Today in posts about Duane Reade getting a new Duane Reade sign

Exciting times this afternoon over on Avenue B and East Second Street, EVG regular Salim reports ... the recently expanded Duane Reade is getting its new 2014-style wraparound signage ... replacing that 1999-style Duane Reade signage that was synonymous with long lines, indifferent customer service and lost prescriptions the smaller Duane Reade that had been there.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: Duane Reade expanding on Avenue B

The Duane Reade expansion is underway on Avenue B

The Duane Reade expansion is underway on Avenue B

Back in August 2012 we heard that the Duane Reade on Avenue B and East Second Street was going to expand... next door into the spaces previously occupied by Zaitzeff ... and the long-dead High Chai Tea Room.

In addition, Duane Reade would add a second level, digging into the basement space where the Dolphin Gym closed in February 2010.

Anyway, the city had previously OK'd the necessary permits ... and workers are prepping the adjacent space for expansion, as you can see in the photo above... Workers have replaced the former storefronts with plywood.

As discussed several times previously, this corner space was previously home to The Gas Station, aka Art Gallery Space 2B. Alex at Flaming Pablum wrote about the space here.

Per the Times:

For 10 years, the Gas Station, with its towering sculpture built from discards ranging from a 1970 Plymouth Valiant to department store mannequins to television sets, has been a symbol of the Lower East Side's Bohemian ways and artistic resolve.

The space was cleared out in 1996...

[Via Flaming Pablum]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: Duane Reade expanding on Avenue B

Exclusively exclusive first look inside the new Duane Reade on First Avenue

As noted, yesterday marked the Grand Opening of the new Duane Reade on First Avenue just north of East 14th Street ... conveniently located inches from a CVS...

We went inside. All three Duane Readers working at the checkouts greeted us. Nearly in unison. Good morning! GOOD MORNING! Good MORNING!

There are three levels. Accessible via escalators.

...and despite the sign, there is more than one beauty magazine...

They still have MoneyGram. And the MoneyGram phone...

No sushi or smoothies or hair salons here like at 40 Wall Street, though...

Meanwhile. Outside. Duane Reade and CVS are already embroiled in an ugly battle of Who Can Out Cute the Other Chain Drug Store With Adorably Sad Valentine's Day Stuffed Animals in the Window™ ...

Gotta give it to CVS here in Round 1. Easter promises to be interesting.

...and the now-former Duane Reade around the corner has closed... though the shelves are still stocked...

Duane Reade's First Avenue Grand Opening is Friday

The time (heh) is coming for the Brand New Duane Reade on First Avenue just north of East 14th Street... the Duane Reade around the corner is relocating... per the sign on the soon-to-be-moving Duane Reade...

Meanwhile, we looked in the store to see if anything was on sale.

Not yet.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Breaking: Former bank branch to become a Duane Reade on First Avenue

Duane Readed! Time runs out on former First Avenue bank clock

On Monday, we had the post titled: Here's your new Duane Reade signage on First Avenue; plus — will they keep the clock?

That iconic clock here on First Avenue just north of East 14th Street has been providing the time for generations of New Yorkers dating back to 1786, and...

OK. That's not true. I did like the clock though. The building was (is!) really awful, though, with an out-of-place suburban look... Always surprised that no one came along and built 20 stories of condo on top...


... but I liked the clock! (it was actually 10:12 when I took this photo a few years ago...)



Anyway! By now you have likely guessed correctly that the clock is gone... as this photo from EVG reader Joe shows...

Now, for generations, we will only know that it's Duane Reade time. Again.

h/t to Pinch for mentioning that the clock was gone in the comments last night...

Here's your new Duane Reade signage on First Avenue; plus — will they keep the clock?

Oh! Back in May, a tipster told us that the Duane Reade on East 14th Street was moving into the former HSBC branch (the one that some residents tried to save) on First Avenue just north of 14th Street. Signage is now up. Think that clock that never has the right time will stay?

Anyway, a drug store is sorely needed here... as neighbors would have to walk directly next door to the CVS otherwise.

And the Duane Reade around the corner will eventually close ...

We Grievestrated the move on Oct. 2 ...

The soon-to-be-former Duane Reade space remains on the market (PDF) ... Seems like a perfect spot for a Walgreens!

Here's the Taylor Swift section at Duane Reade's Avenue B store

I don't recall any other pop singers getting their own section at Duane Reade. Can't say that I know anything about her ... except from the tabloids reporting on her dating a Kennedy.

