Former Bleecker Bob's space back on the market

Bleecker Bob's was priced out of its longtime home on West Third Street this past year, closing for good in April.

And, as you may recall, a Forever Yogurt franchise was set to take over the space, even sporting an oh-so-cutesy record logo on the front door during the summer.

Apparently there won't be FroYo here, at least according to a Facebook update today from Bleecker Bob's:

wow....
today we give a big FUCK YOU to the assholes at Forever Yogurt who closed down a 45 year old landmark record store to build a bullshit froyo shop and now pulled out of the lease!!!

the storefront at 118 west 3rd is now for rent.

Last that we saw, the space for going for $17,000 a month. (Alex has a photo of the rather homemade "for rent" sign here.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Bleecker Bob's won't be moving to the East Village — or anywhere else, for that matter

Yogurt shop taking over Bleecker Bob's space has a logo with a record on it

[Photo by Benjamin Krieger via Facebook]

Well, you know the story of Bleecker Bob's closing this past spring after a rent hike ... and a Forever Yogurt leasing the space...

As you can see from the above photo, the Chicago-based chain is apparently paying some sort of macabre tribute to Bleecker Bob's by incorporating a record into its logo at this Bleecker Street location...

Here's the Forever Yogurt logo as it usually looks...



There was some brief talk that Bleecker Bob's would continue to sell record from a counter inside the self-serve froyo shop. That never materialized. By the way, we haven't heard any further discussions about Bleecker Bob's opening a new store in the East Village.

About Bleecker Bob's moving to East 9th Street

The hot rumor making the rounds this past Saturday was that Bleecker Bob's had a deal in place to move to a storefront on East Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Per a Facebook update last week, Bleecker Bob's had a bid on space here.

However, it's not a done deal. Ski, an assistant manager at Bleecker Bob's, provided an update. This is from Sunday night.

"Unfortunately, it's been a long ongoing process," he said of the East Ninth Street space. "At first, we were told everything should be fine and that Bleecker Bob's was the only client to be pushed for the space based on our years of business and our willingness to sign a 10-year lease."

Regardless, the wait continues for now. We exchanged emails again yesterday with Ski. Still waiting for the lease. In the meantime, Ski was busy scouting other possible locations in the East Village and on the Lower East Side.

Bleecker Bob's has also launched a crowdsourcing campaign to raise $6,500. Per Indiegogo:

Many people have offered assistance with moving expenses, relocation/storage expenses and renovation costs for our new location. So many of our friends have offered to help in so many different ways that we figured we'd bring everyone together in one spot with one goal in mind, TO REOPEN THE STORE!!!

The 46-year-old Bleecker Bob's closed last Saturday to make way for a Forever Yogurt chain.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Bleecker Bob's won't be moving to the East Village — or anywhere else, for that matter

Bleecker Bob's have a bid on space in the East Village

Last day for Bleecker Bob's; move on hold to the East Village?

Per the Bleecker Bob's Facebook page:

4/13/13 SADDEST DAY EVER at Bleecker Bob's

two words we'd NEVER thought we'd say.....
CLOSING DAY!!!

still negotiating with that spot in the east village. was hoping to have good news by today. maybe we'll post the name of the realtor for the building who seems to be holding things up for no reason, so everyone can spambard him with emails and comments. ugh, so frustrating!!

Give us the name!

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Bleecker Bob's won't be moving to the East Village — or anywhere else, for that matter

Bleecker Bob's have a bid on space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's closes on Saturday

Via the store's Facebook page:

ONLY 5 days left!!!!!
get to Bleecker Bob's NOW!!!
we're closing this Saturday April 13!!!

Now word just yet if they have found space in the East Village.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Bleecker Bob's have a bid on space in the East Village

As you know, Bleecker Bob's is closing up shop at its longtime home, which will become a FroYo shop in the West Village.

However!

Perhaps the store will live on... in the East Village. Per BB's Facebook page this afternoon:

Dear Friends,
only a few days left until closing day!!!

BUT..... we do have a "bid" in on a space in the east village so keep your fingers crossed!!

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Bleecker Bob's won't be moving to the East Village — or anywhere else, for that matter

The Bleecker Bob's closing sale is under way

Via Bleecker Bob's Facebook page:

thursday 3/14/13
well folks, very sorry but.....
Bleecker Bob's
C-L-O-S-I-N-G S-A-L-E
starts today!!!!!

