Stadium Liquors, The Bronx, NYC

Stadium Wine & Liquor in the Bronx which had been in business for almost 80 years closed in 2012 after a steep rent increase combined with decreased business after the new Yankee Stadium opened for business in 2009.
The owner, Manuel Mercedes told us that the storefront, signage and interior of the store were are original. He also showed us the first liquor license for the business which dated back to right after Prohibition ended in 1933. When Manuel purchased the business in 1996 from the original owner his rent was only $6,700 a month but by 2012, it had increased to $11,100 per month. The neighborhood was seen as revitalized due to the new Yankee Stadium opening, but business had declined because there were now more options for eating and drinking inside the stadium.

Russian & Turkish Baths, East Village, NYC.

This bathhouse was established in 1892 and is New York City's oldest bath business. In the early 1900's there were three types of bathhouses; city-owned facilities which were strictly for sanitation purposes, privately-operated bathing businesses, and facilities like the Russian & Turkish baths which were privately-owned for the purpose of relaxation. Today a trip to the bath costs approximately $35, while in 1915 it cost between 50 cents and $1.50.

OPENING DAY! DENO'S WONDER WHEEL Amusement Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NYC.

The Wonder Wheel was erected in 1920 and stands 150 feet high and holds 144 people at once. Its unusual design incorporates sections of curved tracks connecting an outer wheel and a smaller inner wheel, with 16 swinging cars which roll back and forth between the two wheels. There are also 8 stationary cars. All of the cars give riders panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Photo and full interview appear in our book NEW YORK NIGHTS.

Small stores affected by yesterday's gas explosion/fire on Second Avenue near East 7th Street in the East Village.

Three buildings have now collapsed as a result of the fire. Our hearts go out the injured and to everyone who lost their home or business. Panoramic photo from 2001 appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".  (Click on image for larger view)

Explosion East Village

Still burning at 10 PM...

Ratner's Ghost Sign, Lower East Side, NYC

Ratner's began as a kosher dairy restaurant in 1905 on Pitt Street and moved in 1918 to Delancey where it remained until closing in 2002. It was founded by brothers Jacob and Harry Harmatz and brother-in-law Alex Ratner and a coin flip determined the restaurant's name. In the 1960s Ratner's began to serve fish as well but the most popular items were their potato soup and pancakes, vegetarian chop liver, blintzes and cheesecake.

1930 REO Flying Cloud, Lower East, NYC.

The Flying Cloud was equipped with wooden wheels fashioned from solid oak. The name provoked evocative images of speed and lightness and changed the way automobiles would be named in the future.

Reciprocal Skate & Pinball, East Village, NYC R.I.P.

More from EV Grieve: http://evgrieve.com/2015/03/reciprocal-skateboards-has-closed-on.html

Egidio Pastry Shop, Belmont, The "Little Italy of the Bronx" , NYC

Egidio Pastry Shop was founded in 1912 by Pasquale Egidio. It is now being run by Carmela Lucciola who was born in Italy and carries on the tradition of the Egidio family, using all their #original recipes for the #Italian #pastries and #cakes. The #neon sign was installed in the 1960s and Carmela always tries to keep it lit. This #bakery is known for their delicious #cannolis, Napoleans and biscotti. We loved how this place glows at night and included it in our book New York Nights along with a full interview with Carmela.

March Snow, East Village, NYC 2

March Snow. East Village, NYC.

Mt. Carmel Candy Store,"Belmont", The Little Italy of the Bronx.

This tiny candy store is no longer in business but opened in the 1950s and that is when its ‪#‎privilegesign‬ by Coca-Cola was installed. When we took this ‪#‎analog‬ photo in 2004 the owner, Charlie told us that he still served old-fashioned egg creams and malteds and used a ‪#‎vintage‬ Hamilton Beach ‪#‎mixer‬. The ‪#‎eggcream‬ is a quintessential New York ‪#‎candy‬ store fountain drink. Although its name implies that it is made using#eggs and cream, it has neither. It consists of only milk, seltzer and flavored syrup. Charlie made both ‪#‎vanilla‬ and ‪#‎chocolate‬ syrup flavored egg creams using Fox's U-Bet syrup. We loved this small ‪#‎storefront‬ and the little window advertisements.
You can see more great Bronx images at @eyesonthebronx

Loew's Paradise Theatre on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.

