Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Two storefronts have gone dark at 68-70 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.
Angels Boutique, which sold vintage fashion collectibles and accessories, closed at No. 70 last Thursday after seven months.
It was a spin-off business of vintage-designer purveyors Angels on A, two storefronts to the south. Angels on A remains in business. (And some of the merchandise from the boutique may end up at Angels.)
Owner Angel Ramirez said the boutique was "a niche business that didn't catch on."
Meanwhile, Viva! Café, which was located next door, has also closed. The quick-serve establishment was revamped in the fall and rebranded from Café Social 68.
Ramirez, who operated Angels Boutique and Viva! Café and the still-open Angels on A, cited economic reasons.
"Cost of goods rising, a difficult economy, retail struggles," he said.
Ramirez said he will miss his regulars, some of whom he has known and served since Café Social 68 opened in August 2019.
