After 20 years in business, the Paradise Cafe in Chelsea is closing. Today is their last day. Reader David sent in a photo of their goodbye sign:
The cafe is a throwback to the 90s, with mosaic art on the walls featuring flea-markety ceramic deer and doll heads. They also make great sandwiches. Possibly the last independent cafe on this stretch of ever-gentrifying 8th Avenue that isn't a Starbucks, they have a much-appreciated sign by the register that reads: "If you insist on ordering using Starbucks terms, we will be forced to charge you Starbucks prices."
And another one's gone.
Go in today for a delicious sandwich at "special prices" and say goodbye. On 8th Ave near 17th St.
15 comments:
Very sad. My partner and I went there on our first date on August 15, 1999.
Hey I work at paradise. We're all really sad about this day.
i'm sorry you're closing. i've eaten a lot of your sandwiches.
can you tell us why? rent?
I've always been proud of Paradise for holding out with Starbucks and a dozen other chain coffee shops surrounding it. Good food, great coffee, and such a cozy little space. I've worked in the neighborhood for seven years. Very sad to see it go.
This used to be a regular stop off for me when my son was at school just around the corner. Sad news.
Meanwhile, up the avenue the former Rawhide space has a new tenant - and, surprise, surprise, it's a restaurant chain: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/data-lists/real-estate-deal-watch/details/12/2914503
Yeah, it was definitely the rent. The lease was up and the landlords wanted to double to almost triple the rent.
thanks Anon for the Rawhide tip.
I'm so glad I found this blog even if I'm sad there is a reason for it. Good to know there are others outraged at the hyper gentrifying of NYC.
I loved this cafe', had memories of dates I met there. What a shame its being shuttered.
I went there every single day more than once. the only real place in the area.
I made friends with people sitting next to me at the tables, after a while you knew everyone there. they let you use the restroom even though it was through the kitchen.
ironically before I left for a ten day vscay to greece I said to casey who worked there: don't you close before I come back! and he responded that: noway it will be a lot later they are still negotiating the lease. - flew back thursday a day after it closed
One of the few places I liked over here. Fuck Starbucks.
Man, I've been going there since it opened. I just haven't walked past it in the last week or so and had no idea.
A big part of my life at a certain time, along with the long-gone, but still-lamented Big Cup.
Sorry to see you go. We loved you guys. If Omar (delivery guy and cook)reads this, we miss you dude. Stop over for some "gently used" stuff anytime. And if anyone from Paradise can tell me the name of the Brooklyn Bakery who supplied the chocolate-rasberry rugelach- I NEED THEM!! Eddie
Really sorry to see you go. Never got a chance to say goodbye. All the best Mike, and the rest or the staff. We'll miss you.
Extremely sorry to see another independent place go. Thank you so much for the wonderful memories.
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