Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Owner's retirement marks the end of Broadway Panhandler

In case you didn't already see this. Several EVG readers have sent along the link from the Times on Monday... reporting that Broadway Panhandler will be closing for good this spring after 40 years in business ... the last 10 on East Eighth Street at Broadway.

Norman Kornbleuth, the owner of the well-stocked cookware retailer, is retiring. Per the Times:

“I’ve been in this business for 40 years,” Mr. Kornbleuth said on Thursday. “I’m now 72; my wife has health issues. It’s time.”

Mr. Kornbleuth said that his two daughters were not interested in running the business and that his efforts to sell the company fell through. He has yet to decide the date when the store will close its doors for good.

Kornbluth, however, didn't completely rule out staying away from the retail world, telling the Times that he might open a small knife shop sometime after Broadway Panhandler closes.

Image via the Village Alliance
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14 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2016 at 8:52 AM

    Where will the go to place for pots and pans, etc. be when Broadway Panhandler closes?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2016 at 9:20 AM

    @5:52am: There won't be any go-to place, so everyone will have to stop cooking entirely. Is there a shortage of places to buy pots & pans in NYC? Or is it about this store's staff and its knowledge, which would make more sense?

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2016 at 9:48 AM

    I'm so sorry to see this wonderful store go...love it.

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2016 at 10:09 AM

    There is a shortage of places to buy high-quality pots and pans in lower manhattan and specialized cooking tools. Now that business will shift online.

    I used to get a lot of my pots and pans at the restaurant supply stores on the Bowery, but those are becoming an endangered species too. Again, I can get that stuff online, but I would rather have supported a small local business - and there were times when I needed to run out to B'way panhandler when I realized I needed something.

    All moot in my case, though, as I've sold my apartment and will be moving up the coast soon. Good luck to the rest of you here - I've reached my limit.

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2016 at 10:21 AM

    I used to refer to this place as my "crack den" (and as a former addict, I saw the similarities): I'd go in "just for a quick purchase during the sales" and end up being there for hours, engaging with everyone, buying more and more stuff. Yes, there are cheap kitchen supply houses on the Bowery still, but this place was one of the few that all a great variety, great service and some occasional really good deals. I'll miss them.

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2016 at 10:28 AM

    Cool, original shop. Even though it is coming to a natural end, it is still a net loss for the city. Because where is the new generation of Broadway Panhandlers, i.e. the independent retailers?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brian VanJanuary 27, 2016 at 11:30 AM

    The store Whisk has outlets in Flatiron and Williamsburg.

    It's a bit smaller than BP... the quality of the goods is about the same... and everything is appropriately priced for Manhattan retail (there are no insane markups on one-option goods that are extremely flimsy/poor-quality). I find it an acceptable substitute, and since Whisk has been often the closer shopping option, I hadn't been to BP in a long time.

    I'm still sad to see Broadway Panhandler go. I've bought so much from them, and used them for knife sharpening on a few occasions. I hate to think my last trip there will be to vulture discounts in a closing sale, though I know that's exactly what I'll be doing.

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  8. Laura Goggin PhotographyJanuary 27, 2016 at 1:10 PM

    I outfitted my kitchen 15 years ago with items from BP and still have those things today. I loved to go to the Broome Street location to browse, but always came away with some new toy. Really sad to lose such a great business.

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2016 at 4:06 PM

    When I got married four years ago it was the only place that we registered. Been in love with the store since my first visit with my mother as a child. To this day Broadway Panhandler and Julia Child are the reasons I love to cook!

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2016 at 8:57 PM

    Don't worry, I'm sure it will become another "Fresh & Co"

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  11. GarJanuary 27, 2016 at 10:00 PM

    There's the kitchen store in Chelsea Market.

    Yea, I'll miss BP, too. That's where I exchange my SodaStream canisters...

    ReplyDelete
  12. JillJanuary 28, 2016 at 8:41 AM

    I've recently tried to find a place uptown to buy pastry bags with no luck and wound up ordering them online because I wasn't sure the next time I'd get to 8th St. BP was the only place I could think that would definitely have them. Glad to know about Whisk, I will visit. There are those Basic stores that have some similar items, but not nearly the selection or drooliness. Their cookie cutter selection is unrivaled. I will miss it sorely.

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2016 at 9:58 AM

    Go visit the UWS. There is no shortage of Broadway Panhandlers.

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2016 at 11:04 AM

    I'm very sad to see Broadway Panhandler close. I will not miss, however, a rude person at the knife counter. Good riddance to that person.

    ReplyDelete

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