Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
We were sorry to learn of the passing of Yuji Umeki, who for years anchored 25 St. Mark's Place with Search & Destroy and Kenka. He died unexpectedly earlier this month.
There is a notice about his death on the front door of Kenka, the popular Izakaya-style restaurant on the lower level here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...
Kenka, which has served unconventional fare such as bull penis for 20+ years, was closed this past week, with signs stating it will reopen today.
Upstairs at Search & Destroy, the punk-vintage emporium that opened in 1992...
... staff didn't offer any details about the owner's passing. When asked if the store would remain open, an employee said, "We have to keep going."
Instagram tributes describe him as "vibrant" and "a true punk rocker." He will be missed.
