Showing posts with label Ink on A. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ink on A. Show all posts

Friday, July 28, 2023

Treasures from Ink on A

Photos by Rainer Turim 

Workers are emptying out the Ink on A storefront this morning... some treasures from deep within the now-closed newsstand at 68 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street look to be up for grabs on the sidewalk ... (updated: everything was gone by 12:30)
The business closed after 30-plus years in business earlier this month ... following the arrival of a new landlord for the block-long building.

Monday, July 17, 2023

Monday's parting shot

An EVG reader shared this from outside the former Ink today ... someone left out a large box of condoms — marked with a "free" sign — here on Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

Workers were spotted clearing out some of the storefront today... and this makes for a thoughtful parting gift.

Sunday, July 16, 2023

At the last night of Ink on A


Ink wrapped up 30-plus years in business at 66 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street this past Tuesday night. 

As we first reported here and here, owner Ben "Benny" Dahud has been in a legal tussle with the private equity firm that bought the block-long building last fall for $64 million. 

So Benny decided to step away, noting that his "kids are grown up and have completed their education, and this is the perfect time to retire." 

On Tuesday evening, longtime patrons and various bargain hunters (items were going from between $1 and $3 — except for cigarettes) stopped by for a last visit to pick up some magazines or something from the food-household supplies section that grew during the pandemic.

Benny was there, of course...
...as was his longtime employee Mohammed...
And some more scenes from the last night...

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Tuesday's parting shot

Last night for Ink on A... thanks to Pete DeMola for the photo.

Last day for Ink

In case you missed our post from Sunday... today is the last day in business for Ink, the newsstand-convenience store at 66 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

As we first reported here and hereowner Ben "Benny" Dahud has been in a legal tussle with the private equity firm that bought the block-long building last fall for $64 million. 

So Benny has decided to step away, noting that his "kids are grown up and have completed their education, and this is the perfect time to retire."

Since Sunday, items have been going for $1-$3. Interesting items for sale include racks of rare postcards, including photos by Genevieve Hafne.

The store hours are usually 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., though we really don't know how late the doors will stay open.

The newsstand dates to 1987, Benny said, though he took it over in the early 1990s. Here's how it looked in 1997 (photo by Dave Buchwald) ...
Benny worked in the kitchen at Café Mogador on St. Mark's Place when he first got to the city from Israel. He later realized that the restaurant business wasn't for him.

Based on responses from past and present residents, Ink will be dearly missed ... as well as Benny's everyday presence on the block. 

Enjoy the retirement (and day trades!) Benny...
Above photo last month by Stacie Joy

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Tuesday is the last day for East Village mainstay Ink on Avenue A

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Tuesday will be the last day in business for Ink, the decades-old newsstand on Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

Owner Ben "Benny" Dahud told us last night that everything is going on sale ahead of the closing. 

As we first reported here and here, Benny has been in a legal tussle with the private equity firm that bought the block-long building last fall for $64 million. 

Despite what has happened, Benny seems at peace with the development ... as the Marshal is expected to padlock the storefront on Wednesday. 

"There is an end to everything," he said. "I’m happy, [it's] just not easy."
Benny reiterated how grateful he is for all the support at the shop through the years.

Ink's hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Updated: The sales sign is up...

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

On July 12, we'll know more about the future of East Village newsstand Ink

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated July 11. The shop has closed.

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Here's the latest from Ink, the 33-year-old newsstand that's fighting for its survival on Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. (Find more background here.)

After going back to court, the judge denied owner Ben "Benny" Dahud's Order to Show Cause, citing the stipulation he previously signed without legal counsel. The judge scheduled a Marshal's eviction for July 12. 

Benny said that he had already placed all the owed money — rent and real-estate taxes — in an escrow account. Now, the landlord can either accept the money and Benny can stay at least until the end of his lease (in about a year and half to two years), or they can choose not to accept the payment, in which case the Marshal will padlock the space on July 12. 

