STORE FRONT II: A History Preserved - Neue Westfalische (Germany) 04.30.16

The Critics on STORE FRONT II:

Store Front II” furthers the work of its predecessor, gathering photographs and interviews that celebrate scraggly awnings and weathered brick and mortar with an awe typically reserved for the Big Apple’s famous landmarks.
The New Yorker

James and Karla Murray’s Store Front photography books capture a disappearing world – New York’s small stores and their unique and precious aesthetics.
Sarah Moroz
The Guardian

Like anthropologists rushing to document an isolated Amazonian tribe before civilization encroaches, the Murrays are racing to record Mom and Pop shops before the wrecking ball arrives.
Robert Brenner
Huffington Post

In honor of #memorialday we are posting our photo of the former Navy Yard Cocktail Lounge in Fort Greene.

This #divebar was in business from 1907 to 2010. Steve Frankel, who owned the business since 1999. lost his lease when the building was sold to a developer. The #cocktail lounge originally served the tens of thousands of Brooklyn Navy Yard personnel who worked in the shipbuilding industry,and later catered to the workers in the many industrial businesses and film and television studios, which have rented spaces at the revitalized Navy Yard industrial park. Photo from 2008 appears in our recently published book, "Store Front II- A History Preserved".

Ludlow Coffee Supply with prints by James and Karla Murray

Ludlow Coffee Supply on Ludlow Street near E. Houston opened recently in the space that was the former Pink Pony cafe. The original wood bar from Pink Pony was repurposed as a coffee counter, with a grade-A La Marzocco espresso machine. Ludlow Coffee Supply offers drip coffee, lattes, macchiatos, cappuccionos, and Americanos using blends roasted locally in Red Hook, Brooklyn. In the back of the cafe through a passageway, patrons can also get a haircut or trim while drinking coffee via the in-house Ludlow Barber Supply, a three-chair barbershop complete with vintage-style barber chairs.

We were contacted by Evan, the general manager of Ludlow Coffee Supply, to provide the large-scale prints of Pink Pony Cafe and Max Fish presently hanging on the wall, showing homage to the history of the Ludlow Coffee Supply storefront and its former next-door neighbor Max Fish. The Pink Pony and the iconic Lower East Side bar, Max Fish both closed in 2013 after their rent was tripled and taxes increased. Our photographs of both Pink Pony and Max Fish were taken in 2001 with 35mm film and appear in our book, "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".

Piemonte Ravioli Company was founded in 1920 by the Piemonte family who were from Genoa, Italy.

In 1955 Mario Bertorelli took over the business and to this day continues using the same Piemonte #Italian family recipes to make all the #pasta they sell. Their most popular item they sell is their #homemade tortellini. We love their #vintage #signage in the colors of the flag of #italy🇮🇹 and also the beautiful #flower that the #streetartist Michael De Feo @theflowerguy painted on the doorway of this #storefront in Little Italy of Manhattan. For full interview we conducted with the owner, Mario and front exterior of the #ravioli store please see our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York."

Hudson and Karla with Ola at The East Village's B&H Dairy Kosher Restaurant

Earlier today we gave the owners, Aleksandra Abdelwahed & Fawzy Abdelwahed of B&H Dairy Kosher Restaurant a framed print of their exterior of their iconic restaurant which was taken by us with 35mm film in 2001. This photo also appears in our book, "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York". Pictured are Ola and Karla, holding the photo, and Hudson, who is eagerly awaiting some challah from B&H. Please join us in our support of this wonderful Mom & Pop small Business!

Hudson. Mouthful of challah por favor thanks to Aleksandra Abdelwahed at B&H Dairy Kosher Restaurant ...

A&A Candy Store in East Harlem.

We love the variety of products that are displayed in the window at this ‪#‎candy‬ store. We spotted a calculator, mouthwash, cleaning products, deodorant, earphones, and phone prepaid calling cards. Inside there was also cigarettes and a few packs of ‪#‎gum‬ and ‪#‎chocolate‬ bars. This truly is a ‪#‎NYC‬ ‪#‎storefront‬ complete with ‪#‎graffiti‬ and a payphone outside. Photo from 2001 taken with 35mm film appears on our book, "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York."

Grand Wig & Jewelry on the Grand Concourse in the #Bronx.

We fell in love with this #storefront #signage as soon as we saw its bright bold #type! The added bonus was the #sign advertising human hair as well as synthetic #wigs. And who wouldn't want to accessorize their new #wig with #gold or #silver #jewelry. Photo from 2010 appears in our newly released book "Store Front II-A History Preserved."

Nino's Pizzeria in Queens.

We love the #vintage #neonsign this #pizza place has as well as the #neon in the Windows advertising their slices and heros.

