Serenity Spa remains open on corner rumored for new development

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Yesterday, we noted that the NW corner of First Avenue at Second Street is looking more and more like fodder for new development. (There is nothing about demolition or a new building in public records.)

New Double Dragon is expected to close in the weeks ahead at 37 First Ave., though staff hopes to return to business. 

Meanwhile, above the currently closed First Avenue Laundry Center, the lights still burn brightly at Serenity Spa... where EVG contributor Stacie Joy ventured up the stairs... 

The spa remains open for business... and the front-desk attendant was unaware of any pending closure or development on this corner...

On 1st Avenue, New Double Dragon is closing, and maybe reopening

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Multiple tipsters have told us that the New Double Dragon, 37 First Ave. between Second Street and Third Street, will be closing in the weeks ahead. 

And it's a rather complicated situation. An employee confirmed that "we're closing, and we don't know exactly when and we're not sure for how long but we hope to come back." 

According to the employee, ConEd is going to cut off the gas and power to the building — for unspecified reasons — at some point. The landlord has promised a one-week notice for the business before it happened. (The building also appears vacant on the upper floors.)

Meanwhile, two storefronts to the south, the First Avenue Laundry Center remains closed for renovations at 33 First Ave. at Second Street. Nearly three months in, we still haven't seen any sign of work here...

As previously mentioned, there has been speculation that this corner is ripe for development... a parcel that includes the long-vacant single-level storefront next door (last occupied in 2015)...

Public records list R.M.H. Estates as the landlord of both properties ... with ownership of No. 33 and 35 dating to 1984... they also own 37 First Ave., home of the New Double Dragon.

The New Double Dragon employee said they have this phone number — 212-598-0730 — for people to call for updates once the closure occurs. 

First Avenue Laundry Center is closed for now

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

The First Avenue Laundry Center is now closed at 33 First Ave. at Second Street.

As previously reported, the longtime laundromat was to shut down for renovations this fall. 

Anne DeVita, the 88-year-old manager who has worked here for 40 years, confirmed the closure. (There aren't any signs indicating any type of closure — temporary or permanent.)

Anne told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that she doesn't know what is happening with the space, just that the owners told her not to come in right now. 

Inside the laundromat, the light is on but there isn't any evidence of work taking place. 

There has been speculation that this corner is ripe for development... with the long-vacant single-level storefront next door...

Public records list R.M.H. Estates as the landlord of both properties ... with ownership of No. 33 and 35 dating to 1984... they also own 37 First Ave., home of the New Double Dragon...

... which, BTW, has a great sign...

... and an unfussy interior...

We're hopeful that First Avenue Laundry Center will reopen ... and Anne will have her seat back inside the front door. (Photo below from September by Stacie Joy.)

The great First Avenue Laundry Center is closing for renovations this fall

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

In the days/weeks ahead, the First Avenue Laundry Center will be closing for renovations at 33 First Ave. at Second Street.

Fear not! The laundromat will reopen. 

EVG correspondent Stacie Joy recently talked with Anne DeVita, the 88-year-old manager (above left with her assistant Nellie). 

"The dryers haven't been working well since there was a fire a few months ago due to lint accumulation. The fire department had to come," said DeVita, who has worked here for 40 years. "The plan is to close down for renovations. I think it will happen after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, if I had to guess." 

The rest of the conversation went like this: 

How long will the laundromat be closed? 

"I don't know; your guess is as good as mine. Maybe a few months? When you see a sign out front saying 'CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS' that will be it. In 40 years there have been no renovations. The owners are going to take out the nonfunctioning dryers and put in new ones."

All new washers too? 

"I don't know. Maybe they will paint too, or do some flooring work. I will be getting paid to be here every day to let the contractors and workers in. I'm not doing it for free."

Anyway, in our estimation, the frozen-in-time laundromat is PERFECT the way it is...

And H/T to EVG reader Steph! 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A visit to First Avenue Laundry Center

A visit to First Avenue Laundry Center

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Anne DeVita, the about-to-turn 87 years of age manager of First Avenue Laundry Center has a lot of friends and visitors dropping by while I am interviewing her. 

She’s been managing the laundromat at 33 First Ave. at Second Street for 39 years, and proudly mentions it will be 40 years on Memorial Day. 

She works seven days a week, arriving before 7 a.m. most days, and has no plans to retire.

Between making change for customers “I am the change machine!” she jokes when I ask her about quarters vs. tokens (quarters only), Anne tells me about growing up in the neighborhood, working as a barmaid at Club 17 on Avenue D and Third Street, and about the bar she used to work at on 14th Street that had “girls for sale for a dollar upstairs.”

Anne’s friend Joe drops by with some fried chicken “he gets it somewhere on Avenue C,” Anne tells me, and local artist Scooter LaForge shows up with a Payday candy bar (it’s Anne’s favorite, he confides).

People pull up a chair and chat in the back of the laundromat while I talk further with Anne. Everyone looks at me like I’m crazy when I ask if there’s a website or social media profile to link to.

Machines have old-school pricing, $2 for a small load, $3.50 for a medium, and $4.50 for the triple-loader, and dryers are 7 minutes for a quarter. 

Drop-off service is available and is $7 for the first 8 pounds, with a 50-cent increase for every additional pound. Hours are daily from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., with the last wash at 6 p.m.