Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Basics Plus said to be closing on 3rd Avenue

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

According to store employees, Basics Plus will close at 91 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street at the end of the month. 

There are currently posted signs advertising "30% off entire store."
This isn't the first time that the EV location of the chainlet of houseware and hardware stores announced a closure. BP was set to shut down in March 2019 but instead downsized its space, giving up the corner storefront (now occupied by Cure Thrift Shop).

The Basics Plus outpost closed on University Plus in 2019 ... though several other NYC locations remain in business.

Basics Plus opened here in August 2014 ... taking over for old fave Surprise! Surprise!, which shuttered after 25 years in business in April 2014.

19 comments:

  1. Too bad. They are a cool spot.

    This is indicative of a wave flowing in the retail world. Bed, Bath, and Beyond is closing hundreds of stores throughout the US as we speak. It is just so difficult for most businesses to survive let alone thrive in today's economic climate who are weighing inflation, exorbitant rents, wages, etc, all the while leaning against the online realm where anything will be delivered to your apartment in a day.

    I wish the team at Basics the best.

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  2. This place is a rip off anyway and they were jerks during the early pandemic. I miss Surprise! Surprise!

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  3. 30% off almost covers their 50% markup.

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  4. They haven't been the cheapest, but what is the alternative? Would you rather have the money flowing away to Amazon? This will be a loss for in-person shopping in the neighborhood.

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  5. I will certainly miss the convenience of popping in there for what I need, and I wish the staff well in the future.

    I still miss Surprise, Surprise, though.

    With this closure, we won't have a handy hardware/housewares store.

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  6. The markup was extreme, actually shocking sometimes and the customer service lacking. Agree with others that Surprise Surprise is sorely missed. Remember we do have two great, locally owned hardware stores nearby: Brickman at First 4/5, and Saifee at First and 7th.

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  7. I often go to a Basics Plus location on 2nd Ave near my work in Midtown East. The staff are very helpful and pleasant.

    The retailer I really miss is Woolworth's!

    The city should finally lift the ban on Walmart. I know that it was originally intended to protect the Mom and Pops but that was before anyone imagined such a thing as Amazon. That horse left the barn long ago.

    People of modest means deserve an affordable place close by to stock up on basics.

    Much as I don't like the idea I stock up on things like soap and razorblades and even soup at Walmart when I visit relatives upstate. I've even mailed packages to myself to lighten my lighten my load on the Amtrak back to NYC.

    It's hard to justify paying often SIX times as much for such things down here and of course they're all behind lock and key to boot!

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  8. another win for Target and Amazon. i still miss Surprise Surprise which was far superior. losing durable goods places like this is bad for the hood.

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  9. I need them for the Soda Stream gas canisters. Those are heavy to carry from a far.

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  10. Basic Ripoff! Such a huge markup for things you can buy a lot cheaper at Dollar Tree or 99¢ Plus or Lot Less

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  11. The prices were a rip off and way too much even compared to other local independent stores and staff were not helpful. I wanted to Suppprt a brick and mortar shop but not with their prices and service. I sooo miss Surprise Suprise.

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  12. Chiming in to say I also miss Surprise Surprise. My apartment is full of stuff from them. What a beloved place!

    I don't buy from Amazon, I like to buy in person (or order direct from whatever company), and the loss of even a dumb store like Basics Plus or Bed Bath & Beyond is a blow. I do like the hardware stores mentioned above, Saifee and Brickman, they better not go anywhere.

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  13. I hate to admit this, and I'll probably receive a lot of crap, but it is easier, and less expensive to order something on Amazon, than it is to patronize a store in person. I made a few stops over the years at this location to support them, and noticed the high price tag for items I could purchase online which costed much less, not to mention more of a vast selection. In any case, it always unfortunate when merchants in our area have to shut down.

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  14. @3:56 - I don't know if it's out of the way for you, but Ace Hardware on First Ave & 4th Street has Sodastream canisters.

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  15. I must stock up on Basic’s bicycle shower curtain!
    I went to a Walmart in the suburbs and it has raised its prices. It is no longer one of the cheapest around.

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  16. I was turned off massively when they charged $4 for ONE basic simple mask during the pandemic.

    But echoing @9:21: I was at bedbath the other day, I just love going to home supply stores. It was dead there. And they tried so hard to re-do the layout etc. It was so depressing. And I really prefer buying home supplies there or in other nearby stores. In person! But lately even large stores (bedbath, Target, H&M for example) often don't have their inventory in the store so I STILL have to buy online for certain items even though the big store is right there! It's only going to get worse: constant deliveries of everything. Boxes boxes boxes. And empty storefronts.

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  17. @1:55 Woolworth is now known as Foot Locker

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  18. Haven’t been in Basics Plus since the USA Super Store opened at 10th St.

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  19. Friendly, helpful staff always makes my day. Daily essentials for everyday when I’m feeling lazy. But all good things must come to an end unfortunately. Good luck

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