Reiser Men's & Boys in Williamsburg, Brooklyn has been in business since 1966.

We love its #vintage #sign with the awesome #typography and the owner, Jose standing outside with the tape measure around his neck. We are also in love with its "lobby" entranceway with all of the wonderful, deep windows displaying a huge variety of #suits, #shirts, pants and ties.

Tony's Grocery in the Bronx.

We love the #handpainted #signage this #bodega has and were lucky enough to speak with the self-proclaimed "mayor of the block" as he was reading his #newspaper outside!

Patricia Field store on the Bowery (R.I.P).

Fashion extraordinaire and ‪#‎costume‬ ‪#‎designer‬ to the stars of "Sex And the City", Patricia Field @patricia_field opened her first boutique in 1966 in the West Village and moved to East 8th Street in 1961. It soon became a fashion destination for Villagers and ‪#‎club‬ kids before moving to a ‪#‎Bowery‬ location in 2012. Patricia Field said that she was closing the ‪#‎storefront‬ because she "needed more time to pursue other career interests" including costuming the ‪#‎tv‬ show "Younger". ‪

Times Square, New York City earlier...

Tom's Laundry in #NYC

Tom's Laundry in #NYC is sadly no longer in business. We love its #vintage #handpainted sign and the faded colors of its facade. The #graffiti covering both the red door and the boarded up doorway to the apartments above the #storefront add to its mystique.

Big thanks to Veniero's Pasticceria!

Big thanks to Veniero's Pasticceria for generously donating cannolis, Italian cookies, and assorted pastries last night for our "Store Front-A History Preserved" book discussion/slide show at the Neighborhood Preservation Center on East 11th Street for LESPI.

7th Annual Brooklyn Bridge Anniversary Group Art Show

7th Annual Brooklyn Bridge Anniversary Group Art Show
May 20th - June 20th
Opening celebration Friday, May 20th 7-10 pm
101 Smith Street (near Atlantic Ave) South Brooklyn, NY
http://www.urbanfolkart.com/news.html
http://www.adamsuerte.com/ 

Artist, Owner Adam Suerte with Hudson & Karla at Urban Folk Art Gallery
Karla's & Adam Suerte 's T-Shirts by Adam Suerte

Veniero Pasticceria Veniero's on East 11th Street by 1st Ave in the East Village has been in business since 1894.

To hear more about the fascinating history of this #momandpop #bakery please join us for the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative (LESPI) illustrated lecture, Mom & Pop Storefronts and the Art of Vernacular Design: NYC's Lower East Side and Chinatown tonight, Wednesday, May 18, 2016 6:30-8:30 pm at the Neighborhood Preservation Center 232 E 11th Street, btn. 2nd and 3rd Avenues  Small mom-and-pop businesses are the very soul of the Lower East Side and Chinatown. In the jostle of NYC's commercial “battlefield”, these establishments often compete with louder, brasher, and more exuberant storefront and storefront signage design, much of it a vernacular art.
The event features speakers Thomas Rinaldi, author of New York Neon, and James and Karla Murray, authors of Store Front II: A History Preserved, New York Nights, and Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York. Their beautifully illustrated lectures will explore the history and aesthetics of mom-and-pop signage and storefronts in these most iconic neighborhoods. Signed copies of the authors’ books will be available for purchase.  General Admission: $12 LESPI members: $10 Tickets can be purchased here from nycharities.org The lectures will be followed by an informal reception. Light refreshments will be served. Contact info@LESPI-nyc.org or 347-827-1846 with any questions. We will be talking about @veniero's gorgeous #neonsign and the love the owner has for it as well as many more fascinating details and stories from #storefronts of the Lower East Side and Chinatown.

Please join us for the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative (LESPI) illustrated lecture, Mom & Pop Storefronts and the Art of Vernacular Design: NYC's Lower East Side and Chinatown

Mom & Pop Storefronts and the Art of Vernacular Design: NYC's Lower East Side and Chinatown

Tomorrow Wednesday, May 18, 2016 6:30-8:30 pm
Neighborhood Preservation Center 232 E 11th Street, btn. 2nd and 3rd Avenues

Small mom-and-pop businesses are the very soul of the Lower East Side and Chinatown. In the jostle of NYC's commercial “battlefield”, these establishments often compete with louder, brasher, and more exuberant storefront and storefront signage design, much of it a vernacular art. The event features speakers Thomas Rinaldi, author of New York Neon, and James and Karla Murray, authors of Store Front II: A History Preserved, New York Nights, and Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York. Their beautifully illustrated lectures will explore the history and aesthetics of mom-and-pop signage and storefronts in these most iconic neighborhoods. Signed copies of the authors’ books will be available for purchase.  General Admission: $12 LESPI members: $10 Tickets can be purchased here from nycharities.org The lectures will be followed by an informal reception. Light refreshments will be served. Contact info@LESPI-nyc.org or 347-827-1846 with any questions. We will be talking about Sammy's Roumanian Restaurant on Chrystie Street and many other great #momandpop #stores of the #lowereastside!

