Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
As the future of Two Boots on Avenue A remains uncertain, owner Phil Hartman says the beloved decades-spanning pizzeria is weighing a handful of difficult options — none of which include leaving the East Village.
Last Friday, the landlord had two large for-lease signs affixed to the corner space — hours before Hartman was hosting a party at Two Boots to celebrate the re-release of his 1986 film, "No Picnic," at the Film Forum.
While Hartman said he had a cordial relationship with the landlord, he was upset when he learned the for-lease banner had been put up without his knowledge. He had it removed.
With a looming rent increase and new "for lease" signs returning soon outside 42 Avenue A at Third Street, Hartman says the choices come down to staying and absorbing annual losses, relocating to another part of the neighborhood, or returning to the original mid-block space at 37 Avenue A.
A decision, he said, is likely in the coming weeks as he balances financial realities with deep roots on the block — and concern from staff and the community.
Hartman got emotional during a recent conversation about Two Boots' future.
He was clear about this: "What is NOT an option: leaving the EV, our birthplace, behind."
Is there an update on the lease situation?
No, really, there's no update. I was quite sad because there had been no warning [about the for-lease signs]. We had an event [last Friday night], so I asked them to take it down. And they did. And then they asked us to put it back up on Monday. But we just got a special event with Alan Cumming. Alan was doing a series with the BBC on his favorite spots in New York, and he chose Two Boots as his pizza place. We created a pizza called The Cumming for him. He just came in and shot with his crew today. So that was fun.
I feel like [the for-lease sign] is seeking to pressure us. And I just don't know what we're going to do, so I don't have an update on our plans. They remain that we're either going to stay where we are or we're going to relocate in the East Village. Those are the only options.
Is there a timeline? When do you have to make a decision?
I would say in the next couple of weeks. Honestly, I've been really preoccupied with my film. So I've put it off a little bit, but now the film's up and running, and it's selling out every show, which has been great. Now I've got to figure it out. I have looked at other locations. ["No Picnic" has also been extended a week at the Film Forum.]
My past is rooted in this piece of land here on Avenue A. So it's very difficult.
If you do decide that what the landlord is asking for is too much, that the margins would be too slim, and you would need to leave. Is there an exit date?
Not yet, but I will share that when we get to that point. I'm just grappling with this very emotional situation, and I've got a dozen staff members there who are obviously very concerned. And I've had a whole community of people that are really concerned, and I'm trying to take all that into account.
I am going to put a clipboard on the counter [at Two Boots] so that people can leave their contact info, and I can keep them in the loop.
Previously on EV Grieve:
