Formerly nicknamed “Murder Ave” by local police, my main drag, Myrtle Avenue, is being gentrified before my eyes at a very fast pace. New restaurants have popped up in the last few months,new stores like Barking Brown and a high end salon called the Polish Bar(that’s polish as in nail polish not Polish as in keilbasa).The Polish Bar may have been the pioneer because it came a couple of years ago when all the other stores on the strip were suffice to say pretty less than appealling to me.And as much as I love pedicures I was really hoping the next new store wouldn’t be a hair salon or nail boutique. Wow, the women of Myrtle really care about their hair and nails-judging from the amount of such places on a relatively short block.
Like any “bad neighborhood” we had our share of liquor stores the focus being on hard liquor which was never my beverage of choice. I’m a wine and Champagne girl. So I was excited when I saw Gnarly Vines setting up shop sandwiched between a cheap home goods store and a ghetto laundromat. Awesome! Although at first I was cheesed that their hours were a mystery and the first few attempts to shop there were met with “ah, we’re closed” murmurs from the staff. Nevermind, the wait was worth it and the best thing is that the shop isn’t far away from my loft!
This wine shop actually employs people who know wine. I can’t get over it! The staff is helpful and knowledgeable and they let me bring in my dog! The owner Brian Robinson has a bowl of dog treats behind the reception/register desk and has already won Bozzio’s undying love for the rest of his life.
Through Gnarly I have discovered Ipsum a beautiful Spanish varietal that costs about 12 bucks.
They are also the only wine store close to me that stocks Pets Vinum,a red I got as a dinner party gift a couple of years ago and suffered from not being able to buy unless I wanted to trek to Red Hook for Nell’s or to Williamsburg for the Bottle Shoppe.Thanks but no thanks cool Brooklyn Bouroughs I will be going only to Gnarly for wine, a fast 10 minute walk from my block.