A very public eviction for Anwar Grocery on Avenue B

First 2 photos by Miriam Abrahams; the rest by Stacie Joy

On Tuesday afternoon, workers cleared out Anwar (going recently as Akter) Grocery at 166 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...

The clean-out preceded a visit by the Marshal, noting the business is now in legal possession of the landlord... (an eviction notice arrived on July 5).

Anwar Hossein had owned and operated the shop since 2005. He and his family have lived in an apartment upstairs dating to 1998. (His father had been a tenant since 1988.) 

Hossein previously owned two other stores in the neighborhood — A&H Grocery at 204 Avenue A and Ahn Newsstand and Candy store at 500 E. 12th St., both long shuttered. 

He previously told Stacie Joy that things were difficult for the shop in recent years — the pandemic only adding to the woes. A new landlord bought the building in 2018, and his lease expired in December 2019. 

There have been multiple court dates between the two sides before Tuesday's action. 

This was one of the more public evictions we've seen recently. Workers emptied out the store, placing its contents, including beer, cigarettes, rolling papers and personal-care products, on the sidewalk for passersby to take ... (The Hosseins were not seen during this time, and it's not known what their housing status is.)

The old-school-style shop had some unusual items for sale, such as DVD copies of a Nickelback concert, blank TDK cassette tapes and VHS videotapes. There were also religious amulets, sombreros, school supplies and some hardcore adult DVDs with titles like "Anal Pleasures" (and left on the sidewalk).  

 And a final look inside the shop...

However functional, the more recent delis and groceries have a bland sameness with the ambiance of an airport galleria. 

Anwar, with the owners who lived upstairs, was definitely the last of its kind in this neighborhood. 

And from this spring... Sheila and Anwar Hossein...

Checking in on Anwar Grocery

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Anwar Hossein has owned and operated the Anwar Grocery, 106 Avenue B, since 2005.



He and his family live upstairs here between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. Hossein previously owned two other stores in the neighborhood — A&H Grocery at 204 Avenue A and Ahn Newsstand and Candy store at 500 E. 12th St., both long shuttered.

Hossein says that things are difficult for the shop right now, that the lease expired this past December and that they’ve been in court with the landlord, all of which is on hold due to COVID-19-related closures. He and his family hope that they are able to hold onto the store.

We recently took a look at the grocery after it was burglarized in early June during a rash of overnight break-ins. He has also reported at least one daytime robbery since then. He stresses that things are getting bad again, he says, like they used to be.

He shows me the paperwork from when he was shot twice at his other grocery. (Surgeons had to amputate his pinky toe after a bullet shattered it during a robbery.)



The old-school-style shop has some unusual selections for your shopping needs, such as DVD copies of a Nickelback concert, blank TDK cassette tapes and VHS videotapes.

If you dig, you can also find religious amulets, sombreros, school supplies plus the usual selections of refreshments. The times I visited, Bollywood was on repeat on the TV up front. Anwar's is definitely the last of its kind in this neighborhood, and well worth a visit...

Anwar Grocery burglarized

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Anwar Hossain, who owns Anwar's Grocery at 106 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street, arrived to work yesterday morning to find his front door knocked in and $1,200 missing from the cash register.



Anwar said that there isn't any video record of the burglary. He plans to ask the building's landlord for help getting additional plywood to prevent or deter another break-in.



While Anwar was sad about the burglary, he remains optimistic about the future and said he doesn't have plans to close the store. The grocery's hours will remain flexible for now.

Police searching for 2 suspects in knifepoint robbery at Anwar Grocery on Avenue B

Several EVG readers told us about a robbery late last Wednesday night at Anwar Grocery on Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street (next to Vazac's/7B/Horseshoe Bar). However, we didn't have much to go on — other than hearsay that one of the men pulled a knife when demanding the money.

Now come details via the NYPD, who released the following statement yesterday:

The New York City Police Department is asking the public's assistance identifying the two male individuals depicted in the photos [below] in connection to a commercial robbery that occurred within the confines of the 9 Precinct.

It was reported to police that on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 11:30 p.m. inside of the 106 Avenue B (Deli), two unknown male individuals entered the location. One displayed a knife and demanded cash from the 45-year-old store employee behind the register. One of the individuals removed approximately $200 cash from the register and they both fled the location on foot northbound on Avenue B. No injuries were reported.

The two individuals are described as follows:

Individual #1: male Black, 20-30 years of age, last seen wearing all dark clothing.

Individual #2: male Hispanic, 20-30 years of age, last seen wearing all dark clothing.

And the photos of the suspects...





Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

Anwar Grocery remains closed on Avenue B

On Wednesday night, we're told that the NYPD shut down Anwar Grocery at 106 Avenue B just south of East Seventh Street…


[Reader submitted photo from Wednesday night]

At this point, we don't know what the closure is for… the store hasn't been open since the bust. And someone has removed the NYPD sticker from the gate.

Anwar was cited and briefly shut down for underage alcohol sales in March 2012.

According to the State Liquor Authority, their liquor license is inactive.