Clover Delicatessen 🍀 , NYC

Clover Delicatessen is owned and operated by the third-generation of the Cuttita family. They lovingly maintain their gorgeous #neon #signs that line both the front and side of their #storefront. We love the #font that was used as well as the 2-color #neonsign in red and green which is a combination not seen too often (at least in #NYC). We also are big fans of the #vintage street sign they have in their window.
We photographed the front of this great #deli for our book "Store Front:The Disappearing Face of New York" in 2004 but this side view is more recent (notice our dog Hudson sitting patiently in the background waiting for us to finish taking the photo.)

Karla, Sunset, East Village, NYC

Rainbow, last night sunset, NYC

Please join us for the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative (LESPI) illustrated lecture, Mom & Pop Storefronts and the Art of Vernacular Design: NYC's Lower East Side and Chinatown

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 6:30-8:30 pm at the  Neighborhood Preservation Center 232 E 11th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues

Small mom-and-pop businesses are the very soul of the Lower East Side and Chinatown.  In the jostle of NYC's commercial “battlefield”, these establishments often compete with louder, brasher, and more exuberant storefront and storefront signage design, much of it a vernacular art.  The event features speakers Thomas Rinaldi, author of New York Neon, and James and Karla Murray, authors of  Store Front II: A History Preserved, New York Nights, and Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York.  Their beautifully illustrated lectures will explore the history and aesthetics of mom-and-pop signage and storefronts in these most iconic neighborhoods.  Signed copies of the authors’ books will be available for purchase.

General Admission: $12  LESPI members: $10  Tickets can be purchased here from nycharities.org The lectures will be followed by an informal reception.   Light refreshments will be served.  Contact info@LESPI-nyc.org or 347-827-1846 with any questions.

Antelis Pharmacy in Midwood, Brooklyn is sadly no longer operating out of this ‪#‎storefront‬.

We loved its ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎neon‬ ‪#‎sign‬ with its ‪#‎script‬ lettering which was left behind when they moved further down the street. The fact that they left the ‪#‎signage‬ behind does not surprise us because all of the ‪#‎store‬ owners we have interviewed over the years have repeatedly told us that it is a "real labor of love" to maintain these ‪#‎neonsign‬ because they need constant work to fix broken transformers, fuses and other things that get broken when exposed to rain & snow. This photo taken in 2011 appears in our newly published book "Store Front II- A History Preserved". We hope that someone like @lettherebeneon saves this beauty from the dumpster! ‪

S&G Gross Co., a family-owned pawnbroker business, was in business from 1801-2016.

Customers in this #pawnshop typically exchanged items such as jewelry for money and agreed to repay the amount borrowed plus interest to redeem their property. If a customer could not repay the loan after an agreed amount of time, the item was forfeited by the owner and put up for sale as collateral by the shop.
Photo from 2009 appears in our recently published book "Store Front II-A History Preserved" along with an in-depth interview with the 4th-generation owner David Gross. He told us that the #storefront #signage was made of porcelain enamel and that the time-honored three-ball symbol of the #pawnbroker profession that they have on their #sign actually dates back to the Medicis.
Sadly, after 115 years in business, they recently closed. David explained to us that "the recent recession has actually hurt our business even though you would think it would help. But more people are out of work and most of our customers actually have jobs but they just need extra money between pay checks." We imagine this was a factor in why they ultimately closed their store.

Urban Folk Art® Gallery's 7th Annual Group Art Show celebrating the Brooklyn Bridge's 133rd birthday opening Friday May 20th 7-10pm

We are excited to be part of the amazing lineup of artists who will be showing their work at the Urban Folk Art® Gallery's 7th Annual Group Art Show celebrating the Brooklyn Bridge's 133rd birthday! The opening is Friday May 20th 7-10pm and the work is on display until June 20th.  

Urban Folk Art® Gallery 101 Smith Street Brooklyn , N.Y. 11201 718 643 1610 

Urban Folk Art® Gallery is gearing up for their yearly homage to the bridge with over 30 N.Y. artists confirmed to participate. A wide variety of artists from different mediums from photographers, painters, illustrators, comic book artists, printmakers, tattooers, to legendary graffiti artists, are slated to exhibit. “The city tends to celebrate this anniversary in increments of 25 years ( 75th, 100th, 125th), I have lived near the bridge all my life, it is a constant factor in my art wether it be panting, tattooing, or illustration. Why not celebrate every year?” says curator and resident artist Adam Suerte. The Brooklyn Bridge was opened to the public on May 24th,1883.  

