Gaye Leslie

Commerce

Empty restaurants

I can't give an exact address, so many places do not have a building # on the door. The Classic Diner on Smith St near Bergen st in boerum Hill, Bkln, has a bright and interesting decor; It's medium-priced, VERY nice wait staff, but recently only 2 or 3 tables occupied in the main room, perhaps 1 or 2 more in the mostly glass-walled back room, no one out on the terrace. The Lisanne Restaurant on Atlantic by Nevins St completely gone. Downtown Atlantic restaurant betwn Hoyt & Bond Sts gone. The owners were my friends & neighbors when I lived in Boerum Hill, I don't know where they are now, we were all first names & I have a bad head for names anway. Even along Montague St in Bkln Hts, many restauratns are almost empty on w/ends, and have unbelievable lunch specials on weekdays. You wonder how long they can continue.
These are not "projects" that can go on a map, they are stories tho' about struggling businesses, hoping to survive through this bad time.