Crown Cosmetics, Brooklyn, NYC

Photo from 2009 appears in our book "Store Front II-A History Preserved".

James and Karla Murray’s classic tome STORE FRONT II, from their ongoing Store Front series, is now available (Dec 2017) for the first time in its covetable “mini” format. The Murrays have been capturing impeccable photographs from the streets of New York City since the 1990s. With Store Front II they’ve continued their documentation of an important cross-section of New York’s “Mom and Pop” economy. The Murray’s penetrating photographs are only half the story though. Their copious background texts, gleaned largely from interviews with the stores’ owners and employees, bring wonderful color and nuance to the importance of these unique one-off establishments.

Chuen Lee Fabrics, Lower East Side, NYC

We love the vernacular #typography on this #storefront signage as well as all the colorful bolts of fabrics stacked up in the window. Even the light green fire escape contrasted against the dark red brick of the building caught our eye. #Analog photo from 2006 appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".  #chinatown

NEW CHROMATIC SIGNAGE COLLAGE PRINTS AVAILABLE

Up to 6 feet in length!

We designed this colorful collage using actual signage taken from our collection of New York City #storefront photos.
We have 3 limited edition sizes available:

- 8.5 x 32 inch width image printed on 12 x 36 Kodak Professional Endura Glossy Paper Edition of 50 @ $250/print

- 11.75 x 44 inch width image printed on 20 x 48 inch width Fuji Crystal Archive DPII Glossy Edition of 15 @ $500/print (Photo left showing 48 inch print)

-18 inch height x 68 inch width image printed on 20 x 80 inch (6 feet 6 inch width) width Fuji Crystal Archive DPII Glossy, Edition of 10@$800/print Custom sizing also available.

Payment via PayPal to our account at: jandkphoto@att.net

Over by Old St. Pat's, NoLiTa, NYC, autumn afternoon, just before sundown...

Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village celebrated Jimi Hendrix's 75th birthday anniversary last night!

There was an exclusive appearance of "Kiss the Sky" starring Jimy Bleu, the world's longest running Jimi Hendrix tribute artist. Cafe Wha? has a long history of giving many new musicians and performers their start including Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, and Richard Pryor. Photo from 2010 appears in our book "New York Nights".

To celebrate #cybermonday and the upcoming holiday season, we are releasing 11x14 inch signed prints of this photo for $99 with FREE standard shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S.

Please DM or email us at jandkphoto@att.net to order. This special price with shipping also applies to our previously announced 11x14 prints of Vesuvio Bakery, Zig Zag Records and Katy’s Candy Store. Ralph’s Discount City in TriBeCa.

We chose this photo for the cover of our book “Store Front:The Disappearing Face of New York” for two reasons; 1. we absolutely loved the unique #font used for its #signage and 2. we had a personal attachment to this store which sold a wide variety of products (always stuffed into the blue shopping bag seen in the photo) and were saddened when it closed in 2007. The building this #storefront was located in was torn down to make way for a new luxury condo.

Slow going

Heading down 5th Avenue, Midtown, NYC, earlier... Christmas time in the city.

Hudson. At St Marks Comics, East Village, NYC, earlier... #shopsmall #shoplocal

"No dogs allowed inside so I'll just hop up on this little perch here and keep an eye on @JamesandKarlaMurray while they're inside"

Trash & Vaudeville, East Village, NYC for #shopsmall... with Hudson

Hudson. #shopsmall today at one of our favorite small independent businesses in our neighborhood of the #eastvillage Trash & Vaudeville on East 7th Street . Trash and Vaudeville was founded by Ray Goodman in 1975 and was forced to leave its long-time home on St. Mark's Place after 40 years but luckily was able to relocate just a short walk away to its new home on East 7th Street. It has been a popular place for musicians to get #punkrockclothing and accessories for decades. We hope everyone supports their local #momandpop shops today! 

Hudson. Over at The New York Public Library on 5th Ave and 42nd, NYC, earlier...

Vesuvio Bakery, SoHo, NYC

This Italian Bakery, which specialized in bread 🍞 and biscuits baked in its coal-fired ovens was in business from 1920 -2008. Even though the #storefront facade has remained largely unchanged in appearance, the business is no longer an Italian Bakery. Photo from 2004 appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York". To celebrate #shopsmall for Saturday, November 25th and for Black Friday, we are releasing 11x 14 inch signed prints of this photo for $99 with free standard shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S. Please DM or email us at jandkphoto@att.net to order.

