Moroccan specialty shop Timbuktu being forced out after 20 years on 2nd Avenue

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Sad news here... Timbuktu, the Moroccan specialty shop at 45 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street, is closing soon.

Owner Del Blaoui seen here with his daughter and co-worker, Yasmin Blaoui, confirmed the news after we heard about the pending closure from several readers.

According to Del, the new landlords, who took over in the spring of 2021, decided to terminate the shop's lease effective at the end of the month. He learned about the decision via a certified letter.

He said he hopes to have a few more months to liquidate the merchandise. Del has been in the wholesale business for four decades and has been in this location for 20 years.

For now, shoppers can find items with sale prices between 50 and 70%. 

Here's a look inside the cozy store...

Moving forward, Del, who lives in the East Village, said he'd like to stay in the neighborhood if Timbuktu can find a new space.

Timbuktu is open daily from 1-8 p.m. Phone: (212) 473-4955.  

45-47 2nd Ave. has a new owner

There's a new owner for 45-47 Second Ave., a 6-unit building that dates to 1867 here between Second Street and Third Street.

A tipster notes that house flippers David Luttway and Dana Lowey Luttway (via HOLLISWOOD2AVE LLC) are now the owners.

Several of the residences are currently vacant, and two other remaining tenants are in rent-stabilized units without leases, per the real-estate listing. 

As the Westside Rag has noted, Dana Lowey Luttway "is known for her skill at flipping upscale townhouses." It's not known what their plans are for this building. There was an original $9.9 million asking price.

There are currently two commercial spaces (one vacant) and one with a lease until December 2022. That would be Timbuktu, a tranquil shop that specializes in items from Morocco. 

H/T Upper West Sider!