Vasquez Grocery in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Yesterday, it reached a high of 85 degrees Fahrenheit in Central Park, which had us thinking about enjoying a cold drink while relaxing in the shade like these two guys were in 2004 when we took this #filmphotograph in 2004 which appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”. We also love the unique handpainted #signage this #bodega has.

 At one point, the sign was surrounded by colorful chasing lights but they had long since disappeared. Let us know if you have a favorite corner store where you can often see locals hanging out. 

• #storefront #jamesandkarla #film #disappearingfaceofnewyork #typographydesign #signagedesign #vernaculartypography #filmisnotdead

La Pastora Bakery in the Bronx was founded over 50 years ago and is currently run by the third-generation owner using his grandfather’s recipes.

We photographed this timeworn #storefront in 2006 and our photo and interview with the owner appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”. @thelamc recently selected our photo of La Pastora Bakery and some of our other work documenting Latino “Mom-and-Pop” Storefronts to be highlighted as part of the 2021 Latin Alternative Music Conference which is being held May 4-7, 2021. 

To register for the free conference and view our full Artist portfolio please visit: https://www.Latin alternative.com/art.html 

• #bakery #bakersofinstagram #bakerslife #latino #latinos #supportsmallbusiness #supportlocal #shopsmall #supportlocalbusiness #supportsmallbusinesses #allinnyc #shoplocal #bakingfromscratch #bakinglove #supportlatinabusiness #supportartists

Last night was the first Supermoon of 2021 and this April’s special full moon is known as the Pink Moon due to the pink flowers 🌸 (phlox) which bloom in the springtime.

 While we look for the moon rising tonight at 11:32 PM, our thoughts go to the former Moon’s Home aka Demetree Hotel in the Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida. The Demetree was a noted flophouse and interestingly has been renovated in recent years as an affordable B&B hotel. 

• #moon #moonlovers #overtown #overtownmiami #hotel #hotellife #hotelhideaway #hotels #miami #hotelsoftheworld #moon_of_the_day

Shake Shack vs Paul's, East Village, NYC

Paul’s Da Burger Joint in the East Village has been in business since 1989 and makes amazing 1/2 pound burgers cooked to order as well as delicious steak fries. We visited @paulsdaburgerjoint last night during our YouTube livestream Burger Battle to purchase & compare freshly made burgers 🍔 and fries 🍟 from corporate owned Shake Shack on Astor Place to the independently-owned Paul’s. 2nd photo of Shake Shack burger and crinkle-cut fries on left vs Paul’s Da Burger Joint burger and steak fries on right. • To find out who the clear winner of our #burgerbattle was please watch and subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

•Full video: https://youtu.be/V-EnzO2d4xw

Olden Camera in Midtown closed a number of years ago but we always wondered what happened to its beautiful #neonsign.

As huge #analog camera fans as well as #typographylovers we would have loved to have saved it! Although realistically it would never have fit into our East Village studio as it was enormous. 

We just passed by this #storefront which you can enter from either Broadway or 6th Avenue and every floor is empty of tenants and currently for rent. 

Photo from 2004 appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York.

Karla wears the “I MAKE THE RULES” while I appropriately wear the “I BREAK THE RULES”

My friends from Argentina @anidespres and @donatti gifted me and my pet parents @jamesandkarla with the most amazing hoodies from @elalmacenderoger , an independently owned dog apparel company based in Argentina which was established because the owner specifically could not find doggie clothing to fit her larger dog, Roger. 

We absolutely love these graphic hoodies which are not only super comfortable and toasty warm to wear but also love the logos on each design. Karla wears the “I MAKE THE RULES” while I appropriately wear the “I BREAK THE RULES”. 

Please help support this amazing small business and look extra good & stylish at the same time! 

LINK: https://elalmacenderoger.empretienda.com.ar/

Rivington Guitars, East Village, NYC

Rivington Guitars 🎸on East 4th Street was founded in 1998 on Rivington Street and focuses on both acoustic and electric #vintageguitar from the 1950s-1970s. 

To watch our visit to @rivingtonguitar: https://youtu.be/38tp9G_y6JI 

Owner Howie Statland travels the US searching for unique inventory for his shop and when we met with him the other day, he showed us some of his favorite #vintageguitars he currently has in stock including Fenders and Gibsons. 

Many famous musicians have purchased guitars at the shop including Walter Becker from Steely Dan, Paul Simon, Robert Plant, Courtney Love and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top.