The rent is due at Watch Witch on St. Mark's Place

Watch Witch, the specialty food shop at 115 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue, has not been open since the end of December.

We've been waiting for a for rent sign to arrive on the space. However, on Monday, legal papers were attached to the front door... noting that the latest rent is due. In total, the operators owe a little more than $7,500, which includes the $4,699 rent, $2,256 real-estate tax escalation, $500 legal fee and $100 late fee. (So, even though the storefront was closed, someone paid rent January through March?)

The shop opened in early November, and sold a variety of specialty sandwiches, cured meats, artisanal cheeses and drip coffee, among other items. The previous tenant, Box Kite Coffee, closed just as abruptly last August.

Water Witch Mercantile hasn't been open this year

The specialty food shop at 115 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue has been dark of late. According to a resident who lives nearby, Water Witch Mercantile hasn't been open yet in 2017.

There aren't any signs posted on the shop or its social media properties noting a temporary closure... (Yelp reports that the shop is closed.)



The shop opened in early November, and sold $14 specialty sandwiches like the Confit of Bluefin Tuna from Montauk, cured meats, artisanal cheeses and drip coffee, among other items. Water Witch was said to be a collaboration with the previous tenant, Box Kite Coffee, which also abruptly closed early last August.

Water Witch Mercantile opening in the Box Kite space on St. Mark's Place

An EVG reader shared the above photo from last night around 11:15 ... showing employees making final preparations to open Water Witch Mercantile at 115 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. (We hear that they are opening today.)

Here's more about Water Witch via their Facebook page: "We are your neighborhood provisions shop with specialty sandwiches, leavened breads, cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and craft beers." (The Water Witch Instagram account mentions growlers of beer for sale and a late-night menu. That menu is not online just yet.)

Coffee is a centerpiece here too (Updated: no espresso, just drip) ... just like its predecessor, Box Kite Coffee, which abruptly closed in early August. After a rather pointed goodbye note ("Taste is the most important aspect of coffee and we were the only game in town") on the chalkboard sign inside the front door, ownership announced a reopening several days later.

In any event, Box Kite has been reimagined as Water Witch with the market/expanded food offering. (A recent Craigslist ad for staff called this a "new specialty food store in partnership with Box Kite Coffee.")