December 10, 2011
Yesterday I wrote about how Gabe Stulman single-handedly wrecked Fedora, so today I thought I’d check in on a place that’s going to have a happier ending to their renovation, The Waverly Diner. Back in the fall I went and discovered boards on the windows and the neon unlit. I expected the worst—Starbucks, T.G.I. Fridays, 7-11, Chipotle...but lo and behold, it looks like it’s going to be open soon and with minimal changes. Here’s the advance photos and story at Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York. I haven’t been by there for awhile, so now I’m curious as to when they’re reopening. I thought I’d go there and check it out, it would be great if it was open!
Well, it's not open yet, but curtains are up and the neon signs are back.
I wonder when they'll finally reopen. It's been closed since July, that's a long time for a renovation.
The neon signs were taken down at one point and I thought that was the end of this place. Nice to see them back, I can't wait to see them lit up.
And I'm not the only one curious about what's happening inside either.
These three guys were checking it out and trying to peer over the paper covering the window.
Here's a shot I took from holding my camera above the paper. It looks like it could open any day now, I'll keep checking.
Since I was in this neck of the woods, I thought I'd walk over to the space where one of my favorite bars, The Stoned Crow used to be. I haven't been there since there closing night last New Year's Eve. I wonder what's in there now? It's right down the street here, let's go see.
Nothing's moved in here. This is what kills me. Betty, the owner of The Stoned Crow told me that the landlord drove her out by raising her rent so high she couldn't afford it. So she had to leave and now it sits vacant. Is this better for the greedy landlord? It doesn't make sense to me.
That's where the Stoned Crow sign used to hang. Now it's just a patch of brown on a vacant basement.
Smile, you're on MAD camera. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.
Further Reading: New York Magazine, MAD and 365 Bars.
Holidays and salad days and days of moldy mayonnaise,
Caress me Aunt Jemima.
(Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!)
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Bonus Linkage!
My friend Phil Luciano wrote a great tribute to Mike’s Tavern bar owner, Tony Ward. Check it out here: One of a kind, times two.
If you live in New York and are out and about today or next Saturday or Sunday, CBBM documenter, Spike and his wife organize a hand-made, gifts and crafts holiday fair at d.b.a. Check out the information at this post at EV Grieve: 7th Annual d.b.a. Holiday Fair.
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Bonus Art By Jaws!
Jaws sent in this artwork to accompany the post. Nice one, Jaws, thanks!
18 Comments
Reader Comments (18)
I know what you mean,,,man, they raise the bloody rent and tenant is forced out. Now the bastard has an empty store, happy now you son of a bitch. Enjoyed the article about Tony Ward, funny how Phil mentioned Tony's daughter cleaning up a bit now,,,,a little dusting that would have Tony turning in his grave,,,,everyone should check out that link to Phil's tribute. "Smile for the Camera" on the front door of an empty closed bar,,,,,yeah,,,smile and take a piss for the greedy bastard.
Got something special just for you and today's lonely trek through Manhattan waiting for you in your e-mail Marty.
Its the dog with the bone story.. greedy dog greedy landlord.. stupid motherfucker will have NO bones... cause of his stupid money wanting boner...
cant wait for the waverly to open back up and see what you eat...
hey look behind you marty.. a man with an ax!
Greedy Bastards. Hope they all rot.
Especially the ones that sit vacant now.
What. The. Fuck?
Glad you go back and check on these places.
Too many just move on.
Preserve the history and legacy of these landmarks. They are.
@Al: It's almost been a year and the place is vacant. Nice call by the stupid-ass, greedy landlord. Glad you read Phil's article, a great tribute to Tony!
@Jaws: I'll go check it shortly, thanks!
@Gidgie: If they still have the Waverly melt, I'm going to have that and fries extra well done. Now, I'm afraid to turn around!
@"Boris:" In full agreement about letting letting them rot. Wasn't that the title of a Rutles album?
I concur with Al 100% ...
@GENE: Me too!
