The Silver Spurs coffee shop has been around since 1979. After this month, it will be no more.
The original on Broadway and 9th Street shuttered in 2013, thanks to an expired lease that was not renewed. The landlord hiked the rent, breaking hearts, and the space went to Starbucks. That left one other Silver Spurs, at Houston and Laguardia.
A reader in the Village sent in the news and spent some time talking with Kiki Bourekas, the manager of the restaurant, who said the place is closing because business is down. As we know, coffee shops are closing all over the city.
Kiki says, “It was like Cheers in here. It was family. Customers became friends. You came here and made friends in the neighborhood. I’ve been here since it opened 22 years ago. People in the neighborhood call it ‘Kiki’s.' 'Let’s go get some of Kiki’s coffee,' they say. I stayed on all that time because I liked it so much."
The place is family owned and got its western theme in 1979 "Because of the uncle. He liked western."
They used to be open 24 hours a day on the weekend, Kiki recalled, and the place was always full, often with college and graduate students. "But two years ago, we stopped being able to make it. Not enough customers, especially at night. It’s very sad. Me and all the guys are out of a job.”
The last day will be March 29 and Kiki says, “Be sure to come in and get your last hamburger!” She gets off work at 3:30 if you want to say goodbye.
As for what's coming to take the place of Silver Spurs, Kiki hears it'll be an ice-cream place. “Expensive," she says.
One of the last non-franchise, non-chi-chi holdouts in Soho, ever since rents started ousting artists in their lofts decades ago.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to see them go.
A friend lived around the corner from this place in the 80s and 90s; we tried eating there once - it was such a disgusting experience, he never went back. Filthy tables, plates, and cutlery, nonexistent service, food dripping with fat and sodium.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. I hate this. And that burger looks good. And I don't understand why people feel the need to trash things. Like Scout above. Like be nice or don't say anything. That place made a lot of people happy.
ReplyDeleteShocker. Scout has a negative post
ReplyDelete"ice cream" "expensive"
ReplyDeleteJunk food has become luxury dining.
"Be nice or don't say anything?" What kind of world would that be? 90% of creative artists would be out of work...
ReplyDeleteNever been a fan of this greasy spur, er, spoon, but still sad to see it gone.
ReplyDeleteThe 2013 piece in EV Grieve said that they owned the building - so what is making them go out of business here?
ReplyDeleteSome people comment primarily to troll. To his credit, Jeremiah doesn't censor the trolling, but gives commenters a voice, and as a regular reader (and non-troll), I appreciate that. Back to the subject of Jeremiah's post, I find it saddening to learn that Silver Spurs is closing. I didn't go by there often, but it was a nice change of pace at times. It's another small, non-chain business, though, that is being wiped off New York City's map.
ReplyDelete"Morgenstern’s will move into the former Silver Spurs space on La Guardia Place, its owner Nick Morgenstern confirms. [...]
ReplyDelete"But Morgenstern was quick to point out that the building’s landlords owned Silver Spurs, saying they’ve been supportive and involved on a daily basis."
http://www.grubstreet.com/2018/04/morgensterns-will-expand-in-nyc.html
What a loss! Burgers were pretty good, but the breakfast was the best in the city. My "Mama Bear" featured freshly cooked bacon and egg, and the best pancakes ever!
ReplyDeleteThe sweet sister waiters were always welcoming and efficient.
I sure miss the old Lilien Hardware in this space, but I think I'll miss Silver Spurs more!