Meanwhile, the space next door is for rent. The advertising makes it clear: Who is New York for? American and foreign tourists.
Who are the "new village people"? Hipsters and business!
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Shakespeare & Hipsters & Tourists
Shakespeare and Co. is still open at 716 Broadway, unsure of when the closure will come. Visit them before they're gone--they've got a packed New York table just waiting for you.
Meanwhile, the space next door is for rent. The advertising makes it clear: Who is New York for? American and foreign tourists.
Who are the "new village people"? Hipsters and business!
Meanwhile, the space next door is for rent. The advertising makes it clear: Who is New York for? American and foreign tourists.
Who are the "new village people"? Hipsters and business!
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Help Punjabi Deli
The Punjabi Deli has been tucked in a corner on 1st Street near 1st Avenue since 1994. Open 24 hours a day, they serve mostly cab drivers, but many locals have also discovered the deli's delicious and inexpensive vegetarian dishes of Indian cuisine.
Punjabi offers cabbies a place to rest and refuel, and to socialize and create connections. Sometimes, one of the workers will break into spontaneous song.
But business has been declining for Punjabi. Owner Singh told the Lo-Down last year that he "lost half his business over the past few years with less parking available in the area and construction on Houston Street making it harder for taxis to stop at his deli."
It used to be you'd see a yellow stripe of taxis lined up in front of Punjabi. Now you see construction materials.
Punjabi is petitioning the city to bring a taxi relief stand to the front of the deli, a place where taxis can park for an hour so drivers can get a meal, use the rest room, and relax before getting back behind the wheel.
You can sign the petition at the deli or go online here to sign.
The petition reads, in part:
"Since last 21 years all taxi drivers go to this particular area to have break from their hard work for a cup of tea or breakfast, lunch or dinner. They use Punjabi Dhaba, located on 1st street and Avenue A, facility as quick washroom and relief... Though the City and state government collect taxes for each trip from commuters in the form of surcharge through hard working of drivers, they do not create or give much facility and respect to taxi drivers... The Punjabi Dhaba is loosing its business and local area customers also and running their operations is getting very difficult for them."
Punjabi offers cabbies a place to rest and refuel, and to socialize and create connections. Sometimes, one of the workers will break into spontaneous song.
But business has been declining for Punjabi. Owner Singh told the Lo-Down last year that he "lost half his business over the past few years with less parking available in the area and construction on Houston Street making it harder for taxis to stop at his deli."
It used to be you'd see a yellow stripe of taxis lined up in front of Punjabi. Now you see construction materials.
Punjabi is petitioning the city to bring a taxi relief stand to the front of the deli, a place where taxis can park for an hour so drivers can get a meal, use the rest room, and relax before getting back behind the wheel.
You can sign the petition at the deli or go online here to sign.
The petition reads, in part:
"Since last 21 years all taxi drivers go to this particular area to have break from their hard work for a cup of tea or breakfast, lunch or dinner. They use Punjabi Dhaba, located on 1st street and Avenue A, facility as quick washroom and relief... Though the City and state government collect taxes for each trip from commuters in the form of surcharge through hard working of drivers, they do not create or give much facility and respect to taxi drivers... The Punjabi Dhaba is loosing its business and local area customers also and running their operations is getting very difficult for them."
Monday, July 14, 2014
Snack Dragon
Josephine Jansen, proprietor of the Snack Dragon taco joints, let me know last week that the location on East 3rd Street is closing by the end of July. She writes that the closure is "due to the fact that Croman wants to triple the rent to $3900 for 100sq feet of public space and a tiny basement. Snack Dragon has been serving delicious tacos, great music and eclectic vibes to the EV set for 10 years now. They will not negotiate the lease."
A decade is not a very long time, but there's always been something comfortingly offbeat 1990s about Snack Dragon. Jansen once told NYPress, "I’m a diehard East Villager. I like it here; I get mad at people for moving to Brooklyn—the neighborhood is changing cause the people are leaving."
I visited Snack Dragon, had some of those delicious tacos, and found myself immediately in an intelligent and entertaining conversation with waiter Conrad Ventur and his friend Timothy Dean Lee.
We talked about the demise of the bohemian East Village, the demise of gay Chelsea, the rise of tyrannical drunk girls (they come in, force themselves behind the counter, and ask, "Am I pretty? Do you want to hit this?" before passing out on the floor), the sociopathy of people who walk and text, the problems of Bloomberg ("I know for sure he's a closet case," said Timothy), and other such favorite topics.
Timothy also waxed nostalgic for his days running around with the likes of Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, hanging out at the Mudd Club and Paradise Garage, venturing into the Mineshaft, and making art. He and Conrad are both artists.
Conrad explained how Snack Dragon was originally conceived as "an art installation that also sells tacos," each one staffed by working artists. Conrad is the only remaining artist manning a Snack Dragon counter. When he's not making tacos, he's making films.
