If you think a councilmember can impede somebody's property rights, you are on another planet. There is no way that you can prevent the owners from leasing the space to another tenant. — vasamuti on In the News: Best Market’s Lease Is About to End

My only consumer experience with the Oculus was when I needed to take my Imac (yes, a gigantic 27" beast) in for repairs, and it was a nightmare. The Oculus is really hard to access - tourists block everything lingering for photos and selfies, many of the doors don't open automatically or don't have a handicapped button, and the escalators constantly change directions from day to day. The bathrooms have egress and ingress for one at a time, which creates insane bottle-necks in a mall that's supposed to contain thousands of people at once. I was told by an employee at the Apple store that all of these design flaws were actually "features" intended for anti-terrorism reasons - to keep the mall from having a consistently and predictably accessible layout and to have few straight and direct exits and entrances. That may make sense as a security precaution (although it seems like it would massively thwart efficiency in the event of an evacuation), but it's a huge turnoff from the standpoint of a customer who wants the shopping experience to be easy. I have absolutely no intention to go back there to shop again. In contrast, Brookfield place is lovely and I find it absolutely packed on weekends with couples and families. I laugh at how high-end a lot of the retailers are, but I haven't experienced it to be noticeably empty the times I've been there. And contrary to C2C, I like Brookfield precisely because it's the opposite of the stressful crowds in Soho and Midtown. To me, Brookfield is where you go when you want a more relaxed suburban afternoon without having to leave Manhattan. — Scott on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?

Seems like there's a Nosy Neighbor column in here...does "Winter Radio Lab" still exist? What's the history of this place? — Will Meyerhofer on Where in Tribeca…?

I think, with Otterness, you're staring right into the question of forgiveness. The man did something horrific. He apologized. And now he makes beautiful, original art that delights adult and child alike. I don't have an answer, and I'm not choosing sides. You can either appreciate who he is now, or dwell on his past. There's a good argument for either option. — Will Meyerhofer on The Best Public Art Over the Years

Yes, that Chipotle has been horrible for the past few years. One time I went there the beans were so undercooked they were not actually chewable - like rocks. This was not a minute or too undercooked, this was *barely* cooked. When I went to tell them, they asked me if I wanted a new bowl with no beans. They were actually going to keep serving them to other people until I asked for a manager. The staff at that location is horrible and don't know the first thing about customer service. — Scott on Seen & Heard: Chipotle Closed for Renovations Again

Considering how many people live in downtown Manhattan, I am always surprised by the lack of chain home furnishing stores in the area...PB, Crate and Barrel, West Elm, etc. it seems like a niche that could be filled. — Charlotte on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that this is/was one of the worst Chipotle locations ever. Check out the Yelp reviews. Dos Toros and El Vez are much better. — Chris on Seen & Heard: Chipotle Closed for Renovations Again

