Showing posts with label closings 2023. Show all posts
Showing posts with label closings 2023. Show all posts

Monday, January 8, 2024

Trek officially closes on the Bowery

The Trek Bicycle shop at 303 Bowery between Houston and First Street has officially closed. The retail space was said to be shutting down in September, though they remained open through 2023 to unload the remaining stock.

Door signage notes that this Trek has "joined forces" with the outpost on First Avenue in Stuy Town.

The brand arrived on the Bowery in September 2019 ... one of several outposts around the city.

Before Trek, this storefront in the retail base of Avalon Bowery Place sat empty for three-and-a-half years (the last tenant, Tatyana Boutique, left in January 2016). 

The retail space next door remains for rent too... Blue & Cream decamped for Greenwich Village at the end of 2022.

High-end East Village sushi favorite Cagen has closed on 9th Street

After 10 years on Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue, the well-regarded omakase spot Cagen has closed. 

Chef-owner Toshio Tomita, who previously worked at Nobu, opened the kappo ryori-style restaurant in the subterranean space at No. 414 in 2013. 

An Instagram post earlier in December (about the same time the space hit the rental market) noted that they'd be moving on to their next phase...

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Closings: Milk Burger on Houston

Photos by Stacie Joy 

A year-end closure to note: The Milk Burger outpost has shut down at 321 E. Houston St. between Attorney and Ridge... no official word on what was behind this closure... 
The burger joint arrived in July 2022, and the Bronx outpost of the brand launched in 2011 remains in service.

El Maguey y La Tuna closed here in 2018 after the landlord reportedly doubled the rent.

Friday, December 22, 2023

Spiritualized: End of days for High Vibe on 3rd Street; 'I would like to stay open!'

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The end is near for High Vibe after 30 years at 138 E. Third St. Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Robert "Bobby" Dagger, owner of the health/natural foods and goods store, plans to close on Dec. 31 after a rent hike courtesy of the landlord, the NYCHA, and an underwhelming response to a crowdfunding campaign

Everything is marked to go inside the small, comfortable shop...
Dagger said that he owns $40,000 in rent to NYCHA. The lease was up in October, and the business has been running month-to-month. 

He tried local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera's office, though that didn't lead to anything. "They were nice but didn’t provide any help," he said. 

So now what? 

"If I got $40,000, I can stay open. I would like to stay open! NYCHA raised my rent during COVID and only gave me three months of concession," Dagger said. "NYCHA doesn't care about small businesses. For 30 years, I paid taxes here. We're a link in the chain here, keeping America alive. I'm all for immigrants, but what about us? We're paying taxes for these people."
The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for now... and they may shut down before Dec. 31. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

Thursday, December 21, 2023

No more love for Cinnamon Girl on 2nd Avenue

Photo by Lola Sáenz 

We're closing the book on Cinnamon Girl at 73 Second Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

The cafe-bakery has been closed since late summer... (we were keeping an eye on the gradually rotting apples in a refrigerated unit inside the front door) ... and most recently someone finally began to remove the contents of the interior. Google now lists them as Permanently Closed.

Opening in November 2021, this was the first Manhattan outpost for the Brooklyn-based business with several shops in that borough.

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

New Yorkers Foodmarket is closing soon on 2nd Avenue

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated 12/30: The grocery now appears to be closed.

New Yorkers Foodmarket will shut down in early January on Dec 31 now at 107 Second Ave., owner Michael Schumacher confirmed. 

Schumacher, 63, who lives in the neighborhood, said that the grocery store's lease was up in August, and he has been operating without one since then. Although landlord NYU provided a six-month rent concession, he's not in any financial position to negotiate a new lease for the 38,000-square-foot space between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.
Business has dwindled recently, and new competition like the Wegmans nearby on Astor Place hasn't helped. 

Schumacher, who teared up several times during our conversation, cited some ongoing health issues that have prevented him from putting in the hours necessary to make the business more profitable. He also doesn't have any money to hire staff. His cashier, Rosa, is the sole employee.
When a crowdfunding campaign is mentioned, Schumacher flatly refuses the idea. 

He is vocal about the space staying as a supermarket, where one has been since 1974. He and his brother Steven bought the business in 1987 when it was an Associated before changing it to Met Food. (There were some tense moments in 2008 when Met Food's future was in jeopardy.) In 2014, it became New Yorkers Foodmarket following the bankruptcy of the previous food coop (White Rose) the Schumachers were part of. 

"I'm here to give it back to the community. I have no personal guarantors, I have no more money," he said. "NYU has a commitment to the community to leave a supermarket on site. A younger person could come in and set up. It needs to be less transactional and more about the community."

For now, he's looking at a Jan. 4 closing date. Schumacher would like people to buy up whatever stock is left, and he believes he'll put merchandise at 50% off soon.
He also points out that all the machinery, refrigerators, and cases are in working order and well-maintained. (Schumacher renovated the grocery in 2011.)

As we started our conversation at the store yesterday, an unhoused man approached Schumacher at the deli counter and asked him for some food, specifically milk or yogurt. Schumacher gave the man his change bags of coins — between $20 and $30 — and told him to buy whatever he needed. 

