Photos by Stacie Joy
Tuesday will be the last day in business for Ink, the decades-old newsstand on Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.
Owner Ben "Benny" Dahud told us last night that everything is going on sale ahead of the closing.
As we first reported here and here, Benny has been in a legal tussle with the private equity firm that bought the block-long building last fall for $64 million.
Despite what has happened, Benny seems at peace with the development ... as the Marshal is expected to padlock the storefront on Wednesday.
"There is an end to everything," he said. "I’m happy, [it's] just not easy."
Benny reiterated how grateful he is for all the support at the shop through the years.
Ink's hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sorry to hear this but on the other hand now you are free to travel and get out of NYC and enjoy life. Think about quitting smoking cigs asap take it from me I chain smoked until I had a stroke which caused me to quit. Strokes are common for cigarette smokers so quit now.
ReplyDeleteOh No! This is so sad.
ReplyDeleteSo sad, a mainstay in the East Village for so many years. During the dark ages, pre-Internet, we used to go there to read the foreign papers to see how the rest of the world responded to things like the Gulf War etc. Will miss this....
ReplyDeleteI really grieve this one. I knew the original owner before Benny and have been going regularly there since it opened. This was pretty much the last newsstand in New York left. This is as bad as losing Odessa diner. Goodbye East Village.. :(
ReplyDeleteWhere am I going to get my MOJO and Uncut magazines, with their compilation music CDs, now?!
ReplyDeleteI visited Ink many, many times. Loved going to the rear and browse through the racks. Going to miss the store.
ReplyDeleteThis really pisses me off!
ReplyDeleteLike GEM SPAS [RIP], INK has been one of the last remaining newspaper/magazine spots in our neighborhood.
These fucking "equity firms" (a cute way of describing real estate VULTURES) have NO roots in our community. They OVER-pay for a building, then get rid of long-term tenants and businesses, after which they STILL cannot cover their debt load. They are INVADERS who lay waste to everything before them.
Ben has been really GOOD for our community. I wish him the best. His space will be EMPTY for several YEARS before the new owners find a SUCKER willing to pay their sick rent.
Strongly agree. I miss Benny's pissy demeanor & rocket fuel coffee every day.
Deletecome to north avenue A!
ReplyDeletehey Karma, can you sponsor this guy?
"Ink" had more periodicals than even Gem Spa in its hey-day -- broad in subject matter and in international reach. Add to that the characters hanging around, and the wildly inexpensive prices (on razors, Quest bars, shaving soap, old headphones, everything) and Benny's affability -- made the place unique in a neighborhood that used be defined by unique businesses. Be well, Benny! And, yes, a real loss.
ReplyDeleteOh no! love that place
ReplyDeleteFedora that’s what made him
ReplyDeleteThe City and elected officials have done tons to help restaurants - free shantytown shacks, pausing health inspection etc.
ReplyDeleteAnd they want the sheds to be permanent!
But they have done nothing to help small shops and businesses suffering from high rent, shoplifting, ecommerce competition.
Unbelievable
So sad this unique place is closing. Spent many a time browsing magazines there. It’s like our neighborhood is being sterilized.
ReplyDeletea huge loss for the neighborhood and for me personally. i will miss this inviting and well-stocked shop and all its fascinating denizens tremendously, including the longtime employee whose name i never knew but who worked the late shift, a wonderful person. happy retirement, benny! happy life!
ReplyDeleteThanks Benny - it was a pleasure to get to know you. Enjoyed coming in to visit over the years and will miss you and your place for sure. Enjoy your time friend - be well.
ReplyDeleteThis is a terrible loss for the neighborhood. I wish he’d hired a lawyer instead of trying to muddle through this on his own.
ReplyDeleteThe LES is losing small businesses and there's nothing to replace them because commercial rents are ridiculous. Unless you're selling coke or pot as your #1 thing, no way you can a living and keep your business afloat.
ReplyDeleteTo 5:21:
ReplyDeleteThe City has prioritized restaurants and done everything to help restaurants.
The City could help small retail and businesses - but has consistently refused to do so.
So true—every time I hear mention of the city’s “official nightlife czar”, pushing the business of alcohol sales basically, I think who is this city for anyways?
DeleteI used to love this place too -- have lived in the hood for 20 years -- but have any of the commenters gone in there over the last couple of years? It wasn't much of a magazine store any more and had devolved into something a little scary.
ReplyDeleteI left the EV last year after having lived there since 83 when I moved from CA. Guys like Benny made the hood, and his plight, like many before him is depressingly familiar. Be well Benny and thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely photos of Benny and Ink.
ReplyDeleteI will miss the store. I had been there dozens of times. All my favorite places are going. Best to you in the future.
ReplyDelete