I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but you are all equating microeconomics to personal finance. The landlord is rarely an individual, in all likelihood the deed is held by a commercial real estate holding company. Whereas as a single landlord would be loathe to miss a single month of rent, a holding company can easily weather the storm of several years of vacancy. It is more profitable to have 20% of the holding company's properties vacant if the other 80% sign to higher rent leases. The commercial real estate market, although influenced, is not directly tied to the housing market. Despite the housing market being soft, and the economy being soft in general, businesses and stores which need a presence in New York City need to find a place to rent eventually or relocate outside of the city. (Unless of course, they go out of business entirely.) Those business which chose to lease the high rent commercial spaces can either take a hit to profits, or pass the cost on to the consumer, or lower the cost of their labor. (Or a combination of the three.)
This is all still microeconomics, but as during this recession, it becomes apparent that a large swath of the commercial real estate market is dominated by large commercial holding companies, it becomes a macroeconomic issue. The golden rule of supply and demand no longer applies if a small group of speculators can control and manipulate the supply. Eventually, the market will self-correct, but in all likelihood, with the holding companies' raised rents still built into the pricing structure. In the meantime, besides the economic impact of lost jobs (and thus lost tax revenue) and higher prices, the city also loses revenue due to loop holes relating to property taxes on vacant lots.
If you think I'm exaggerating the exorbitant rents, consider the fact that just prior to the dot-com bubble burst, there were one and a half million vacant offices in downtown alone. Another example would be CBGB's. I'm not lamenting their price out. By the time they left New York for the greener pastures of Las Vegas, they were über-corporate whores, (They owned the wine bar next door.) CBGB's decided the rent was too high to keep their flagship where they started. (@MAD strange fish tattoo Matt (bouncer there) used to get me free drinks down there, they were always busy.)
In conclusion, although it is true that New York is in a constant state of change, it is usually a neighborhood or a specific commercial sector of the city, ot a all out five borough assault. New York isn't vanishing, it's being bought in bulk and parceled back out at artificially high rates. The next time you see a vacant storefront, don't bemoan a greedy landlord for his shortsightedness, bemoan a greedy landlord for his shrewd business manipulation.
Sorry, I must have a stick up my ass today. Merry fucking Christmas.
@csp: You just made my brain explode. Now there's a nasty stain on my wall right next to the other nasty stain where I threw up in 2003. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
@csp: Thanks. I think by reading your comment that I should get my economics degree in the mail any day now!
@Mad: Very exciting news about Waverly diner. I remember the post when you first went there and i was boarded up. I'll be dropping by on my next visit for sure.
@Gene: I think Debbie is calling you to come home.
Yes, happy news that Waverly is almost back. Looking forward to going in again. Sad about Stoned Crow though - & it's being repeated all over the city. Hope the cheeseburger night is a good one!
Thanks for the shout out Marty! We had a great day and look forward to the next weekend at the dba craft fair!
On your post, I'm with you. Greedy landlords who give up sure money from tenants who have worked hard to make a life for themselves, just in hopes they can get some sucker to pay double the price, well, they suck! I just don't get it! I hope it comes back to bite them in the ass.
Hey Marty marty marty.....I'm drunk so what who cares? This is my house....
@Clacky: I'll treat you to a Waverly Melt on your next visit! Two thirds of the BBC were in town and we were talking about you!
@onemorefoldedsunset: Thanks, it was a good night out!
@Spike: Looking forward to checking out the holiday fair next Sunday!
@tehennessey: Cook a bunch for me!
I don't understand economics (well, I do, but only up to a "C" level), but I do understand that I miss the Stoned Crow and that handsome bartender with his handlebar mustache. Also, I can't wait for the orange juice machine to make its triumphant return! Huzzah!
@Biff: I hear you about the economics, Biff and hopefully the orange juicer made the cut! Time will tell!
I'm a week behind here Marty. What strikes me about this post - December 10, 2011 - is how loyal you are, to people and places - and how real you are. Somewhere between shots of food, swizzle sticks and cocktails we get a true glimpse at who Marty the human being is. (but, hey... I'm drinking)
@Green Monkey: Thanks! And the line in parantheses cracked me up! Cheers!