This summer the avenue is sprinkled with sidewalk sheds and scaffolding as merchants and property owners make repairs and improvements to their buildings. Many of these projects, ranging from commercial interior renovations to cornice reconstructions to complete façade restorations, are receiving New York Main Street grant assistance through MARP.

The New York Main Street Program (NYMS) is multi-million dollar Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) grant program administered by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) to provide financial and technical resources to help New York communities with their Main Street revitalization efforts by: providing financial incentives for the rehabilitation of traditional building stock, fostering small business development, encouraging energy efficiency and addressing issues of code compliance. The NYC Department of Small Business Services has provided MARP with operating support to manage the program for the last 3 years.

Through a competitive process the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (MARP) has been awarded New York Main Street funds in three previous rounds of funding. To date, we have been awarded $500,000 and as of this summer, almost all of those funds have been committed or disbursed!

How it works on Myrtle:
Our NYMS Grants are matching, reimbursement grants available, through MARP, to property owners and merchants on Myrtle Avenue between Washington Park and Classon Avenue for façade preservation, storefront improvements and commercial interior renovations. Grant recipients employ local contractors, architects, structural engineers and preservationist (depending on the project scope) to complete the work. MARP selects and works with recipients to complete projects that:
- Respect the original design of the buildings
- Facilitate commercial activity on Myrtle Avenue
- Ensure long-term benefits to the improved buildings
- Correct immediate health and safety concerns and code violations
- Positively impact the Myrtle Avenue corridor.

Next time you’re taking a stroll down Myrtle, stop by some of the properties recently completed / under construction!

334 (between Washington Park and Carlton) – Last year the property owner updated the building the houses Farmer, and this summer, he is doing the same for the building next door. In the scope of work: upper cornice improvements, cleaning and repointing of brick, sills and lintels, interior open grid gates and a reconstructed lower cornice and storefront.

366 – Scaffolding should go up any day now! The property owner has planned construction to repair the upper cornice, waterproofing and sills and lintels on the upper façade. Currently, the new tenant, Brooklyn Stone Boutique, is hard at work in the commercial space preparing to open her women’s clothing and jewelry boutique.

459 /461 (corner of Washington and Myrtle) – The owners of Five Spot went big – undertaking major work on both building facades and the storefront, with technical assistance and a loan from the New York Landmarks Conservancy's Historic Properties Fund. Their scope included new brownstone, cornice repairs, cleaning and repainting the Washington façade, removing exterior gates and installing a new, iron, accordion-style storefront with a corner entrance.

456 – 460 (between Waverly and Washington) – When you’re at Anima or Joseph Tyler Salon, look up to check out the newly repaired upper cornices!

561 (between Emerson and Classon) - Behind the construction fence, the Emerson (a new bar opening in mid to late September) is taking shape. The business owners are busy constructing the detailed interior and beautiful storefront for their new bar and neighborhood hang-out.

Stay tuned for more projects, beginning work any day now!

The Myrtle Windows Gallery will host the Prelude Exhibition of SONYA's Studio Stroll from April 29th - May 18th. Come celebrate the opening on Thursday, April 29th, on a guided stroll with SONYA artists beginning at 5:30pm at Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (417 Myrtle Avenue between Vanderbilt and Clinton), culminating at the opening reception at Tamboril (527 Myrtle Avenue between Grand and Steuben), from 6pm to 8pm, with hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, music, and a video slide show. To RSVP for the guided tour or reception: call 718-705-4911, or email info@sonyaonline.org. Guests are encouraged to linger at Tamboril for the best in Nuevo Latino Cuisine! To make a dinner reservation, please call Tamboril at 718-622-5130.

This is the second of three Myrtle Windows Gallery exhibitions planned for 2010, and each will feature an added bonus for gallery visitors – special deals at five featured MWG businesses. Coupons for specials at Jive Turkey, Joseph Tyler Salon, Miracle’s, Kum Kau, and Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are included in the newly redesigned Gallery Guide, which will be available at participating merchants beginning April 29th, all located within four blocks:

Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (412 Myrtle); Kapellas’s (417 Myrtle); Connecticut Muffin (423 Myrtle); Karrot (431 Myrtle); Green in BKLYN (432 Myrtle); Jive Turkey (441 Myrtle); Thai 101 (455A Myrtle); Joseph Tyler Salon (456 Myrtle); Anima (458 Myrtle); Kum Kau (462 Myrtle); Miracles Unisex Barber Shop (473A Myrtle); Optimum Care Rehab (474 Myrtle).
This Myrtle Windows Gallery exhibit is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. (BAC).

Last chance to view the works in the latest MWG exhibition, "Imprint", which will say goodbye on Wednesday, March 31st! Take advantage of the opportunity to add to your collection - many of these prints are very affordable, some at just $20!

Make sure to stop by Anima to view Nathan Catlin's piece "Knowledge is a Blessing..."(pictured here), and at Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to view "Banana Farmers" (also by the same artist). These pieces are catching people's attention.

Also, don't forget to pick up a gallery guide at participating MWG businesses, since this will also be your last chance to take advantage of specials listed in the brochure at Thai 101, Anima, Kapella's, Green in BKLYN, and Karrot.

The weather people are forecasting spring weather for this weekend - 50 degrees! That's perfect for an activity, like say, strolling Myrtle and viewing some art? The newest Myrtle Windows Gallery exhibition was installed this week, featuring prints by artists from Pratt. Twelve storefronts between Vanderbilt and Hall feature works by eight artists. Sounds like a great weekend activity!

