M2M, the Asian convenient store that opened in 2002 on Third Avenue at 11th Street, is closing tomorrow, workers confirmed.
The closure was expected at some point early this year after Wagamama, the London-based chain of Japanese restaurants, signed a lease last summer for a retail space here at 55 Third Ave., aka Eleventh and Third, the 12-floor, recently luxurified building.
In 2014, these commercial spaces hit the market for $25.5 million. The listing at the time noted that M2M's lease was up in 2017. (Next door, The Smith's lease is through 2027.)
Last summer, an EVG reader said that an M2M worker divulged that the grocery would be moving when the lease was up. "The employee was very talkative about it. Said it was going to be within five blocks of the original store and probably going to be bigger. Still trying to figure out their likely spot because of limited spaces that size in the area."
So far, there aren't any signs up in the store about either a closure or relocation. A worker was noncommittal about a move, only saying that the store was closing.
As for Wagamama, there hasn't been any announcement about when they open in this location. (They were up for a beer-wine license via CB3 last fall.) The first NYC Wagamama — there are more than 140 worldwide — opened in November on Fifth Avenue at 26th Street.
H/T Steven!
Updated 2/19
Check out this post for news on where M2M is relocating.
Damn it. I knew this was coming, didn't realize it was so soon. A store I used regularly being replaced by a chain I will never patronize. Guess the song really does remain the same, but I'm tired of hearing it.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Gojira. Again and again, they force out the longstanding business that already works and install the same type of business but as a high-end chain so they can get their higher "luxury" rents. But how is this good for the neighborhood? Who cares so long as it's good for the investment group!! I will ALWAYS go out of my way to avoid all of these high-end luxury chain stores.
ReplyDeleteWagamama's not really what I would call "luxury" but I do think it's a net loss.
ReplyDeleteAn employee I know was committal: Saturday is their last day; employees there (at least a number of them) will be transferred to their other location near Washington Square Park; and they have a 3rd location in Harlem. Existing stock will be transferred to the other locations. They hope to open an outpost in the East Village within a year or less, but nothing definite right now about where in the East Village that might be.
ReplyDeleteThis is such sad news. I regularly patronize this store, and the staff are always so great. I can walk over to the other location on Waverly, but I hope they do find a space in the East Village and can reopen here. It's too bad the Empire Biscuit space on Avenue A isn't bigger.
ReplyDeleteTo all the typical complainers on this site, remember M2M forced out the Japanese Supermarket that was there before. Please think before you complain and post..
ReplyDeleteI'll miss the humidifier blowing cool mist by the newspaper rack at the door, and the amazing selection of frozen dumplings and steamed buns. I'll miss their super fresh produce and great selection of Asian groceries. But what I will miss the most is the friendly staff in a comfortable and well stocked store that always had everything I needed. I hope they return soon.
ReplyDeleteAT LEAST IT WONT BE ANOTHER BANK OR STARSUCKS !!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete@Giovanni: You're right: the staff is a big part of why we like m2m; the employees there are actually HELPFUL! They care, they're interested in helping you, and they are awake & paying attention (not distracted by constantly being on their phones, etc.).
ReplyDeleteI'll miss m2m and I sincerely hope they will be back in the E. Village sooner rather than later. And I hope they will always employ the kind of genuinely pleasant people we've seen at their Third Ave. location.
What a previous poster wrote about m2m forcing out a previous Japanese grocer is not true. I went over early this afternoon to buy a few items and say my goodbyes. I will miss this place.
ReplyDeleteAnon. 12:49, there was never a Japanese supermarket at the M2M location; you may be thinking of Sunshine Market on 9th and 3rd, which is still in business.
ReplyDelete@Gojira. Didn't Sunshine Market move from downstairs to upstairs on the 2nd floor at some point? In any case that would be like saying that The Smith forced Pizzeria UNO to move out. When UNO's left that was the end of deep Dish pizza in the neighborhood, so I guess we can thank or blame The Smith for that one.
ReplyDeleteThe Smith replaced am awful Uno pizza. And before Uno was a terrible restaurant, but can't remember name.
DeleteAt 6:09 PM, Gojira said...
ReplyDeleteAnon. 12:49, there was never a Japanese supermarket at the M2M location; you may be thinking of Sunshine Market on 9th and 3rd, which is still in business.
You mean Sunrise Mart, and yeah; that's easy to forget because it's upstairs.
Alive and well.
Go to sunrise market!
ReplyDeleteremember M2M forced out the Japanese Supermarket that was there before
ReplyDeleteNo, it replaced an O.M.G. Jeans Store.
It was a Calvin Klein store at one point
DeleteWe are so sad they are leaving the block and wish we could've been in town to say goodbye. The staff is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI went on yesterday for one last purchase and to say goodbye, and was told that they have started building out one of the empty storefronts at 9th and 3rd and will be re-opening there at some point. So, some good news!
ReplyDeleteScuba Diva, thanks for the correction.