Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy
The longtime home of East Village mainstay Two Boots Pizza — at 42 Avenue A on the SE corner of Third Street — is now on the rental market.
Last week, we spotted an apparent off-market listing for the space. When asked at the time, owner Phil Hartman said they were hoping to negotiate a new lease with the landlord.
"We've been in that spot for 30 years, and began across the street 39 years ago, and hope to stay," he told us.
Last night, a listing via Meridian Capital Group surfaced on Instagram, describing the space as an "East Village staple" and a "rare opportunity."
Two Boots — named for the shapes of Italy and Louisiana — began in the East Village in 1987, when Hartman, a filmmaker, and Doris Kornish teamed up with developer John Touhey to open the original restaurant at 37 Avenue A.
The online listing states the monthly rent as $22,500.
Despite the listing going live, Hartman said last night that they are still in talks with the landlord.
"Right now, we're trying to decide if we want to stay where we are or relocate, depending on negotiations with our landlord — a very nice guy, as a matter of fact, who I've known for over 30 years! In any case, the East Village is deep in the bones of Two Boots — and in me, of course — and we will always be in the neighborhood. We need to stay close to the Lower Eastside Girls Club, Loisaida Inc., Anthology Film Archives, the Keswell School, Hetrick- Martin Institute, and the dozens of other community partners that we treasure."
A slice shop opened across A before moving to its current location. In the ensuing years, other outposts opened up around NYC and in cities such as Baltimore and Nashville.
Known for its Cajun-Italian mashups (and quirky slice names), the brand has long been a staple in the neighborhood's pizza scene.
The corner space on A and Third also once housed the Two Boots video store, Den of Cin and the Pioneer Theater, featuring eclectic indie programming.
Whether at 42 Avenue A or elsewhere in the neighborhood, it sounds like Two Boots will remain in the East Village.
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