take inspiration from Medusa as a strong and resilient woman who’s a stoic survivor. They see Medusa as an empowering feminine figure, not as a monster in the way much of Greek mythology paints her. Medusa has seven different owners, all who played a part in the design and building process - Xandra, Hugh, Harlan, Jimmy, Zach, Ramsey and Keith. Their decor was designed and built by Max Graves, Chris Cornwell, Chris Perme, Keith Thomas, AJ Jankins and Alex Amini. Swing by Medusa at 618 Grand Street for a drink and a bite!

Ubi Market Arrives to 655 Grand Street

Ubi Market has arrived at 655 Grand Street! Ubi Market is an Asian Grocery store specializing in a variety of imported goods from Japan, Korea, and other parts of Asia. Owners Jesica and Jay were inspired by convenience stores in Korea to open Ubi Market, bringing their own spin to a staple Korean business. Alongside the variety of imported Asian goods, Ubi Market also has a DIY ramen station, freshly made rice balls, and a combination fresh juice/bubble tea bar! Other goods, like fresh produce, are available; with a focus on groceries that are essential in Asian cooking. Bok choy, Lemongrass, and Daikon radish are amongst the variety of imported produce you’ll find at Ubi Market. Jesica is passionate about “bringing Asian goods and introducing new foods” to the neighborhood, leading her to stock Ubi Market with so much variety.

Freshly made juice at 655 Grand Street may seem familiar to you if you’ve been around Grand Street for a while; Jesica’s brother Armando and their mother have run the now closed To The World Farm in the same location for over 15 years. Jesica says she has “fond memories of coming to the store and sleeping under the counter” when she was a child. She’s seen the neighborhood change and grow over the years, now returning to run Ubi Market. After running a successful business elsewhere, she’s excited to come back to Grand Street with a fresh vision for her family’s business. Stop by Ubi Market at 655 Grand Street for a variety of asian inspired goods, and enjoy some freshly squeezed juice while you shop!

Dobbin Street Vintage Co-op Opens At 521 Grand Street

Welcome Dobbin Street Vintage Co-op to 521 Grand Street! Dobbin Street Vintage Co-op is a cooperatively owned vintage store with a wide variety of vintage furniture, clothes, and other household items. They were originally founded in Greenpoint back in 2016, but have since expanded to Williamsburg. Their original Williamsburg location was opened in 2018 on Graham Avenue, and has since relocated to here on Grand Street! 

The space at 521 Grand Street is spacious, with enough room to show off their entire selection. The lighting is dim, giving Dobbin St a cozy vibe that makes you want to sit on one of their couches and not want to get up. With merchandise like velvet couches, bamboo framed mirrors, and swivel chairs from the 70s, the owners of Dobbin St have carefully crafted a chic and groovy selection. The focus is on furniture at Dobbin St, but a small selection of vintage clothes and trinkets are also available in store. Dobbin St sources most of their merchandise from estate sales all across the east coast, from Philadelphia to Long Island, Connecticut, and then some. The owners all have a keen eye for pieces that fit into the vibe. 

Check out Dobbin Street Vintage Co-op’s new location on 521 Grand Street to peruse through their vintage furniture and trinkets the next time you’re around! 

Cover photo courtesy of Dobbin Street Vintage Co-op

Lucy's Vietnamese Arrives to 649A Grand Street

Brisket Pho (Photo courtesy of Lucy’s Vietnamese)

Lucy’s Vietnamese has arrived at 649A Grand Street! Owner, Johnny Huynh, named Lucy’s after his grandmother Lucy, who’s original recipes from her home country of Vietnam serve as the foundation for Lucy’s menu. Lucy raised Johnny on her own, working three jobs to do so. This work ethic inspired Johnny, leading him to start working in restaurants at 19 years old. He eventually opened a stall at Smorgasborg centered around Vietnamese street food and brisket. In 2015, Johnny opened Lucy’s Vietnamese’s first location in Bushwick. Then, with the help of partners Don, Kyle, Mike and Ryan, the team opened locations in Williamsburg, Bedford Stuyvesant, and now here on Grand Street! At the core of Lucy’s dishes is its brisket which is smoked for 14 hours. This can be had in Pho, Banh Mi, or a Vermicelli Bowl. They also offer other proteins including chicken, vegan chicken, and tofu.

