Cemusa Newsstands Overtake Grand Street

Just when we thought Cemusa was on construction hiatus, the commissioned street furniture company jumpstarted its efforts on a bustling nook of Grand Street between Bowery and Chrystie. The end game here, a spot long dominated by a constant stream of market shoppers and photogenically decaying newsstands, was over two years in the making.

Act One: When a soulless glass box dropped at the northeast corner of Bowery two years ago, we knew it was only a matter of time before the aged newsstands (resembling huts) at the other end of the block would meet their maker. And that’s exactly what happened.

Act Two: Two months ago, a second Cemusa newsstand sprouted near the southwest corner of Bowery, the placement of which no doubt narrowed passage for pedestrians.

August 2011

Act Three: Shortly thereafter, the dilapidated pair at Chrystie were summarily razed. So far, one was replaced with modernity.

Meanwhile, further south at Bowery and Pell, the battle of inches has finally concluded. Marilyn Louie, present proprietor of the 34-year-old, family-run newsstand at Bowery and Pell, earned the right to stay after the Department of Consumer Affairs reversed their earlier decree of demolition.  However, Louie must accept a new Cemusa structure that is two feet shorter than her current digs.