Live above the iconic Block Drugs

Back on Friday evening, a tipster noted the arrival of an apartment for rent sign on Second Avenue and Sixth Street — above Block Drugs...



As the sign shows, it's a five-bedroom, two-bathroom unit (perfect for a family?) .. that has a "tasteful renovation" in what is officially 240 E. Sixth St. (aka 101 Second Ave.).

While the for rent sign may be new, the apartment has been on the market for nearly two months, according to Streeteasy.

And NOT listed among the many amenities: the warm glow from the Block Drugs neon...


[Photo by Jeremiah Moss]

As for the monthly rent: $9,995.

The building dates to 1880. Block Drugs was said to open in 1885. Public records show that Adeline Residences Inc. has been the longtime owner of the building, dating to 1970.

787 Coffee for 101 2nd Ave.

Looks like an outpost of 787 Coffee is coming to Second Avenue.

Signage is up on the former Block's Vision Care storefront here at Sixth Street (this new location is also confirmed via 787's Instagram account) ...



This will be the second East Village outpost for 787, which grows and roasts their coffee in Puerto Rico. The 787 opened on Seventh Street near Avenue A last October.

This is a coffee-rich zone already with several nearby choices, including the Coffee Project and Southern Cross on Fifth Street just off the Avenue... not to mention Cafe Mocha on Second Avenue and Seventh Street, the Bean on Second Avenue and Third Street, and Kona Coffee and Company on Second Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street.

As for Block's Vision Care, they merged that business into Block Drugs next door back in the spring.

In sight: Block's Vision Care relocates inside Block Drugs next door

You may have seen the signs in recent weeks at 101 Second Ave. (thanks to Steven for the tip and photos) ... Block's Vision has merged into the Block Drugs space next door at Sixth Street ...



... and the now-former Block's Vision space — 400 square feet — is on the rental market (all uses considered, per the sign) ...



Blocks's Vision opened at No. 101 (previously the home of Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar) in the summer of 2013.

Block Drugs, owned and operated by Carmine and Beth Palermo (a licensed optician), dates to 1885. The business has been in the Palermo family since 1962.

For further reading:
How a 131-year-old pharmacy survives against the Rx giants (New York Business Journal, February 2016)

Block Drug Stores starting to sprkl

Yesterday, local musician-artist Paul Kostabi drew his signature character sprkl on the side gate at Block Drug Stores on Second Avenue at East Sixth Street...



Block is now the third Second Avenue business to add some sprkl to their gates ... joining Ballaro and Cacio e Vino...

A good Block

As you may have noticed, Block's Vision care is now open adjacent to Block Drug Stores on Second Avenue and East Sixth Street... a welcome sight (heh) in an increasingly chain/franchise-filled city... The shop takes over the space previously held by Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar.

Coming soon to Second Avenue: Block's Vision Care

Been meaning to note this... you may have noticed the sign up next door to Block Drugs ... at the former home of Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar at 101 Second Ave. near East Sixth Street ...



The folks at Block are opening Block's Vision Care...

Rugs and Ugs

At EVG favorite Block Drugs on Second Avenue and East Sixth Street tonight ...

Last Monday!

We took a closer look at the sign on Sunday... the D is in the neon shop for repairs, as a few people noted in the comments or on Facebook...

The great Block Drugs on Second Avenue is currently without the services of its D

An appreciation: Block Drug Stores

Here at Sixth Street. Block Drug Stores — AKA Second Ave Chemists, Inc., where they still use a mortar and pestles in the pharmacy. Anyway, seemed appropriate to note them today given that we were on Second Avenue in the post above ... Established in 1885, per the sign. Owned and operated by Carmine and Beth Palermo. (There's more history of the business at the store's website.)

Bobby Williams took this photo on Tuesday.

A great storefront

The Chupa Barbara Insurance office on Sixth Street near Second Avenue Avenue is one of my favorite storefronts in the neighborhood...



...a reminder of a different era in the East Village.



And so I always get a little nervous when I see notes posted in the window.



Thankfully, this sign just told of reduced hours this week for a holiday.

Meanwhile... another favorite, of course, just steps away on the corner.