Several other NYC locations remain in service.
The previous tenant at the address, the like-minded (but better, TBH) Surprise! Surprise! closed after 25 years in April 2014.
Monday, May 1, 2023
Basics Plus has closed on 3rd Avenue
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With the closure of this store, and the ensuing closure of Bed, Bath, and Beyond nationwide, not to mention the beloved location in Chelsea which is soon to close by the end of June, destination places such as this have almost become obsolete. The online competition is fiercer, not to mention more convenient and inexpensive. Also the rising cost of operating a business has proven for many that it is too much to bear in today's fiscal and social climate. Even though the service here was often short and surly, it was a great spot to find a last minute household item. RIP Basics Plus.
It seems like a lot of openings and closings of businesses which indicates the instability of our community. That is, places that we can count on are going all the time. Then new places open for short duration. My question: Is that quick turnover healthy for communities?
I'll forever remember them charging $5 for ONE blue mask at the first week of the pandemic.
In other hand, they were the only place around here to get soda stream gas canisters refilled.
Will really miss this place; convenient, clean, good variety; it had so many of those things you find yourself needing in a pinch.
I still miss Surprise, Surprise a lot. Sigh.
Here's a related read:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/04/29/business/bed-bath-beyond-toys-r-us-category-killer-retail/index.html
@9:45 AM
Very interesting article. What they neglected to mention was the precursor to the "category killers" - the good old American shopping mall.
The massive shopping conglomerates that sprung up in the 1960's and '70's were usually anchored on the compass points by big name department stores such as Macy’s, J.C Penny, Korvettes and Sears; just to name a few.
That was the true beginning of the end for the "mom and pop" stores. Now, their empty and dilapidated storefronts litter suburbia like so many fossils from an ancient past
Don't forget we have two good, locally owned hardware stores in the neighborhood that may not have the same amount of household goods but certainly have a good selection, Brickman's at First and Fourth, Saifee's at First and Seventh.
There's also H & W Hardware at 220 1st Ave.
And the hardware store on the west side of 4th Avenue between 12th-13th Sts.
Exactly! I’ve been going to Saifee’s for years (decades?)
Fortunately, we do have a few hardware stores left, but where to go for housewares? I need a new blender and want to compare brands side by side, I want a new skillet but how do I feel the weight and how the handle fits my hand. And if I suddenly need to bake a birthday cake, where’re are any of the appliances and implements I might need? Online purchasing is not the answer for everything. Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table have some options but have closed several locations- and have limited brands and even much of their wares are only available online…
Fun, original local retailer gives way to dull copycat version of itself gives way to vacant storefront. Story of life these days.
I still mourn the loss of Broadway Panhandler for housewares- I spent more money than I should have on a few kitchen pieces , probably 10 years ago, that I still use regularly. Besides Crate and Barrel and the like, we're not left with much else besides Marshalls and TJ Maxx type places. Or, going up to Macys ...not a very pleasant experience IMO.
It's not online purchases that are doing these retailers in. The companies are being looted by their execs (and shareholders). https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/25/business/bed-bath-beyond-share-repurchases/index.html
the newish place on 1st ave and 14th directly south of CVS has a lot of similar stuff and is very reasonably priced, 3 floors - kind of like a cross btwn a drug store / department store / hardware store
Guessing you're talking about Lot Stop on 14th and 1st Ave?
@anon 9.43am (#1!) "they were the only place around here to get soda stream gas canisters refilled."
Ace/Brickman's locations have Soda Stream refills (1st Ave betw. 3/4th Sts and 18/19th Sts. (RIP Lancelotti on Ave A also sold them.)
I frequently lament the loss of Broadway Panhandler, Sur la Table in SoHo, Surprise Surprise & now Basics Plus - it's terrible to not have places to compare and buy kitchen ware - not to mention the wealth of other losses in the 'hood.
Target on 14th St carries the Sodastream canisters (sometimes).
PC Richards for appliances. Not that they're in the neighborhood anymore, though. And I time my needs to go to medical appointments on the UWS with when I need to stop at Zabar's. They have a pretty good kitchenwares selection.
Its too much trouble to go into a well stocked store that will have what you want when you can just talk into your device and have it dropped off, maybe.
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