A lot of people have pointed this out in recent days: The for-rent sign in the front window of the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.
Co-founder Doug Quint confirmed the closure, though didn't offer any other immediate comment. [Updated: Read their farewell-to-Seventh-Street message here.]
This outpost had been closed since the PAUSE went into effect last March ... the Big Gay locations in the West Village and UWS did reopen.
The popular shop opened in September 2011 with a memorable array of entertainment, including an all-bassoon band, Bea Arthur lookalikes and Anthony Bourdain dressed as a priest blessing the shop.
This was the very first location for the business that started with an ice cream truck. Since then, Quint and co-founder Bryan Petroff authored a cookbook on frozen treats and launched a pint-sized product line in grocery stores.
This sucks. Big Gay was a great way to end a nice evening in the EV.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this. They brought good energy to the block.
ReplyDeleteUgh, this sucks. I would love a salty pimp. There, I said it.
ReplyDeleteThe ice cream was good, but the marketing was better.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad to hear. I hope they're able to re-open in a new location.
ReplyDeleteVery sad news -- this was my go-to spot when friends brought kids to the city. It was always a crowd pleaser, so much fun.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. Hopefully they are able to reopen things thaw... This location sure seemed to do brisk business... Perhaps this is landlord driven and they will open elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteLot of solid spots on B with vacancy and good foot traffic!
Once upon a time, 7th St between 1st and A was a foodie block. :( So many of the food places have closed, this is sad.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that so many places with multiple outlets only close their EV locations and leave the other ones open? Does the W Vil really have that much more foot traffic?!?
ReplyDeleteThe other locations do have more foot traffic. Some of these areas have more high income residents who have been working from home and going out to get food and exercise. These businesses there get their customers from the neighborhood. The EV businesses depend on people from other parts of the city who dont come here anymore.
DeleteWeird how many places that started in the EV have kept their EV location closed while others reopen. God bless those EV rents.
ReplyDeleteI met my current husband there when it first opened. We were separately standing in line when he turned around and made small talk with my friend and I. He offered his digits before leaving and the rest is history. We soon fell in love and spent many summer nights eating many ice cream cones together just a few blocks from our new apartment. As gay men, we loved the cool, inclusive vibe and the wonderful staff. I am heartbroken to hear this. I am also grateful for this venue for I met my soulmate. Wishing the owners the best. Bittersweet times.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the two water main breaks and resulting flooding impacted them too.
ReplyDeleteRE: 2:38
ReplyDeleteW Village rents are higher than those in the EV.