Monday, February 7, 2022

Farewell to Dress Shoppe II

For the first time in 20-plus years, 83 Second Ave. is without retail tenant Dress Shoppe II. 

The storefront was cleared out last week... with the signage coming down on Friday. (H/T Lola Sáenz.)

As previously reported, the Indian clothing boutique closed on Jan. 30 ... wrapping up a challenging few years for owner Saroj Goya, who did her best to keep the shop going after her husband of 50 years, Purushottam Goyal, died in September 2019

There were some well-reported financial challenges, and thanks to the efforts of Humans of New York and New York Nico, there was an outpouring of support to help Saroj make arrangements on the back rent and to take care of herself as she underwent treatment for breast cancer. (In the previous post, you can read more about the closing and the financial arrangements with the landlord, the Cooper Square Mutual Housing Association II.)

The business dates to 1978, first starting on Broadway, per this 2016 feature in The New York Times.

Moving forward, you can still find Dress Shoppe II's unique offerings via Etsy (link here).

 Here are a few photos of the warm, colorful shop from a previous visit by EVG contributor Stacie Joy...
Hopefully, Cooper Square will find something just as unique to fill the storefront ... (we're good on smoke/vape shops!) ... 

1 comment:

Carol from East 5th Street said...

Such a sad story. Another nail in the East Village coffin. Gone the way of Gem Spa, St Marks Bookshop, Polish GI, Moishe's (although I love the patisserie) and too many restaurants - Neptune, Hisae's, Atlas Cafe, Three of Cups, Moca Cafe, Park Sushi, Bamboo House, etc., etc.). Fast forward five years. We'll be called Murray Hill South.