Owners Don, Kyle, Mike and Ryan don’t describe themselves as restaurateurs. They all have different backgrounds in various industries including computer science, engineering, small business management, and real estate investment. Don describes these backgrounds as unique advantages, allowing the team to think outside of the box. Before Lucy’s, Don worked in server maintenance in an IT department; he calls the two industries very similar, saying the end goal of both is to make your product/service as efficient as possible. In both industries, you’re constantly working to fix new problems that arise and make sure the ship stays afloat. Although Lucy’s menu is founded on traditional Vietnamese comfort food, they tweak original recipes with their own flair and are constantly trying to innovate with different ingredient and flavor combinations.

(Photo courtesy of Lucy’s Vietnamese)

During the earlier days of the pandemic, Lucy’s partnered with local hospitals to donate food to frontline workers. This line of work continues in the way owner Don carries himself. He’s most passionate about building relationships with customers and the community around him, using food as the connector that bridges people together. He and his partners chose Grand Street as their newest location “because the neighborhood has a lot of charm and character”. We can’t help but agree! Stop by Lucy’s Vietnamese on 649A Grand Street to say hi to Don and try some of their delicious Vietnamese comfort food!

From left to right: Kyle, Chu, Don, Ryan, Alvin and Benny

Welcome Central Wash Laundromat to 649B Grand Street!

Welcome Central Wash Laundromat to 649B Grand Street! Owner, Ronald Singh, opened Central Wash Laundromat after a career in finance. Using the skills he gained in the financial sector, Ron is running an advanced and efficient laundromat - investing in state of the art washing machines and laundry card dispensers. Ron “takes pride in providing a clean environment with brand new machines”. Central Wash also offers drop-off services, making it very convenient for customers in a rush to get their laundry done. 

Owner, Ronald Singh

As a newcomer to the laundry business, Ron initially didn’t know much about how to run a laundromat. He listened to laundromat podcasts daily, learning the ins and outs of what its like to run a laundromat. This, alongside the advice of a trusted friend who owns and operates their own laundromat, gave Ron the tools to successfully operate Central Wash.

Ron has already felt welcomed by the neighborhood since opening. He describes the neighborhood as “eclectic, and with a large amount of diversity”. Ron takes joy in talking to customers and learning about their favorite restaurants and local spots. He has had customers come in with advice, stories, and tips every day. Stop by Central Wash for your next laundry day!

Café Miguel Opens Its Doors On 636 Grand Street

Miguel with his grandmother and mother, Jessica

Talavera. Photo courtesy of Café Miguel

Café Miguel has opened its doors to 636 Grand Street! Owner, Miguel, is bringing traditional Mexico City inspired dishes and a variety of Latin American coffee blends to Williamsburg with his brand new Café. Miguel aims to make his new business a place that you can work at, relax with friends and family, while also having a really good bite/cup of coffee. Most of Café Miguel’s food offerings are centered around maíz (corn) and are plant based, Café Maíz being the alternate name for the Café. Various dishes involving masa (corn dough), sopa (soup), and nopales (cactus) are offered on the menu, with proteins like chicken and ceviche to be rotated in occasionally. The focus is on the corn and the coffee; Miguel’s vision for the Café is to be health focused and vegan friendly. Their coffee blends are imported, with oaxaca coffee beans from Mexico, Guatemala, and Central America. They offer various lattes, espresso, and everything in between that you’d want from a coffee shop.

Miguel has years of experience in the food and service industry, managing an Italian restaurant for over 8 years. He’s brought this experience and passion for his home country to Café Miguel, adorning the business with various trinkets and artwork inspired by Mexico City. Two walls are covered with talavera, a hand painted tile that’s common in downtown Mexico City. Miguel has fond memories of his mother, Jessica, bringing him to restaurants that were covered in talavera growing up. Jessica is the head chef of Café Miguel, bringing years of experience cooking traditional Mexico City dishes for her family and in restaurants for decades. She, alongside her mother, have helped Miguel with the food preparation and cooking; it’s a family effort where everyone is chipping in.

Miguel’s love for his business and family is clearly shown all throughout Café Miguel; He’s excited to “be able to have my family and not have to work for someone else. Being able to implement all ideas, and flavors of Mexico City and share it with Williamsburg”. Stop by Café Miguel for a coffee or a bite and experience Mexico City right here in the neighborhood!

