Tuesday, February 28, 2023

On 1st Avenue, New Double Dragon is closing, and maybe reopening

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Multiple tipsters have told us that the New Double Dragon, 37 First Ave. between Second Street and Third Street, will be closing in the weeks ahead. 

And it's a rather complicated situation. An employee confirmed that "we're closing, and we don't know exactly when and we're not sure for how long but we hope to come back." 

According to the employee, ConEd is going to cut off the gas and power to the building — for unspecified reasons — at some point. The landlord has promised a one-week notice for the business before it happened. (The building also appears vacant on the upper floors.)

Meanwhile, two storefronts to the south, the First Avenue Laundry Center remains closed for renovations at 33 First Ave. at Second Street. Nearly three months in, we still haven't seen any sign of work here...
As previously mentioned, there has been speculation that this corner is ripe for development... a parcel that includes the long-vacant single-level storefront next door (last occupied in 2015)...
Public records list R.M.H. Estates as the landlord of both properties ... with ownership of No. 33 and 35 dating to 1984... they also own 37 First Ave., home of the New Double Dragon.

The New Double Dragon employee said they have this phone number — 212-598-0730 — for people to call for updates once the closure occurs. 

27 comments:

ck said...

So sorry to hear this the people who work there are very nice

Neighbor said...

I will be shocked if these buildings aren't redeveloped

JAMES said...

When they clear out multiple stores like that the Parcel is being set up for SALE!!!

Anonymous said...

here we go. another bird-killing glass hi-rise coming our way

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear about Double Dragon's closing I always got good Chinese food from this establishment and the staff was always hard working and very friendly.

Anonymous said...

Same owner for all three properties? Ugh, doesn't sound good.

Anonymous said...

looks like a full demo and new building for that corner

Xeo said...

Well shit, it's happening. That's really sad. NDD was a great spot and became my go-to in recent years.

Lmknyc said...

So sad! My favorite for quick affordable delicious Chinese delivery in the EV. Omg I will miss their hospitality and steamed healthy choice food!

Anonymous said...

Say it ain't so!

Anonymous said...

We’re gonna starve

Anonymous said...

We love double dragon.

Carol from East 5th Street said...

Yes the signs are there. Another high rise. Don't waste your time wondering.

Another nail in the East Village coffin.

Pennys herb co said...

We’re sitting shiva-“new double dragon”-🙏🙏🙏♥️
Ole ole customers🎻🥡🥢🫖🧂
One of the last of the last🥊🥊🥊
Yes-change is hard♥️

Rainer
Susan
Kim
Junebug🐕🐞

Anonymous said...

Anyone knows when is last day?

susan stetzer said...

Downtown Bakery and New Double Dragon--my long time affordable go-to spots. Great loss as they will not be replaced by comparable spots.

Anonymous said...

If you don't think this site will be developed into multi level multi million dollar apartments that only mommy daddy laundered money types can afford, you probably just moved to NYC.

Anonymous said...

Nothing built around here is really a high rise.

Anonymous said...

omg How sad. Always came back to LES to visit mami and made sure we ordered chinese food from
Double Dragon. Many memories.

Anonymous said...

Another potential ugly building for those "better than an empty" building bland commentators. This area was initially where I came to leave from ...where I escaped from...this banality,but basically we are now a fucking mall. Target as a grocer....who the fuck moves here?? Lol. Trolls??? In the wings Why would you spend money on these ugly boxes? From Dora...

Anonymous said...

We are so sorry to hear this. Another loss for our neighborhood.

Carol from East 5th Street said...

Anonymous February 28th at 5:56 PM - the East Village is a low-rise neighborhood with most buildings no higher than 5 stories. How long have you lived here?

Anonymous said...

Wasn't there just a story in the Times yesterday about how rents are coming down do to abundance of available stock in the market? So, by that measure, more housing is a good thing. Affordable rents, better than empty lots.

Anonymous said...

@5:56 - the Village View complex right across the street is definitely a high-rise. And we can thank Bloomberg for enabling future high-rise construction along the avenue.

Anonymous said...

This is the busiest Chinese take out I’ve ever been to I don’t understand the economics of this . Best general tsos tofu in the city

Marc L. said...

Looks like they've finally closed

Anonymous said...

Sad