His project "13 Most Beautiful / Screen Tests Revisited," in which "the original subjects of Andy Warhol's screen tests re-perform them 45 years later," is now in the collection of the Whitney Museum. And don't miss "Montezland," stunning shots of Warhol superstar Mario Montez in her dotage. Timothy's most recent work includes some startling images of nude men in masks--including himself sleeping in a CPAP mask.
As I ate my tacos, Timothy recalled the old East Village, and we shared our love for--among other things--DeRobertis' Pasticceria, hoping the rumor about its sale proves untrue.
"I remember DeRobertis," he said, "from back when the old lady called Madonna a slut and told her never to set foot in the place again. Well, Mrs. DeRobertis was a real Catholic lady--she went to Mass every Sunday--and everyone knew Madonna was sleeping with everything that moved, so..." Did you know that Lucky Luciano put that silver dollar in the floor tiles? And that Woody Allen wrote Annie Hall in the back room?
Anyway, Snack Dragon on E. 3rd is leaving. Bottom line: You don't meet these kinds of people, hear these kinds of stories, or have these kinds of conversations in a Starbucks, or a bank, or an artisanal mayonnaise shop.
A decade is not a very long time, but there's always been something comfortingly offbeat 1990s about Snack Dragon. Jansen once told NYPress, "I’m a diehard East Villager. I like it here; I get mad at people for moving to Brooklyn—the neighborhood is changing cause the people are leaving."
I visited Snack Dragon, had some of those delicious tacos, and found myself immediately in an intelligent and entertaining conversation with waiter Conrad Ventur and his friend Timothy Dean Lee.
We talked about the demise of the bohemian East Village, the demise of gay Chelsea, the rise of tyrannical drunk girls (they come in, force themselves behind the counter, and ask, "Am I pretty? Do you want to hit this?" before passing out on the floor), the sociopathy of people who walk and text, the problems of Bloomberg ("I know for sure he's a closet case," said Timothy), and other such favorite topics.
Timothy also waxed nostalgic for his days running around with the likes of Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, hanging out at the Mudd Club and Paradise Garage, venturing into the Mineshaft, and making art. He and Conrad are both artists.
Conrad explained how Snack Dragon was originally conceived as "an art installation that also sells tacos," each one staffed by working artists. Conrad is the only remaining artist manning a Snack Dragon counter. When he's not making tacos, he's making films.
His project "13 Most Beautiful / Screen Tests Revisited," in which "the original subjects of Andy Warhol's screen tests re-perform them 45 years later," is now in the collection of the Whitney Museum. And don't miss "Montezland," stunning shots of Warhol superstar Mario Montez in her dotage. Timothy's most recent work includes some startling images of nude men in masks--including himself sleeping in a CPAP mask.
As I ate my tacos, Timothy recalled the old East Village, and we shared our love for--among other things--DeRobertis' Pasticceria, hoping the rumor about its sale proves untrue.
"I remember DeRobertis," he said, "from back when the old lady called Madonna a slut and told her never to set foot in the place again. Well, Mrs. DeRobertis was a real Catholic lady--she went to Mass every Sunday--and everyone knew Madonna was sleeping with everything that moved, so..." Did you know that Lucky Luciano put that silver dollar in the floor tiles? And that Woody Allen wrote Annie Hall in the back room?
Anyway, Snack Dragon on E. 3rd is leaving. Bottom line: You don't meet these kinds of people, hear these kinds of stories, or have these kinds of conversations in a Starbucks, or a bank, or an artisanal mayonnaise shop.
Alan's New Alley
After being forced to close due to rising rents and changes in technology, Alan's Alley video store has found a new home.
When I spoke to Alan in March, he told me he did not think he'd be able to find any place in the city with affordable rent. "It's been a nice 25 years," he said, resigned to closing.
But now he writes on Facebook: "Alan's Alley has happily risen from the ashes. A fortuitous turn of events has given us a new lease on life! We will be moving with D.J. to 164 West 25th Street, Suite 5D. We will be accepting calls starting Friday, July 18th. We should be back in business the following weekend of July 26-27."
Alan's Alley has been in Chelsea since 1988. This weekend they had a wine and cheese party for their customers, to say goodbye to the old place and to thank the many volunteers who showed up to help Alan pack.
Previously:
Alan's Alley for rent
Alan's Alley closing
When I spoke to Alan in March, he told me he did not think he'd be able to find any place in the city with affordable rent. "It's been a nice 25 years," he said, resigned to closing.
But now he writes on Facebook: "Alan's Alley has happily risen from the ashes. A fortuitous turn of events has given us a new lease on life! We will be moving with D.J. to 164 West 25th Street, Suite 5D. We will be accepting calls starting Friday, July 18th. We should be back in business the following weekend of July 26-27."
