A heads up from an EVG reader that Leekan Designs closes tomorrow after 35-plus years in business... the shop, which specializes in antique and contemporary beads and jewelry and other accessories from China, Indonesia, India and Morocco, is at 4 Rivington St. just east of the Bowery.
💎Last 2 days of Closing Sale... ALL SILVER Jewelry and Beads 30%-50% OFF!!! Store Closes March 3rd!🎊 -#jewelry #silverjewelry #hilltribe #hilltribeaiover #karentribe #thailand… https://t.co/uoXfQZ4Hws
— LeekanDesigns (@LeekanDesigns) March 2, 2019
Owner Annie Lee recently told BoweryBoogie: "Time to close this chapter without sadness."
The business started in a SoHo loft, before relocating to the LES in 1999.
Another instance of art and craft supply stores closing. You can’t make anything in NYC anymore...
ReplyDeleteWho are the customers for these stores? NYC now has millions of people who have little or no disposable income after paying the rent, utilities, food, laundry, metrocards. They have no money left for these types of purchases. People who can afford it buy online.
ReplyDeletePeople who actually make things want to touch the beads, put a group together, look at colors and textures- NOT buy online. But we no longer have that option as every craft and art supply store closes.
DeleteAnyone who is creative knows that many artistic decisions and inspirations come from the very process of handling, selecting and buying materials. No painter, sculptor, craftsmaker or jewelry designer wants to have to wait for several days for a delivery, only to find out if the materials they ordered online are going to be unsuitable. These shops are a real loss, and what they provide cannot be replaced by any online retailer.
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