Showing posts with label Ben's Deli & Grill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben's Deli & Grill. Show all posts

Friday, January 17, 2025

Return of the permanent signage for Ben's Deli (& Grill) on Avenue B

Photos yesterday by Stacie Joy 

The new permanent signage for Ben's Deli has arrived. 

The Avenue B stalwart underwent a gut renovation and reopened here between Second Street and Third Street late last year. 

However, the previous new sign didn't pass muster with the city, and they levied a $6,000 fine and ordered the offending sign to come down

Anyway, the sign is now in place ... (like the previous new sign, the business is going by Ben's Deli & Grill).
It makes sense, as the revamped deli counter area features the return of legendary grillman Oscar (pictured in the top photo!). Oscar left Ben's several years ago and is back making excellent egg-and-cheese sandwiches. 

Ben Gibran sold the decades-spanning business to his cousin Sammy in early 2023.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Signage alert: Ben's Deli gains a Grill on Avenue B

Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy

The renovations at Ben's Deli on Avenue B, an establishment here for 40-plus years, took a significant step forward yesterday with the arrival of new signage. 

The business name has been expanded to include a "& Grill" in the name, marking a new chapter in its history. (While the signage sentiment in the EVG newsroom was wholly positive, we are waiting for EV Signage and Font Troll to weigh in...)

The market between Second Street and Third Street temporarily closed this past September for renovations, including new shelving and lighting  ... an expected move after longtime owner and Avenue B legend Ben Gibran sold the business earlier last year to a cousin, Sammy Ksem. (Don't worry — Ben still hangs out here. See below.)

Ben's Deli, which played a pivotal role in season one of "Russian Doll" on Netflix not to mention a Kim Petras video, is expected to be back open in the weeks ahead, which is rather vague, though you try to get Con Ed and the Department of Buildings scheduled for the necessary approvals. 

Last evening, the sign was lit, so to speak... 
Ben was outside in The Office (aka his Astro van). When I asked him if he liked it, he said, "Yes, looks good, right? Nice. Very nice." Then, he fired up a cigarette and continued watching a nature video on his iPad.