18 MARCH 9 - MARCH 15, 2018 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP
Sunset’s former Dr. Maurice T. Lewis House landmarked
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Kaleidoscope for sale, owners
seek buyers to carry torch
BY MEAGHAN MCGOLDRICK
MMCGOLDRICK@BROOKLYNREPORTER.COM
The owners of Third Avenue
mainstay Kaleidoscope are
looking for a new buyer of
the almost 20-year-old toy store.
Inna and Paul Trinidad, proprietors
of the business since 2009,
announced on Wednesday, March
7 that they are seeking a buyer who
will carry on the legacy of the specialty
toy store. The pair hopes to
secure a purchaser "who will continue
to serve the neighborhood with a
unique selection of toys, games and
gifts," according to a press release.
The beloved Bay Ridge toy store
first opened in 1999 with Inna
serving as an employee during her
college years. When the opportunity
arose, she and her husband, Paul,
took ownership of the community
staple. Kaleidoscope is known for its
appealing education and STEM-oriented
toys and frequent support of
local charities like Bay Ridge Cares
and the Guild for Exceptional Children,
as well as its events, such as
Friday Movie Night — a drop-off
service for kids that allows parents
some free time — and its free
gift-wrapping.
“After nine amazing years in business,
it was a long and hard decision
to part with Kaleidoscope,” said Inna.
“The Bay Ridge community has been
so supportive. It’s our strong desire
for the store to remain an iconic staple
in the neighborhood – one where
shoppers know they can find just the
right toy for a curious child.”
“We have invested our time and
effort to maintain the business to
be as successful as it’s always been,"
added Paul. "We’re looking to pass
the torch to another community
minded owner.”
Anyone interested in buying
is urged to contact Dina Homsi
at Ben Bay Realty of Bay Ridge at
718-238-6080.
Kaleidoscope is located at 8722
Third Avenue.
BY JAIME DEJESUS
JDEJESUS@BROOKLYNREPORTER.COM
A hearing determining the fate
of Sunset Park’s only mansion,
the former Dr. Maurice T. Lewis
House, was held by the city’s Landmarks
Preservation Commission (LPC)
on Tuesday, March 6 and much to the
delight of Sunset Park residents, the
building at 405 55th Street was landmarked
even as it faced demolition to
make way for a 21,000-square-foot, seven
story, 24-unit apartment building.
According to the LPC, the three-story
Lewis House, built in 1907 for the
president of the nearby Bay Ridge
Savings Bank on Fifth Avenue, is
one of the neighborhood’s largest
single-family homes.
“The Lewis House is a valuable
part of the history and character of
this neighborhood as attested by the
Sunset Park community, who showed
overwhelming support for its designation
during the public hearing," said
LPC Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan.
Dozens of Sunset Park residents,
elected officials, representatives of
the Historic District Council (HDC),
business leaders and others were in
attendance as the commission members
voted.
“It was fabulous,” Lynn Tondrick
of the Sunset Park Landmarks Committee
(SPLC) said. “We had about 30
people from the community come.
Some of them were retired, but a lot
of them took off from work to come
and talk about why the building was
important to them and the community.
It was truly heartwarming and
astounding.”
Executive Director of HDC Simeon
Bankoff said he was delighted by the
decision.
“This is a very decisive statement by
the agency about the importance of
preservation in this neighborhood –
which is doubly welcome considering
the immense development pressure
which Sunset Park is under,” he told
this paper. "That the Landmarks Commission
took this strong stance and
saved this important building from
certain destruction is to be applauded.
Now we hope the agency acts swiftly
on the rest of the proposed historic
district.”
Councilmember Carlos Menchaca
spoke at the hearing.
Calling the structure, "a jewel worthy
of preservation," Menchaca said, “What
we accomplished today is a testament of
the power of community organizing.”
Other Sunset Parkers also celebrated
the decision.
“I'm thrilled,” said Tony Giordano,
founder of Sunset Park. “Hopefully,
this will be a wake-up call to the city
to move on the pending application
for a Historic District in Sunset. That
achievement will be a turning point
for Sunset Park.”
"I was floored by the great stories
and sentiments shared today," said
Joanna Slater. "(I'm) a proud Sunset
Parker right now."
The reaction was joyous for all that
attended, said Tondrick. “We all erupted
in a cheer. We were clapping with
unrestrained joy,” Tondrick said. “ It’s
nice to have some things go your way.”
She also hopes this is just the beginning.
"The other thing we spoke
about was the need to create a historic
district in Sunset Park which is clearly
needed in the neighborhood," she said.
Photo courtesy of Sunset Park Landmark Committee Facebook page
Sunset’s former Dr. Maurice T. Lewis House has been landmarked.