For decades, this storefront was home to Gem Spa (RIP May 2020). Workers have uncovered some local ephemera on the front pillars (as we noted here).
The latest reveal ... a flyer for Stuyvesant Casino, a nightclub located in what is now the Ukrainian National Home at 140-142 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street from 1910 to the 1950s... (thanks to Kevin Goodman for this shot...)
Per this NYSMusic site: "The Stuyvesant Casino offered sumptuous food, dazzling decor, and a first-class house band. High rollers and hitmen were among the clientele, particularly Big Jack Zelig, head of the Eastman Gang after the death of 'Kid Twist' Max Zwerbach, in 1908."
16 comments:
Is anyone doing anything to preserve what is undoubtedly the last-one-in-existence ephemera being uncovered, besides photographing it?
Very cool find - thanks for sharing. That must of been some wild times back then
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuyvesant_Casino
Why won't you take the initiative?
Weird, I thought alcohol induced joints in the neighborhood were something completely new.
Wow!
gambling joint that was the site of a bungled hold-up that resulted in the death of a plainclothes detective and the execution of four of the "East Side Boys"
More info here
https://nysmusic.com/2021/05/29/stuyvesant-casino-the-east-village-home-for-jewish-gangsters-and-dixieland-jazz/
wow nice history moment Thanks Grieve!
Kid Twist. Good name for a band or rapper chap.
Looks like Second Ave was a two way street back then.
So interesting, thanks for posting. It made me think of Wigan Casino in England, home to the local Northern Soul scene, because the primary purpose of the venue was also dancing and not gambling. Then I had to look up the etymology of "casino". It never occurred to me that "casino" is derived from Italian for "little house". Now I feel stupid because it's so obvious, AND smarter for having learned something, lol.
Neat! I would date that poster to the 1910s. It mentions a "Champion One Step Company".
The "One Step" was a popular dance during the Ragtime and early Jazz eras until the Fox Trot took hold circa early 1920s.
I lived at 440 E 9th in 71-72. We were above the A&9th corner retail, Garfinkles Surgical Supplies. I found B&W photos of that side of my block, as well as frontage (including goods in display windows) of my favorite Ninth Street Bakery. Any interest in adding to your library.
Jack
Hi Jack,
Would love to see some of those photos!
grieve98@gmail.com
The pole has been covered with a wooden cover. Hopefully the sign is beneath ready for the next discovery in3 0-40 years.
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