Monday, May 4, 2026

As the chain stores turn on Astor Place

An EVG reader shared word that the Pret A Manger has closed on Astor Place...
This is the latest chain to throw in the town on the block between Lafayette and Broadway. The former Sweetgreen space remains vacant after the salad bowlery shuttered last summer.
A Hampton Chutney is at 2 Astor Place, a space that has seen some recent churn, including Felix Roasting Co. and Blue Bottle. 

Oh, and the high-profile Starbucks space is still vacant after a July 2024 shutter. 

While the Raising Cane's and Juice Generation seem to be doing well... there are plenty of vacanies in what is considered a high-traffic corridor. 

Anyway, not every chain is sticking around for the long haul here.
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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 4, 2026 at 7:54 AM

    This road should be turned into a plaza with maybe a single lane and 1 side of parking. The through traffic is basically 0 from cars

    ReplyDelete
  2. billMay 4, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    Someone at Pret told me they had a large rent hike.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 4, 2026 at 9:12 AM

    I hope they reduce to one lane and one parking/standing lane and consider adding trees. some stone with gaps that can serve as rain garden/absorb some rainwater runoff. Could also close this on weekends for pedestrian space? Here’s hoping!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 4, 2026 at 1:39 PM

    There used to be a large bookstore here in the 1970s, I recall.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMay 4, 2026 at 1:53 PM

    The Pret on 12th and Broadway just closed, too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMay 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM

    Look at what is happening to St Marks Place! Tons of local restaurants are thriving. It's okay to see the chains leave.

    ReplyDelete

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