Photo courtesy of Café Miguel

Tokyo Mart Has Arrived to 517 Grand Street

Welcome Tokyo Mart to 517 Grand Street! Tokyo Mart is Grand Street’s newest supermarket, specializing in imported Japanese goods and freshly made sushi. Loaded with snacks, skincare, sushi and everything one would need from Japan, Tokyo Mart is offering a slice of Japan to the neighborhood.

Owner, Ken, spent 2 years working in a supermarket in Long Island City before opening Tokyo Mart. Together with his brothers, Tony and Johnny, they decided on Grand Street for the location of their new Japanese Mart after noticing the lack of Japanese goods in the neighborhood. Ken sees the neighborhood as friendly and welcoming two months into opening Tokyo Mart. He’s already begun to have regular customers who frequently ask when his next shipment of goods is coming in from Japan. He says he enjoys talking to customers and getting feedback on the types of products they’re looking for; it’s helped him decide what to prioritize when he imports goods in.

Owner, Ken

Most of the goods Tokyo Mart offers are imported from Japan; these include Japan-exclusive snacks like matcha and strawberry flavored Kit-Kats, roasted nut assortments, and ramen packets to name a few. Tokyo Mart also offers sushi that's made on site, everyday. Available for pickup in store or through major delivery apps (Doordash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub) are a variety of rice balls and hand rolls - all made fresh! Look for them under the name “Tokyo Sushi” on delivery apps, and be sure to walk in to try out their variety of Japanese goods!

Freshly made Rice Balls

Welcome Café Zouave to 759 Grand Street

Welcome Café Zouave to 759 Grand Street! Owner, Jeremie Carrier, is bringing his vision of a French Bistro to Williamsburg with this new restaurant. Café Zouave aims to be a neighborhood restaurant open to all: a place where you can enjoy a French pastry and coffee in the mornings, and a steak dinner later in the day. Alongside Jeremie are his partners George and Sammy. The three met while working at a French brasserie over 20 years ago. They dreamed of partnering up one day to open up a restaurant together; two decades later their dream has finally come true.

Jeremie has been involved in restaurants his entire life. His family back in Evian, France has run restaurants and hotels for several generations. This shows in the way the bistro is decorated: the walls are adorned with ornaments from his homeland and family. Above the foosball table in the lounge area are 60 year old lights taken from his grandmother’s hotel. Alongside the walls are paintings his father painted, artwork from all over France, and even his father’s old smoking pipes hang in the back.

Running a restaurant “doesn’t feel like work” to Jeremie. He says that he “loves the freedom of running a restaurant” and “loves to speak to customers and see their critique of my dishes in real time”. It’s in these interactions Jeremie has found his passion; sharing food with people and enjoying conversation brings him joy. That’s been the case so far with Café Zouave, with Jeremie claiming the neighborhood has been very welcoming and community oriented. Stop by Café Zouave to check out their newly renovated space and try Grand Street's very own slice of France!

Sammy, George, and Jeremie

Mario's Pizza Opens on 812 Grand Street

Welcome Mario’s Pizza to 812 Grand Street! Owner, Mario Osorio, has been making pizza at a historic nyc pizzeria (Joe’s Pizza) for over 22 years. After decades of honing his craft, Mario decided to open his own pizzeria; bringing years of experience and his family alongside him.

Step into Mario’s Pizza and you’ll most likely be helped by either Kimberly or Yael; Mario’s eldest daughter and son. Yaztiri, his youngest daughter at 10 years old, handles the register. And in the back Mario’s wife Lucia is preparing the dough for Mario to work with. They’re a family-led operation from start to finish, with everyone chipping in. The actual pizza-making is left to Mario and him alone, with his son Yael still learning the ins-and outs of making pizza. 

Mario’s felt welcomed on Grand Street, already having regular customers only two months into being in business. He feels there’s a tight sense of community in the neighborhood, citing that as one of the major reasons he decided to open up on Grand. Be sure to swing by Mario’s Pizza for a slice!

Best Pizza Arrives To 800 Grand Street

Pepperoni Pie

Best Pizza has arrived on Grand Street! Founded by Frank Pinello back in 2010, Best Pizza has served Williamsburg as a premier slice-shop for over a decade. The original location on Havemeyer Street has been recognized as a staple pizzeria in New York City since its inception, and now they’ve expanded to a new location on 800 Grand Street.

Owner Frank Pinello never wanted to work in a pizzeria growing up. He had grown up with a love for cooking that he gained from his Sicilian family, who cooked everything from scratch. This led Frank to attend the Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated with hopes of working in fine dining. Post graduation, Frank started working at a pizzeria to save up and open his own restaurant. This changed after a stint at Roberta’s; there the owners approached him about opening a slice shop in Williamsburg. The rest is history.

