Lea at 188 Allen Shutters

Three likeminded establishments in nearly four years each made a go at 188 Allen Street, all with the same outcome. Failure.  The latest to fold was the trendy B&T hookah/panini spot Lea, which first opened at this address in December 2009. This news should come as no surprise to locals, as the joint was rarely occupied during the week, and scraped by on the weekends.

For the last few days, the rather large piece of commercial real estate between the Thompson LES and Konditori has been put under the knife. Complete interior demolition. All in public view.  No exact word at the moment as to the successor, but it’s only a matter of time.

So, for the record…

Maradona, Diamond’s Wine Bar, and Lea lived here. To quote the Doors, “No one here gets out alive.”