Alan's Alley has been in Chelsea since 1988. This weekend they had a wine and cheese party for their customers, to say goodbye to the old place and to thank the many volunteers who showed up to help Alan pack.
Previously:
Alan's Alley for rent
Alan's Alley closing
Metamorphosis: Meatpacking
Brian Rose's book Metamorphosis: Meatpacking 1985 & 2013 is about to come off the presses. It features incredible photos of the meatpacking district before and after hyper-gentrification.
Some of those shots were first featured on this blog in 2013, and I got the chance to write the foreword for the book. I recommend it to anyone interested in the city's transformation during the Bloomberg years.
Brian's photographs will appear in a show at Dillon Gallery, from July 15 - August 15, with an opening and book launch party tomorrow, July 15. Don't miss it.
Some of those shots were first featured on this blog in 2013, and I got the chance to write the foreword for the book. I recommend it to anyone interested in the city's transformation during the Bloomberg years.
Brian's photographs will appear in a show at Dillon Gallery, from July 15 - August 15, with an opening and book launch party tomorrow, July 15. Don't miss it.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
El Sombrero Makeover
El Sombrero, aka The Hat, on Ludlow and Stanton is getting a major makeover.
After 30 years in business, after struggling in the changed neighborhood, after attempts to save it failed, El Sombrero closed a few months ago. It was supposed to turn into yet another outpost of the Artichoke pizza chain, but that fell through.
New owners took over in March, promising the keep the El Sombrero name and the old vibe, with a bit of sprucing up. That has meant a total gut renovation. I recently took a peek inside, where it seems to be that "rustic" wood look. Can white subway tiles and Edison bulbs be far behind?
But, oh, there's the old El Sombrero sign, tucked way in the back. Will it be making a return appearance? More importantly, will the margaritas (now in 13 flavors, the new owner told me) still be available in to-go cups?
Previously:
The Hat on Its Last Legs
Mob the Hat
After 30 years in business, after struggling in the changed neighborhood, after attempts to save it failed, El Sombrero closed a few months ago. It was supposed to turn into yet another outpost of the Artichoke pizza chain, but that fell through.
New owners took over in March, promising the keep the El Sombrero name and the old vibe, with a bit of sprucing up. That has meant a total gut renovation. I recently took a peek inside, where it seems to be that "rustic" wood look. Can white subway tiles and Edison bulbs be far behind?
But, oh, there's the old El Sombrero sign, tucked way in the back. Will it be making a return appearance? More importantly, will the margaritas (now in 13 flavors, the new owner told me) still be available in to-go cups?
Previously:
The Hat on Its Last Legs
Mob the Hat
Bleecker Bob's to Sushi
A new tenant is finally coming to the Bleecker Bob's space--and it's not fro-yo.
"Miyabi Sushi and Asian Cuisine Coming Soon" read the signs. The Miyabi sushi bar across the street has lost their lease, according to reader Joanne, and is moving in.
After 46 years in business, Bleecker Bob's closed in April 2013, unable to pay the rent hike. Originally, rumor had it that Starbucks would be moving in. That didn't happen.
Then an outpost of the Forever Yogurt fro-yo chain took the space. They put a sign in the window with a record on their logo, an image that EV Grieve called "some sort of macabre tribute."
When the fro-yo deal fell through, Bleecker Bob's posted on their Facebook page: "today we give a big FUCK YOU to the assholes at Forever Yogurt who closed down a 45 year old landmark record store to build a bullshit froyo shop and now pulled out of the lease!!!" The space went back on the market.
So now Bleecker Bob's will be a sushi bar. Better than a Starbucks? Better than a frozen-yogurt joint? At least sushi is a vintage 1980s symbol of yuppies and gentrification? Actually, Miyabi opened in 1976 under a different name.
Previously:
Bleecker Bob's Closing
Bleecker Bob's to Starbucks?
"Miyabi Sushi and Asian Cuisine Coming Soon" read the signs. The Miyabi sushi bar across the street has lost their lease, according to reader Joanne, and is moving in.
After 46 years in business, Bleecker Bob's closed in April 2013, unable to pay the rent hike. Originally, rumor had it that Starbucks would be moving in. That didn't happen.
Then an outpost of the Forever Yogurt fro-yo chain took the space. They put a sign in the window with a record on their logo, an image that EV Grieve called "some sort of macabre tribute."
When the fro-yo deal fell through, Bleecker Bob's posted on their Facebook page: "today we give a big FUCK YOU to the assholes at Forever Yogurt who closed down a 45 year old landmark record store to build a bullshit froyo shop and now pulled out of the lease!!!" The space went back on the market.
So now Bleecker Bob's will be a sushi bar. Better than a Starbucks? Better than a frozen-yogurt joint? At least sushi is a vintage 1980s symbol of yuppies and gentrification? Actually, Miyabi opened in 1976 under a different name.
Previously:
Bleecker Bob's Closing
Bleecker Bob's to Starbucks?
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