"I put my life into this store," Schumacher said. "The community here has been my family."

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

ICYMI: Cacio e Vino has closed on 2nd Ave.; new cafe on the way

Cacio e Vino went dark in late November at 80 Second Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street, per multiple EVG readers. 

There wasn't any mention of a closure on the Italian restaurant's Instagram page. (The last post about a speed dating brunch was from September.) 

In any event, the restaurant will not be reopening.

New operators were granted administrative approval for a beer-wine license from Community Board 3 last month. The unnamed establishment looks to be an all-day cafe/restaurant (proposed hours were 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.).

You can find the questionnaire, which includes a sample menu, here. The new owners were also behind Fillup Coffee on the Upper West Side and in Sunset Park in Brooklyn. No word on an opening date.

H/T Steven

Monday, December 18, 2023

The former Gaia Italian Café is for rent on 3rd Street

Photo by Stacie Joy 

A for-rent sign now hangs in the front window at 226 E. Third St. between Avenue B and Avenue C ... presumably marking the official end of Gaia Italian Café's time on the block.

On Dec. 6, we noted that the landlord was now in legal possession of the storefront. 

An Instagram post noted the following about the situation: "Our location has been closed due to, again, malicious situations that jeopardized the business after we reopened with so much effort." The message states the business will continue online, including "the delivery of Christmas dinner for two." (Find the delivery link here.)

Chef-owner Gaia Bagnasacco opened here in June 2022... after nine years at 251 E. Houston St. between Norfolk and Suffolk. 

Hopefully, she'll return with a new space in the area in 2024.

Closings: Mi Salsa Kitchen on Houston and Allen

Mi Salsa Kitchen has closed on the SW corner of Allen and Houston. 

In an Instagram post, the owners of the Cuban restaurant said they are looking for a new location... and they are continuing with catering orders.

Mi Salsa opened in early 2021.

Last month, as we reported here, the owners of C as in Charlie on Bleecker Street appeared before Community Board 3 for a liquor license for a new establishment serving Korean cuisine in this space.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Blank Street is down to 1 East Village location

Photo by Steven

The Blank Street outpost on Third Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street closed earlier this month.

After an expansion tear, the V.C.-funded coffee chain launched in 2020 has closed two of three East Village locations (not including the kiosk in the Bowery Market). The space on First Avenue at 13th Street closed to the public in May and is now a "training + innovation lab."

The Blank Coffee on Avenue A between Ninth Street and 10th Street remains in service.

As previously noted, not everyone is a fan of the company. Per the Times last year: "When word got out that Blank Street is not an independent chain like Variety or Bean & Bean, but an enterprise with global ambitions backed by private equity financing, many became curious — and sometimes suspicious."

Across the Atlantic, Blank Street opened in London last year and is debuting its first shop in Manchester next month.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Updated: Kotobuki has closed on 3rd Avenue; new East Village location in the works

Kotobuki has closed at 56 Third Ave., shutting down after service last night.

Multiple readers shared the news, and an employee confirmed it.

This was an expected closure, as six buildings on the west side of Third Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street are slated for demolition in the weeks/months ahead. A residential complex is expected to rise along this lot. (See the rendering here.) 

As previously reported, Kinsmen Property Group — a joint venture between State Building Group and another Toronto company, Madison Group — has been buying the walk-up buildings over the past two years, paying more than $60 million for the parcel. 

Only one building will remain on the block after the demolition — 48 Third Ave., the 4-story property owned by Isfahany Realty Corp. on the northwest corner at 10th Street with Healthy Greens Gourmet in the retail space. 

Kotobuki, which has three outposts on Long Island, had two stints at this address, 2012-2014 ... with a return in 2016. 

The last business left in these buildings is TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen at No. 58. No word about a closing date here.

Updated 11/4

After news of the closure, Kotobuki said they will be moving to a new undisclosed location... for now, they say they will continue to offer delivery service...
And details...

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

All the Kings Horses Café announces year-end closing date

After three years in service at 521 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, All the Kings Horses will shut down at the end of the year. 

Owner Robbie Lecchino made the announcement about his Australian café in an Instagram post on Sunday: 
We will be closing our doors December 31st this year. We have spent 3 of the best years nestled here in the East Village and have made so many friends and relationships continue building each day that we will cherish for many years to come. 

Thank you for the continued support during one of the toughest times in our lives during and beyond Covid-19. 

Please continue to support us as we will be operating right through until December 31st. Thank you welcoming us with open arms we will miss y'all... 
Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, with an 8 a.m. open on Sundays. 

ATKH opened in October 2020.

Image via Instagram

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Momofuku Ko is closing in Extra Place

According to its website, Nov 4 is Momofuku Ko's last day of service in Extra Place. 

The restaurant with two Michelin stars made the announcement yesterday and was covered by Eater and Grub Street

Ko got its start on First Avenue in 2008... and relocated to Extra Place, the pedestrian walkway off of First Street between the Bowery and Second Avenue, in November 2014 (they increased their EP footprint in 2017.) 

