Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
New Double Dragon was forced to close earlier this month with the pending demolition of its longtime home at 37 First Ave. between Second Street and Third Street.
However, that great NDD signage lives on.
NDD owner Shawn Lin is friends with Kenney Shi, the proprietor of Soley Tea at 111 Eldridge St. between Broome and Grand. (Both men are Fujianese.)
The two had been discussing preserving the sign for months — once Shawn learned this winter that he might need to shut down his quick-serve Chinese restaurant this year.
Once Shawn finally closed, Kenney hired a sign company to carefully remove and transport it to his shop on the Lower East Side this past July 11...
Kenney has also saved and restored other Chinese and Chinatown-area signage, which he displays in his boba tea shop and art gallery...
Soley Tea is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. if you want to pay a visit.
Postscript
After my first visit this past week, Kenney got the signage to light up... even adding a dimmer switch ...
I still miss the Chow Mein neon sign outside the long-gone Jade Mountain on Second Avenue.
ReplyDeleteBig ups to our LES neighbors for saving and restoring these magnificent signs!
ReplyDelete"You know, we don't have to sell that. If it's a problem with the neon, I can have my neon guy take a look." —Holly Flax, The Office
There is a small "Chop Suey" neon sign located in an office building window on VanDam, just off of 6th Ave. It's on the south side of the street, on the 6th floor, I think. Could be from an actual restaurant or possibly custom made for that individual.
ReplyDeleteCoooool. Props to Kenney.
ReplyDeleteOh, that makes me so happy. I noticed the sign came down so quickly and I was surprised because they usually linger for ages after a shop has closed. So glad to know it was for a good reason. I'll have to go visit Kenney's shop soon!
ReplyDeleteWay to go, looks great in there as well. Thank you for saving a piece of history.
ReplyDeleteOh shit the Chung's Candy and Soda Stand, I always loved that sign.
ReplyDeleteThis is cool. I'm glad that sign has been preserved.
ReplyDelete"It belongs in a museum", as they say...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nysignmuseum.org/
Just saying what everybody else is saying I guess, but man! this makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteLittle bit of restored faith in humanity, good taste, good smarts.
(And Stacie Joy crushing-it as usual)
Meanwhile, does anyone know where to get good Chinese takeout in the East Village?
ReplyDelete@11:54 - Fe Ma on Ave A & 5th Street, and Mee Noodles on 1st Ave & 12th Street are both good for takeout.
ReplyDeleteI second mee noodles!
ReplyDeleteChung's Candy & Soda Stand
ReplyDelete149 Hester Street at Bowery,
been there at least early 70's by personal memory. 1960's? 50's...?
Chung's Candy & Soda Stand 1994
William Gibson Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/canuckshutterer/89544135/
I remember a Chinese sign company installing the New Double Dragon sign in maybe 1989 or so. I think the place was called just Double dragon before the sign was installed. Nice to see the sign live on.
ReplyDelete