A look at The March Hare, closing on Jan. 31

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Back on Friday, we shared the news that Ilana Wiles was closing The March Hare on Jan. 31. 

She bought the toy store at 321 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue in April 2022. As Wiles wrote, she bought the shop not only to help the owners who were managing a health crisis but also to help prevent another storefront from going vacant dhring the pandemic. 

She told us last week: "There will be a new shop taking over. We did not want to leave until we knew something was taking its place." 

Until the end of the month, items inside the shop are being marked down...

The Zoltar machine is a rental, and Wiles said the company that owns it would love to find it a home. (And this is NOT the one that used to be outside Gem Spa.)

Also, Zoltar playing cards are available for your own parlor tricks (pan flute and cummerbund NOT included). 

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

As for a possible next iteration of The March Hare, Wiles is keeping her options open — perhaps continuing to exist online or as an occasional pop-up.