5th Ave Cigarette Store in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn is no longer in business.

We loved this #vintage #sign but figured one of the reasons for the store's demise was the fact that New York has the highest #cigarette tax in the country and New York City taxes are even higher. These high cigarette taxes which significantly raised the price on a pack has helped decrease the smoking rate especially among young people, which is a good thing. In 1997, the average price in NYC for a pack of cigarettes was $2.10 and now, less than 20 years later the average price is between $12 to $14.

Today, in honor of National Cheesecake Day we are posting our photo of Junior's in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Junior's is a family-owned restaurant that was opened in 1950 by Harry Rosen. It is known for its world-famous #cheesecake as well as its large portions and reasonably priced sandwiches. During the holidays there are lines out the door and down the block for people to buy their cheesecakes. We absolutely love their #cherry topped cheesecake which has graham cracker crust. Cheesecake in 1950 was the most ordered out-of-home #dessert and it still is today! Photo and full interview with the long-time manager of Junior's appears in our book "New York Nights".

Gino's at Lexington Avenue near 60th Street on the Upper East Side was opened in 1945 by Gino Circiello.

Gino's specialized in moderately priced #Italian #food and was known for its tomato-red wallpaper printed with 314 leaping zebras. Ed Sullivan and Frank Sinatra often dined at Gino's aka Gino of Capri. Gino passed away in 2001 at age 89 and his long-time waiter, Salvatore Doria, took ownership of the restaurant along with the chef, Michele Miele. Sadly, they were forced to close the #restaurant in 2010 when their rent was increased by $8,000 a month to over $30,000 and health-care costs of their employees also increased. A cupcake cafe took its place.

LEAVING ST. MARKS! Trash & Vaudeville in the East Village

Trash & Vaudeville in the East Village has been in business since 1975. It was founded by Ray Goodman and has been a popular place for musicians to get #punk #rock clothing and accessories for decades. In this photo from our book "New York Nights" is Jimmy Webb, the long-time manager who told us "we are hands on and into personal customer service. We keep the spirit of #rockandroll alive.

Weintraub's Delicatessen

Couple, NYC

Beauty Bar in the East Village just celebrated its 20-year anniversary this spring.

This theme #bar was created in 1995 when Paul Devitt found the former "Thomas Beauty Salon" on 14th Street. The 40-year old #hair #salon had all of its original chrome-domed hair dryers and chandeliers and its original #signage which was all kept in place. You can get a #manicure and a drink at this bar and enjoy looking all of the #retro salon items.

Olympia Diner

Olympia Diner was manufactured by the Jerry O'Mahony Diner Company of New Jersey, which manufactured 2,000 metal pre-fab diner structures from 1917 to 1941. It is the longest stainless steel diner in the country. The current owners, the Gavrilis family have been there since 1974. Olympia Diner was originally opened in Massachusetts and brought to Newington, CT in 1954. #diner #vintage #neon #neongeeks #Signgeeks #retro #neonsign #stainlesssteel

Matt Umanov Guitars on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village has been in business since 1965.

 Matt Umanov Guitars on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village has been in business since 1965.  The store sells a large variety of guitars, including new, used, and vintage guitars, as well as guitar parts and accessories.  They also specialize in guitar repairs. Matt Umanov Guitars has had many famous customers over the years, including Bob Dylan and Patti Smith, who calls the #guitar shop her second home in New York.  In 2006, Matt Umanov sold a vintage Stratocaster that once belonged to Bob Dylan for $75,000. If you have never visited the shop, now is a good time as they are having a summer doldrums sale, with 10% off their already low, low prices on select Martin, Taylor, Fender and Gretsch guitars!

Ralph's Diner is a historic diner we found while taking a road trip from NYC.

The diner itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a rare version of a streetcar-inspired design for a lunch car. Although we loved the exterior of the #diner, which we will post at a later date, we also fell in love with this huge #neon #diner sign complete with a strobing bulb-filled arrow.

Tony Ryan Records, Williamsbridge, The Bronx

Tony Ryan Records in the Williamsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx was in business for more than twenty years before it closed. We loved its ‪#‎oldschool‬ ‪#‎sign‬ stating that it not only carries "All the Latest in Music" but also that it is a"Master at Oldies". We also loved that the sign was rimmed with colorful blinking bulbs similar to many old-school bodegas.

Russian Souvenirs in the East Village was in business for well over 30 years before it closed this week.

This unique shop owned by Alex Bogaryr, was packed with Russian clothing, military and memorabilia, framed paintings, #Russian nesting #dolls and many other kinds of goodies. We always loved looking in the window although it never seemed to change. We also loved the #handpainted #sign!

Limited Edition XL Prints now on display at Clic in SoHo.

Limited Edition XL Prints from our book NEW YORK NIGHTS including "Under Williamsburg Bridge" 36 x 52" and Carnegie Delicatessen 36 x 52" now on display at Clic in SoHo.
Also on display Limited Edition XL NY Stretscape prints including Chinatown Rooftops 36 x 52" and Lower East Side Color 36 x 52".
http://www.clic.com/index-clic/#/james-karla-murray-clic/ 
255 Centre Street New York, NY 10013
ph: 212-966-2766
centre@clicgallery.com
Daily 11-7

Randazzo's Clam Bar in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn has been in business since 1916.

Randazzo's Clam Bar began as a family #fish market and Helen Randazzo later opened the restaurant section serving fried #clams, #Calamari, #shrimp, #lobster and mussels. Helen created their famous and top-secret marinara sauce in 1960. It is still served today in 2 varieties, either spicy hot or medium over clams, calamari, shrimp and other #seafood dishes. We love their fried calamari and are especially fond of their #vintage #neon sign with the flashing lobster.