Ultimately, no, because it seems Councilmember Chin was seemingly "caught napping", despite then having put up a last minute fight, but one that was too little, too late. Hopefully Councilmember Chin learns from the closure of Met Food (and the Pathmark at Two Bridges before that) and tries to do more and sooner this time. Fool me once... Apparently Councilmember Chin could not save the Met Food on Mulberry because--as the Times reported--a mere seven days before they closed did she finally discover there had been no binding agreement in place for them to stay! This late knowledge--in the face of leasing signs posted on the property in October--came despite her claim that "she had received assurances from a representative of the shop months before [sic - actually it was in November per the Councilmember's press release quoted below] that it would stay open." What kind of assurances? The kind of spoken promises that are worth the paper they are printed on? Who can hope to make change by waiting until there are seven days left in its existence before holding a rally in front of Best Market or writing a letter to the landlord? Is the Councilmember going to let this happen yet again in her district? Be hoodwinked again? Just look at other Independence Plaza retail stores made to vacate and held vacant for years with crazy, above-market asking prices and yearslong stories about plans for extending those storefronts to the building line! Any day now. From https://sdrpc.mkgarden.org/rally-to-save-met-foods-today/ -------------------------------------------------------------- THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK OFFICE OF MARGARET S. CHIN 250 Broadway, Suite 1882 New York, NY 10007 **MEDIA ADVISORY** Contact: Paul Leonard [CM Chin] (212) 788-7259, pleonard@council.nyc.gov COMMUNITY RALLIES AGAINST CLOSURE OF LOW-COST FOOD MARKET IN LITTLE ITALY WHAT: Tomorrow at 2 p.m., residents of Little Italy, SoHo, NoHo, and surrounding areas will rally against the closure of a Met Supermarket that has offered low-cost, fresh food to the neighborhood for more than two decades. After months of rumors — which were denied by a market representative in early November – the store announced the food market would permanently close its doors on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. This week, Council Member Chin joined other local elected officials to call on the foodmarket owner and landlord to resume lease negotiations. Despite having a current tenant paying $90,000 a month, a representative for the landlord, Abington Properties, said it wants to transform the Met Foodmarket into “a more upscale operation.” With the closure of Met Foodmarket, shoppers on fixed and low-incomes will have to travel even farther for affordable, fresh produce. The loss of Met Foodmarket is the latest in a string of low-cost food market closures in the past few years – including the Associated Supermarket on W. 14th Street and a Pathmark demolished to make way for an as-of-right real estate development in Two Bridges. WHEN: TOMORROW, THURSDAY, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. WHERE: Outside Met Foodmarket, 251 Mulberry St. (at Prince St.) -------------------------------------------------------------- From http://gothamist.com/2016/12/31/nolita_lost_grocery.php NoLita Residents Rally For Another Lost Neighborhood Grocery BY JOSH KEEFE IN NEWS ON DEC 31, 2016 12:10 PM Standing in the rain in front of grocery store windows filled with fruit, vegetables and "store closing" signs, Council Member Margaret Chin led a small rally on Thursday to save a NoLita supermarket slated to close at the end of the year. "We must send a message in this city that the people who helped build up this neighborhood need their supermarket, not any more fancy, upscale stores," Chin said to a dozen or so supporters gathered in the rain to demand landlord Abington Properties re-open negotiations with its tenant, Met Food. "The pattern of greed that chooses upscale stores over a low-cost supermarket, that chooses profits over people, must end today." The storefront at 251 Mulberry Street has been home to the 4,000 square-foot Met Food for 25 years, but the store's seven-year, $90,000 a month lease expires at the end of the 2016. Owner Paul Fernandez, 58, who independently owns and operates the store under the Met Food brand, said negotiations with Abington went back and forth for much of the past year. Leasing banners were placed on the property in October. But Fernandez said that it only became clear he would have to shutter his store a few weeks ago. Last weekend, he put up signs announcing the store would closing on December 31. "They wanted a more, from what I understand, 'high-end' store here," Fernandez, who did not attend the rally, explained by phone. "My primary goal was to provide a service to the community and maintain a conventional supermarket in this very gentrified neighborhood... I could have gone upscale and become an extension of Whole Foods, but I wanted to simply cater to the community." [...] No new tenant has been announced, and Chin warned that Abington would leave the property empty until the company can secure a tenant who can afford higher rents. "They should be penalized for doing that," Chin said. "We're losing supermarkets all across the city... we cannot afford to lose any more of our supermarkets." -------------------------------------------------------------- — James on In the News: Best Market’s Lease Is About to End

Was Chin able to do anything about the Met Food on Mulberry? — Erik Torkells on In the News: Best Market’s Lease Is About to End

Barone Trump? — Karen on First Look Inside the Hotel at 456 Greenwich

While Best Market may not be the biggest bargain ever, it is a good modest neighborhood option. I suggest people who wish the big retail landlord to think twice before dispossessing them ought to contact Councilmember Chin and express their concern. I did. Go to council.nyc.gov/district-1/ It has happened before. Less than two years ago in Soho, residents lost one of their last affordable groceries. The New York Times: "Fears of Food Desert in High-End SoHo as Grocery Closes" https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/30/nyregion/soho-met-food-grocery-closes.html "Margaret Chin, the city councilwoman who represents the neighborhood, said she had been blindsided by the decision to close the market because she had received assurances from a representative of the shop months before that it would stay open. After being informed by a reporter of the planned closing on Saturday, Ms. Chin and other local elected officials, State Senator Daniel L. Squadron and Assemblywoman Deborah J. Glick, wrote a letter to the landlord condemning the decision. " 'Particularly troubling to us and the community at large is the desire for "a more upscale operation" given as a factor by your firm for its decision to end lease negotiations to keep this essential low-cost neighborhood food market open,' the letter said." — James on In the News: Best Market’s Lease Is About to End

Agreed. The whole thing makes little sense, and ignores its inherent advantages. The old WTC mall was much more densely packed and, unlike now, with convenient options for actual commuters and neighbors. See old layouts here: http://www.labelscar.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/WTC%20Map.jpg http://www.rkchin.com/wtcimages/wtcmall.gif Once they chose to change the layout, in part to justify building with $4 billion of public money a white elephant around a central atrium, WTC mall became more similar to Grand Central's layout, with a large open main space and multiple retail levels, without the architectural significance or history. The new WTC mall aimed to be a luxury mall that could be located in any generic upscale suburb 10 years ago, disconnected from commuters and neighbors, for extraordinary rents. Crain's says that for a 1,200 square feet coffee and bakery spot, "Fika's rent started at $30,500 per month in the first year and rose to more than $43,000 in the 10th and final year, according to a rent schedule filed in court." (Who knows what the percentage rent on top of that was?) Commuters are simply not habituated to buy anything at WTC, unlike at GCT. GCT has more food options, both dining and retail, more regular services that people need, Grand Central also offers a wide range of services (shoe shine and repair, optician, pharmacy, watch repair, even tennis racket repair), and even exhibit space, a small transit museum annex and a tennis court! — James on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?