At The 91st Annual Thanksgiving #macysparade earlier today...

We loved seeing these giant balloons 🎈 parade down 6th Avenue. Notice how large these #giantballoons are when you compare it to the building seen behind it (the average story in a building is 10 feet tall).  #happythanksgiving #popyacolour #ig_nycity #ig_great_shots_nyc #IGS_NYC #ipulledoverforthis #thanksgivingdayparade #macysthanksgivingdayparade

Hudson. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

To celebrate the holidays, we are highlighting some of the local #eastvillage #momandpop shops where we go to get supplies, including Porto Rico Importing Co. on St. Mark's Place near 2nd Avenue. @hudsonpittienyc, instagram, waits patiently outside the #storefront as we buy their Auggie's blend coffee ☕️. This fourth-generation family-owned business was founded in 1907 on Bleecker Street. Peter Longo, the owner told us that they "sold coffee, tea, dried mushrooms and olive oils to the many Italians who lived in the neighborhood. My family lived above the store and years ago we used to roast our own coffees in the back of this store..." We still go to their larger Bleecker Street shop when we are in the area, but love the aroma coming from the burlap sacks of #roastedcoffee beans in this tiny shop.

Subway Inn, NYC...

Subway Inn was founded in 1937 and was located near the Lexington Avenue subway 🚋 line entrance by the Bloomingdale's Department Store. After 77 years at its iconic location, it was forced to relocate to a new location when a new development was planned for its 1880s building. The Salinas family, who owns the #divebar took the original "Subway Inn" #neon sign and re-installed it in 2015 in its new @subwayinn location on Second Avenue by the Roosevelt Island tram. We are happy that they saved this gorgeous #neonsign!

Photo above is from 2011 and interview with longtime bartender, Rodney Williams, appears in our book "New York Nights".

NEW CHROMATIC SIGNAGE COLLAGE PRINTS AVAILABLE

Up to 6 feet in length! We designed this colorful collage using actual signage taken from our collection of New York City #storefront photos.

We have 3 limited edition sizes available:
- 8.5 x 32 inch width image printed on 12 x 36 Kodak Professional Endura Glossy Paper Edition of 50 @ $250/print
- 11.75 x 44 inch width image printed on 20 x 48 inch width Fuji Crystal Archive DPII Glossy Edition of 15 @ $500/print (Photo left showing 48 inch print)
-18 inch height x 68 inch width image printed on 20 x 80 inch (6 feet 6 inch width) width Fuji Crystal Archive DPII Glossy, Edition of 10@$800/print

Custom sizing also available.

Payment via PayPal to our account at: jandkphoto@att.net

Hudson. Over at Southern Cross Coffee, East Village, NYC

This independent coffee ☕️ shop in the East Village is named for the constellation that guided travelers in the Southern Hemisphere before compasses were invented. The two founding partners, an Australian and an Argentine note that the cluster of ✨ stars are an important part of both of their cultures. They also serve a blend of both countries dominant coffees, which are grounded in traditional Italian espresso methods. We are happy to have a wonderful new #coffeeshop in our neighborhood and also appreciate that they provide clean fresh water for our boy...

JQ Grocery Store, NYC...

Jade Mountain was in business from 1931 to 2007

Reginald Chan took over the business from his grandfather, an immigrant from Guangdong, China 🇨🇳. This Chinese restaurant specialized in chop suey, chow mein 🍜and egg foo young. When we interviewed Reginald, he told us that their menu really hadn't changed except for the prices (in 1931 the chow mein lunch special was 38 cents). Sadly, the restaurant closed in January 2007, after Reginald was killed while delivering an order of food on his bicycle late one evening. We miss Jade Mountain and Reginald (R.I.P.). Photo and full interview with Reginald appear in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".

Available for PRE-ORDER! STORE FRONT II - A HISTORY PRESERVED MINI Edition

BOOK EVENT this Sunday: Community Conversations: Village Round Table
November 19, 2017, 1:30 p.m. at the Jefferson Market Library
FREE Link to register below...

James and Karla Murray’s classic tome from their ongoing Store Front series is now available (Dec 2017) for the first time in its covetable “mini” format. The Murrays have been capturing impeccable photographs from the streets of New York City since the 1990s. With Store Front II they’ve continued their documentation of an important cross-section of New York’s “Mom and Pop” economy. The Murray’s penetrating photographs are only half the story though. Their copious background texts, gleaned largely from interviews with the stores’ owners and employees, bring wonderful color and nuance to the importance of these unique one-off establishments.


