Signs of new businesses on 3rd Avenue, and an H Mart update

[Dec. 7]

Workers have been refurbishing the space for storefront signage in the long-vacant shops along the base of NYU's Alumni Hall on Third Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street...



Not sure if this means some new businesses are in the works for this block. There is, however, one new merchant on the way. As we first reported in August, branding for H Mart, an Asian-American supermarket chain based in Lyndhurst, N.J., arrived in the front window of the former Birdbath bakery and Citi Habitats office next door.

H Mart reps said that they do not have a tentative opening date for the East Village at this time. This will be the third H Mart in Manhattan (the others are on West 32nd Street and Broadway on the Upper West Side). Overall H Mart has more than 70 outposts in the United States and Canada.

Previously on EV Grieve:
H Mart coming to 3rd Avenue in base of NYU's Alumni Hall

H Mart coming to 3rd Avenue in base of NYU's Alumni Hall

H Mart, an Asian-American supermarket chain based in Lyndhurst, N.J., is opening an outpost on Third Avenue at Ninth Street in the long-vacant retail space of NYU's Alumni Hall. (H/T Upper West Sider!)

Signage arrived this week in the front window of the former Birdbath space and Citi Habitats office next door. (Both of these businesses left in the summer of 2014, and have sat empty ever since.)

Based on the work permits filed with the DOB, the market will encompass at least 3,800 square feet.

Not sure how much space that means along these empty storefronts...



Most of these spaces have been vacant now three to four years.

When M2M closed on Third Avenue and 11th Street in February 2017, the owners of the Asian market posted signs that they'd be opening a new outpost in the former Birdbath space. (Those plans obviously never materialized.)

As for H Mart, this will be the third location in Manhattan (the others are on West 32nd Street and Broadway on the Upper West Side). Overall H Mart has more than 70 outposts in the United States and Canada.

I'm familiar with the store, though I've never been inside one... if anyone wants to chime in about H Mart in the comments.

Updated 9 a.m.

West Side Rag has photos and insights (link here) from the H Mart grand opening on Broadway back in February.