Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.
Categories: Toy Stores, Hobby Shops [Edit]
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Park Slope372 Fifth Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215 (718) 499-9884
- Nearest Transit:
9th St-4th Ave (F, M, R)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
48 Reviews for Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.
Although this location was smaller than I expected, I still think that this store is way too awesome for words; seriously. Because Dave Eggers is such a great writer and such a great humanitarian with his San Francisco 826 Valencia/pirate supply location, I decided that it would be far too criminal to be in NY without visiting the Brooklyn store. However, if you do not appreciate what Eggers does for the young writing community, you probably would not appreciate this store. My NYer friend was a bit too weirded out with the superhero vault at the cash register and the "devillianizing machine." I. however, thought the store employees were adorable and felt at home reading all the fliers for the science clubs and flipping through the books of the children's essays. In fact, I proudly purchased books of the kids' essays that I am looking forward to reading on my way too long and way too annoying flight back to Oakland tomorrow morning.
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The best superhero supply store on the planet.
In fact, it may very well be the ONLY superhero supply store on the planet. Or at least the only one open to the public. I seem to recall a place over in Red Bank that will sell you some stuff with a claim that it allows you to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but 1) it's not a very kid friendly, and 2) I'm pretty sure the DEA shut them down.
As for those who think that $15 for a jug of invisibility potion is expensive, clearly they never tried the stuff. It's helped me sneak out of the office early on more than one occassion!
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Subract one star for hiring a mere mortal as the Store clerk.
Whoever's trust fund is being squandered in the name of this ever-so-cleverness should be patted on the headstone.
Don't forget to sign the guest book (list superhero name and power)
Tar Ball - sticky testicle
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The store was much smaller than I had imagined, walking by it a zillion times over the last year. I had thought it was a place to buy things like superhero costumes and accessories, but it's a bit more gimmicky in reality. The cans of "magnetism" and "invisibilty" are certainly amusing and endearing, but....who pays $10-$15 for an empty container?? i know it funds a great writing program. but still. it's empty!
debby downer strikes again
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***Please let me preface this review and it's subsequent rating by saying that Dave Eggers and the cause for which this storefront was constructed are both first-rate. I only hope that I too someday can have such a dramatic impact on children's lives.***
I'm not from New York. As a life-time resident of the west coast, I joined Yelp in the hopes of finding fun and interesting places of interest in my newly adopted home of Brooklyn.
After reading the majority of the reviews on Yelp, I had the impression that this place was somewhat of a Willy Wonka-esce superhero paradise. After the online discovery and pouring over the saccharine reviews, I rushed to the shop and stood on the sidewalk greatly admiring the storefront. I even dragged my boyfriend with me as he and I are huge comic book aficionados. However after shortly walking through the doors, I had the same feeling as poor Ralphie Parker had when hoping for a coveted official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle with a compass in the stock. Instead of the BB gun, I felt I had ended up with the pink bunny pajamas Ralphie's aunt had so lovingly sewn for his gift.
Wonderful sentiment.
Very homemade.
Lovingly created.
Completely disappointing.
Not at all what I expected.
All gift-wrapping, but no gift.
This wonderful storefront and the true use of the space deserve nothing but praise and adulation.
However, walking around in a pink rabbit costume isn't my idea of fun.
5 Stars for the charity. 826nyc.org
1 Star for the hook. superherosupplies.com
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Too, too cute. And they really make you feel good when you buy something. Not just the feel good feeling of knowing that you're supporting the writing programs. But it's fun too! You have to put your purchase in a vault and say the "vow" before you can leave.
I had to think of a superhero name for myself on the spot. It was lame and I'm ashamed.
Super girl.
Sigh.
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Me: Smiling and nodding whilst
Boyfriend: Bounding around store, picking every other box up saying "woh! I love this, look at this!!!"
Take little boys or grown up boys here to amuse themselves but you might be bored. However, it is a great cause and it's fun for about 5 mins.
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Brooklyn Superhero Supply is the type of store you hope to find your whole life. It mixes the kitschy drama of superheroism with the fact that the location is a front for one of Dave Eggar's community literacy projects. All the people who work there do so for free and all the proceeds from the store go back into the program. The store is filled with various flasks and canisters containing stuff like "invisibility potion", as mentioned in a rather harsh previous review, various small toys and knicknacks, and some of the coolest t-shirts I've ever seen. They also sell various posters, including one of Brooklyn and Manhattan as broken up by good/evil neighborhood affiliation and various landmarks and descriptors (apparently Greenwood Cemetary has a zombie problem!).