Frank and Fernando boxing a fresh pie

13 years have passed since, with a Vice show, HUF collab, and multiple co-owned locations along the way. Now, Frank is excited about bringing Best Pizza to East Williamsburg. Opening the location on 800 Grand Street was different from Best Pizza’s other expansion efforts; 800 Grand Street is fully owned and operated by Frank and his partner Hugo, who started as dishwasher when Best Pizza first opened. Be sure to check out Best Pizza for a slice!

The Last Call Opens Its Doors At 588 Grand Street

Yakitori, edamame, & drinks. Photo: @thelastcallbrooklyn

The Last Call has opened its doors to Grand Street as the new bar in town. Since rebranding and opening at the end of November, The Last Call has brought a surge of Japanese culture to Grand Street through its Tokyo-style hi-fi audio setup and range of Japanese bar foods. If you remember this spot as Koko’s, don’t worry the same owners are still there taking great care of the customers and the space.

Noriko Jimbo, owner, has made it a point to bring a piece of her Japanese heritage to Williamsburg. The Last Call features yakitori skewers Thursday through Sunday and ramen Monday through Wednesday (provided by @brooklynramennyc). Jimbo returned to Japan last October to study at a yakitori school in Tokyo. For three intensive weeks, she studied yakitori culinary techniques for 14 hours a day. The result of those hours were brought back to Brooklyn, serving as the foundation for The Last Call’s menu of different cuts of yakitori skewers.

Photo: @thelastcallbrooklyn

Yakitori and ramen are not the only new aspects of The Last Call - they are also boasting a hi-fi sound system, inspired by Tokyo hi-fi audio lounges. The bar hosts DJs on Fridays and Saturdays, while bartenders handle the setlist every other day. Though not marketing themselves as a “hi-fi audio lounge”, BK Mag has featured them in a list of Tokyo-style audio lounges. This groovy spot is bringing a variety of new foods and sounds to Grand Street, be sure to check them out!

Cover Photo: The Last Call

Little Lion Salon Opens at 537 Grand Street

Little Lion Salon just opened their second location at 537 Grand Street. Their original storefront in Park Slope is small but mighty and they soon outgrew the space and expanded into the gorgeous new location on Grand. Their storefront may be narrow but is warm and welcoming as it opens into a bright space with 20 ft ceilings, and extends back to open out onto a small patio. Women and BIPOC led, Little Lion stylists work hard to make “guests feel truly connected, seen, and elevated.” They also come with years of experience and expertise in hair care, and offer top of the line products and services.

We’re so excited to welcome this community driven business to Grand Street. Book an appointment today! Or stop by to welcome our newest salon and learn more about their hair care opportunities.

Shopkeeper Opens at 765 Grand Street as Vintage Emporium

Shopkeeper is bringing an eclectic vintage collection to Grand Street. Owner, Joshua Kristal has collected vintage clothing, art and household items for years and decided to open his own store to share his findings. After searching for a while for an open storefront on Grand Street, he found his spot at 765. The space functioned as a dry cleaner for over 40 years until early 2020.

Joshua says that he’s so glad he landed on Grand Street, it’s the right fit, with an active community and awesome space hosting many of its original features. He took advantage of the existing infrastructure, using the rotating clothing rack to showcase vintage clothing, just one quirky feature that adds to the many character defining elements of the business.

Initially, the shop debuted a successful holiday pop-up called “Grand Leaners” to give a preview of what they offer and what is to come as they continue to get the shop fully set up. Now completely open, Shopkeeper functions as a collective and carries exclusively pre-used items and handmade clothing, art, and home goods from Joshua’s personal collection as well as rotating selections from local artists and vendors. Stop in to welcome Shopkeeper to Grand Street and browse their diverse collection. We can’t wait to see what more is to come.

Superior Elevation Finds New Home at 616 Grand Street

It’s about to get groovy with the opening of Superior Elevation Records. After leaving their location of almost 7 years in Bushwick, this well established record shop is settling into their new home at 616 Grand Street. The popular music hub has completely transformed this space. With an open plan, new geometric tiling, a comfy seating area, and awesome backyard, its the place to be!

