Does anyone have more insight on the Cast Iron House? It seems like they have been stalled for 1+ year. Most notably the sidewalk has been gone that entire time which stinks. — Josh on Seen & Heard: Downtown Connection Changes Route to Thwart Scammers

Reliable, reasonable standbys for many years: Gigino’s, Salaam Bombay, Takahashi, Tataki, Tataki Bakery, The Greek, VCafe, Grand Banks, The Odeon, Edward’s, Walker’s, Tribeca Grill(!), many more. Pricier? Tetsu, Little Park, Locanda Verde, the extraordinary Bâtard. Do I miss Howsbayou, Riverrun, Mangez Avec Moi, Franklin Furnace, Artists Space, Art on the Beach? Of course. — Bruce Ehrmann on First Impressions: Il Mulino

Oh NOOOOO!!!!! this is awful! my favorite hiking store! Are they REALLY reopening at some point? Too bad i was not here when it was about to close! To me, losing Tents and Trails would be the worse of all economic-crise related closings, and amazon/related overtaking of brink and mortar local stores.In the past, I have purchased my Granite Gear replacement backpack and other expensive stuff from them even when I could find it cheaper online BECAUSE I wanted them to stay! — Lia on Tent & Trails Will Close Temporarily

One word = Amazon. Better price, better selection, ease of delivery. No one is going to overpay for "community." Hard truth. Deal, yo. — Jim Smithers on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

Wrong solution. Arrest the scammers and fine them. — Marcus on Seen & Heard: Downtown Connection Changes Route to Thwart Scammers

To Craig S's point, what about the challenged/changing state of retail? Many retailers are closing locations, and even luxury brands are struggling as consumers increasingly prefer to spend on experiences rather than goods. In addition, many new companies are going direct to consumer instead of opening retail locations. Perhaps, in addition to all the very valid points that others are brining up, we are just in the midst of a larger shift in the overall retail landscape. — Anonymous on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

The empty storefronts are a community problem and not a landlord, Tribeca resident, or a storekeeper problem. Perhaps it is a time for members of all parts of the community, including the residents, police, landlords, storekeepers and others to meet in order to find solutions to this continued blight. This is not the first time NYC has been challenged and certainly it will not be the last. The future is ours to create, not to be bystanders. I, for one, am in on this. Erik, thank you for both fine article and your superb publication. Larry — Larry on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

Agree with Nancy G 100% What's happened at IPN is a perfect example of rampant greed. And I'm not buying that the vacancies are due to online shopping -- I can't get a latte, a pizza, a deli sandwich, or my nails and dry cleaning done from Amazon. — AJ on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

The space looks so lovely...from the outside! — TG on First Impressions: Il Mulino

Nancy, Very valid point indeed!! I remember the old shops at IPN and shake my head every time I walk past the empty storefronts. I think the problem has compounded itself further as many landlords have used the "higher" valuations on their property to borrow more against them and so cannot afford to rent at lower prices. Erik also has a very valid point - yes Tribeca has definitely become an even wealthier neighborhood over the years but that is certainly not reflected in terms of foot traffic or sales per square foot. We are still very low population density. Anyone who can afford to pay those Retail rents will certainly choose a more highly trafficked / revenue generating area instead. The rents should adjust to take all of this into consideration. These things do tend to normalize over time so here's hoping we see more flexibility and signs of new life in our neighborhood again. — Rohin on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

The scammers are a blight on the neighborhood. Please arrest them, drive them away, and re-instate our bus stops. — M.E.S. on Seen & Heard: Downtown Connection Changes Route to Thwart Scammers

R u kidding? I live in NW tribeca and the empty storefronts with white cardboard used to be a coffee shop, a pizza place, a Japanese restaurant, a nail salon, a dry cleaners, and the IPN deli. All did great business but were pushed out because the rent was hiked to 60K a month! These places have been vacant for about 4 years now. These real estate moguls must have money to burn since they are determined to keep it vacant till they get their price. We need a vacancy tax now! They are destroying our community with their greed. — Nancy G on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

Anyone can make a Caprese salad in less than five minutes. Eat at home. — J.Patrice on First Impressions: Il Mulino

Man, do I still miss Roc! — Gen on First Impressions: Il Mulino

Thank you. I will call you soon for a reschedule. — J on New Kid on the Block: Paul Ruggeri Gymnastics

Apologies for the miscommunication. We experienced a family emergency on Thursday and had to leave the city early on Friday. A few attempts were made to call you back and reschedule, but the number you called from was bouncing back to Manhattan Youth. Please call the office to reschedule a trial for your son! PRG — Paul Ruggeri Gymnastics on New Kid on the Block: Paul Ruggeri Gymnastics

I had set up a Ninja trial class for my very excited son this past Saturday. I am certain I confirmed the date. We went to the gym to find an "open" sign in the window of a darkened, locked storefront. My son was very disappointed and so was I. Hoping this was just a communication problem. I have yet to hear back after leaving a message. — J on New Kid on the Block: Paul Ruggeri Gymnastics

You really don't know much about real estate. Anyone can count vacant stores. Most landlord's really want to lease their space, at fair rents and are marketing spaces to do so. They do NOT benefit by having vacancy. They are not holding out for more $$. Fact is there is a scarcity of quality retailers looking for space. Many retailers are under experienced, and don't have the operating capital to survive. Others just plain suck. K-Mart, Children's Place, Sears, etc. On the other hand, look at the quantity of boxes delivered to your lobby daily. STOP price checking at the local store then ordering on-line to save $2.00. SHOP LOCAL! — Craig S on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot, and then condos. :-) — James on Valentine No. 65

Actually, we don't NEED them. That much is clear from Eric's post as well as from reporting on this subject in other publications. Developers keep building and selling posh mega-apartments. Tribecans still wear expensive clothes and drive expensive cars. Kids keep going away all summer. Tribeca might never be able to sustain much retail in its environs. What Tribeca and neighborhoods across NYC need is vibrant activity at street level. It's time to look for new sources. — Manhattanmommie on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

Locanda Verde and Gigino have nothing to worry about! I suspect some will dine at Il Mulino just to try it out but my guess is most of them will not return. — DTMOM on First Impressions: Il Mulino

Earlier this year, Il Mulino Prime on West Broadway provided us with one of the most disappointing dining experiences at 2x what we normally spend on dinner (and we enjoy indulging). The food was barely edible and the service was horrendous. The only thing worse were their wine pours. We are generally understanding if things come up, but this bordered offensive. That said we were not overly excited to hear that Greenwich was opening even though it was around the corner. The prices and reviews above further support that we won't be taking a chance on it. Seems like they need to stick with the original on W3. — RG on First Impressions: Il Mulino

In the 1970's and early '80s, the many vacant lots in Tribeca were grassy wildflower fields. When they became parking lots, I missed the beautiful intrusion of nature everywhere. Then I became nostalgic for the parking lots, when big buildings replaced them. — Jane on Valentine No. 65

What's the answer to this problem?? Local shops make a neighborhood- we need them big time! — Vivian on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

the wanna be crowd will unfortunately keep this place alive despite the food and service being so under par. the bartender had a nice personality, only redeeming feature. In short its a ripoff that sucks, and sucks bad. — Anthony on First Impressions: Il Mulino