This store is great and I love to pop in whenever I can. Their mission is superb, their employees enthusiastic, and the atmosphere amazing. Even if you don't intend to buy anything, do yourself a favor and stop in and try on a cape. You'll be glad you did.
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You have to love this place, even if you're not and never have been a teenage boy.
So a lot of the merchandise is downright campy, and not really in a good way, but a lot of it is fun. Gallon jugs of invisibility, vials of omnipotence, and a giant fan to help you test out your new cape make this both a good place to get small gifts and a destination in and of itself.
But really, who cares about the shop? Ignore that it's small, cramped, and sometimes quite disorganized. The whole point of the store is to be a cover for a kids literacy program, which is a stellar cause.
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Being selected as a Ted prize winner is like getting the Nobel Prize, but better because the smartest people in the world voted.
Here's shop creator Dave Eggers' TED prize talk about this place:
http://www.ted.com/ind...
The most inspiring 5 minutes of my life this year.
I feel like a villian giving this place a lousy review. Kids literacy is a great cause, and one I very much support. The concept of BSSC is fantastic, too.
Unfortunately, this place if far from a work of staggering genius (sorry, I just couldn't resist). The store is small and doesn't really sell much of anything. A few leotards, a couple of books, some cans with various "clever" labels on them. It has a stark feel to it (could use warmer lighting) and doesn't sell enough small odds and ends to make it worth browsing for more than a couple of minutes. I am behind the cause 100%, but the pretention factor here turned me off in a big way.
In a way, this place reminded me of what I've read of Egger's writing: very smart, with good parts to it, but ultimately so smug, precious, and pleased with itself that it takes the pleasure out of the experience.
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That's right! You can't see me you evil-doers! I'm invisible! And I've got twelve gallons of the invisible paint!
Mwuhahahahahahahaha! The world is not yours! It's mine! Miiiiiiiiiiiiine!!!!
I bet you can't tell that I am naked right now. *Puts invisible twig and berries on your leg* Bahahahahahahahahaha!
Oh crap. Old lady crossing the street. Gotta go!!!!!
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Okay, people love this place and there are a ton of reviews so I'll keep this short and sweet. It's a superhero tschotke (sp?) store that supports a youth writing program that takes place behind the secret door at the back left wall. So buying a superhero supply is somewhat mandatory in my opinion if you set foot in here.
BUT, you need to think of a superhero name for yourself BEFORE you get there. Reciting the superhero oath before making a purchase is NOT optional and it's quite embarassing to fumble for words in front of an entire store full of people who all seem to stop what they are doing to listen to the purchaser recite the oath.
So I've heard.
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As a new Manhattanite, I had yet to take some time out to explore the other boroughs. So, one Saturday, I decided to make a trek through Park Slope. This place being one of the top rated places in New York, I decided to go. I thought the place was cute. But, I didn't find anything worth buying that would be cool for people to see in my apartment. The place was much smaller then I expected it to be. I think it's a good cause and it's very unique. But, I'll never go back or take friends there. It was pretty boring.
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The first time I came here, I bought a big can of EVIL as a housewarming gift for two old friends of mine. I approached the counter/platform-of-power and put my bounty into the superhero dumbwaiter (you can't make this stuff up).
Suddenly a booming voice asks, "Hello hero! What is your superhero name?"
It shocked me a bit, so my usual quick wit went down the toilet and out came, "Uh, hmmm, The Uber Dunebug."
"Hahaha, awesome! What's your superhero power?" boomed the voice again.
Empowered (superempowered) by the approval of the disembodied voice I said, "I have the lucrative ability to use the power of sand to transform cheap cans of EVIL into expensive cans of PEACE AND GOODWILL!"
Some kids coming out of the writing workshop overheard this exchange and started clapping and cheering.
I totally felt like a superhero.
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It's one of those concepts where you say "I wish I'd thought of that." Worth a stop by if you're a fan of comic books, sci-fi, and have a sense of humor. Ask if you can see what's REALLY going on behind-the-scenes. Then it'll all make sense.
