Monday, July 12, 2021
Another large tree branch down in Tompkins Square Park
Attention Kmart shoppers: The Astor Place location is now closed after 25 years in business
We're told that employees weren't told of the Sunday close date until this past Friday. Signs announcing the last days were circulated throughout the store on Saturday.
In May 2020, they shuttered the Penn Plaza store, leaving Astor Place as the sole Kmart remaining in Manhattan. (There are two left in the Bronx.)
Kmart and Sears were owned by Sears Holdings, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2018 and narrowly escaped liquidation in early 2019, per USA Today. "They were sold to their longtime investor and CEO, Eddie Lampert, who has kept them alive on a shoestring budget under the company name Transformco."
Rumors circulated in late 2017-early 2018 that the Astor Place shop, located in the landmarked 15-story building that was the original home of the Wanamaker department store on Eighth Street and Lafayette (officially 770 Broadway), was shutting down.
The Real Deal reported in January 2018 that 770 tenant Facebook and landlord Vornado Realty Trust were in talks to expand the social media giant's presence in the building.
Per The Real Deal:
Per The Real Deal:
Vornado ... recently paid roughly $46 million to Kmart – whose department store occupies about 30,000 square feet on the ground, mezzanine and lower-level of the building – in what appears to be a buyout of the retailer’s lease, according to city property records. Observers said it's unlikely that Vornado boss Steve Roth would take such a risk without a replacement tenant lined up, and speculated that Facebook could be looking to make a splash with a high-profile storefront, a la Microsoft's store on Fifth Avenue.
However, Kmart remained open and downsized, giving up the second level and moving everything to the main floor and basement.
Michael Lisicky reported on the Astor Place location for Forbes in March:
Despite its current open status, the location suffers from the company's misfortunes and corporate misguidances. Employees express frustration that deliveries to the store have slowed. They cite the absence of blankets, pillows, and towels within its once-popular home department. Employees notice that its once-steady foot traffic tends to come and go.
After years of missed payments and unpaid bills, Kmart's relationship with many of its longtime vendors has evaporated. It has led to empty shelves and unusual selections of off-brand merchandise. ... Kmart is no longer a profitable and dependable outlet for suppliers.
Financial woes aside, other big-box shops such as Target and Marshalls have eaten away at Kmart's business. Not to mention Amazon.
I took a last look at the space yesterday...
Pinched for time, I didn't make it downstairs for the holiday supplies, but I did check out the Astor Place-branded underwear...
EVG reader Karen came across the store-closing signage while walking by yesterday: "Most other customers seemed equally shocked and dismayed. Shelves were fully stocked for the most part and there weren't really any big bargains — though with the longest line I've ever seen, seems people just wanted to have their last hurrah."
This Kmart arrived in November 1996. I worked nearby at the time and ate at the short-lived K Cafe a few times with co-workers to fill the void left by Woolworth's departure on 14th Street.
I recall plenty of horrified WTF reactions from people about the Kmart opening here. People seemingly adopted a balanced don't-mind-it/hate-it relationship with Kmart through the years, especially as more big-box shops arrived. (My blogging friend Alex has written about this location numerous times. This post includes a video of U2's strange PopMart press conference here in 1997.)
At the time, the Astor Place store was one of over 2,100 Kmarts located throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories, according to Forbes. Today, there are less than 40.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• Are Kmart's days numbered on Astor Place?
EVG contributor Stacie Joy reports that fixtures and shelving will be sold this week — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting tomorrow. There will be security at the door — just let them know that you are looking for the fixtures.
• Are Kmart's days numbered on Astor Place?
Anthology Film Archives teases a return
Updated 7/17: The theater reopens on Aug. 5!
However, they've added the word "soon" on its entrance here on Second Street at Second Avenue...
Most local movie theaters have reopened, except for the Anthology and Metrograph, which is back with in-person attendance on Ludlow Street in September.
Starbucks reduces its hours on Avenue A
Back in May, this location was closed for several weeks without any explanation to customers.
Starbucks opened at this spot in August 2017.
Thanks to Steven for the photos!
New office building bulks up on Houston
It has been four (whole!) months since our last post about the 9-story office building here between Eldridge and Forsyth. Back in March, workers had just planted the flag atop the steel structure.
Lots of progress since then, including the arrival of the window panes... 
Here's a look at the finished product via a rendering from the building's website...
And some marketing background:
From acclaimed architect Roger Ferris, the only new development of its type on the Lower East Side, 141 East Houston is a new frame for viewing the neighborhood. Column-free and unbounded by walls, it reinterprets the area through a bold geometric perimeter of cladding and glass. State-of- the-art workspaces and private terraces reframe expectations, while a well-connected location recasts perspectives.
With its glass frame and dynamic courtyard running the length of its eastern side, doubling as a second facade, 141 East Houston challenges the distinction between indoors and out.
East End Capital and K Property Group bought the property for $31.5 million in early 2017. The links below provide more background on what has transpired on the site of the former Sunshine Cinema (RIP January 2018).