Lease a (soon to be former) Duane Reade

In May, a reader told us that the Duane Reade on 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue would be moving into the former HSBC bank space (right next to the CVS) on First Avenue... just north of East 14th Street...

As the Grievestrator shows, the move would look something like this...

And now a reader points us to the new listing (PDF) for the soon-to-be-former Duane Reade space...

That's a lot of space, which may be too much for our used mixed cassette tape/zine shop. Or our Egg Store.

The last time a big chunk of retail like this was available on East 14th Street, the space became an IHOP.

A few things... the retail listing only mentions the nearby chains-franchises... and one of them, the AT&T store the next block to the west, recently closed...

As for the new Duane Reade on First Avenue, you likely will have to wait... the interior is still a major construction zone...

Reader report: Duane Reade expanding on Avenue B

"Expansion" is the word coming out of the Duane Reade on Avenue B at East Second Street, per a tipster... Employees say that the drug store will expand next door into the spaces previously occupied by Zaitzeff ... and the long-dead High Chai Tea Room.

In addition, Duane Reade will add a second level, digging into the basement space where the Dolphin Gym was before closing back in February 2010.

Seems fitting to have a gargantuan Duane Reade here. This is the reality of the neighborhood ... Previously, this space was home to a gas station... shooting gallery ... and then, for a 10-year run, The Gas Station, aka Art Gallery Space 2B. Alex at Flaming Pablum wrote about the space here.

Per the Times:

For 10 years, the Gas Station, with its towering sculpture built from discards ranging from a 1970 Plymouth Valiant to department store mannequins to television sets, has been a symbol of the Lower East Side's Bohemian ways and artistic resolve.

The space was cleared out in 1996...

[Via Flaming Pablum]

Large branch falls on East 14th Street

EVG reader Joe reports that, just before 6 a.m., a large branch of the flowering pear tree outside the Duane Reade on East 14th Street near First Avenue split and fell...





No word on the shape of the rest of the tree...

Breaking: Former bank branch to become a Duane Reade on First Avenue

[February 2010]

The now-shuttered HSBC branch (the one that some residents tried to save) on First Avenue just north of 14th Street is getting a new tenant. Earlier in the week, pcvstBee pointed out that renovations had started on the space.

Now, a reader passes along this tip ... that the Duane Reade on 14th between First Avenue and Second Avenue will be moving into this former HSBC space (yes, right next to the CVS). A Duane Reade employee and the Fruit Stand Guy outside the former HSBC confirmed this to the reader. (Woo! Sourcing!)

Breaking: On New Year's Eve, Duane Reade preps for Valentine's Day

Matt LES_Miserable notes that Valentine's Day hit the Duane Reade shelves on Avenue B at 3:30 p.m. today.

In case you still need a gift...

At participating Duane Reade stores... I smell another hit song!

The way we live now: Starbucks, Chase or Duane Reade?

Dave on 7th spotted this on Second Avenue at 10th Street... at the former Cafe Centosette.

Duane Reade continues to make people feel as if they're behind

Really? Valentine's Day? You heartless bastards!




We just got done buying people a few things for this past holiday... We need to relax now, catch our breath, binge drink, etc. I'll go in on Feb. 10 for some Whitman's Samplers for Valentine's Day and you'll have your stupid Easter candy out!

Justin Bieber looks to be half off at Duane Reade

Sadly, the Bieber doll remains at full price — $16.99.

Duane Reade puts out its Christmas decorations

An early look at Duane Reade's 2010 Halloween costume collection

Preview No. 1:

Union Square Walgreens not being intimidated by world's largest Duane Reade

Just typing out loud here...

--Walgreens buys Duane Reade...

--Duane Reade opens humongous new store on Union Square

--The Walgreens about 200 feet away on 14th Street and Fourth Avenue is now being remodeled...





There's probably some logic here, which no one really has time to get into... anyway, as you were.

World's largest Duane Reade now open on Union Square

Well, I'm not sure if it is the world's largest... but this store is huge. Anyway, the Duane Reade is now open next to the Nordstrom Rack in the old Virgin space...



...check out the big bank of fancy video monitors on the right too...



They opened yesterday...



...and are advertising "breakfast, lunch and dinner" in an attempt to nab the masses going to Whole Foods... Oh fresh baked goods!



I would have stayed longer, but in five minutes, three different super-duper-friendly Duane Reade employees asked me if I needed help finding anything...
Yes! The exit!