In January of 2015, when Urban Archaeology announced it was leaving 143 Franklin after 18 years, it was looking for two spaces: one for retail (likely not in this area) and one for manufacturing (definitely not in this area). So this is good news: The company has leased the former Steven Alan Home Shop at 158 Franklin [above] for a new store and showroom. Unfortunately, the mermaid/mermen sculptures have been sold….”Its manufacturing operations are now at 43-34 32nd Place in Long Island City,” says the Commercial Observer. Also: “Krav Maga Institute, which teaches Israeli martial arts, was originally supposed to take the lower-level space [at 158 Franklin], a source familiar with the deal said, but it never occupied the space.” (Oddly, the KMI website still lists that location…. I have a call in to see what’s up.)

The photo at top is courtesy Thor Equities, which brokered the deal.