Ko aside, Extra Place hasn't been too kind to restaurants. However, a spokesperson told Eater that the company will keep the Extra Place outpost: "We are pausing Ko as it currently operates and we hope to have something in the new year in this space." 

Meanwhile, Momofuku Ssäm Bar, which moved from the East Village to the Seaport in 2020, closed last month. 

Per Eater: 
The closure is part of Momofuku's restructuring since Marguerite Zabar Mariscal became CEO of the company in 2019; it includes shifts in its restaurant concepts and upcoming locations, along with an expansion of its pantry products in stores like Whole Foods and Target.

Thursday, October 5, 2023

2 bad signs at Luzzo's on Avenue B

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The Marshal has seized Luzzo's La Pizza Napoletana on the SE corner of Avenue B and Second Street. 

A notice on the front door states that the landlord is now in legal possession of the premises...
In addition, there's a yellow closed notice — mostly peeled off — from the Department of Health. The DOH closed the pizzeria late last week following an inspection. 

According to public records, the most recent violations are: 
1) No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers. 
2) Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

The restaurant's interior is also in different stages of being packed up...
The pizzeria from the Luzzo's brand opened here in May 2022, coinciding with the closing of their 18-year-old coal-oven space on First Avenue. 

There's no word of a closure on the Luzzo's website or social media platforms.

Meanwhile, two new pizzerias are in the works for nearby on Avenue B — Potenza Centrale and Lollo.

The Hard Swallow is now closed

Workers have removed the sign outside The Hard Swallow at 140 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street (thanks to Steven for the photo). 

As previously reported, the bar closed after service this past Saturday night. This came two-plus months after the sudden passing of co-owner Leroy "Big Lee" Lloyd, who was 51. 

Maria "Sasha" Lloyd, his wife and business partner, hosted a closing-night party on Saturday — which also happens to be close to Lee's birthday — featuring regulars from the Coney Island Circus Sideshow. (Big Lee grew up in Coney Island.) 

While the Hard Swallow is done, Sasha's business partner will be keeping the space and eventually opening a new bar after going through the liquor license process. 

As for Sasha, a lifelong neighborhood resident, she's making a fresh start and will move to Hawaii in the weeks ahead. 

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by The Hard Swallow on its last night... and took a parting shot of Sasha...
... and a very full bar...

Monday, September 25, 2023

Trek cycles off the Bowery

Updated 9/27: A Trek employee said this location will remain open until the end of the year.

The Trek Bicycle shop at 303 Bowery between Houston and First Street has closed. (Thanks to the tipster for the news.) 

The brand arrived here in September 2019 ... one of several outposts around the city, including on First Avenue in Stuy Town. 

Before Trek arrived, this storefront in the retail base of Avalon Bowery Place sat empty for three-and-a-half years (the last tenant, Tatyana Boutique, left in January 2016). 

The retail space next door remains for rent too... Blue & Cream decamped for Greenwich Village at the end of 2022.

Friday, September 22, 2023

A last look at vintage video game retailer 8 Bit and Up

Photos by Stacie Joy

8 Bit and Up is expected to close tomorrow — as first reported here — after 15 years in business... most recently at 86 E. Third St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (The shop started on the second floor at 37 St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue.)

The owner here is said to be retiring (there's word of an eBay shop ahead).

We stopped by for one more look at this memory-inducing time capsule of video games and consoles from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

As Untapped Cities once said, "The lack of windows, the low ceilings, fluorescent lights and concrete floor seem to recreate our memories of multi-night Counterstrike marathons."

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Buka has closed on 1st Avenue

Photo by Steven

A for-rent sign now hangs on the storefront at 137 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street ... marking the official end of Buka in this space.

This was the second outpost for Buka, the Bed-Stuy-based restaurant serving homestyle Nigerian cuisine.

Buka debuted in the East Village last October... unfortunately, we hadn't seen the space open for business here since late June. 

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Vintage video shop 8 Bit and Up is closing in the East Village

Photo by Stacie Joy 

If you've been by 86 E. Third St. recently, you've likely seen the store-for-rent sign outside here between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

Shop ownership has confirmed that the retail business is closing later this month after 15 years. 

Per a message on its website
I am sad to inform you that 8 Bit And Up Video Games will be closing its retail doors on Sept. 23rd, 2023. After more than 15 years, it's time to retire! I want to thank everybody who has supported us all these years.
The shop, a fantastic time capsule for video games of the 1980s and 1990s, will have a presence on eBay. 

You can watch a short video about 8 Bit Up from 2011 — back when it was on the second floor of St. Mark's Place at Second Avenue.

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Bong World is officially cashed on 14th Street

Unfortunately, ownership of Bong World at 226 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue could not resolve the back-rent issues with the landlord. 

An eviction notice arrived on Wednesday...
... and the interior of the shop is in the process of being packed up...
... a few items remain, including a topless and armless female mannequin in an orange camouflage hat...
Bong World debuted here to some fanfare in March 2022

Several readers have asked for recommendations for other local businesses that sell smoking accessories. 

Unfortunately, we're unaware of any other place in the immediate area that sells, say, rolling papers/trays, dab rigs, bubblers, or exotic Cheetos snack collections sourced from China, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and India.