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Another Dave Eggers 826 Foundation production! Located in the UBERCUTE Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, this is the go-to place for all your super hero needs.
Utility belt for all your little superhero gadgets? Check.
Wall-climbing suction cups? Check.
X-Ray Vision in a bottle? Check.
Invisibility spray? Check.
Leotards? Check.
Capes? Duh.
I found this store to be even more fun than the pirate theme of 826 Valencia in the Mission District of SF. There's even a secret wall that opens up behind a shelf to get to the writing workshop in the back. Although I "get it," I still walk out just as confused as when I walked in. That Dave Eggers is one crazy mofo to come up with this stuff. Hey, it's a barrel of laughs for both locals and visitors and a wonderful cause for America's young writers.
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At first I wasn't sure I understood this store. I felt like my sister was getting ripped off paying 12$ for cheap plastic glasses marked "see all" glasses or something. Then they informed me the money went to help tudor kids. Its a great store. Once you get over yourself and PLEDGE. Its great. I like the logos on the tee's
How could you give an establishment that both sells bottled anti-matter and teaches neighborhood kids the joys of creative writing anything less than 5 stars? That would be diabolical.
I'm from San Francisco and thoroughly appreciate the 826Writers Groups creative "fronts" for their company. The 826 Valencia project in San Francisco fronts as the Pirate Supply Company; I didn't put the two together until I was well deep into the Superhero Supply Company in Brooklyn and saw all the McSweeney's and Wholphin DVDs on the shelves.
When that click happened, though, a giant smile just cracked on my face and I felt like a kid all over again.
That superhero pledge they make you say after purchase is sick. I want it as a poster on my wall.
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The gear is fun and everything, the "cape testing platform" is funny, and it's a great place to take people from out of town... but cripes. fellas, if I'm just stopping in to buy THE BELIEVER, the place is empty, and I'm in a hurry, do I really have to recite the stupid Superhero Oath?
I know that's part of the "charm", but I feel like an idiot reading that thing in an empty store.
I'm aware that it's staffed with volunteers, and they do this because they're REALLY REALLY into it, but come on. Let's dial back the "excited camp counceller" vibe a notch if I'm not there with a ten-year old.
Otherwise, they have excellent t-shirts, clever props (a can of chaos? I'll have one, thanks), and tons of McSweeney's books stashed away.
A great place for gifts! And it's all for a great cause!
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Now that Yelp has helped me discover this place, I'm going to have to practice incredible restraint. I've just sat here contemplating all the different birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and births that could potentially warrant a gift-giver's jaunt to the Superhero Supply Company. What friend, family, or even foe, could resist a perfectly cut cape? You will certainly spot my alter ego treading the aisles soon.
Everybody could use some help with their nemesis problem, from time to time. And if you're out of work, don't fret! They have sidekick placement services! I wonder if they stock golden lassoes...
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I volunteered here one summer. That's how much I love this place: I worked there for FREE. The tutoring services are cool. The only thing that woudl make them better is to somehow be more available to less fortunate kids further away from the Slope.
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Being a devotee of the Pirate Supply Store in San Francisco, I had high hopes for the Superhero Supply Co. (they're in cahoots) and every single one was fulfilled.
I was internal monologuing the entire visit in a quasi serious 1950's superhero announcement voice that you'd here in old super man radio shows:
"Ask inside, we can custom order alter egos"
Anything that mixes tutoring kids (it's a nation wide writing program spearheaded by Dave Eggers *sighhh) with the chimerical gets every inch of my little heart.
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I walked up and down the street looking for the store. It was past 3 and all the school children were out and about smacking gum and playing tag on the sidewalk. I asked a bunch of them if they knew where this store was. Each replied, "I don't know." Liars I call them. They must of been sworn to secrecy because 5 minutes later I arrived at the store through use of my super navigational skills. The store really exists. And once you're inside, it seems totally real that there are superheroes out there (yay more of my kind) and normal that a superhero supply shop is in Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company is where imagination becomes reality. You can purchase a cape, various chemicals in cannisters, and even a superhero hideout map. Do you have problems with your arch nemesis? No worries. The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company is here to help. Pretty clever 826 NYC. Remember, its for the children.
