When Ozzie’s on Seventh Avenue and Lincoln Place closed it was a big deal on a few levels. Firstly, it was one of the very first cafes to come in Park Slope (circa 1992 or so). It was here before coffee places were ubiquitous. Real pioneer that Ozzies.

It was also interesting because they occupied a former drugstore/pharmacy and they kept all of the antique built-ins and glass. They were very forward thinking in the way that they preserved the past.

Ozzie’s went out of business more than a year ago and there was talk that a barista from Ozzie’s was going to open her own place in that location. I’m not sure if that’s the case.

For the past many months, there have been intriguing things in the mostly papered up window of that storefront – what looked like dollhouses made out of balsa wood (or were they architectural models?). There were also signs that a lot of renovation was going on within.

Suffice it to say, there’s been curiosity, there’s been lots of peeking in to see what’s going on.

Tada. Today’s the day for the mystery to solve itself. The brand new Cafe Dada is now open. I did peek in a few days ago and the space looks beautiful and craftsmen-like AND the owners kept the original pharmacy cabinets.

Preservation/renovation/reinvention.