Community Conversations: Village Round Table We are looking forward to speaking at this free event! Sunday, November 19, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Jefferson Market Library Fully accessible to wheelchairs Free and Open to the Public RSVP link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/village-round-table-tickets-39664890756  

Schedule of Events at Community Conversations: "1:30pm - James and Karla Murray are husband-and-wife professional photographers, and the authors of Store Front and other critically acclaimed books. James and Karla will discuss their work documenting streetscapes and stories through photographing mom and pop shops and their owners, with a particular focus on the importance of small businesses to the culture, texture, and spirit of individual neighborhoods."


Pre order STORE FRONT II Mini Edition from our independent publisher Gingko Press here: http://gingkopress.com/shop/store-front-ii-mini/

Just after sunset out in Brooklyn, NYC, the other night...

Zig Zag Records, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn

To celebrate early #shopsmall for Black Friday we are releasing 11x 14 inch signed prints of this photo for $99 with free standard shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S.

Please DM or email us at jandkphoto@att.net to order.

This #vinylrecord shop specialized in classic rock but also was popular in the 1980s for its heavy metal #vinyl selection. Sadly this #momandpop store closed in late 2010 after 35 years in business. We photographed it in 2005 for our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York" and spoke with the owner, Stan, who told us that the window had looked the same for years because the record companies no longer gave him posters for free as they had done in the 1980s and 1990s. #storefront #disappearingfaceofnewyork

Chilly Hamburgers

Over at Shake Shack, Madison Square Park, NYC, earlier...

Joey Starr's Tavern, Jersey City, NJ

Sunshine Cinema, Lower East Side, NYC

Sadly, the new owners of this building have just filed for demolition of this 3-story theater in order to make way for a new mixed use retail and office project. Unfortunately the building is not landmarked as it has had many uses over the years and has changed significantly in appearance. It was initially built as a church in 1844 and later converted into a nickelodeon called the "Houston Hippodrome", where Yiddish three-act plays where shown. The Sunshine Theater 🎭 was established by Charlie Steiner in 1917. We will definitely miss this beautiful #theater which was renovated in 2001 with stadium seating. Photo and full text about the history of the theater appears in our book "New York Nights". #neon #type #cinematreasures #neonsign #lodownny #lowereastnyc

Remedy Diner, Lower East Side, NYC, late...

Star Shoe Shop, Greenwich Village, NYC.

Film. We love the simple #stenciled lettering this shoe 👞repair shop has as well as the glow the #neonsign is giving to the products displayed on the window. #disappearingfaceofnewyork

Community Conversations: Village Round Table We are looking forward to speaking at this free event!

Sunday, November 19, 2017, 1:30 p.m.
Jefferson Market Library
Fully accessible to wheelchairs
Free and Open to the Public
RSVP Link Here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/village-round-table-tickets-39664890756

Schedule of Events: "1:30pm - James and Karla Murray are husband-and-wife professional photographers, and the authors of Store Front and other critically acclaimed books. James and Karla will discuss their work documenting streetscapes and stories through photographing mom and pop shops and their owners, with a particular focus on the importance of small businesses to the culture, texture, and spirit of individual neighborhoods."

Hudson. Out and about on the Lower East Side, NYC...

Noodle Bar in the West Village.

#signage that emulates the style of an old #privilegesign. #storefront #disappearingfaceofnewyork

Asylum, NY, earlier...

#urbex

Hudson. With K checking out over at I NEED MORE, Lower East Side, NYC, earlier...

Junior's Restaurant in Brooklyn is celebrated its 67th anniversary yesterday!

Not only do we absolutely love ❤️ @juniorscheesecake #vintage #storefront but also think that this #momandpop restaurant's cheesecake is absolutely amazing! Photo and interview with long/time manager at Junior's appears in our book "New York Nights". #juniors #juniorscheesecake

Kingston Lounge, Brooklyn, NYC

This small jazz club 🎶opened in 1944 and became a very popular spot attracting not only locals from #BedStuy but also from Harlem. We absolutely love its #neon signage with its stainless and #vitrolite base. Sadly this club's popularity declined in the 1980s and by 2001 it was abandoned.

Photography from visit to Extell’s Vice President of Architecture Brooks McDaniel's apartment for 6sqft...

Link: https://www.6sqft.com/my-824sqft-extell-developments-vp-of-architecture-moves-into-the-west-villages-70-charlton/