Three years ago, when the gallery hosted the 130th anniversary, Suerte had just acquired 25 gallons of surplus paint that the DOT was auctioning off to help vacate a supply warehouse in DUMBO. He had every artist use that paint in their pieces that year. That won’t be a requirement this year, but there are still 5 gallons left that Suerte has repackaged and will be on sale at the gallery, along with other Brooklyn Bridge themed merchandise. 

We look forward to seeing everyone at the opening in Brooklyn on Friday May 20th from 7pm-10pm!

Hudson skateboarding, earlier. Washington Square Park, NYC.

FREE "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York" Jane's Walk 2016 walking tour earlier stopping at at East Village institutions VESELKA & GEM SPA

Veselka :: Beceлкa in the East Village specializes in Ukranian #soulfood and has been located on Second Avenue at the corner of 9th Street for over 60 years! Veselka appears in our new book STORE FRONT II: A History Preserved. GEM SPA appeared in our first book STORE FRONT: The Disappearing Face of New York.

FREE "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York" walking tour tomorrow Sunday, May 8th at 1pm for #Janeswalk including a stop at Veselka in the East Village.

Veselka in the East Village specializes in Ukranian #soulfood and has been located on Second Avenue at the corner of 9th Street for over 60 years! To see and hear more about this #momandpop store please join us this Sunday, May 8th for a FREE Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York walking tour of the East Village. We will be leading this free tour as part of @mas_nyc Jane's Walk, a movement of free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by Jane Jacobs. The walks get people to tell stories about their communities, explore their cities, and connect with neighbors. To join our free walking tour meet us at 1pm on Sunday, May 8th in front of St. Mark's Church on the Bowery 131 East 10th St at 2nd Ave. The free #eastvillage walking tour will last approx. 1 hour. #JJ100 #signgeeks #JaneJacobs #JanesWalk #veselka @veselkanyc #storefront #eastvillage

Kevin Spacey & Nicholas Hoult Greenwich Village, NYC

Filming "Rebel In The Rye" based on The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger ‪

FREE JANE'S WALK 2016: Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York this SUNDAY!

Led By James & Karla Murray May 8, 2016, 1:00 PM
Meeting in front of St. Mark's Church on the Bowery
131 East 10th Street at 2nd Avenue

Held annually in over 180 cities across the globe during the first weekend of May, Jane’s Walk is an international movement that honors legendary urban activist Jane Jacobs. MAS is the proud local organizer of Jane’s Walk NYC, which has grown from 23 walks into the largest Jane’s Walk festival in the world! In 2015, Jane’s Walk NYC featured 211 walks.  This year, as we gear up for what would have been Jane Jacobs’ 100th birthday, we’re aiming for the biggest and best Jane’s Walk yet.

Our work info: http://janeswalk.org/united-states/new-york-city-ny/store-front-disappearing-face-new-york 

East Village Meat Market

In celebration of Orthodox Easter we are posting the East Village Meat Market, which has been in business since 1970. It was founded by Julian Baczynsky, who came to ‪#‎NYC‬ from ‪#‎Ukraine‬ in 1949 and later opened his own ‪#‎butcher‬ shop. This ‪#‎momandpop‬ shop specializes in Eastern European ‪#‎kielbasa‬, which is made by hand in the back of the ‪#‎storefront‬. To see and hear more about this traditional ‪#‎Ukranian‬ ‪#‎meat‬ market please join us next Sunday, May 8th for a FREE Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York walking tour of the East Village. We will be leading this free tour as part of @mas_nyc Jane's Walk, a movement of free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by Jane Jacobs. The walks get people to tell stories about their communities, explore their cities, and connect with neighbors. To join our free walking tour meet us at 1pm on Sunday, May 8th in front of St. Mark's Church on the Bowery 131 East 10th St at 2nd Ave. The free ‪#‎eastvillage‬ walking tour will last approx. 1 hour. ‪#‎greekeaster‬ ‪#‎JJ100‬ ‪#‎signgeeks‬ ‪#‎JaneJacobs‬ ‪#‎JanesWalk‬

Before sunset, Saturday, Tompkins park, NYC

Red Tailed hawk cleaning up nest...

Book Horizons, Coral Gables, Florida

Book Horizons, a family-owned and operated college and law bookstore in Coral Gables, Florida near the University of ‪#‎Miami‬. It has been open since 1953! We love its ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎sign‬ in ‪#‎script‬ ‪#‎type‬. ‪ ‪#‎typography‬ ‪#‎storefront‬ ‪#‎independentbookstoreday‬ ‪