Here at Sixth Street. Block Drug Stores — AKA Second Ave Chemists, Inc., where they still use a mortar and pestles in the pharmacy. Anyway, seemed appropriate to note them today given that we were on Second Avenue in the post above ... Established in 1885, per the sign. Owned and operated by Carmine and Beth Palermo. (There's more history of the business at the store's website.)
Bobby Williams took this photo on Tuesday.
So nice to see stores like this exist still. A nice antidote to the 7-Elevens that keep popping up.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they own the building? Would like to think it won't go away ever, or if so, on their own terms.
ReplyDeleteI went in there to pick up some epsom salt and the young guys behind the counter couldn't have been friendlier! Great shop! Shop local! Keep them in business so a mini Duane Reade doesn't open there.
ReplyDeleteThey have all my scripts - and their prices on other items are at least the same as the chains but usually less. carmine told me 100 years ago the owner could make a living selling one script a day, now he has to sell 100's to get by.
ReplyDeleteThey do own the building, and until about seven years ago, the 2nd floor apartment (which is huge) was rented as the parish house for Middle Collegiate Church across the street. (The church has since bought a condo in the neighborhood).
ReplyDeleteHow-to-stay-in-business-in-NYC-101: Own the building you do your business in.
ReplyDelete@Ken -- exactly. Grieve, how about a list of local business's who do? I'll add Russ & Daughters (thank heavens).
ReplyDelete@Ken & Spike
ReplyDeleteGood question.
DeRobertis Caffe. John's of 12th Street. Katz's(?) McSorley's(?)
The owner of the Grassroots Tavern also owns the building there at 20 St. Mark's Place.
Uh... anyone else...?
it is great that they will be here adn too bad that a business has to own their building to stay around. so many shops have had to close because of exorbitant rent increases.
ReplyDeletewouldn't it be nice if the city took away the tax exemption for having a vacant store and landlords asked for rent increases that gave both the business and the landlord a decent profit.
there is little left here and it would be nice to protect it.
Well for great vegetarian food prepared lovingly by Hare Krishna's, open several days a year (some years), there's The Bhakti Cafe, formerly Sanctuary, on 1st ave b/w 1st and 2nd! Eagerly awaiting the re-opening/re-branding!
ReplyDeleteWe also have seen that owning the building keeps businesses in business only so long as people still want to work. See, e.g., Cedar Tavern, Kurowycky Meats.
ReplyDelete@ Grieve
ReplyDeleteProbably anybody who's been around for the last 20-25 years is a fair bet. (unless you're just unbelievably profitable)
Maybe Veselka owns?
Carmine is the nicest man, their service is superb, and they go out of their way to be helpful in a pinch.
ReplyDeleteMoishe owns the building he is in, I believe, and Astor Wines on Lafayette and East 4th owns the entire DeVinne Press Building (disclosure: I manage Astor Center upstairs).