Closed Crown Heights Beer Garden Franklin Park Reopens

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Neighborhood favorite Franklin Park is making a comeback.

The beer garden, which announced its permanent closure in December, reopened this week after striking a new deal with its landlord, Eater first reported.

The Saint Johns Place bar, which has been in the neighborhood for 12 years, announced its reopening on Twitter on Sunday, more than three months after it first closed. Its neighboring restaurant Dutch Boy had stayed open for takeout and delivery during the closure.

The reopening includes the beer garden's yard, which is open from 4 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Owner Matthew Roff told Eater he plans to open the smaller bar and the front counter room at a later date.

"Roff has since told Eater that in December he just didn’t know if he’d have enough to pay his landlord or cover his other bills, as indoor dining remained on pause and outdoor seating was increasingly difficult due to the cold weather," the outlet reports. "Roff says he always hoped he’d be able to reopen again and subsequently reached a new agreement with his landlord that has now allowed Franklin Park to reopen."

Franklin Place was one of several favorite bars that Brooklynites mourned during the financial strain of the coronavirus pandemic.

The beer garden had set up a fundraiser for its workers after struggling to overcome debts from a two-month closure.