Our partner CPEX’s 2015 Brooklyn Retail Report, put together by CPEX’s Retail Leasing Team, highlights six particularly notable retail corridors among the 121 identified in the report. Which corridors will make the cut in 2016? For more information about Brooklyn retail, contact CPEX’s Retail Leasing Team or visit www.cpexre.com.
1. 86th Street (4th Avenue to Fort Hamilton Parkway): Historically, this stretch of 86th Street has been one of the top retail locales in southern Brooklyn. It's drawn prominent retailers to the area, including Chipotle, Victoria’s Secret, and Panera Bread.
2. Gateway Center (East New York): The Gateway Center has super-sized into a one-stop shopping experience in East New York. Indeed, with over 1.19 million square feet, the Gateway Center is one of Brooklyn’s largest suburban-style retail developments accessible at shoppers’ urban convenience.
3. N. 4th Street (Kent Avenue to Bedford Avenue): As Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg has become arguably one of the best retail corridors in Brooklyn, its magnetism has led retailers to the surrounding side streets. North 4th Street was particularly poised to capitalize on Bedford Avenue’s success with its uniquely large floor plate, attracting recent tenants such as Whole Foods, Joe Fresh, and Blue Bottle.
4. Smith Street (Atlantic Avenue to 2nd Place): Once known almost exclusively as “Restaurant Row,” the mix of retailers on Smith Street is quickly diversifying as national apparel and wearable brands such as Lululemon Atletica, Intermix, SEE, Free People, and Lucky Jeans join Smith Street’s signature series of culinary delights.
5. Union Street (Nevins Street to 4th Avenue): Located in the Gowanus, the section of Union Street that connects Carroll Gardens to Park Slope has several noteworthy retailers, including Dinosaur BBQ, The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, and Ample Hills Creamery, voted one of the top 10 ice cream parlors in the country. Union Street’s popularity is due in large part to its proximity to the R train at Union Street and 4th Avenue and, similarly to North 4th Street, its large floor plates.
6. 5th Ave (Sackett Street/Berkeley Place to 3rd Street): 5th Avenue in Park Slope has become a “Restaurant Row” in its own right. Manhattan transplants Grand Central Oyster Bar and Two Boots pizza join popular dining and drinking destinations such as al di la Trattoria (Brooklyn-born Italian restaurant perennially recommended by the Michelin guide), Calexico, Blue Ribbon Brooklyn, Naturo Ramen, the punny Pork Slope, and many more.
