An Avenue A curtain call for Alphabets

A Week in Review-type item... as reported this past Monday, Alphabets has closed. Owner Linda Heidinger is moving the novelty-gift shop to Palm Springs, Calif. after a 35-year presence on Avenue A ... and Alphabets shared this parting shot from Avenue A via Instagram on Friday...

Alphabets swan song

As we reported yesterday, after a 35-year presence on Avenue A, Alphabets has closed. Owner Linda Heidinger is moving the novelty-gift shop to Palm Springs, Calif.

Earlier today, workers removed the sign here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. The shop moved here in 2014 after a previous long tenure at 115 Avenue A next to Ray's.

Based on the 30 comments on yesterday's post, Alphabet's will be missed.

Thanks to Vinny & O for the photo!

Alphabets has left the East Village

[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

After 35 years on Avenue A, Alphabets has left the East Village.

Owner Linda Heidinger is moving the novelty-gift shop to Palm Springs, Calif. While there won't be a physical NYC presence, the store's new website will be active for online purchases.


[Staff pack up the shop on Saturday]

In 2014, Alphabets moved from 115 Avenue A to 64 Avenue A. (This coincided with a rent hike courtesy of new 115 landlord Steve Croman.)

Heidinger opened Alphabets in 1985.


[64 Avenue A earlier this month]

Updated 1 p.m.

Here's the official post via Instagram...

View this post on Instagram

After 35 years on Avenue A, Alphabets is packing up and moving to Palm Springs. We’re also packing up decades of gratitude for generations of Alphabets shoppers who love ya, supported us, and kept us here. While gone from New York City, you can still shop with us online at Alphabetsnyc.com, and come visit us in Palm Springs. Evermore thanks for loving Alphabets as much as I do. -Linda

A post shared by Alphabets NYC (@alphabetsnyc) on Jun 29, 2020 at 9:12am PDT

Alphabets is closing, and moving to its other store on Avenue A

[Via Facebook]

Last July, Alphabets opened a new outpost at 64 Avenue A for its gift shop ... this was done ahead of a planned move from its home of nearly 30 years at 115 Avenue A... As you can see from the sign above, a moving sale is underway...

According to public records, the building at 115 Avenue A was sold in August 2012 for $3 million. The LLC that bought the building shares the address as the notorious 9300 Realty (owned by Croman Realty). A tipster told us that Alphabets could not negotiate a new lease.

Per the sign: "We are not throwing in the towel — in spite of the rising rents in our neighborhood."

We're happy that they're sticking around…


[The newer Alphabets at 64 Avenue A]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Alphabets opens new outpost on Avenue A

Alphabets opens new outpost on Avenue A

As you may have noticed, a new outpost of Alphabets opened Saturday on Avenue A between East Fourth Street and East Fifth Street... the gift shop, which has been around since 1985, is located at 115 Avenue A near East Seventh Street... However, as we understand it, this location will be closing in the coming months...



According to public records, the building at 115 Avenue A was sold last August for $3 million. The LLC that bought the building shares the address as the notorious 9300 Realty (owned by Croman Realty). A tipster told us that Alphabets could not negotiate a new lease. Thankfully, they found a nearby space.