Parting thoughts on being a small-business owner as Love Thy Beast departs the East Village

As we noted this past summer, Love Thy Beast, the 5-year-old dog boutique at 300 E. Fifth St. just east of Second Avenue, was moving to a larger (by 4x) space in Williamsburg.

This departure is now official as of the end of December.

Owner Tiziana Agnello left behind a poster in the window with details about the new location... as well as some thoughts on the frustration of being a small-business owner in NYC. It reads in part:

We have searched and searched for over 16 months for a bigger location but the truth is landlords do not care to keep NYC colorful and full of artists and small business.

If we did secure a lease brands like Blank Street Coffee would overbid and steal our lease. This happened at more than 1 location.

Agnello, a former prop stylist, started selling her homemade creations online and in several pop-up locations back in 2012 ... before opening here in the spring of 2017. 

As for Blank Street, which some residents presume is a mom-and-pop enterprise, the brand raised $67 million in 2021 thanks to high-profile venture capital funds like General Catalyst and Tiger Global, the founders of Allbirds and Warby Parker, and real-estate titan Tishman Speyer, as The New York Times reported this past September.

Love Thy Beast departing 5th Street for Brooklyn

Love Thy Beast, the 5-year-old dog boutique at 300 E. Fifth St. just east of Second Avenue, is moving next month to a larger (by 4x) space in Williamsburg (thanks to Steven for the photos)...

In an Instagram post, owner Tiziana Agnello wrote:  

There are many happy tears as I am looking back to all our photos. We put in so much hard work setting up the east village but after 5 years its time to move on. There are so many amazing surprises in store for our Brooklyn location that we know you'll be there on the regular.

Agnello, a former prop stylist, started selling her homemade creations online and in several pop-up locations back in 2012 ... before opening here in the spring of 2017. 

Dog day afternoon: Opening party for LoveThyBeast on 5th Street

As previously noted, a pet-accessory boutique called LoveThyBeast is coming to 300 E. Fifth St. just east of Second Avenue... there's an opening party tomorrow (Saturday) from 3-7 p.m. ... (you've been warned in case there is free wine)...



The shop is the creation of Tiziana Agnello, a former prop stylist, who started selling her homemade creations online and in several pop-up locations back in 2012.

LoveThyBeast coming to 5th Street

Been meaning to note the recent arrival of signage for LoveThyBeast on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... in the gut-renovated and rebranded Shops on East Fifth Street.

The store, which is expected to open very soon, sells accessories for pets — and their owners.

Founder Tiziana Agnello previously sold her pet wares at pop-up events and online as well as a few retail outlets, such as Urban Outfitters.

LoveThyBeast joins the coffee shop Southern Cross in this new strip of remodeled storefronts. One of the three retail spaces remains on the rental market.