Grub Street's Daniel Mauer snagged an interview with Max Fish owner Ulli Rimkus earlier this evening... Yes, the 21-year-old Ludlow Street bar is closing at the end of January... she's hopeful that she can relocate somewhere in the LES...
A few passages from the Q-and-A:
So how certain is it that you’ll close? And how long has this been in the cards?
It’s definite. I tried all year to strike a deal with the owner, and then in the end I just said, “If we can't strike a deal, give me an extension,” and he drafted this contract that basically said that after the year extension he’d be the owner of everything and not leave us with anything, so we’re getting out. It’s over; there’s no more negotiation.
Do you think the loss of places like Mars Bar and Max Fish mean that the character of New York City is changing somehow, or is it just the usual story?
I do think that the alternative culture is being forced to get out, but I don’t think we should go. I don’t agree. We have a right to live here as much as anyone else.
Read the rest of the interview here.
this is so sad... this place was a place of work & a nearby home for many years... i cleaned the place & my wife served the drinks... we lived at 174 & rehearsed in the basement... i spent more time there than at home... i'm sad... it was a family for a long, long time...
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how places that were once considered the gentrifiers are now considered the "alternative culture".
ReplyDeleteMax Fish and Barramundi were the frist 2 Ludlow st bars that made the area halfway liveable, I remember being on the roof of Joseph Nechvatal's apartment ( now torn down) and remember only seeing dope dealers and bums on ludlow, and also a smatttering patrons coming out of those two bars...It really sucks because Ulli really contributed to the area...
ReplyDeleteWHO is the landlord? Anyone know??
ReplyDelete