St. Mark’s Place corner vendor hub demolished

Workers have finished demolishing the building extension on the southwest corner of St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue...

We haven't received any updates on the plans for the newly created space. (Perhaps sidewalk cafe space for tenant Poetica Coffee?) 

As we first reported on June 9, the longtime vendors here left earlier in the year... as the building's new-ish landlord planned for removal.

For decades, vendors sold items such as sunglasses, floppy hats, wigs, umbrellas, and novelty holiday merchandise from outside the corner mainstay Gem Spa. (These items are still available outside Funky Town, mid-block, and at the kiosks closer to Third Avenue.)

Prior to the vendors, the wall housed a bank of payphones (which we also miss!) — a location for New York Dolls photo shoots. 

Here's a bonus mid-demolition shot, courtesy of Steven...

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A belated farewell to a familiar fixture of St. Mark's Place