1. Claw vanishes abruptly

    Claw

    Winter continues to claim victims. A loss for seafood fans, Claw on 9th Ave has closed its doors, just a few months after undergoing renovations.

    The exterior of the closed Claw

    The closure must’ve snuck up on the owners, since they didn’t even have time to clear out:

    The interior of the closed Claw

    Already looking for a new tenant:

    For-rent signs at Claw

    Claw also had a spot in Chelsea, but it looks like that’s met the same fate. The location here at least would often suddenly be closed, then reopen, back and forth, but now it’s final. No more lobster rolls.

  3. 642 Deli Grocery returns in red

    642 Deli Grocery

    Just last week, we spotted that the deli at 45th & 9th had shuttered its doors. Since it’s such a small operation, and it’s 9th Ave, we were worried the closure might be for good. But fear not! They’ve reopened, with a bright new color scheme:

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    Last week:

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    Looks like they had another go at painting the exterior gray. A few more goes and they’ll get there. Anyway, The interior renovations don’t look too significant, but with them out of the way we can look forward to another good year of the deli.

    642 Deli Grocery

    642 9th Ave

Thursday, Jan 30th

  1. Puttanesca at 56th & 9th closes its doors

    Puttanesca

    If there’s any season that puts restaurants to the test, it’s winter. And so, unfortunately, another local spot is closing its doors. Puttanesca, the massive Italian restaurant at the corner of W 56th St & 9th Ave, has closed. Their website redirects to their sister restaurant, Scarlatto, on W 47th (here’s the original site for reference).

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    The cavernous interior is already cleared out:

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    Here’s the place in happier times:

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    Source: Amiee L/​Yelp
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    Source: Felipe R/​Foursquare

    Now that their location is free, and given it’s – our favorite – prime 9th Ave corner-​facing real estate, and a massive one at that, don’t be surprised if some enterprising chain takes over. Lots of exposed brick and “quirky” chandeliers – you could see someone like Urban Outfitters going for it. We love chain stores.

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    Update: We mentioned in a roundup back in September, but the building Puttanesca was in was sold for $17 million. Might be a connection.

  2. New floors coming to 821 9th Ave

    821 9th Ave

    Some more future real estate plans from the W 50s. A building along 9th Ave between 54th & 55th is planning to grow an extra two stories, along with expanding the retail space at street-​level.

    The building in question:

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    And what you can look forward to looming over you as you walk past:

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    Just picture a bulge on top of the row of buildings here:

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    Source: Bing Maps

    According to the very-​minimal plans, the new building will be 60ft high – 17 more than now – and the upgrades will set the developers back $735,000. The entire 104-​year-​old building sold at the end of 2011 for $2.675 million, and I guess now it’s time to turn a profit.

    The seafood store downstairs has been closed for a while, and surely this development will mean the end of its much-​loved signage. The march of progress…

  3. Condos coming above the Radio City post office

    Because nothing says “modern, relaxing living” like 5am postal trucks. Developers are planning a two-​story extension on top of the Radio City post office on W 52nd St, halfway between 8th & 9th Aves, under the title “Radio City Lofts”, BuzzBuzzHome reports.

    Here’s the rendering. It’s not that obnoxious, considering.

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    Source: Architecture Outfit/​BuzzBuzzHome

    The plan a few months ago looked very different, with a lot more white:

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    The previous renderings Source: Gary H Silver Architects

    The current reality:

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    We’re not even finished the planning stage, so obviously we’ve got a long time before we can experience the thrill of living above a functioning mailroom for ourselves, but given the that all we seem to hear about nowadays is megadevelopment after megadevelopment, a two-​story extension is something to look forward to. And just think of how easy picking up your Amazon deliveries would be.

Wednesday, Jan 29th

  1. Community Safety Night on Friday after beating this month

    240 W 35th St

    After an apparent hate-​crime attack on a gay man two weeks ago that left the victim requiring brain surgery, the New York City Anti-​Violence Project are organizing a Community Safety Night on Friday, to raise awareness and provide safety information. The evening will begin at their offices at 240 W 35th St, before heading out to the community to share safety tips and information.

    The event was triggered after a vigil held last week after the attack, attended by the friends and family of the victim, as well as concerned members of the community.

    Also, in the past few days the NYPD has released this sketch of the alleged attacker:

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    Source: NYPD/​Gothamist

    Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic male in his 20s, approximately 6 feet tall, 160 lbs, with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and black jeans. Anyone with any information can contact Crime Stoppers through their website, by calling 1 – 800-​577-​TIPS (8477), or by texting a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

    Back to the safety night: to RSVP, or if you want to help get involved in the evening, contact AVP’s Hate Violence Community Organizer RJ Mendoza at rmendoza@​avp.​org. You can see AVP’s flyer for the evening for more information.

  2. The new Hudson Yards/Hell’s Kitchen BID is nearly operational

    Catching up on some old news…as one of Bloomberg’s final acts as mayor, on December 30th the Hudson Yards/Hell’s Kitchen BID (Business Improvement District) was signed into effect. The new district will run from W 30th St up to W 42nd, from 9th Ave to 11th Ave. Over 450 businesses will be covered by the new district, which aims to be fully operational by the middle of the year. The area lines up with the existing Fashion Center BID, and the territory covered by the 34th St Partnership. Here’s a map.

    Among the many things the group aims to do for the area will be Hudson Park – a 2-​acre park filling a strip between W 33rd & W 36th St between the new boulevards created as part of Husdon Yards:

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    Source: HY/​HK BID
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    Source: HY/​HK BID

    That’s just phase one, which is scheduled to open piece-​by-​piece throughout this year. They’re also aiming to continue the park all the way up to 39th St – 6 blocks total! – but haven’t secured funding for that yet.

