Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
As the future of Two Boots on Avenue A remains uncertain, owner Phil Hartman says the beloved decades-spanning pizzeria is weighing a handful of difficult options — none of which include leaving the East Village.
Last Friday, the landlord had two large for-lease signs affixed to the corner space — hours before Hartman was hosting a party at Two Boots to celebrate the re-release of his 1986 film, "No Picnic," at the Film Forum.
While Hartman said he had a cordial relationship with the landlord, he was upset when he learned the for-lease banner had been put up without his knowledge. He had it removed.
With a looming rent increase and new "for lease" signs returning soon outside 42 Avenue A at Third Street, Hartman says the choices come down to staying and absorbing annual losses, relocating to another part of the neighborhood, or returning to the original mid-block space at 37 Avenue A.
A decision, he said, is likely in the coming weeks as he balances financial realities with deep roots on the block — and concern from staff and the community.
Hartman got emotional during a recent conversation about Two Boots' future.
He was clear about this: "What is NOT an option: leaving the EV, our birthplace, behind."
Is there an update on the lease situation?
No, really, there's no update. I was quite sad because there had been no warning [about the for-lease signs]. We had an event [last Friday night], so I asked them to take it down. And they did. And then they asked us to put it back up on Monday. But we just got a special event with Alan Cumming. Alan was doing a series with the BBC on his favorite spots in New York, and he chose Two Boots as his pizza place. We created a pizza called The Cumming for him. He just came in and shot with his crew today. So that was fun.
I feel like [the for-lease sign] is seeking to pressure us. And I just don't know what we're going to do, so I don't have an update on our plans. They remain that we're either going to stay where we are or we're going to relocate in the East Village. Those are the only options.
Is there a timeline? When do you have to make a decision?
I would say in the next couple of weeks. Honestly, I've been really preoccupied with my film. So I've put it off a little bit, but now the film's up and running, and it's selling out every show, which has been great. Now I've got to figure it out. I have looked at other locations. ["No Picnic" has also been extended a week at the Film Forum.]
My past is rooted in this piece of land here on Avenue A. So it's very difficult.
If you do decide that what the landlord is asking for is too much, that the margins would be too slim, and you would need to leave. Is there an exit date?
Not yet, but I will share that when we get to that point. I'm just grappling with this very emotional situation, and I've got a dozen staff members there who are obviously very concerned. And I've had a whole community of people that are really concerned, and I'm trying to take all that into account.
I am going to put a clipboard on the counter [at Two Boots] so that people can leave their contact info, and I can keep them in the loop.
Updated 2 p.m.
The sign arrived today...
Per Hartman: "Sign is up. Ugh — so, upsetting."
Previously on EV Grieve:
Any time a long time piece of our neighborhood is threatened like this, we lose a piece of our soul. I'm sure the landlord has been getting a good rent for a long time at that spot - a space with a reliable tenant should always win out over the *inevitable* empty storefront. Just look around at all the empty storefronts.
ReplyDeleteI know you can't expect landlord loyalty, but you should be able to expect some level of it after this long.
I wonder if the landlord got advise from a recent MBA grad or something who said "oh you can squeeze more money here!"
Exactly. I don't understand how the inevitable sleek fancy (soulless) new place that will completely gut it then go out of business in a year or two and leave a vacant shell is "better" for anyone
Delete“Just look around at all the empty storefronts.” You suppose all landlords live in the same neighborhoods they own buildings in? So many of them live in suburban places like NJ / LI / Staten Island and plainly don’t care at all about the effects their parasitism has on the people directly affected by it.
DeleteIncredible a business that has been there for decades serving the community will probably get forced out because the property owner is going to raise the rent which Two Books cannot afford and we will end up with another awful smoke shop.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know how much the landlord is asking. There are at least a dozen empty storefronts on Avenue A. How much money do these owners think they can get out of people? How is it profitable for these landlords to leave storefronts vacant for years at a time? Do they just get to write off the loss?
ReplyDelete@unknown: something tells me that smoke shops won't be able to afford the rent. But yeah, it will probably be a sweetgreen or something
ReplyDelete@duchess: the building is paid off so they're not worried about covering their expenses month to month. They would rather hold out for a higher paying long-term lease
So messed up. I wished landlords valued loyal tenants such as this good man who is just trying to survive in this awful economic climate while serving our beloved community. Many businesses come and go here, but Two Boots is a virtual landmark in the EV. Must greed and capitalism ruin everything and everyone? I am manifesting a positive outcome for him.
ReplyDeleteIt's never enough for landlords. Off with their heads, I say.
ReplyDeleteThis is all very sad. I really wish they can stay in the space. Let's support Two Boots and try the Cumming.
ReplyDeleteThe landlord should be happy to have such a great renter and cut them some slack. If not then 37 Avenue A would be fine. I remember that was a great place too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, EVG and Stacie, for your reporting on this. Two Boots has been a heart and soul of the neighborhood and a benefactor to countless local groups. I hope it can stay where it is or find a place nearby.
ReplyDeleteB Cup’s old location is sitting vacant. So unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteDispleasure.
ReplyDeleteThe sad irony for certain is this landlord decided that the houston building is a sign that 'fancy' retail/upscale dining in that little area is going to be a thing. It won't. The worst part of all of these vacant store fronts and all the turnover in those 'lucky' enough to get the bad idea in and out leave the actual community who use the sidewalks and stores for daily life out in the literal cold. The 'wealthy' they are chasing, those people don't participate in the neighborhood, they don't shop at stores they can walk to, they don't eat here unless it's ordered and then proximity is irrelevant. Oh they do need ATM's...? More banks! Perfect
ReplyDeleteIf they squeeze two boots out, I don’t care if the landlord replaces them with the most delicious restaurant or affordable grocery store—I would never support the new venture and I doubt I’m the only one who feels that way. I hope the landlord is taking that into account along with all of the empty storefronts in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteYup I will NEVER forgive the landlord for this one, I don’t care what it is they won’t be getting a dime of my money. This is an actual crime, disgusting.
DeleteHang in there Phil - we love ya and are with you. Have faith my friend
ReplyDeleteThis is an endless phenomenon that’s been going on in our neighborhood for decades now. A perfect example is Second Avenue Deli. When they were last at their original location on 2nd ave & 10th street, their rent was $19,000 a month, and the greedy landlord wanted $31,000 a month when the lease was up for renewal. Now we have Chase Bank there, run by greedy slug Jamie Dimon.
ReplyDeleteProbably worth investigating cost increases that landlords have to absorb. People like to talk about the greed or private individuals but never about the parasites we call our government representatives who constantly have their hands in the pockets of the productive class of citizens.
ReplyDelete