New York - May 08, 2009

Third Blanket from the Sun

Picnic Country Store Opens

There’s no denying your checkered past.

Gingham gets you every time.

Which means there will be no stopping you at Picnic, a new country store in Fort Greene stocked with all the trappings of a fine spring outing.

Proprietors Camella Ehlke and Marlon Aitcheson provoke wholesome fun (the couple also runs the well-appointed Breathe Inn) with organic snacks, toys for outdoors, and fresh-made sandwiches to go.

You can wash down a hearty lunch (smoked white fish and herbs; grilled cheese with truffle oil and fig; avocado, tomato, and cheddar on eight-grain; smart dog on a bun) with ginger beer or lavender lemonade before taking a snooze on one of the African-print picnic blankets Ehlke sewed herself.

On the shelves are Prokadima paddles, canteens, stunt planes, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, jump ropes, kites, and other diversions.

Sure to make picnicking a walk in the park.

Picnic, 185 DeKalb Avenue, at Carlton Avenue, Fort Greene (718-855-8965).