Vintage photobooth finds a new East Village home

[On the way to Avenue C]

Early last month, Trixie told me about her vintage photobooth that needed a new home.

It had resided inside HiFi these past five-plus years. She thought that the bar taking over for HiFi on Avenue A would keep it. Unfortunately, the proprietors of Coney Island Baby weren't able to accommodate the photobooth.

This morning, Trixie, a longtime East Village resident, reports that she finally found a taker for the Autophoto Model 14 photobooth, which started its career at Nunley's Carousel and Amusement Park in Baldwin, Long Island, in the 1960s.

"We talked to a lot of people, so many people, and had some very interesting leads, but in the end we were able to keep it in the East Village," she said.

The photobooth has made the blocks-long journey to Bedlam, a bar that opened in 2010 on 40 Avenue C between Third Street and Fourth Streets.

I'm only vaguely familiar with Bedlam.

"It’s a neat place with a lush Victorian feel. Lots of wonderful taxidermy and anatomical specimens. It’s beautifully appointed," Trixie said. "The photobooth is there now, set up and ready for action.

"I think that Bedlam will be a good fit and make a happy home for our dear old photobooth."

The booth was previously at the Lakeside Lounge, which closed in April 2012, on Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Lakeside's photobooth has a new home

The vintage photobooth from the HiFi needs a new East Village home

[Photo from 2012 at HiFi by Shawn Chittle]

The vintage photobooth that resided inside HiFi these past five-plus years is in need of a new East Village home.

HiFi closed at 167 Avenue A back in the fall. Trixie, the owner of the photobooth, thought that the new establishment taking over the HiFi space would keep the machine... that deal fell through, unfortunately.

"So we’re on the prowl again," Trixie told me. "We still have a booth at Otto’s Shrunken Head on 14th Street, and ideally we’d relocate the one from HiFi somewhere within walking distance of that here in the East Village."

The booth was previously at the Lakeside Lounge, which closed in April 2012, on Avenue B.

Trixie remains hopeful to find another home.

"If we can’t find the right location, a fun bar that’s busy enough to make good use of a photobooth, well then I suppose we’d have to consider selling it," she said. "I know these old photobooths are beloved in the neighborhood, but the neighborhood sure ain’t what it used to be."

Interested parties may contact Trixie via this email.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Lakeside's photobooth has a new home