How Community Power in Park Slope secured K-Slope Marketplace's opening
From Steve's "C-Town" 9th Street Supermarket to K-Slope's soft opening this Sunday Nov 23 in Brooklyn
The transition from the beloved, decades-old Steve’s “C-Town” 9th Street Supermarket to the new K-Slope Marketplace in Park Slope was a testament to how the community came together.
When Steve’s C-Town abruptly closed its doors this fall, leaving a void for local residents - the collaborative efforts of locals, Council Member Shahana Hanif and Assembly Member Robert Carroll, helped push for the space remaining a vital grocery resource.
Continue reading below for our FIRST LOOK of K-Slope Marketplace, official details of their soft opening and Grand opening details, along with what the “K” in K-Slope stands for.
The Timeline of a Transition
Here is a breakdown of the key events:
September 11 2025: News broke on community Facebook group Park Slope Together that Steve’s 9th Street Market, a neighborhood fixture since 1970, was closing. [Link to post]
Photo: Park Slope Together September 15, 2025: Council Member Shahana Hanif sent a formal letter to the building’s owners Michael and Philip Schreiber to emphasize the market’s importance as a vital resource for the community, especially seniors and low-income residents, and to advocate for a seamless transition to another supermarket.
September 29, 2025: Park Slope resident Julie Baron organized a community meeting with Hanif and Assembly Member Carroll at the Park Slope Library. This gathering provided a platform for area residents to voice their concerns about the loss of an affordable grocery option and to discuss strategies for ensuring the space remains a market.
The packed community meeting reinforced the strong desire for a replacement grocery store and dispelled speculation that the historic building was being sold for luxury condos.
September 30, 2025: Steve’s C-Town officially shuttered its doors permanently with little notice.
October 10, 2025: Robert Carroll and Shahana Hanif’s offices' share an update that the location will remain a grocery store.
Late October, 2025: Signage for K-Slope appears at the location.
Park Slope Pulse then reached out to K-Slope Marketplace to confirm their soft opening date with their official statement below.
The Power of Advocacy
When C-Town suddenly closed, neighbors expressed concerns that the building, a former RKO Prospect Theatre dating back to 1913, would be turned into high-rise condos instead of a much-needed grocery store.
Community organizer and resident Baron sprang into action upon hearing the news and reached out to her local representatives. Their quick response helped bring the community together at a public meeting, where residents made their concerns clear.
While the final lease was ultimately a private business decision, one local resident helped organize a meeting that brought officials and neighbors together, ensuring community concerns were heard at a critical moment.
The K-Slope Market opening stands as a clear example of residents and local government working together to preserve a vital community resource.
K-Slope soft opens this Sunday
The new K-Slope Marketplace is soft opening this Sunday November 23 at 7am so that locals can grab some pre-Thanksgiving deals. Their Grand Opening will be in January and they’ll be building the full store experience until then.
K-Slope’s location is 329 9th St, Brooklyn (Between 5th & 6th Ave).
Watch our video below to get a First Look at K-Slope - and stay until the end to find out what the “K” in K-Slope stands for!
They’ll be running some special giveaways and deals at the soft opening this Sunday:
First 100: free gift bag
Sweepstakes incl. a Thanksgiving Feast for 12
Free samples everywhere
Holiday deals you’ll want to stock up on
Official statement from K-Slope management:
“Due to the government shutdown our application for EBT/SNAP/OTC is still pending for this soft opening. We’re staying in close contact with the agencies and will move forward the moment they’re able to process applications.
After our limited soft opening, here’s what our customers can look forward to once we are fully operational:
Double the Fresh Produce Department: We’re more than doubling the size of our produce department and offering the freshest selection through daily farm-direct sourcing, passing the savings directly on to customers
Full-Service Butcher Counter: Get custom cuts, professional meat preparation, and expert advice.
International Fish Counter: Enjoy fresh fish flown in daily for peak quality.
Sushi Counter: Freshly made sushi rolls available every day
Artisan Deli: Artisan cheeses, gourmet cuts and dips
Authentic Asian Offerings: A wider selection of authentic Asian ingredients and convenient ready-to-eat options.
Freshly Baked Bread: Daily baked bread (including boules, pull apart rolls,sub, baguettes, bagels, soft pretzels, and more)
Better Prices: Expect greater value across the store. Affordable staples is one of our core pricing tenets.
Expanded hours: Open 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week
Online Shopping: With free local delivery available!
Floral and elevated florals
K-Slope Marketplace is a locally owned, full service neighborhood market offering a wide range of products— natural and organic fruits and veggies, full-service butcher shop, artisan deli, international fish counter, fresh-baked breads, sushi, flowers, groceries, international foods and more. Our team is committed to warm, knowledgeable customer service and led by second-generation grocery store operator and Brooklyn Dads - our President Brian Kim and our general manager Jairo Jerez*. We are proud members of the Keyfood Cooperative. Opening Soon in the heart of Park Slope.”
* Steve’s 9th Street Supermarket’s former manager
References:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkslopetogether/posts/1714906105835175/
https://www.brooklynpaper.com/park-slope-rally-steves-9th-street-market-closes/
https://www.brooklynpaper.com/k-slope-market-to-open-park-slope/
More reading:
Park Slope’s Hidden History: 9th Street’s Vaudeville Theater
As Park Slopers, we are fortunate to live in a community that’s filled with architectural marvels. Our neighborhood is brimming with Victorian mansions and historic brownstones that make up 40 blocks of a landmarked historic district. Even the buildings without a landmark designation sign carry a storied history. One such historical site is 329 9th Street between 5