Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Saved 2011

This week, as every year, I'm doing a roundup of what's been lost over the past 12 months. The next days will cover vanished restaurants, general businesses, buildings and structures, and people. But let's start with the good news.

A handful of businesses were saved or revived this year. The biggest victory has to be the rescue of St. Mark's Bookshop--a major boost for those who fight to keep the city's culture alive.

Caffe Vivaldi was also saved via petition.

The Nom Wah Tea Parlor was renovated beautifully and reopened.



The Waverly Diner, thought dead, came back to life.

Pieces gay bar, down for the count, got a new lease at the zero hour.

And Ray's Pizza on 6th and 11th will not be turned into a Starbucks, but another Ray's Pizza (albeit not the same Ray's, so this one goes into both the Saved and Vanished column).

Previous Year-End Reviews:
2010
2009: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
2008
2007

3 comments:

Tricia said...

Don't forget the good news from the Coney Island Boardwalk! Previously evicted and on a one-year reprieve, Ruby's Bar and Paul's Daughter were offered and signed 8-year leases. Happy New Year!

Jeremiah Moss said...

oh my god, how could i forget? those are big ones. thanks Tricia!

Claribel said...

Hurray to starting with the good news to help brace us for the recap of the bad. I'll take it! It's a lot of amazingly good news, and inspiring too, given the grassroots efforts behind a few of them.

And three cheers for Coney Island! Makes me wanna go out there to see the New Year's Day annual Polar Bear club swim. Actually, any excuse to go out to Coney is a good one. No way are my toes touching the water though!