Owner Tom Noble has been selling records for over 20 years originally starting out in Milwaukee, WI before bringing his expertise to Brooklyn. Excited about the move, Tom says “I've always loved Grand St, and always felt like I truly haven't spent enough time mining the various bars and restaurants that could be found in mass numbers in that area.” With an already strong following, the store is sure to be a hit with a whole market in East Williamsburg to tap into.

Help us to welcome the Superior Elevation community to Grand Street! Stay tuned for information and upcoming events.

The Clonard Opens at 506 Grand Street

An Irish pub has arrived on Grand Street! The Clonard Bar opened just a few weeks ago and is already a warm and welcoming neighborhood hangout. Owner, Kieran, is from Ireland himself and a seasoned bar owner and manager who is taking on this new venture after spending some tenured time at another pub in Brooklyn. The new bar, currently decked out in holiday cheer, is already bringing good vibes and a little taste of Ireland to our corner of the city.

A solid draft selection and tasty eats make The Clonard the perfect spot to post up with a beer and burger during the chilly winter nights. As the pub continues to grow, stay tuned for more events, and specials. They’ve already got a great happy hour and weekly trivia night! Make sure to stop by this tavern next time your out on Grand for some food, friends, and fun.

Koko's Opens at 588 Grand Street

Bao bun from Koko’s

Noriko and her husband Diego recently opened Koko’s, a fusion restaurant serving Nikkei food, which is a Japanese-Peruvian culinary and cultural fusion. Diego’s brother, Cesar is the chef serving up unique bites that marry Japanese technique with Peruvian flavors. The couple, who are a Japanese and Peruvian duo, have brought a taste of their home in Peru to Brooklyn. In fact, Peru has one of the largest Japanese populations in South America.

Named for the couple’s daughter, Koko’s has transformed their space into a fun and chic hangout with ample table room, full bar and a backyard. Be sure to try the Machu Pisco cocktail along with a ceviche and bao bun, or any of the other tasty options! This family-owned spot has tons of heart and soul, and we’re so excited to give them a warm Grand Street welcome to the neighborhood.

Yummy Tummy's Kitchen Opens at 793 Grand Street

Grand Street is excited to welcome Yummy Tummy’s Kitchen! Owner, and baker, Melissa Johnson is serving up delicious desserts that live up to the name of the shop. After baking professionally for 10 years, she finally took the plunge on an awesome storefront. Melissa was walking in the neighborhood when she came across the space for rent, and has now transformed 793 Grand into a beautiful baking kitchen. She’s wait to start baking and to share her talent with the community.

The shop is currently open during limited hours, but will eventually offer daily treats along with coffee and tea. Sign up for one of her baking workshops, and contact her to get desserts baked for your next celebration, or just to have something sweet around the house. Stop by the store to say hello, and follow @yummytummys on Instagram to see what’s baking on Grand Street. Our mouths are already watering!

Birdie's Hot Chicken Opens at 810 Grand Street

Birdie’s chicken sandwiches and signature fries!

Birdie’s Hot Chicken is here! This small eatery has already generated quite the buzz since opening their doors a few weeks ago. A fully Halal restaurant, the Nashville hot chicken style joint is drawing people from around the city, particularly the Muslim foodie community, who are excited to try the high quality food. They already have high praise with mentions on Muslim Foodies, nyc.halal and more!

The Birdie’s staff has worked hard and prides themselves on being able to provide tasty food with ethically sourced ingredients. The menu centers a few basic items, featuring the chicken sandwich and tenders, all available in different levels of spice. If you’re feeling daring, try their “suicide” level spice option for maximum kick! You have to sign a waver to experience this super spicy option, but we’ve heard it’s worth it.

The Brooklyn Pawffice Opens at 522 Grand Street

Alex and two of his clients!

The Brooklyn Pawffice is officially open! We’re so happy to welcome our newest Dog Care center to the neighborhood. Owner, Alex Romero is a life long dog owner, and has been caring for dogs around the city for about three years. He decided to take the plunge and open his own space to provide dogs with an optimal space to spend their days, “Whether that be playing, swimming, relaxing, or running around in a big open space.” - Alex Romero

Alex was excited about the central location and large floorplan of the storefront at 522 Grand Street, and you can tell that he put his all into this fantastic space. Designed and painted by Alex himself, the Pawffice has a spacious interior and equally as spacious backyard, giving the dogs plenty of room for dogs to move around and run freely. This colorful and welcoming facility is the perfect place for your pup, day and night! Stop by with your dog to say hello, and see this wonderful dog oasis for yourself.