Benny says if the landlord chooses not to accept the payment, he will close the store and retire. He is at peace with the decision, saying that his "kids are grown up and have completed their education, and this is the perfect time to retire."
To the community, Benny says, "Thank you very much for supporting me all these years! If it wasn't for your help, I wouldn't have made it." 

If the eviction goes through, Benny will be having a liquidation sale — everything will be available at a discount.

To recap our last post:
A private equity firm bought this block-long residential building and strip of retail last September for a reported $64 million. On the way out last fall, the building's previous landlord, who had run the place since the 1980s, informed Benny that he owed three years of real estate taxes, about $20,000. 

The new landlord, reportedly Derby Copeland Capital, through the entity Derby Alphabet Blues 5872, LLC, later took Benny to court. 

"And they didn't cash three of my rent checks," Benny said. "They disputed the checks — one was undated, one was incorrect, and whatever. They won in court. They won the judgment in a lump sum — three months' rent plus the real estate taxes. So more than $50,000 I owed right away. I didn't have a lawyer, so I signed the stipulation, a legal agreement. I paid 80% but hadn't paid the last 20%, and they took me back to court." 

There has been an outpouring of support for the shop since our original story on June 26, Benny said.  If only the landlord knew how much Ink meant to residents.

Monday, June 26, 2023

Ink on A can use some help

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated July 11. The shop has closed.

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On a recent weekday afternoon in June, Ink on A is its usual bustling self. 

People are coming into the newsstand to buy newspapers, cigarettes, a cup of coffee, or a can of soda — or maybe one of the more oddball market items for sale (a tin of Port Royal sardines, anyone?) here in the pleasantly cluttered space on Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. There is also the usual assortment of characters inside or out, offering pointed opinions on various topics of the day.

As always, owner Ben "Benny" Dahud presides over the quintessential East Village shop from his perch at the counter...
In recent months, the future of this 33-year-old business has come into question. 

A private equity firm bought this block-long residential building and strip of retail last September for a reported $64 million. On the way out last fall, the building's previous landlord, who had run the place since the 1980s, informed Benny that he owed three years of real estate taxes, about $20,000. 

The new landlord, reportedly Derby Copeland Capital, through the entity Derby Alphabet Blues 5872, LLC, later took Benny to court. 

"And they didn't cash three of my rent checks," Benny said. "They disputed the checks — one was undated, one was incorrect, and whatever. They won in court. They won the judgment in a lump sum — three months' rent plus the real estate taxes. So more than $50,000 I owed right away. I didn't have a lawyer, so I signed the stipulation, a legal agreement. I paid 80% but hadn't paid the last 20%, and they took me back to court." 

The court again ruled in their favor, and Benny received a Marshal's notice earlier in the month. In addition, Benny said the agreement included a statement claiming that he watched someone urinating in the doorway to the building's Avenue A entrance and smiled — as if he approved of the action. 

"I didn’t do that," Benny said. "I come every day and clean the front."
Ink has another 18 months left on the lease, and Benny wants to stay. 

'I have no plans to move. I have been here 30 years," he said. "I don't want to go anywhere else."

He could use legal counsel and the negotiating skills of a nonprofit or advocacy group for small businesses ... or the diplomacy of a local elected official interested in keeping a longtime business in the neighborhood.

"I am hoping to get some help," he said. 

Meanwhile, Benny pointed out that the shop's extensive assortment of magazines — from high-end fashion pubs to supermarket-friendly tabloids — remain his best sellers. (Designers are said to particularly appreciate his harder-to-find titles.)
And don't sleep on the inexpensive self-serve coffee...
Beverages, beer included, and tobacco products are also popular items. During the pandemic, Ink added an assortment of household supplies and expanded its snacks offerings...
Ink is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a midnight close on weekends. 

Stop by and say hi to Benny — he will appreciate the support...

Monday, March 4, 2013

Favorite East Village places: Ink on A



East Village-based photographer Gudrun Georges has a photo essay on one of our favorite places in the neighborhood — Ink On A, Avenue A between East Fourth Street and East Fifth Street... She shared these photos with us...







Find the rest of her photos from Ink here, where she has more about Ink owner Ben Dahud.