Previously on EV Grieve:
• Sunshine Cinema-replacing office building moving forward; demolition watch back on
• Discarded theater seats and goodbyes at the Sunshine Cinema
• The 9-story boutique office building coming to the former Sunshine Cinema space
• A celebratory ad on the purchase of 139 E. Houston St., current home of the Sunshine Cinema
• The boutique office building replacing the Sunshine Cinema will be 'unbounded by walls' with an outdoor space called Houston Alley
• Sunshine Cinema-replacing office building moving forward; demolition watch back on
• Discarded theater seats and goodbyes at the Sunshine Cinema
• The 9-story boutique office building coming to the former Sunshine Cinema space
• A celebratory ad on the purchase of 139 E. Houston St., current home of the Sunshine Cinema
• The boutique office building replacing the Sunshine Cinema will be 'unbounded by walls' with an outdoor space called Houston Alley
Sunday, July 11, 2021
❤️❤️ for Hash Halper
People turned out today to pay their respects to Hash Halper at the New York Romantic Memorial Chalk Out in Washington Square Park.
Halper, the artist known as New York Romantic, drew chalk hearts on the sidewalks around the East Village and other parts of the city these past few years. He had said he felt New York was losing its romance.
And during the day, people had a chance to thank the late artist for all his efforts (photos here by Lola Sáenz)...
He died on June 11. According to published reports, he took his own life by jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. He was 41.
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
Week in Grieview
• E-cyclist killed by speeding hit-and-run driver on East Houston at Avenue B (Friday)
• RIP Thomas McIntyre (Thursday)
• The Ottendorfer Library branch reopens (Tuesday)
• City offering free grab-and-go meals to New Yorkers in need this summer (Tuesday)
• One of Amelia and Christo's red-tailed hawk offspring has died (Monday)
• Classic University Place steakhouse Knickerbocker Bar & Grill is open once again (Tuesday)
• 5th Street tenants speak out against construction as harassment and lead exposure (Thursday)
• Evil Katsu bringing the sandos and sets to 9th Street (Thursday)
• Chinatown mainstay Dim Sum Go Go opening an East Village outpost (Thursday)
• Reader report: Falling tree branch strikes man sitting in Tompkins Square Park (Sunday)
• Retail space on the market at 20 St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)
• Storm damage: reports of trees and limbs down; Ace Bar's curbside structure collapses (Tuesday)
• Sale of 109 E. 9th St. made official (Wednesday)
• Fun City Tattoo expands on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)
• Stuyvesant Gourmet Deli announces itself on the corner of Avenue A and 14th Street (Tuesday)
• The Village Voice said to be restarting a print edition (Monday)
... and noting...
---I think someone was looking for Huggy Bear on Stanton Street. CC: @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/rEHSVnLXMu
— Chris F. (@fnytv) July 10, 2021
Damage to the Love Tree in Tompkins Square Park
Thanks to Kim Grover for the top photo and to Steven for the other pics and background
Saturday, July 10, 2021
Noted
Thanks to Lola Sáenz for the photo...
Police searching for suspect who they say assaulted a 70-year-old woman on 14th Street
The NYPD is searching for the above suspect for an unprovoked attack on a 70-year-old woman on 14th Street near Second Avenue yesterday morning around 10:30.
According to police sources and published reports, the man, "who was holding several bags and had a drink in his hand," said nothing as he struck the woman with an unknown object.
The victim was said to suffer cuts and bruises.
Have you seen this individual? He’s wanted for assaulting an elderly woman. If you have any information, please call us. We need to help finding this individual. pic.twitter.com/KhtzJGgNtK
— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) July 10, 2021
Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.
It's LES Culture & Community Day on Avenue B
A few details via the EVG inbox:
Organized with love by the Lower East Side Community Culture Council with FABnyc. An afternoon of art, performance, song, spoken word, and a neighborhood open photo album; activities for all ages.Check out this link for details on the activities and a schedule of events.
Hosted in collaboration with the Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition.
Friday, July 9, 2021
'Psychic' hotline
The new record from the Brisbane, Australia-based indie-pop trio The Goon Sax is out today on Matador Records. (This is the band's third record overall, first for Matador.)
The video here is for "Psychic."
Fatherly facts: Goon Sax frontman Louis Forster is the son of Robert Forster, co-founder of The Go-Betweens.
EVG Etc.: Cuomo extends street and sidewalk dining; Blondie recalls the 'Rapture' video
• The Office of Nightlife at the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment issues its first report, a 162-page document that includes almost two dozen recommendations for the future (Official release) ... the one-page section on potentially creating 24-hour entertainment districts in the city has received the most attention (Crain's New York ... The Associated Press)
... and the free LES Community Music Fest set for East River Park this afternoon will now be at Nublu, 151 Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street ... still free and from 3-7 p.m.
• Gov. Cuomo says restaurants will be able to use sidewalks and streets for outdoor dining into mid-2022 (Gothamist)
• More people are returning to NYC, and finding apartments is getting difficult (NBC New York)
• ICYMI: Eric Adams wins the New York City Democratic mayoral primary (Reaction, analysis: City Limits ... The New Yorker ... Politico)
• About Mark Levine, the likely next Manhattan Borough President (Gotham Gazette)
• Rats are overwhelming the Baruch Houses on the Lower East Side (PIX11)
• An address book from 1997 that belonged to Jeffrey Epstein was originally found on an East Village sidewalk (Insider)
• The 40th anniversary of Blondie's "Rapture" video (The Post)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)