We've heard the rumors that Physical Graffiti was calling it quits on St. Mark's Place... We saw the owners packing up the vintage clothing store on Monday... The Local East Village has the scoop:
The clothing store is closing its doors after 16 years because of the bad economy, but will re-open in March as a loose leaf tea shop under a slightly different name – Physical Graffi-tea – and the same management.
“It’s so sad but there is just no market for the clothes,” said Ilana Malka, 45, the store’s owner.
I've head this from many people: The new generation moving into the East Village — in general! — isn't interested in unique, vintage clothing...
Previously on EV Grieve:
East Village vintage stores doomed?
More vintage doom: Beauty Crisis is closing
Other closings:
Atomic Passion has closed
Monk Thrift Shop on Avenue B
Atomic Passion on Ninth Street
O Mistress Mine on 11th Street
Andy's Chee-Pees on St. Mark's Place
Fab 208 is moving into a smaller space on Seventh Street
"The new generation moving into the East Village — in general! — isn't interested in unique, vintage clothing..."
ReplyDeletethen why did they move into the east village then? oh, right -- for the chipotles, cupcakes, ramen, $300 tank tops, fro-yos, bars (woooo!)....
carry on...
I'm sad to see this store clothes but always found the prices to be crazy unreasonable, even by NYC vintage standards. I wonder what going a little downmarket with their pricing, a la Beacon's Closet would have done for their volume?
ReplyDeleteMmmmm - Ramen.
ReplyDeleteand i bet bedbug fears don't help.
ReplyDeleteI have never been much of a vintage-clothing customer, but I still find it unsettling that stores whose operators put some effort into offering such merchandise are shutting down wile the likes of American Apparel seem to flourish.
ReplyDeleteI'm an east villager for almost a decade and i have no interest in vintage or pre-worn clothes.
ReplyDeleteWhile I lament the closing of yet another (sort of) old-timer, as a hardcore tea freak I have to admit I'm interested in what the new incarnation will be.
ReplyDeleteI'm much more interested in tea than overpriced used clothing. I checked it out once - couldn't afford. But that's just the opinion of one person from the "new generation" (I think, not sure what it means to be part of this. I'm newer to the neighborhood, but still not as young as I used to be.)
ReplyDeleteAlso add Monk's on Avenue A closed.
ReplyDeleteJane's Exchange on 3rd near B still going strong if you're needing second hand kids and maternity wear.
ReplyDelete