The alley is between the two buildings at 233 Spring Street and 161 Sixth Avenue. — James on In the News: Best Market’s Lease Is About to End

I still think they stocked the mall with too much of the same type of store: apparel, beauty, jewelry, etc. Why not a gym or SoulCycle, or other fitness option? A movie theater or something experiential? If we've learned anything in recent years, it's that people don't shop the way they used to—a point that the Westfield WTC mall seems to have missed entirely. — Erik Torkells on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?

Before the official Chipotle construction signs went up there was a handwrittten sign on the door that said it would be closed for six weeks. We shall see! — Lisa on Seen & Heard: The 75 Club Appears to Be Closed

"Brokers warn WTC mall needs to shape up to draw shoppers," in 'Real Estate Weekly' in mid-May: " 'It made a lot of sense and everyone thought it was a home run,' said Alan Napack a senior director with Cushman & Wakefield of the 365,000 s/f mall located within the transportation hub running underneath the striking Santiago Calatrava-designed Oculus. 'But the reality was less than the expectations.' " Napack said the beautiful design attracts a lot of people walking through, but the design wasn’t 'configured right for retail' given its wide spaces between retailers. [...] "According to Richard Hodos, CBRE’s vice chairman of the New York Tri-State region retail services team, people may pass by the World Trade Center mall, but they don’t often stop to visit the shops. " 'One issue is that they don’t have enough people entering the apparel, shoe or accessory stores,' Hodos said. 'People are passing through. They may be tourists who just visited the 9/11 museum, or they are office people who are in a rush to get to their destination — whether it’s to catch a train or get to their workplace.' "Hodos, who was involved in getting London Jewelers, Roberto Coin, Victoria’s Secret and others into the mall, added that Westfield inherited the layout from the property owner, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and its architect, Santiago Calatrava. " 'The design is confusing to a customer who hasn’t been there before,' Hodos added. 'And to a commuter, the easiest and quickest route is to cut straight through the middle and not get anywhere near the shops.' "Hodos noted that certain retailers are doing well, including quick-stop food chains like Starbucks and Joe & The Juice. He said that stores like Sugarfina or the mall’s many watch retailers are attracting the tourists who look for gifts and high-end purchases. But clothing retailers weren’t having as much luck given the design, he said. "The World Trade Center is a transportation hub and most successful retailers there are ‘grab-and-go,’ Hodos said. 'Some of the apparel, shoe or accessory stores — where people have to spend time to contemplate a purchase — are challenged. Others are improving as the center hits its stride.' " http://rew-online.com/2018/05/16/brokers-warn-wtc-mall-needs-shape-draw-shoppers/ — James on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?

There is an Amazon Bookstore in the Westfield mall in Century City in LA. — Mike F on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?

I wish they would put a Bath and Body Works in the Oculus. — Sarah Ross on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?

"In 1977, Otterness shot a dog he had adopted, videotaping the killing and calling it art. " This is horrifying and decadent. Our "art world" has long gone off the deep end into insanity. Knowing this has ruined any enjoyment of his other works for me. — Marcus on The Best Public Art Over the Years

Good Morning Erik, this sign is located on the wall between 14 & 16 Murray Street next to the UPS store, regards, Sonia Stock — Sonia Stock on Where in Tribeca…?

It's a little surprising how many stores have closed in the Trade Center given the amount of foot traffic the entire complex gets. They need to find their niche. — Anthony on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?

The kids books section in the amazon store at Columbus Circle is A+. I do my best to go to Books of Wonder but when I need yet another gift for the gazzilionth birthday party my daughter has been invited to, the Amazon store is my go to. Be great to have one closer by. — en_b on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?

That building is part of NY history and I'm so glad they're not building ANOTHER residential mess. It would be nice if they put up photos about the building and what the area was like back then. — Sarah Ross on An Italian Food Hall Is Opening at Broadway and Canal

Safe as milk - thank you for posting the historic pics. Truly amazing to see the difference. — Gerald N. Forsburg on Loft Peeping: Harrison Street Townhouse

Financier and Le District have common ownership. — James on Is Amazon Opening a Bookstore Here?