Hey Neighbors,
Happy 2026! Thanks for reading Ward 6 post #16 (gulp). This newsletter has grown since I launched in September 2025–my first adventure covering local news—and as I’ve written before, Ward 6 will always be free for everyone. But for me to do this, I will be asking for more of your financial support in the new year. Subscribe! Tell your friends! Pay what you want! Did I say Ward 6 will always be free? No paywalls.
MOO BURGER SAYS GOODBYEf
As I reported (@ward6_brooklyn) before the new year, Moo Burger’s last day was December 31st. I caught Nick, the owner, for a quick call as he prepared to close the restaurant after 14 years. “I’ve seen a lot of kids in the neighborhood grow up,” he said. “It’s sad.”
But weekends, he explained, were slower than they used to be. “Many customers moved away and new people leave for the weekends.” Nick commuted every day from Astoria, but considered the Court Street area “more my neighborhood than my neighborhood” and recalled that when he had his child, customers brought him cards. Thank you, Moo Burger! (And thank you, Mark, a reader from Cobble Hill, for the tip).
NEW OWNER FOR MONTERO’S
When I first learned that Crew, the restaurant group behind the oyster bar Pilot at Pier 6 (check out post #7 for more) was taking over the Atlantic Ave. bar, I hesitated to tell my friends– Montero regulars and karaoke enthusiasts—in case it was a rumor. But Crew confirmed the news. “It'll still be Montero - same name, same operation,” my contact there told me. “Karaoke and everything we all know and love about the bar as it exists. We're excited to keep the legacy alive.”
Then this week, I managed to steal a few minutes with Pete Montero, who inherited the bar from his father. Pete confirmed that Crew has told him their plan is to keep the “nautical” bar as is, other than adding their menu.
“I’m cracking 80,” Pete said. Calculating life expectancy for a man, he told me “I only have four or so years left. I want to travel with my 6-year-old granddaughter.” Hawaii is at the top of her list, but he says, “We’ll start with Disney World.”
Read more about Montero’s from the writer who lives upstairs (NY Groove) and in the Brooklyn Paper, in a story from when the bar reopened after Covid.
WHAT THE NYT FAILED TO MENTION ABOUT REP. DAN GOLDMAN’S RE-ELECTION
In last week’s article about the upcoming primary fight between our congressman and former Comptroller Brad Lander, the paper of record failed to mention a critical issue that could decide the vote for many of our neighbors: the Brooklyn Marine Terminal. As head of the task force that voted in favor of the City’s “vision plan” for the 122-acre waterfront, Goldman alienated and angered many of his constituents in our corner of Brooklyn. I’ll be watching this primary race closely, reporting on Lander (our former city council member), Goldman, and the grassroots organization Dump Dan.
CARROLL GARDENS, REAL ESTATE HOT SPOT
BK Reader reports: “The real estate site said more buyers and renters searched for homes in Windsor Terrace, Carroll Gardens, Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene, making these neighborhoods a hot spot for a city housing market already poised to move faster in 2026.”
Of course, we know Carroll Gardens is a fantastic place to live. The downside, however, is that median asking rent is up 2.3% to $4500.
Speaking of real estate, this shocking statistic from Sunday’s NYT: “Buyers paying in cash accounted for 64% of co-op and condo sales last year “ in Manhattan. “Almost 90% of …sales over $3 million were paid for in cash.”
BK HEIGHTS COMMUNITY FRIDGE NEEDS A NEW HOME
Plymouth Church will host a meeting this Thursday at 7P to talk about the history of the fridge, why it needs a new home and how you can help. RSVP here. The fridge is located at 124 Henry if you want to donate or check it out before it finds a new home.
AIR CARGO PILOT COMES TO BROOKLYN
Source: Skyports
From our neighbors at BK-CB2: A 2-week test begins January 23rd, using uncrewed air cargo delivery drones between the Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. NYCEDC is partnering Skyports Drone
Flight path
According to a Skyport press release, the company also worked with the Port Authority of NY/NJ on a one-year pilot program in 2024. I wonder what happened to it?
NEXT WEEK IN WARD 6: All Those New Dispensaries, Explained
I started with a story about Buzzy, the newest dispensary to open in our corner of Brooklyn. But then I met the owners and visited the store, and, well, my curiosity kicked in and I decided to also visit Erudito in the Columbia St. Waterfront and Yerba Buena in Boreum Hill, the two other dispensaries that opened last year.
Question to discuss! While doing this story, I kept asking myself, and then my family: Is there a difference between having a drink with parents/children (who are legal) and smoking/eating cannabis? I’d love to include some of your answers next week: [email protected] or DM.
Yerba Buena | Erudito | Buzzy
See you next week.