Goods Still Coming to Prospect Heights, But Has Given Up Guessing When

Goods hopes to deliver the goods soon.

Prospect Heights residents have for several months been awaiting the opening of Goods at 115 Underhill, a specialty foods market and cafe that has been taunting passersby with its promise of "grocery, food, and drink" since the fall. According to co-owner Eric Finkelstein, dealing with DOB bureaucracy has held up the launch.

"The buildings department is giving us an inappropriately hard time, in terms of permitting... we're all set to go, but just got caught in this sort of red tape limbo. We acquired the space in July of last year, and fully expected to be open by mid-fall. After putting in lots of time and money, we are simply waiting."

The Goods team hasn't been resting on its laurels, however. It's taking this time to work on the menu and source products. According to its Facebook page, it will serve Kitten Coffee, from the Clinton Hill-based roasters who established the city's first barista school. Goods is also using the social networking site to engage its neighbors on such topics as pre-made breakfast sandwiches (yea or nay?) and the possibility of selling Chinese tea eggs. In the meantime, the owners have decided to stop setting opening dates until all the red tape has been cleared.

"We are thoroughly optimistic about finally being able to open," says Finkelstein. "And we're certain that when we eventually do open, the shop will be the stronger for this time we've got."