J.Crew Cobble Hill Detractors Launch Petition To Save Grocer

It would seem that some Brooklyn residents have gotten their khakis in a twist.

Following the announcement last week that national prep-wear retailer J.Crew plans to open a store at 151 Court St. next year—and in the process displace an independent grocery—a group of resistant Cobble Hill residents launched a petition asking the chain to reconsider the location.

"They may not be the ones directly forcing Pacific Green to close," wrote Carl Foner on Change.org. "But if they decide not to use this location, Pacific Green will be saved."

A neighborhood fixture since 2001, the Pacific Green Gourmet Food market, located at Court and Pacific Streets, has allegedly volunteered to increase its rent but the landlord has not budged. Manager Billy Solmaz told DNAInfo last week that "[The owner] just wants to give the place to a big corporation.” 

In fact, one knowledgable source familiar with the situation told Patch that the space had been on market for the past year, with a visible "for lease" banner up since October 2012 and as many as 10 previous offers.

If true, the owner's firm stance may indicate a deeper rift between landlord and tenant.

J.Crew representatives declined to comment on the petition at this time.

Stay with Patch for updates.