A few weeks back, Jordan Baker introduced himself as the new owner of the former Nonna's Pizza space on Avenue A between East 12th Street and East 13th Street.
Here's part of the comment that Baker left us:
I love Avenue A and the small businesses that comprise it (with the exception of two franchises that have recently opened that are eye-sores) and I want to keep it small-business friendly as long as possible! I had a good relationship with the previous owner, as a customer and a friend, and I’m taking the spot over, partially as a favor to him (for personal reasons), and partially because opening a pizzeria has been a dream of mine as long as I can remember.
As you can see the sign arrived at the shop this past week for Baker's Pizza... we'll check in with him a little closer to the official opening... and we want to know more about that piano!
Nonna's closed at the start of the year.
Previously on EV Grieve:
The new owner of Nonna's Pizza on Avenue A says hello
16 comments:
One can promote one's business without making snide comments about the franchise across the street, which happens to be run by a local, employs truly neighborhood kids, and seems to be very popular with regular folks. And if you must do that, at least call out Caffe Bene by name. It is decidedly not like 7-11.
This location makes me think of that Seinfeld episode with the storefront that can never support a successful business for no apparent reason. Better luck to the new proprietors!
Caffe Bene is a franchise, chain which has it's corporate HQ in S Korea. It is no different from any other franchise, Subway, 7-11 or McDonalds which all employ local young people. If you wish to support those kind of places that's fine, the masses would agree with you, however those places are not New York City to me.
There's a difference in that Caffe Bene, specifically talking about the one on 12/A, is clearly liked by people in the neighborhood for whom Ost Cafe probably did not seem welcoming. 7-11s are not designed to be part a community. They basically exist as 7-11 advertisements and real estate investments.
I have been in the NYC area my whole life and also far prefer individually owned businesses over franchises, but I've noticed that the savvier independent businesses in the neighborhood of late are learning how to win over the old-school EV crowd, by aggressively coming out of the box as "not like those other types of businesses." TSqBagels has been most effective at this tactic, so much that you rarely hear a peep against them here, despite their often slow/poor service, annoying clientele, and froyo-in-a-hoof offerings like "birthday cake" cream cheese.
I am not knocking anyone's hustle but the shots against that Caffe Bene in particular seem easy and cheap.
It's going to be tough to beat that 99 cent pizza!
I'm looking forward to this new pizzeria and I love that he's a baker, by name and by trade.
Sure it's easy to dump on the chain from Korea. No different from 7-11. OK sure, that's sound logic.
Coffee Bene reeks of corporate chain from its glass box storefront to the lighting and furniture. The clientele may be spill-over from Cafe Ost but my guess is the clientele is attracted to the familiar chain restaurant look of the place, something you would see at a mall or airport food court. The biggest problem with chain coming to the EV is the affect it will have on commercial rents. When a landlord can get double the rent from a chain there is no incentive to rent to a new or old independent family business. So far there are still alternatives to 7-11 and Caffee Bene on Ave A but in a few years it will just be chains and sports bars.
think WE need to step back and differentiate between FRANCHISE (corporate own/run) and FRANCHISE (individual own/run)---this location of CAFE BENE is a small business that owned and operated by a long time EV resident--why not support it ?
Yeah fuck cafe bene, good luck mr baker
You better get that sign within code, I'll be calling the city to report it.
It can't be in the residential part of the building and it can't be more than 2' feet from the facade.
Hope they offer a baker's dozen pizza pie,12 slices for the price of 11.
What's the deal with cafe ost?
as a neighbor to this latest incarnation (I have lost track somewhere in the half dozen range in the past 10 years)- I was not pleased by the noise of the party that was held at this spot on Friday night- it just sounded like yet another loud, obnoxious d-bag gathering of people who pass through my neighborhood to make a buck and give nothing back to the people who ACTUALLY live here- thus far, I am not a fan (construction noise at odd hours etc) and I don't have high hopes here- anticipating lots of noise complain calls to 311 and the 9th precinct.
What we need around here is some deep dish pizza. We have enough NY style around here, gimme some Chicago style deep dish pizza any day.
Why is everyone so DAMN hostile? We can all enjoy a little pizza and a little coffee without stepping on anyone's toes. Chains or mom & pop shops, support everyone, support the hustle. Excited for some pizza ;)
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