No word on an actual closing date... or whether they will actually have a counter inside the new tenant's place — Forever Yogurt.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Will Bleecker Bob's sell records inside the FroYo shop that's taking its place?

Possibly! DNAinfo reports today.

After a huge rent hike, the nearly 45-year-old shop is closing. And Forever Yogurt is taking over the space.

Per Andrea Swalec's article:

The self-serve dessert seller Forever Yogurt is in talks with Bleecker Bob's management for the fro-yo and music combo, Forever Yogurt franchise CEO Mandy Calara said Thursday.

"We're talking with them about a counter with their inventory," he said. "And we're decorating the place so it carries on the design of Bleecker Bob's."

Maybe Forever Yogurt can name flavors after classic bands... The Vanilla Fudge ... the Grand Funk Railroad Twist... Vanilla Cream... so many possibilities...

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Bleecker Bob's closing in May; will be replaced by — FROYO

Word is spreading this morning about what will replace Bleecker Bob's Records. Here's an update from the store today on their Facebook page:

STORE UPDATE:: 3/6/13

looks like the new tenant has signed the lease. we've heard they want to be open by June 1. it will take probably around 2 months to get work permits for the massive remodeling job they'll need to do so we're figuring we should be open until May 2013!!
--- get ready for another chain of self serve yogurt/coffee/hot chocolate cafes NYC!!

The store opened in December 1968.

The asking rent for the space was $17,000.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Bleecker Bob's won't be moving to the East Village — or anywhere else, for that matter

Bleecker Bob's won't be moving to the East Village — or anywhere else, for that matter

Back in January, our friend Ken Mac at Greenwich Village Daily Photo first had the scoop that venerable Bleecker Bob's Records was closing.

Then we heard that the store hoped to relocate, possibly in the East Village — something in the $4,000 rent range. We scouted some possible locations for them. (Here ... and here.)

As late as September, the store was still looking to move here.

Apparently this won't happen.

As you may have seen at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York or BoweryBoogie this morning, Bleecker Bob's has announced that it is closing for good in early 2013. (Alex noted this yesterday at Flaming Pablum.)

Per the Bleecker Bob's Facebook page:

well, it's SAD NEWS people. don't really know how to say this so here goes.....after 40+ years in existence, BLEECKER BOB'S will be closing!!!! looks like another month or 2 maybe.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Bleecker Bob's still looking to move to the East Village

Back in January, we first heard the news via our friend Ken Mac at Greenwich Village Daily Photo that venerable Bleecker Bob's Records was closing on West Third Street... And after the usual Starbucks-Subway rumors ... it turned out that the store would move — possibly to the East Village. And the hunt for a space was on... But we haven't heard anything about a possible move since March.

The store posted this update on its Facebook page:

still looking at retail spaces in the east village.
really hoping for an Oct 1 reopening somewhere, we'll stay at 118 West 3rd until we either (a) find a good new rent deal or (b)are forced to leave by the current landlord. STAY TUNED!!!

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

The last days of Bleecker Bob's

The folks at Capital have a documentary from filmmakers Hazel Sheffield and Emily Judem titled "For the Records," a look at Bleecker Bob's ... the record store that's getting priced out of its longtime home.

Per the film's introduction at Capital:

Bleecker Bob’s will stay open until the landlord has found a new tenant. When it goes, it will take with it a huge part of the history of the Village. And it looks unlikely to find a new place to open up.

You can watch the documentary here.

As we noted back in March, rent on the East Third Street storefront is $17,000.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

[Image from March via Dave on 7th]

A Bleecker Bob's update

[Dave on 7th]

The folks at Bleecker's Bob's continue to look for a new space... The longtime record shop is closing on West Third Street at the end of April... they've been scouting locations in the East Village and Lower East Side...

They looked at a space on Avenue A at Fifth Street but, according to a Facebook posting, "the landlord cared too much about personal income (which if you've ever worked at a record store is almost nothing) and wanted a person rather then the company to sign a lease so that's a NO GO!"

And:

"Unfortunately it looks like we're running out of time."

However, last night, Bleecker Bob's updated the store's Facebook page... They have a few more spaces to check out. There's also talk about a benefit show the last week of April.

"Please email us here if you'd like to help out with the benefit or if you see any available storefronts. Your continued support is greatly appreciated."