This week we have been invited to be special feature contributors on the @eyesonthebronx IG, which is a wonderful feed with "Views of the Bronx" curated by @denn_ice . Please take time to check out this Bronx-dedicated page and give the curators some much deserved thanks, likes and even a follow. We were particularly excited to contribute to the page as we would love to bring more recognition to the borough of the Bronx, which often gets overlooked by people who are thinking about or visiting New York City.
The Loew's Paradise Theatre was built in 1929 at a cost of $4 million. The #movie theater had a lavish auditorium with seating for 4,200 and was designed to transport #Bronx residents to a 16th century #Italian Baroque garden, adorned with marble pillars, statues, tapestries and even a goldfish #pool. The Loew's Paradise Theatre exterior was listed as a New York City Registered #Landmark in 1997 and the #interior was landmarked in 2006. We love this #theater and were so happy when after years of neglect it was restored to its former glory. We particularly love the #vintage #neonsign and amazing #architectural details visible on the terra cotta.
This photo also has special significance because we are working with the Municipal Art Society of New York @mas_nyc in helping celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passage of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Law (April 19, 1965).
Photo and more history appear in our book "New York Nights". #eyesonthebronx #storefront #cinema

The 2 O'Clock Club, Baltimore, MD

The most famous Baltimore strip club is the 2 O'Clock Club owned by Blaze Starr, a Baltimore legend, who bought the club in 1950. The Tom Waits song "Pasties And A G-String (At The Two O'Clock Club)" is said to refer to the club.‬

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Blarney Stone, Midtown East, NYC. Closed.

Blarney Stone in Midtown East was established in 1925. It is no longer in business. At one time there were 34 Blarney Stone pubs in Manhattan, known as working man's bars with their #Irish #food and cheap #beer and liquor prices. 

Buck Appliance Company, Baltimore, MD.

Mr. Milton Buck opened his furniture and appliance business around 1940. He lived in an apartment over the store for many years and was known as a solid friend to East Baltimore's Polish community. He was a longtime sponsor of the "Echoes of Poland" radio show, which airs Sundays in Baltimore and also sponsored the "Evening Polka Show" from 1969 to 1978. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 84.

In the East Village & Lower East Side earlier today with our the MAS walking tour, "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".

Thanks so much to everyone who braved the fierce winds and cooler temps. We had a great time!

For anyone who missed it, please join us for our tour on April 26th at 2pm. Sign up info:
https://secure3.convio.net/masnyc/site/Ecommerce/1843173919?store_id=1221

Millys Mini Market, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC.

A nice example of a privilege sign. A ‪‎privilege sign‬ is an industry term for the promotional ‪signs‬ installed by large corporations (generally soft-drink companies and most often ‪Coca‬-Cola) on independently owned ‪‎storefronts‬.

The changing face of 328 East 14th Street, East Village, NYC.

All 3 closed.

La Jumelle, SOHO, NYC. (R.I.P.)

In 1991, New York Magazine described the crowd as "downtown youths dressed as ragamuffins (that) look decidedly at home in the deliberately dumpy La Jumelle, with rather cheap bistro fare chalked on a blackboard - good cassoulet, streak frites, chicken with mustard sauce, a familiar dril". New York Magazine went further in May of 1994, including the space in an article called "Shadowing Kate Moss" mentioning that "eating is not the point at Lucky Strike, or La Jumelle, or Jour et Nuit or Felix". Other publications referred to its "late-night motorcycle gang revelry".

Reynold's Bar, Washington Heights, NYC. (R.I.P.)

Reynold's has been operating as a bar since the end of Prohibition (1933) but recently closed. The manger told us, "This is the last of the old Irish bars in the whole neighborhood. There were dozens of them at one time."The ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎neon‬ sign is from 1964. Photo (2004) and full interview from our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".

Our MAS walking tour this Sunday is SOLD OUT! STORE FRONT: The Disappearing Face of New York Municipal Art Society of New York Walking Tour of the East Village and Lower East Side.

We will be doing another one April 26th...

We hope you can join us this Sunday! STORE FRONT: The Disappearing Face of New York Municipal Art Society of New York Walking Tour of the East Village and Lower East Side ‬

Date: Sunday, March 15
Time:11:00 AM
Cost: $20 / $15 Members

https://secure3.convio.net/masnyc/site/Ecommerce/333083446?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=4834&store_id=1221 

Notes: Please purchase tickets online or call (212) 935-2075, Monday-Friday 9-5. Meeting locations are provided after tickets are purchased. All tours proceed rain or shine. No refunds or exchanges. For the latest transit info, please check http://www.mta.info/ andhttp://www.mta.info/weekender.html.

