Thursday, March 5, 2009
Looking at the Royal Building entrance
And yes -- this building once housed the Strand Annex. That space is still empty.
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Blarney Stone is back in business
Friday, February 6, 2009
(Jumping ahead to) Day 7: The Blarney Stone is still closed
The fellows at the shoe repair shop next door are equally mystified as to why the Blarney Stone isn't open...and they said it closed last Friday, not Monday as I previously thought. Commenter Stewie at Eater mentioned yesterday that several businesses along this stretch of Fulton Street have had problems with water pipes of late. True...a very likely cause for a closing. However, looking in the BS's back entrance on Ann Street, nothing looks out of place. No signs of construction...or work of any kind. One minor thing: The five pieces of tape on the front gate -- from which a sign had been telling us what was what? -- are now gone...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Update on the Blarney Stone: Still closed
Looks as if a sign was taped up on the gate....But five measly pieces of tape in this wind? The sign is likely in Brooklyn Heights by now. I walked around to the back entrance on Ann Street and looked inside. Nothing amiss. Everything seems to be where it usually is. The phone just rings...no outgoing message.
So I'm sure this is just a temporary thing...Right?
Still, given the changes sweeping down Fulton Street, nothing would surprise me...
Why was the venerable Blarney Stone on Fulton Street closed last night?
No sign on the door...and no one answered their phone. This on the heels of getting a sterile new sign.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
T-shirt for tourists proof that bad old days are back?
And are they the bad old days of the 1970s or the 1980s? On Fulton Street near the South Street Seaport.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A sterile new sign for the Blarney Stone
Was disappointed, though, to see them recently get new, sterile signage...fits right in with the rest of the neighborhood now. Charmless.
Still haven't been back to the Blarney Stone on Eighth Avenue near the Garden since they ruined that with a remodeling a few years ago...
[Top photo by IrishNYC via Flickr]
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Staples pulls out of the South Street Seaport gateway: That was easy
There has been activity here of late, though it mostly seems to be workers clearing out the remaining Staples stuff.
Apparently they don't want you to know a Staples was here.
With the departure of the Strand Annex at 95 Fulton in September, there is some nice, fat storefrontage available on the east-end of the street. Maybe that construction will be completed in the next 10 years or so.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The layers of Fulton Street (aka, that big hole in the ground)
Here's what it looked like in July. I can't really see much difference.
Meanwhile, the Fulton subway entrance pictured below has been shuttered during the recent construction. The businesses shown here in July have been relocated to other parts of Fulton Street. These mom-and-pop shops that line entrances and exits of the subway give this city a little character, a little of which continues to die.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Stranded on Fulton
And so the 15,000-square-foot space sits empty.
This box was out front the day I walked by...
At least locals can console themselves with another Dunkin' Donuts opening down the street.
[Top Strand photo taken for Downtown Express by by Jefferson Siegel]
Friday, July 11, 2008
A little reminder of Fulton Street's past
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Fulton Street construction at a glance
Monday, June 23, 2008
Looking at the signs and window displays along Fulton and Nassau Streets
The sign for Samuel's Hats on the other side of Nassau has an air of high society about it. According to their Web site, "If you are planning to attend the Kentucky Derby or you need a hat for any special occasion please take a look at our new arrivals by the greatest American and European designers. " I just don't see too many women wearing these kinds of hats these days.
The sign remains, the store is no longer in business. This is now the new home of Hat Corner.
There are several discount stores along Fulton Street (I should just call it Fulton -- there isn't much Street left with all the construction) and Nassau Street. The area reminds me a little bit of 14th Street between Third and First Avenue several years ago, when there seemed to be 99-cent shops every few storefronts. With all the fancy condos and hotels cropping up in the Financial District, I'm afraid there won't be much need for mom-and-pop stores selling, say, plastic backscratchers, Spanish-language greeting cards and off-brand detergent.
Ralph's has been here for nearly 35 years, I'm told. By the way, the door to the right of Ralph's is marked 82 Nassau Street. According to New York Songlines, "This was the address of the South Baptist Church; Herman Melville may have written "Moby-Dick" in a building in the church's courtyard, reports Literary New York. Later, in March 1878, the first telephone exchange was opened here by the Bell Company."
Been curious what this building was on Nassau Street before someone slapped the NATALIE on it.
Love the jazzy, roaring-20s look of the Wendy's sign. Adds a touch of class! Now, must order a Triple Stack with cheese.
There may be a Sophie's under here somewhere.
An exercise studio for nuns? Or mimes?
Yes, I know Dress Barn is a national chain with affordable clothing for women. That name, though. Sounds like the place to shop for the Sadie Hawkins dance.
Always like the 1-2 punch of a fried chicken chain and fitness center side by side.
More random storefronts along Nassau Street selling affordable shoes and clothing. How long will they last with the neighborhood becoming more and more affluent?