Photos last Thursday by Steven
Memphis Seoul has closed its East Village location at 123 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place after 11 months.
An Instagram post from last week alleges the "gross negligence" of co-landlord J&M Realty Services for the loss of gas service (which has yet to be restored) two days into the shop's renovation last year.
The post says that Memphis Seoul has pending litigation against the landlord.
In April, Memphis Seoul (founded by former New York Post sportswriter Bart Hubbuch) filed a $500,000 lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court for alleged breach of contract, tenant harassment, fraud and misrepresentation against the building's landlord, Lunar Estates, LLC d/b/a Lunar Estates.
Public records show that Lunar Estates, LLC, bought the property in early 2022 for $4.3 million. (Public records show that the listed owner of Lunar Estates LLC is Won Moon, an orthodontist based in Orange County, California.)
Meanwhile, this past Thursday, a marshal also posted a notice on the storefront stating that the landlord has legal possession of the premises.
The quick-serve establishment serves "Southern cookin' with a Korean kick!" ... offering the comfort food of the South with the spices and sauces familiar to Korean food.
The original Memphis Seoul remains in service in Crown Heights. According to the Instagram post from last week, a new Lower East Side outpost is in the works.
Not to take the side of the landlord but I saw approximately 10 people in there over the course of its entire existence. It did not seems to take off with customers in its location.
ReplyDeleteThey were in an unfortunate position with their landlord, but in the end the food just wasn't that good.
ReplyDeleteI ordered from there once. I could see how the food would be good, it was well seasoned and interesting flavor combinations. But everything was COLD and a few things gave off the vibe that they were microwavable meals rather than anything freshly made. The location also wasn't very inviting. It was never clear from the outside if they were open for business or not. Sad because the menu sounds delicious but it just didn't translate.
ReplyDeleteI see nothing in the DOB records that verify the restaurants claims of no gas due to the building management. From this lack of violation on the building I assume the restaurant just wasn't able to navigate the process of getting approved for gas from con ed which is a convoluted and long process.
ReplyDeleteThat's a bummer I was rooting for them. Liked what I got there, but their hours were erratic.
ReplyDeleteYou're taking a big risk opening a restaurant in these old apartment buildings in the East Village. The gas pipes within these buildings and running outside are for the most part really old and you never know when there is going to be an issue. These spaces were not built to accommodate restaurants and in most cases the landlords aren't going the proper work within the walls to make everything functional and safe.
ReplyDelete