[February 2010]The now-shuttered HSBC branch (the one that some residents tried to save) on First Avenue just north of 14th Street is getting a new tenant. Earlier in the week, pcvstBee pointed out that renovations had started on the space.
Now, a reader passes along this tip ... that the Duane Reade on 14th between First Avenue and Second Avenue will be moving into this former HSBC space (yes, right next to the CVS). A Duane Reade employee and the Fruit Stand Guy outside the former HSBC confirmed this to the reader. (Woo! Sourcing!)
isn't that a duane reade in the former supermarket on 14th street 1-2?
ReplyDeletesoon they will bred like the subway shops.
i especially love their "fresh and nutritious food".
Well, it's better than an empty storefront, or a bar, or a bank. And should a bank replace a pharmacy -- it's better than an empty storefront, bar, or a pharmacy. And should a bank or a pharmacy replace a Starbucks -- it's better than an empty storefront, or a bar, or a Starbucks...
ReplyDeleteRinse and repeat.
@ esquared
ReplyDeleteIs that on the midterm?
This DR/CVS proximity seems a little insane, even for NYC. I'm anticipating a very bloody, very amusing turf war with only one survivor.
ReplyDeleteDuane Reade vs. CVS. See you later, CVS.
ReplyDelete@ EV Grieve
ReplyDeleteMidterm? It was on the finals. Semester's over. I guess someone's attending summer school.
I hope they do something fun with the old vault (if there even was one to begin with). Like, putting only one shelf inside, full of heavily discounted diarrhea remedies, which would ultimately cause a run on the bank.
ReplyDeleteThe soon-to-be-former Duane Reade on 14th Street will be a perfect location for a Walgreens.
ReplyDeleteCorporate culture cannibalizes itself! Ha!
ReplyDeleteBlue Glass, there is a CVS immediately to the right of this space, and a Walgreens two blocks up First Ave on the opposite side of the street.
There's also a Duane Reade right around the corner on 14th where Gristedes used to be. And other Duane Reade on 14th heading east.
How many vitamins, cotton balls, and tampons does one block need?
I prefer the little, family run pharmacy between 12th & 13th.
ReplyDelete@ Grieve 12:12: Duane Reede has been bought by Walgreen's http://gothamist.com/2010/02/17/walgreens_and_duane_reade_together.php
ReplyDeleteAt least at some of their stores (Ave B + 2nd), W's-branded products are starting to appear on the shelves.
Like those coal mining towns in KY and the Okie camp in the “Grapes of Wrath”, soon there will just be the “Company Store”. References too dated for you ? Then think “Buy 'N Large”.
ReplyDeletelove to see big chains do the FU to each other... brings out the competitive juices.
ReplyDeleteanyway, now-soon-to-be-former duane reade spot would actually be the perfect place for an IHOP, dontcha think, evgrieve?
@anon 12:59
ReplyDeleteA second IHOP? Or the current IHOP will move here? I'm holding out hope that Duane Reade stays in this location AND opens a new store in the old bank. And they can be connected by an underground tunnel!
can i call you bob? anyway you can never have enough ihops, in my disingenuous opinion. and you could probably borrow that same interconnecting tunnel which is a great idea by the way between the past and future duane reade and connect the two proposed ihops too.
ReplyDeleteanother cool idea would build a subway flagship store. you know, an outsized location that dwarfs all the other regular smallish subway stores and provides something extra and titillating like a windowed room where you can actually see the artisan subway workers making their very special homemade bread. add a small amusement ride for extra measure.
ReplyDeletehow about turning the former duane reade space into an ihop (doesn't really matter if it is a second ihop or a move by the first ihop) and then put a duane reade pop-up store in this new ihop. i don't know about the tunnel but to save money people could just walk back and forth between duane reade-plus-walgreen new location and the ihop with the duane reade pop-up store for some exercise. i know that this arrangement will disappoint some during inclement weather like when it rains or snows but no doubt this extra redundancy will help all of us especially with sanctity of mind.
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:27, I totes agree with you about the family pharmacy between 12/13 on 1st. Charming, helpful people, while all you get in DR or CVS is sullen ignoramuses.
ReplyDeleteHuh? This is so weird. I liked CVS better when it was McKays and without the creepy food up front.
ReplyDeleteThe vault is in the basement by the way. I had a security box there at some point I think when it was Marine Midland. But there was a different bank between Marine Midland and HSBC and now I can't remember what it was. Anybody?