Popular Crown Heights Eatery Needs Help Finding A New Home

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — When Eric See was getting ready to open Ursula in the summer of 2020, it wasn't clear whether restaurants were in the clear from pandemic shut downs — let alone whether his idea for a New Mexican eatery would take off.

So, instead of finding a storefront where he could move permanently, the chef placed his bets on a one-year sublet on Sterling Place, he said.

"...With a small bank loan and the rest of the money in my bank account, I opened Ursula with the intention of at the very least, creating jobs, good food, and community for the next year and figuring it all out later, if it worked out," he told Patch. "Well, it has worked out."

The temporary leap of faith has worked out so well, in fact, that Ursula is now on the hunt for a place where it can become a permanent part of the neighborhood.

See has set up a GoFundMe hoping to raise enough to move into a new storefront at the end of the year, when the sublet, which was extended a year after Ursula initial success, ends at 724 Sterling Pl.

"It's not a malicious thing, it was just an understanding from the beginning that we would have to move at some point," See said, adding that the original leaseholder plans to return to the storefront.

The fundraiser, like Ursula, has already seen success. As of Monday, more than 400 people had donated close to $18,000 to help Ursula stay in Crown Heights.

Ursula has become known as a go-to spot for its burritos and bakery goods, which brought long lines to the small storefront even through the cold winter months. The food landed Ursula a spot on Eater critic Ryan Sutton's round-up of the Best Restaurants and of 2021.

The eatery has also become known for its community events and advocacy work.

"We've been incredibly lucky to host and help uplift dozens of talented queer chefs and cooks, to host community CSA pick-ups, to raise tens of thousands of dollars for LGBTQ+ organizations like the Ali Forney Center and the Stonewall Foundation," See wrote on the fundraiser. "We have worked to support multiple Brooklyn-based food relief operations and with One Fair Wage, to help push forward legislation to create an industry-standard living wage for hospitality workers."

A large part of the $78,000 goal on the fundraiser will go toward a deposit, legal fees and rent needed to sign a lease at a new location, which See estimates will cost at least $35,000. The rest of the money will help with build-out costs, new licenses and permits, new equipment and furniture, he said.

Ursula is hoping to bring indoor dining, an expanded menu, alcohol service and limited dinner service to its new location, according to the fundraiser.

"We have the proof of concept, but now we need the capital to sign into a new lease and begin building out the rest of our legacy together," See wrote.

Find Ursula's GoFundMe here.