    Other than the park, they’ll also provide street improvements – like bike racks and better lighting – awareness campaigns, sanitation services, and more.

    If all this sounds exciting to you, and you live/​work/​own property in the new district, you can even apply to be part of the action board. You can find out more about the new BID on their site, or in this in-​depth article at Chelsea Now.

Tuesday, Jan 28th

  1. Super Bowl attacks: road closures, etc, to look out for

    It’s almost time. This Sunday, SUPER BOWL FEVER officially takes over the city, and so we’ve got lots of changes around the streets to look out for.

    The biggest thing you’ll probably notice: 9th Ave will be completely closed to traffic from 30th right up to 65th St. Only buses will be allowed to head down. Should save you precious seconds crossing the avenue if you’re running late to whichever bar you’ve chosen to watch the game at.

    In addition, W 40th St will be closed off between 8th & 9th Aves, so there’s that.

    Also big news, as we mentioned when we discussed the incoming Bud Light Hotel party ship, there’s going to concerts held in the parking lot opposite the Intrepid. The main one will be on the Sunday, from 2pm to 11pm. They’ll have a “soundproof” structure of some kind set up for it, and expect over 4000 people to be there.

    And the more mundane stuff, for the drivers amongst you: W 44th & W 45th Streets from 11th to 12 Aves continue to be no-​parking right up until the day after the game, and for the above-​mentioned concert, the parking lot at the Intrepid will be closed for a few days leading up to the event. And 8th Ave from 31st to 34th Streets has parking changes too. This is why we take the subway.

    None if this is even mentioning “Super Bowl Boulevard” taking over Broadway. Here’s a handy map.

    You can see the full CB4 announcement for more (or this incredibly detailed listing of everything changing ever), and for contact details for who to direct complaints to if the special 311 Superbowl Team (a real thing) can’t help you.

    Are you excited yet?

  2. And we’re back

    Things have been a bit quiet around here for the weekend, due to illness. Blame winter. Things are back to normal though, so expect more of the usual “hard-​hitting” “news” coming your way.

Friday, Jan 24th

  1. Sweet Gifts at Video Café closing this month

    Sweet Gifts @ Video Cafe

    Another long-​time area staple is being forced out. Sweet Gifts at Video Café (or just Video Café to many) will be closing its doors for good this month, and unfortunately won’t be reopening anywhere else. The place, which has been at its home on the corner of 48th & 9th, is being pushed out by – no surprise – a rent hike. The closure was announced on their Facebook page, as well as on a notice on the door, as spotted by Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York.

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    An emotional goodbye from the owner:

    To our extended Family that have supported us for the past 20 years. We are sorry to inform you that we can no longer serve our beloved Community. It breaks our hearts to have to say these words, but as you can see from the changes to our Community and rising rents, we can no longer continue our operations. We thank you for your support, kindness and memories that will remain in our hearts forever. I want to give special thanks to Angel, my brother; Angelina; Sandra; Julianna; Ana; Maria and Carlos, who have been there from day one. I thank them for their love and dedication in helping to keep our doors opened. Without a great team behind you, it would not have been possible. To my wife Solange, and my kids Matthew, Jonathan and Christian and to everyone that made Video Café what it was, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making a dream possible. –Luis

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    Source: Matthew A/​Yelp

    Back in the day, the place was primarily a video rental place that also happened to sell various other things, with signage that many locals remember fondly:

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    Source: Susan S/​Yelp

    As time went on, and people stopped renting movies, the store began to transform into the sweets + gifts-​focused store it is today (always keeping the DVD library out the back, of course).

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    Source: Sweet Gifts at Video Café/​Facebook

    It hasn’t been a good few months for long-​time establishments in the area. Just last month, Stiles Farmers Market closed its doors at its main location a few streets down from Video Café.

    If you want to say your last goodbye to the place, head in soon. They’re clearing out everything at 40% off, and all DVDs are only $5. I’m sure the staff there will be happy to see everyone bid them farewell.

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Thursday, Jan 23rd

  1. Doors closed, papers up at L’Allegria

    L'Allegria

    The telltale paper has gone up on the windows of L’Allegria, at 46th & 9th. The Italian spot has been around for over 10 years, so it’s not unreasonable to think that they’re taking the opportunity to do some renovating over winter.

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    Here’s a look inside before the paper went up:

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    Source: L’Allegria/Facebook

    The place has had a rough – and bizarre – history. Not only does it have a 2½ star rating on Yelp, but the owner often replies to reviews with strange, threatening messages. Anyway, we’ve reached out to find out more about the closure, but haven’t heard back yet.

Wednesday, Jan 22nd

  1. 642 Deli shuttered for now

    642 Deli Grocery

    The simply-​named 642 Deli Grocery, on the corner of 45th & 9th, has closed its doors recently, with crews already at work on the interior. It’s looking like more of a renovation at this stage, so we can probably expect to see them open in the near future all new and shiny, but in the mean time locals on that block will have to hike a bit further for deli needs (in this weather?).

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    Of course, the spot is prime 9th Ave corner-​facing real estate, so there’s always the fear that a rent hike or something is pushing them out (because 9th Ave doesn’t need delis…). For now at least, it’s looking more positive. We’ll keep an eye out though.

    642 Deli Grocery

    642 9th Ave

  2. Lost cat on W 48th St

    W 48th St & 9th Ave

    There’s a lost black & white cat somewhere around W 48th St. No photo, but there’s a $300 reward:

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    If you’ve seen the cat, call 917−439−3690. I’m sure the owner will be very happy to be reunited.

    As always, if you’ve lost or found something in the area, get in touch.