Thursday, March 11, 2010

Scaffolding to cover Ray's, Yuca Bar

At Neighborhoodr, Matt Rosen brings the news that scaffolding will be going up on the building at Avenue A and Seventh Street...



This means that the already-struggling Ray's Candy Store will be under cover of scaffolding the next five months or so.

As Rosen writes: "While an aesthetic improvement to the exterior of one’s building might be welcome on most occasions, that the storefronts will now have to deal with scaffolding obstructing their entryways in the prime summer months in an already difficult environment for businesses in the area means they’re none too thrilled about the timing.

"It’s not just Ray’s store that is affected, as his building has a rather large footprint. I can’t imagine Yuca Bar is too happy —- might scaffolding preclude them from setting up outdoor seating? Again, not the best timing. Not the biggest nuisance, but it certainly can’t be good for business…which is the last thing Ray or his neighbors need right now."

And this past Sunday morning outside Yuca...



[Top photo via Neighborhoodr]

8 comments:

Bob Arihood said...

This scaffolding is due to the need to repair the facade as required by the same insurance company that has required Ray to install a exhaust system with fire suppression .The inspectors for this company called out several problems with the windows and facade of the building .

In times like these it is unlikely that any such activity as this would be occuring unless there was a pressing need . In this case the need to be able to insure the building .

glamma said...

maybe after the scaffolding is up, they can put a sign that says RAYS overhead so it can be seen from the park.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, they had to do this on my building, too. The bricks and window casings were loose. Sounds like a similar situation here. Would rather have this fixed than have a brick fall on my head when I go into Ray's to get a coffee!

Bob Arihood said...

Likely all that will come of this scaffolding is that it will provide new tempory housing for some homelss folks for a few months right at the already very popular avenue A and 7th street intersection

EV Grieve said...

That's what I was thinking, too, Bob.

Jason said...

Woo! Airy, loft-like 1 bedrooms in the trendy East Village with park views & lovely telephone toilet. I wonder how much the listing will be...

EV Grieve said...

@Jason

Ha! About $2,495?

Anonymous said...

Tired, tired, tired of hearing of the plight of Ray. God bless him -- honestly. But there are people out there who can't eat, don't have a place to live, lost their jobs, struggle with disease, etc, etc. He might face all of these things, especially if he loses his restaurant, but it seems we read a disproportionate amount about only him.