LoveThyBeast coming to 5th Street

Been meaning to note the recent arrival of signage for LoveThyBeast on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... in the gut-renovated and rebranded Shops on East Fifth Street.

The store, which is expected to open very soon, sells accessories for pets — and their owners.

Founder Tiziana Agnello previously sold her pet wares at pop-up events and online as well as a few retail outlets, such as Urban Outfitters.

LoveThyBeast joins the coffee shop Southern Cross in this new strip of remodeled storefronts. One of the three retail spaces remains on the rental market.

The new Shops on East Fifth Street are ready for retail (and a coffee shop)

[Photo from Monday]

The storefront renovations are (mostly) complete now on Fifth Street just east of Second Avenue.

There are three spaces in what are being presented as the Shops on East Fifth Street. A tipster tells us that the middle space will house an Argentinian coffee shop. The other two storefronts are for rent... the bare-bones listing at Coldwell Banker Commercial notes the asking rent is $125 per square foot...



As previously reported, in July 2014, the owners of the previous three businesses had to vacate their storefronts due to a structural issue in the building at 300 E. Fifth St.

S & P Liquor & Wine eventually moved to Second Avenue … while Jamie the check-cashing guy, whose family owned the business for 68 years, had to shut down at the end of 2014 as repairs dragged on. He had been operating for five months from a secure van outside his shop. The Today's Cut hair salon moved to East Seventh Street just west of Avenue A.

Previously on EV Grieve:
3 small businesses temporarily closed due to structural issues at 300 E. 5th St.

Presenting the Shops on East Fifth Street

Last July, the owners of three businesses had to vacate their storefronts due to a structural issue in the building at 300 E. Fifth St. just east of Second Avenue.

S & P Liquor & Wine eventually moved to Second Avenue after one false start reopening in the storefront … while Jamie the check-cashing guy, whose family owned the business for 68 years, had to shut down at the end of 2014 as repairs dragged on. He had been operating for five months from a secure van outside his shop. (Not sure what happened with the third place — Today's Cut hair salon. Updated: They moved to East Seventh Street just west of Avenue A.)

Now that the old businesses have moved on, the landlord has refurbished and rebranded the space, which is now going by The Shops of East Fifth Street, per the for lease sign that recently arrived…



As you can see, the space is divisible … though no food. We didn't spot the listing just yet online.



Thanks to EVG reader Steven for the photos!

Previously on EV Grieve:
3 small businesses temporarily closed due to structural issues at 300 E. 5th St.