1st Avenue old-timer Royal Bangladesh Indian Restaurant is being replaced by — obviously — a smoke shop

There's a new era for 93 First Ave. just south of Sixth Street. 

A smoke shop is taking the storefront on the lower level, space that Royal Bangladesh Indian Restaurant had from 1978 to late this past spring. (We first reported on the closing here.) 

Smokers Basement (please leave your thoughts on apostrophes in the comments) is the latest entrant in an already-crowded smoke-related market. (Exotic snacks too, maybe?) It appears Smokers will only be leasing the spot on the left.

For decades, hosts from the three restaurants at the address — Royal Bangladesh, Milon and Panna II — theatrically tried to get passersby to eat in their establishment, insisting that their food is superior. 

Milon closed at the end of 2020. While the sign remains, Panna II serves from both upper-level dining rooms (adding more to the urban legend that the three restaurants shared a kitchen!). 

Given how quickly the tacky-looking smoke shops are opening, it wouldn't be inconceivable to have three weed-related businesses here shortly... with bud hosts out front saying that they have the best CBD flower.

Thanks to the EVG reader for this tip!

1st Avenue old-timer Royal Bangladesh Indian Restaurant has closed

Royal Bangladesh on First Avenue at Sixth Street has not been open for several weeks, per multiple readers. Yelp also lists the restaurant as closed.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy caught this shot of the rolldown gate open over the weekend ... showing a for-rent sign on the storefront...

The colorful BYOB standby on the lower level here first opened in 1978. 

With this closure, Panna II, who runs Milon these days, is the sole restaurant at the address...  bringing an end to the era of theatrical hosts trying to get passersby to eat in their establishment, insisting that their food is superior. 

This article at 6sqft has a nice recap of the restaurants here; Eater too.