Photo: Mabuhay Gardens by Sonya Katcher at Karrot

The first 2010 Myrtle Windows Gallery installment launching Thursday, March 4th will feature limited edition prints from artists in Pratt’s Pressure Print Collective. Join the artists on Thursday, March 4th on a walking tour beginning at Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (412 Myrtle) at 5:30pm, and at the opening reception at Tamboril (527 Myrtle) at 6pm, where 2-for-1 drink specials and free appetizers will be enjoyed by all!

Imprint features the works of eight artists, and will run from March 4th - March 31st in Myrtle storefronts between Vanderbilt and Hall, with additional works shown indoors at Tamboril. Myrtle Windows Gallery offers you a unique way to support both local artists and local businesses, in that a portion of sales will go directly to the merchants involved in the program! Don’t miss this opportunity to add to your collection, as these works are quite affordable, ranging in price from $20 to $500.

In 2010, we’ve expanded our geography to include blocks between Vanderbilt and Hall, and added new storefronts to the program. This is the first of three exhibitions planned for this year, and each will feature an added bonus for gallery visitors – special deals at five featured MWG businesses! Coupons for specials at Thai 101, Anima Italian Bistro, Kapella’s, Green in BKLYN, and Karrot will be included in the recently revamped MWG Gallery Guide. Just stop by any of these participating MWG storefronts to pick one up beginning March 4th:

Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (412 Myrtle); Kapellas’s (417 Myrtle); Connecticut Muffin (423 Myrtle); Karrot (431 Myrtle); Green in BKLYN (432 Myrtle); Jive Turkey (441 Myrtle); Thai 101 (455A Myrtle); Joseph Tyler Salon (456 Myrtle); Anima (458 Myrtle); Kum Kau (462 Myrtle); Miracles Unisex Barber Shop (473A Myrtle); Optimum Care Rehab (474 Myrtle).

About Myrtle Windows Gallery: Myrtle Windows Gallery (MWG) is an open air art gallery that ‘breaks down the walls’ of the traditional private art gallery to bring two-dimensional art to the public arena via the storefront window, where it is accessible to anyone simply walking down the street. Ten Myrtle Avenue storefronts temporarily transform part of their windows into gallery space for the works of local artists. The initiative helps bring together artists, local businesses, and the community in a dialogue about art in public spaces. For more information, please visit www.myrtleavenue.org.

This Myrtle Windows Gallery exhibit is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. (BAC).

I bet you didn’t know that this holiday window was created by MARP staffers, Sarah, and MARP intern, Melissa! They kept it local when it came to materials, purchasing from the Pratt Store and Home and U. Sarah says, “We wanted to do something without paint that made people want to look through the decorations as much as at them, showcasing what goes on in Kapella’s day-to-day. The concept was as if all of the snowflakes were cut from a solid sheet of paper in the window.” With the cardboard cut-outs of trimming shears wrapped in silver paper, the window’s name ‘Holiday Trimmings’ truly captures Kapella’s bright holiday spirit.

There are two new participants in this year’s Myrtle Holiday Windows Contest but they are definitely not new to creative window displays! For Melody Burns of Kiini Ibura and Carol Thomas of Just Because, decorating storefronts has been a long-standing holiday tradition. The work of these two holiday veterans is worth a look and will surely bring you holiday cheer! They're not only in the business of beautifying windows, Kiini Ibura hosts jewels and jazz at least twice a year and Just Because pampers preening prom girls every June. Stop by to check out the windows, and stop in to say hello!

Meet the Gingerbread People of The Bakery’s holiday window (154 Vanderbilt) and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time! Place your order by Tuesday, December 22 to get the goods in time for the holiday. Stop by or call 718-596-5999 to order any of these sweet treats:
Almond Tart ($24.00)
Banana Chocolate Mousse Cake ($22.50 - 6 inch)
Caramel Apple Pie ($22.50)
Egg Nog Cheese Cake ($22.50 - 6 inch)
Flourless Chocolate Cake ($22.50 - 6 inch, $26.00 - 8 inch)
Fruit Cake ($25.00 - 6 inch)
German Chocolate Cake ($22.50 - 6 inch)
Linzer Tarts ($26.00)
Pear Tarts ($25.00)
Rum Cake ($25.00 - 6 inch, $36.00 - 8 inch)

By the way - this delicious little holiday window scene was created by local artist Marie Stile, who actually lived near this very intersection 25 years ago!

It's a map, and an ornament! Make sure you check out Home for the Holidays at Karen’s Body Beautiful by local artist Ellie Balk (who also created the You Are Here mural at Tillies, and coordinated our community mural project at Move About Myrtle). We love the stained glass effect, bringing colorful light and spirit into the shop on sunny winter afternoons. Stop by Karen’s to find a holiday gift … and find your home on the holiday map too!

Sensing some holiday love in the air? So is Joseph Tyler Salon, with their adorable, flirtatious holiday window design by local artist Kerri Ferrara . A girl. A boy. A sprig of mistle toe. And a glorious mane of magical hair blowing in the breeze. This holiday window perfectly captures the magic and whimsy of a holiday love story told on a salon storefront window, and we just adore it.

This is not the first time Ferrara’s artwork has been featured in the salon’s storefront. Ferrara was part of the third Myrtle Windows Gallery exhibition with SONYA where one of her paintings was featured in Joseph Tyler Salon’s windowStop by for yourself and see if you think so too.