Rogers Tire Shop, Flatbush, Brooklyn from our upcoming book STORE FRONT II: The Disappearing Face of New York

Rogers Tire Shop in Flatbush is no longer in business. This photo taken in 2009 will appear in our upcoming book "Store Front II: The Disappearing Face of New York" which will be an oversize 348 page hardcover due out November 2015. This book, a sequel to our best-selling Store Front, published in 2008, will feature many mom and pop #storefront photos and interviews with owners of stores from all 5 boroughs, including expanded chapters covering #Brooklyn, #Queens, #theBronx and Staten Island as well as Manhattan. We will keep everyone posted on the exact release date and book signings as fall approaches.

Mikey Coles, owner of Mikey Likes It Ice Cream with our pit Hudson on Avenue A in the East Village. Today he hosted a special pop-up event at the ice cream shop with Kehlani. We stopped by with Hudson...

Mikey Coles, owner of Mikey Likes It Ice Cream on Avenue A in the East Village hosted a special pop-up event today at the ice cream shop with Kehlani, featuring give-aways of the new ice cream flavor "Tsunami" which is a cake batter ice cream with birthday cake pieces and a blue icing swirl. Kehlani was posing with fans who were enjoying the delicious homemade ice cream. Michael "Mikey" Cole who founded the shop told us about his new flavor and also how he started out making his own ice cream and selling it out of a cart on 14th Street before following his dreams and opening his own store. All of the ice cream is made at the shop using only the freshest ingredients. They are known for their inventive flavors like Cool Runnings (double coconut with shredded coconut and semi-sweet chocolate shavings and almonds), Southern Hospitality (Pecan pie ice cream with pralined pecans) and Pretty in Pink (strawberry ice cream with fresh strawberries in balsamic vinegar and black pepper) Mikey also let our dog Hudson know that he is currently working on creating a doggie ice cream made from a sweet potato base and flavored with peanut butter. Hudson will be first on line when it is released! ‪#‎citypitty‬ ‪#‎icecream‬ ‪#‎mikeylikesiticecream‬ ‪#‎kehlanimusic‬

We hope you can join us TOMORROW! 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, July 12th Time:12:00 Noon

Cost: $20 / $15 Members

https://secure3.convio.net/masnyc/site/Ecommerce/536391262?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=5090&store_id=1221

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

Rooftop Movie, East Village, NYC, last night, late.

Handsome Dan's Snocone and Candy Stand, East Village, NYC

Handsome Dan's Snocone and Candy Stand in the#Eastvillage sells old-fashioned #candyin glass jars including all kinds of#gummies, Swedish fish, Big League Chew and #chocolates. They have#homemade #cottoncandy in flavors like Earl Gray and Rose and sell amazing flavors of #snocones. 

Please join us as we lead a Store Front walking tour of the East Village and Lower East Side this Sunday, July 12th at 12 pm (noon) sponsored by the Municipal Arts Society of New York. @mas_nyc The cost is $20/$15 Members We will visit some of the remarkable #momandpop#storefronts documented in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York" and "New York Nights" and remember those that have disappeared. We will stop in many culinary specialty stores and sample #food Tickets can be purchased online at www.mas.org or call (212) 935-2075 Monday-Friday 9-5. Meeting location is provided after tickets are purchased. Tour will proceed rain or shine. This will be our last tour of the summer as we work on a new tour of#Greenwichvillage this fall. 

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, July 12th Time:12:00 Noon

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, July 12th
Time:12:00 Noon
Cost: $20 / $15 Members
https://secure3.convio.net/masnyc/site/Ecommerce/536391262?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=5090&store_id=1221

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

Moondance Diner on Sixth Avenue at Grand Street in Manhattan closed in 2007, to make room for a luxury hotel.

The 1930s ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎diner‬ was known for its ‪#‎burgers‬, ‪#‎fries‬ and #milkshakes and was owned by Sunny Sharma. The TV show "Friends" used Moondance as the diner where the character Monica, played by Courtney Cox worked. Moondance Diner was also used by the film "Spider-Man" as the place where Mary Jane Watson played by Kirsten Dunst was employed. Luckily the diner was saved from demolition and purchased for $7,500 by Vince and Cheryl Pierce, who moved the structure by flat-bed truck to LaBarge, Wyoming at a cost of $40,000. After some much needed repairs, they reopened the diner in Wyoming in 2008 where it remained in operation until 2012. We especially loved the diner's rotating moon ‪#‎sign‬ and the sparkling ‪#‎letters‬ spelling "Moondance" in an interesting ‪#‎font‬. We haven't heard any news on the fate of this diner since its closure a few years ago but hope that it will again be saved.

2015 East River Fireworks, 4th of July, NYC ‪

#‎macysfireworks‬ ‪#‎happy4th‬ ‪#‎rooftop‬ ‪#‎gold‬

Earlier. Macy's East River Fireworks, 4th of July, NYC

Hudson. Sitting for "Dogs of New York", Fourth of July 2015.

At Madison Square Park.

Raphael.

20 years selling fruit on Bruckner Blvd, The Bronx, NYC.

"Garden of Earthly Delights" by artist Jaime Arredondo located at the Zerega Ave Station in The Bronx

We were recently commissioned by the MTA to photograph the Zerega Avenue station art work on the 6 Line in The Bronx for the MTA.  “Garden of Earthly Delights,” by Jaime Arredondo, depicts the four seasons through images of flowers such as crocuses, marigolds, daisies, pansies, morning glories and roses. Arredondo sought to bring a pastoral element to the urban Bronx environment through the colors and fanciful imagery of his floral mosaics. The large colorful glass mosaic and hand-formed porcelain panels have been installed on the platform level.

Here are a sample of our photographs: