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!