Support this great cause. Where else am I going to buy my ammo and a new pair of tights?
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I'm so glad my friends live in Park Slope and I happened to pass by this store! I love 826 Valencia and had no idea there were more of these stores/writing programs--all with different themes!! Awesome!
I HAD to buy something. What I wanted to buy, I couldn't fit in my carry-on--it was this apparatus to scale walls with suction cups. And apparently, one of these things can hold 60lbs. So, I bought a mask and they make me say the Superhero Creed or something.. whatever it was, it was hilarious! I almost peed in my pants repeating the damn thing! Will definitely stop by the Space store when I'm in Seattle!
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Was just here last night to hear Valentino Achak Deng speak. If none of you know, this guys story is truly amazing. He's a refugee from Sudan, "escaped" to the US has seen countless people murdered, raped and injured. If you haven't read or heard of him, I would highly recommend Egger's book based on his life story, "What is the What" - I don't want to get into too much detail here about the book because I'd rather have you cats read it. Truly life-inspiring. His speaking was fantastic, concise, and uplifiting. Oh, and although I didn't get to check the venue out too much (place was packed!) from what I saw, it was sweet and for a great cause! Next time you're in the Slope, check it out!
http://www.826nyc.org/
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Able to jump tall buildings in a single bound!!!!!
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It's good to know that there are people out there helping kids, and having fun while they're at it--and while they're at it still, entertaining all of Park Slope! What's amazing is how far they take it. Every inch comes loaded with quasi-seriousness. Every sign, every product--the Supply Company never lets up with its outlandishness. The result is pure enjoyment--a place to rekindle your adventurous side. Now I'm sad to have never visited the Pirate Supply cousin in San Francisco.
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The first time I walked into this store I had a mind fuck. Seriously. I was baffled. Amazing design, meets super hero camp, meets reality (?). Or smething like that. It does have a platform to try your cape which the shop keeper informed me of with a straight face. Seriously baffling. How this idea was conceived and actually carried out and that they make money all baffles me. You'd have to be an evil villain on a remote island to not find the joy in this place.
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I make EVERYONE that I LOVE and ADORE come here. It's the best place to give people a glimpse of the whimsical and quirky side of Brooklyn. There's an amazing cluster of creative folks that come together to make this SuperHero-storefront-Tutoring-program for kids work. I'm beyond IMPRESSED with this Eggers novelty concept. IT WORKS!!! I wish I'd volunteer'd m'time while I was a Park Sloper.
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Great things happen here: www.826nyc.org
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As a neighbor of 826 Valencia, the Pirate Store, I made a point of seeking out the Superhero Supply Company on a recent visit to NYC. I had high expectations. After all, the Pirate Store has sea hose, trap doors, and gigantic barrel of lard.
My expectations were blown away. First thing you might not realize is that it actually takes more ingenuity to stock a Superhero Supply Company than a Pirate Store. After all, sea hose are antiquited but tangible, mortal, and real. But how do you sell the stuff that makes Superman die? How do you purvey that which makes the Invisible Woman invisible? How do you catch a moonbeam in a jar? Well, the Superhero suppliers have figured out how to do two of those three things.
In addition to buying secret potion base masquerading as sodium bicarbonate and superballs of Jose-Gonzales-music-video-fame, they have a bookshelf full of McSweeney's publications.
When I went to purchase my Wholphin DVD Magazine issue #1, I went up to the base of a tower, opened a vault door, and placed my goods on the tray inside. A sign instructed me to also include my method of payment. As I went to retrieve my credit card, the tray with my DVD began to levitate! "Wait, wait," I yelled to the demi-god in the tower. "I haven't included my payment!" "Oh," stuttered and paused the loudspeaker voice, "I was just, um, testing your human-ness." Of course. Those superheroes are ALWAYS on their toes.
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I like to think I've been allocated a reasonable number of skills for a human being. Breaking up with people effectively is not one of them.
In college, I dated this guy for about a semester. Over the summer, I had an internship in New York, and he stayed in Boston. Somewhere in the middle of the summer, I decided the relationship wasn't nearly as important to me as, say, partying, and so one weekend he came to visit, we had a great day, I capped it off with about 3 gin and tonics, and I told him I didn't want to be dating anymore.
