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The Big Boys are in town. Think of Olive & Bette’s; one of the anchors in a neighbor which once composed of Biography Bookstore, Kims video and various antique stores. As Michael Kors flexed his new shiny muscle, it looks as if the West Village is Madison Avenue only with cupcakes and narrow streets which will make for some pretty gnarly crowds. Make way for Burberry, the Marcs, the Ralphs and all the other stalemates in every mall in America.
What a difference a decade makes. Oh well, you know the tenants are down with the new paint job.
Zeppelin’s lyrics have never made more sense …cents.
There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for
The ever-steady, always alert eyes of Abigail Kunath Park have once again notated the new MAC store on 10th Street *(just off Bleecker) opening in what used to be an old accessory store (who needs those?) adding to what I call the outdoor mall of America full of Michael Kors (taking over the Olive + Bettes), the handful of RLP’s and of course, Marc.
COMING SOON! A lip pencil within walking distance and your sparkling eye shadow will never be far. A West Village Sephora? Never say never.
What’s wrong with this picture? Everything. Wow; Same look; Different Concept, eh? I REALLY MISS THE GOOD OLE DAYS. Read the full-on Eater Exclusive here.
Marc Journals, pencils, rulers, protractors. Trapper Keepers? Why not. Accessorize your life, accessorize your world. Originality rules, West Village!
(photos 1: Eater 2: Kate Donnelly)
When you consider the vacancy of the ole Italian Fedora Restaurant at 239 West 4th Street. One most hold hope an Anna Wintour-like character can keep the super noisy, ultra-trendy restaurateur (that’s you too Paul) out of the nabe. It certainly has that low basement Beatrice (RIP) look, doesn’t it?
From Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York , a peek inside some serious construction of what used to be a laundromat for West Village residents and the beloved, Left Bank Books. No Marc Jacobs store looks to bust a move. Nope, here it seems the vacancy creates a chance for new little cafes and places where the glut of trendy-trendy restaurants with lines out the yin-yang can wait their heart’s content. Lovely for the neighbors of the quiet, peaceful stroll along West 4th.
(images via: Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York )
It already goes without saying that Marc Jacobs snatched, um make that stole, most of the West Village properties. A clean sweep to crown his little mini-stores with book shops, kids shops, condom shops and of course, clothing. Now, the Brits are in town, yes, that’s right the Three Lions have invaded Bleeker Street. Sad when you consider this once quiet strip of restaurants (once Miracle Grill, Paris Commune), of course Biography Bookshop and antique shops is over-powered by little boutiques of big name business empires.
Burberry will replace Les Pierre Antiques (Formerly Pierre Deux), and while French country antiques might not fit the vibe of the neighborhood, the different types of shops along Bleeker were always a good mix.
GROSS; gentrification can be SUCH a downer. Really.
Arty project of a bicycle spotted around Waverly and West 4th, June 14th 2010.
Photo by Abbie K Park.
The New York Times comes through again with excellent Thursday morning reading. Diane Cardwell scratches the growing surface of the new, old New York in her article, A Vision of the City As It Once Was. You won’t find Kemare treading here. This is about the Graydons and Keiths. Think classic mainstays a la the Strip House. Don’t miss it.
WOW; that was fast! The West Village eyes of Abbie K Park don’t take long to throw down the new banner for MALARMARKET (slated for Fall 2010) taking over the old Baby Buddha space on Washington. If it’s as good (read: unpretentious) as it’s counterpart up the street– well, West Villagers would be in for a real treat.
(Image: Abbie Park)
Well, that certainly didn’t take long. And, yes, the West Village eyes are alive and open today. The artist formerly known as Baby Buddha has been LEASED!! The most prominent and ever-reliable source, APK tells me: The spot is becoming a pizzeria by the same outlet/people behind Malatesta Trattoria, the low-key read: good food joint at 649 Washington. This is a promising bit of culinary news for a nabe low on pizza options.
Other articles on the Buddha, Ripco matter: Bye, Bye Baby. Save Your Baby Momma…, My Own Private RIPCO and Red on RIPCO.
(photo image : Abbie Kunath Park)
Behold Kenmare, Waverly (well, nevermind your chef is John DeLucie), Freemans, Minetta; you all know who you are. There’s a new kid in town…the Lion in Greenwich Village which W Editors have already touted as the next hot spot. What I like about this is the decor (not too clubby, don’t count much taxidermy) and I’m down with the pop art a la Warhol. Ditto the high ceilings. The New York Times: “In the 1960s, the Lion was a popular hangout in Greenwich Village where Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand performed. Eventually the town house space, with its soaring ceiling and domed skylight, became Village, a local bistro.” Cool, more flea market art look overly-produced clubby pub.
In lieu of the West Village eats and drinks, er…shakeups, RIP (x many thousands) to the Beatrice and the other attitude packed joints in the hood; the Lion should sleep tonight. Just serve up good fare and be cool to the neighbors. Or as the ever-mannerly, Guest of a Guest recommends “it might be best for The Lion to come in like a lamb.”
It’s a bit of a buzz kill, almost bittersweet, to think one of my favorite eateries (pinpoint the one who helped fashion the taxidermy, F. Scott boys club trend) which spawned the small empire, including Freemans Sporting Club is now responsible for heading West over to Bleeker Street where the old indie bookstores are quickly being squeezed out by Marc Jacobs and co. (including his $30 rainboots and condoms) and where Ralph Lauren and his Purple Label Crew along with the rugby shirts, flannels, and obligatory canvas sneakers, PF Flyers, line the row.
Included in the F.S.C apparel description, From the Racked archive mentions ” a curated selection of sporting and camping gear and utilitarian dry goods.” As if these $200 plus shoppers are actually camping. Tiff…tiff. Stick to your robust coffee and manicured beards…please.
More seer (suckers) and taxidermy in sneakers; didn’t they get the memo Jack Spade is running the show at J Crew...we already have the Ludlow and Bowery pant suit. New York downtown is getting too bloody organized. Or perhaps too fickle. It’s too long-haired LES types who dumped their trendy grunge garb and trucker hats for a 3-piece suit or stranger yet a toggle button coat. Ahhh…how it must appeal to their lumberjack trademark. Rugged coffee drinkers out of Stanley mugs. Perhaps, it’s like playing dress up, a bit like theatre. Oh well, at least it’s Spring.
(Related downtown apparel and store/trend front pieces: My Own Private RIPCO, The Over Glamorization of Taxidermy, Freemans, and More Downtown Apparel and I ♥’d the Liquor Store.)
