Paying tribute to the founder of Tokio7 on 7th Street

Makoto Watanabe, who founded the long-running consignment shop Tokio7 on Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, died on Feb. 27. He was 70. 

In a message posted on Tokio7's Instagram account, staff reflected on Watanabe's decades-long presence in the store he opened in 1996 on the south side of the block. (They moved to this side of Seventh in 2010.)

"From that day on, he rarely stepped away," the post reads. "Year after year, he was here, unlocking the door, straightening the racks, watching over the floor, speaking quietly with customers. He didn't just run this store. He carried it." 

The shop became a fixture of the East Village fashion scene and a workplace for many people starting out in New York. 

"For many of us, as immigrants trying to find our place in New York, this store became our home," the post continues. "It was where we found stability when everything else felt uncertain. Where we learned how to stand on our own." 

Staff said they plan to carry on Watanabe's legacy at the shop. 

"Makoto created more than a business. He created a place where people could begin again." 

Read the full post below...

 

View this post on Instagram

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Sunday's other parting shot

The thoroughly entertaining "Predator: Badlands" gobbled up the global box office this weekend with an $80 million debut ... so it felt only right to check in on our neighborhood's own Yautja from the film series.

Out front of Tokio7, the longtime consignment shop at 83 E. Seventh St., between First Avenue and Second Avenue, still features the 8-foot Predator standing guard, just as it has since March 2011 — made entirely from scrap metal and motorcycle parts.

In the immortal words of Dutch: "We move. Five-meter spread. No sound."

Tokio7 reopens today

Tokio7, the consignment shop on Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, reopens to the public today.

Since January, they had only been selling online and taking in-person appointments. 

Moving forward, they'll be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily... only five people inside at a time... and cash only at the moment.

The shop closed late this past August ... several months after someone looted the place. 

Tokio7, which sells second-hand designer and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories, debuted on the other side of Seventh Street in 1996 ... before moving to this location in 2010.

Follow them on Instagram for more info.

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And if you're on this block, you could swing by Enz's. Owner-designer Mariann Marlowe opened her rockabilly and retro clothes shop at 76 E. Seventh St. in December.  

Marlowe had previously operated the shop at 125 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place for 18 years after relocating from St. Mark's Place. (The store dates to the 1970s on Grove Street.)

Tokio7 returns (online)

Tokio7, the longtime consignment shop on Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, has opened an online shop. 

They will also soon be taking consignment appointments Tuesday through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Follow them on Instagram for more.) There's hope among the T7 faithful that the store will reopen to the public in the weeks ahead.

The shop closed late this past August. Back in early June, Tokio7 was one of the many East Village businesses that was broken into and looted. (The  8-foot, 900-pound Predator statue out front was left untouched.) 

Tokio7, which sells second-hand designer and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories, debuted on the other side of Seventh Street in 1996 ... before moving to this location in 2010.

Photo from Steven in August.

A return for Tokio7?

We've fielded a few questions about Tokio7, the longtime consignment shop on Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Back in late July, the store was only open for people to pick up items that they had been trying to sell. By Aug. 22, the shop had closed.

However, the closing seems to be temporary. Tokio7's last Instagram post mentions "starting a new leaf."

They also recently left a comment stating they'd (hopefully) be back later this fall...

In early June, Tokio7 was one of the many East Village businesses that was broken into and looted. (The  8-foot, 900-pound Predator statue out front did nothing to thwart the break in.) 

Tokio7, which sold second-hand designer and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories, debuted on the other side of Seventh Street in 1996 ... before moving to this location in 2010.

Photo from Steven in August.