An important lesson about breaking up is that if you want to be taken seriously, you should do it sober. Because about a month later, he came back!
He insisted on going to the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company. I kind of felt bad for him because I had broken up with him and stuff, so I agreed that we would go on an excursion to Brooklyn and get some supplies.
We left on Saturday afternoon and took the Metro to Brooklyn. One of us had some sort of directions, but I'm pretty sure he had the wrong name or address to start with because we ended up walking, like, miles and miles uphill in the rain through Brooklyn looking for this store.
We passed block after block of pawn shops, clothing resale outposts, smelly chicken stands, and basically every chain fast food place known to man, and it soon became clear to me that no Superhero Supply Company was going to materialize. But we kept walking.
Eventually, when we were somewhere with a cemetery on one side and, like, a bus depot on the other, I decided to make an executive decision. We were going to give up, turn around and have lunch.
He said he was not hungry and also sort of insinuated that I was crazy for being hungry after walking miles uphill in Brooklyn in the rain. But I did not want to waste my entire afternoon in pursuit of superhero supplies without at least getting a toasty sandwich, so we walked back down the hill to Quizno's.
A few miles later, I was sitting at this Quizno's in Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon, wet, tired, hungry, with no superhero supplies and an ex-boyfriend across from me who refused to eat. I had pulled all the onions off my sandwich and I was just ready to take a bite when suddenly an enormous fly landed on the other end.
Did you know that flies vomit six times when they land?
So of course I reacted as one might expect a girl to do in this situation.
He countered with, "You're cute when you're mad."
It is to my credit that no one in that Quizno's died that day. Except the fly.
Oh, and no hard feelings to the Superhero Supply Company. I am sure you rock, wherever you are.
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They do not let even the smallest detail slip. The fantasy is complete! This is a must see, no matter what your age.You have to get a super hero map of NYC! How else will you know where to get your cap cleaned? I also recommend giving some thought to your super hero name and powers before going in. The day I was there I meet two Capt. Indecisions.
I am now planning a tour of all the other 826 store fronts!
Space Exploration in Seattle
The Boring Store (spys) in Chicago
The Internation Union of Monsters in Ann Arbor, MI
And of course the originator Pirates in Valencia.
Why isn't LA themed???
And congrats to Boston, they will have their own 826 soon.
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First it was Pirate Supplies at 826 Valencia in San Francisco, and now it's this. If I was a kid, I'd probably skip the creative writing program in the back and hang out in the store instead. Actually, if I was in NYC right NOW I'd go and hang out there, because everyone knows that geeks want to be superheroes... and most of us could probably use some help with arch-nemesis problems and some sweet capes...
Don't you just love Dave Eggers!?!
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a fun world of fantasy that seems fake, but actually sells stuff. There is lots of humor and theatrics in this store. It is a fun place for gifts, too. The packaging is kind of retro. Really fun place for kids to come. It's like a mini show. Especially when you buy something, they make you do a little pledge and use a nifty elevator thing.
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Great fun for a great cause. I bought some terrific gifts and had a blast reciting the pledge in order to process my order. I wanted to buy one of everything! After all, a true superhero should never be without anti-matter, instant hypnosis, SIK (secret identity kits), or laser beam eyeglasses. A salesperson explained that the store provides nearly a third of the money used to run the 826NYC program, an fabulous organization.
If you are visiting New York, this is a must-see. Stop by the nearby Chip Shop for a great meal, and walk through the neighborhood to see the laundromat where Trixie lost Knuffle Bunny (if you like children's books). If you live in NYC, why haven't you been here yet?
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there is nothing i don't love about this store. their wares are awesome, they have a platform above this wind thing so you can try on a cape and have it blowing in a superhero-esque fashion, they make you recite a superhero's pledge when you purchase something, and they're primarily there to support a writing program for kids. simply awesome in every way. this has actually become one of my favorite places to take out-of-town guests, or even manhattanites who are visiting me in brooklyn, because it's so unique and it's a lot of fun to wander around the store.
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Cool place. Really cool place, in fact. It's apparently a front for some kind of seedy afterschool reading community. But I don't buy it. I think the reading program is really just a front for the geeky whims of the store's designer. Either way, whether you're a kid looking for a place to go in your afternoons, or a tourist looking for that perfect designer cape and grapling hook, this is the place to be.
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