A look at the under-renovation Ben's Deli on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Interior renovations are progressing at Ben's Deli, 32 Avenue B, between Second Street and Third Street.

The market temporarily closed in September for the work... an expected move after longtime owner and Avenue B folk hero Ben Gibran sold the business earlier last year to a cousin, Sammy Ksem. 

Here's a look ... upgrades include new shelving and light fixtures...

Ben's Deli, which played a pivotal role in season one of "Russian Doll" on Netflix, is expected to be back open in another month (or so).

Even with the renovations, Ben's regulars can still be found outside the shop, commiserating on the day's events. And despite his retirement, Ben still pops by a few times a week. We've spotted him watching lions of the Serengeti videos on an iPad from his office, aka his Astro van parked on B.

This past fall, before the renovations really kicked in, the gang used the space in the evening to play dominos ... and to finish drinking the leftover Bud and Coors Light from the cold but denuded store shelves...