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Dave on 7th sent along the above photo from yesterday morning, before Bleecker Bob's opened for the day... as you can see, there's a for rent sign above the store. Not sure how long it has been there ...

Anyway, as the Times reported back in late January, Bleecker Bob's is closing here on West Third Street at the end of April. Cause: Rent hike. (And despite initial reports, a Starbucks isn't moving into the space.)

Anyway, as for the listing at Point NYC ... it doesn't mention the exact address, but this looks like it. And you can sort of make out the store in the photo...

Check out the price: $17,000 per month.

That's a lot of vinyl.

Earlier estimates (via The Villager) had the rent going to an unaffordable $10,000 a month.

But $17,000? That's, well, insane.

However, the folks at Bleecker Bob's have said that they would relocate. But will they have enough time to so do? Per a message on the store's Facebook page yesterday:

still looking at storefronts. unfortunately, some landlords don't care about our 30 years in one location.

We asked Ski, an assistant manager at Bleecker Bob's, for an update.

"Nothing definite yet. Still looking for new spots, but still enjoying our sales in the West Village."

Perhaps a move to the East Village is still possible.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is NOT becoming a Starbucks

Starbucks taking over the Bleecker Bob's space made the rounds starting on Thursday... hysteria quickly (and understandably) set in... While we understand that the longtime record store will still be moving, a Starbucks won't be taking its place.

We didn't notice this correction dated today in the Times story on the matter ...

Correction: January 30, 2012
An article in some editions on Friday about the closings of two of New York’s musical mainstays — the performance space Southpaw in Brooklyn and Bleecker Bob’s Golden Oldies in Greenwich Village — misstated the plans for the Bleecker Bob’s property. It will not become a Starbucks, according to the company.

Starbucks also just sent out a tweet about it here.

So. Dunkin' Donuts then? Subway?

4 possible spots for Bleecker Bob's in the East Village

On Saturday, we got word that Bleecker Bob's is looking to move this spring from its home since 1982 to somewhere in the East Village... Ski, assistant manager at Bleecker Bob's, told us the parameters:

"The spaces we've checked out so far in the east village are 650-800 square feet at a cost of about $4000 a month. Something like that would be doable."

There are plenty of empty storefronts here. Given those parameters, here are four spaces to consider; places that made some sense (no former restaurants with equipment to remove or far-flung side streets with little pedestrian traffic...)

St. Mark's between Avenue A and First Avenue ...

St. Mark's between Avenue A and First Avenue...

Avenue A between Fifth Street and Fourth Street...

Ninth Street between First Avenue and Avenue A...

As Ken Mac first reported at Greenwich Village Daily Photo, the current Bleecker Bob's space will become a Starbucks. Alex shared his thoughts here on Flaming Pablum.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Ken Mac at Greenwich Village Daily Photo first reported on Thursday that Bleecker Bob's would be replaced by a Starbuck's... (Jeremiah followed up on it, and received a lot of comments...)

An EV Grieve reader points us to the Bleecker Bob's Facebook page, where they posted the following yesterday afternoon...

So, they are not closing — just moving. Store spokesperson J.K. Kiptzer, partner of owner Bob Plotnick, told WNYC yesterday that they hope "to find something a little more affordable in the next few months on the Lower East Side." Read more about this possibility at Jeremiah's this morning...

So. Let's help them out. Here's one idea: Avenue A at Fifth Street ... former home of East Village Pharmacy, who moved down the Avenue...

The number on the for rent sign: (212) 473-6349.

Anyone? There is plenty of space available around here...

UPDATED:

We just heard from Ski, assistant manager at Bleecker Bob's.

"The spaces we've checked out so far in the east village are 650-800 square feet at a cost of about $4000 a month. Something like that would be doable."

[UPDATED] But of course! Bleecker Bob's is becoming a Starbucks

[Ken Mac]

Hey! Let's just keep the bad news coming!

Spotted this at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York first... Our friend Ken Mac at Greenwich Village Daily Photo has the scoop that venerable Bleecker Bob's Records is closing and will become a — Subway? Dunkin' Donuts??? No — Starbucks!

The manager of Cafe Reggio confirmed the atrocity to Ken, noting: "Starbucks will take 30% of our business. All the NYU kids want their mocha frappuccino."

UPDATED Jan. 30, 7:05 p.m.
Starbucks says that they are not taking over the space.