The traditional storefront in New York City that has prevailed in some cases for over a century is facing several new setbacks. These family-run businesses started out as traditional mom-and-pop stores passed down from generation to generation, and there was a time when they defined our neighborhoods. Many were humble stores tucked away on narrow side streets, while others had become well-known institutions on historic avenues. Each store turned out to be as unique as their customers, run by owners with a commitment to tradition and special service. Not only are these modest small businesses falling away in the face of modernization, gentrification, and conformity, the once unique appearance and character of our colorful streets suffers in the process. A diverse mix of Jewish, Italian, Irish, German, Polish, Ukrainian, Chinese and Hispanic mom and pop storefronts will be visited including many culinary specialty stores. Join guides and MAS Summit speakers James & Karla Murray, the photographers and authors of "STORE FRONT: The Disappearing Face of New York and New York Nights," as they visit some of the remarkable East Village and Lower East Side storefronts documented in their books, and remember those which have disappeared. Unique 19th and 20th century retail graphics and neon signage as well as architectural adornments will be discussed.  ‪#‎masnyc

1961 Ford F100, East Village, NYC.

The Ford F-Series made its introduction on January 16th of 1948, beginning the legacy of F-Series trucks. Since that time, over 32 million trucks have been given the F-Series badge. These trucks have been the best-selling pickups for 36 consecutive years, and America's overall best-selling vehicle for over three decades.  The fourth generation of the F-Series began in 1961 and continued through 1966. The fourth generation had a unibody construction, integrating the cab and the box. Unibody construction means there are no gaps between the bed and the cab, and is set atop a traditional frame-style chassis.

Hudson out tagging...

Tochterman's Fishing Tackle, Baltimore, MD

Tochterman’s is a family business which has been serving the fishing community since 1916. It is now being run by the third-generation owner. It is said to be the oldest family-run ‪fishing‬ shop in the whole United States.

Leon's Burger Hut. Closed. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC.

Mountain Dew Convenience Grocery, The Bronx, NYC.

We have never before seen a "Mountain Dew" privilege sign on a convenience store. "Privilege sign" is an industry term for the promotional signs installed by large corporations (generally soft-drink companies and most often Coca-Cola) on independently owned storefronts. We have photographed dozens of Coca-Cola privilege signs which were especially prevalent in the 1930s through 1950s for our book "Store Front:The Disappearing Face of New York". A 12 oz can of Mountain Dew contains 54 mg of caffeine. A 12oz can of Coca - Cola has only 29mg. Mountain Dew therefore fits nicely alongside the sale of school supplies.

Jackson Heights Florist, Quenns NYC.

Jackson Heights Florist was in business for over 75 years before it closed in 2008. The second-generation owner, John Keffas told us that the neon signage, with its unique script was installed in 1950. Photo and full interview appear in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York"

Lower East Side Coffee Shop, East Village, NYC (From our book New York Nights) ‪

Please join us for our STORE FRONT: The Disappearing Face of New York Municipal Art Society of New York Walking Tour of the East Village and Lower East Side
Date: Sunday, March 15
Time:11:00 AM
Cost: $20 / $15 Members

Notes: Please purchase tickets online or call (212) 935-2075, Monday-Friday 9-5. Meeting locations are provided after tickets are purchased. All tours proceed rain or shine. No refunds or exchanges. For the latest transit info, please check http://www.mta.info/ and http://www.mta.info/weekender.html.

The traditional storefront in New York City that has prevailed in some cases for over a century is facing several new setbacks. These family-run businesses started out as traditional mom-and-pop stores passed down from generation to generation, and there was a time when they defined our neighborhoods. Many were humble stores tucked away on narrow side streets, while others had become well-known institutions on historic avenues. Each store turned out to be as unique as their customers, run by owners with a commitment to tradition and special service. Not only are these modest small businesses falling away in the face of modernization, gentrification, and conformity, the once unique appearance and character of our colorful streets suffers in the process. A diverse mix of Jewish, Italian, Irish, German, Polish, Ukrainian, Chinese and Hispanic mom and pop storefronts will be visited including many culinary specialty stores. Join guides and MAS Summit speakers James & Karla Murray, the photographers and authors of "STORE FRONT: The Disappearing Face of New York and New York Nights," as they visit some of the remarkable East Village and Lower East Side storefronts documented in their books, and remember those which have disappeared. Unique 19th and 20th century retail graphics and neon signage as well as architectural adornments will be discussed.  ‪#‎masnyc‬ The Municipal Art Society of New York

https://secure3.convio.net/masnyc/site/Ecommerce/2043293166?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=4834&store_id=1221 

Wynwood Diner & Cocktails, Miami

Parisian Hotel, South Beach, Miami