M. Katz & Sons’ Former Essex Street Home to Become Restaurant?

Posted on: June 21st, 2010 at 6:34 am by

Within the last couple weeks a fresh sidewalk shed was erected at the entrance of 146 Essex Street.  This was the home of M. Katz & Sons Furniture for over five decades.  No longer.  Word on the street is that a new restaurant will be opening here.

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Printed permits posted to the shed reveal that Hecho, Inc. is behind the renovations of 146 Essex.  In their own words, Hecho, Inc. “is a full-service design-and-build firm specializing in the construction of bars and restaurants.”  Past work includes other trendy neighborhood joints like The Box, Spitzer’s Corner, and Stanton Social.  So, if proven true, we can probably expect more of the same for this spot.

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As for M. Katz & Sons, the furniture retailer/wholesaler is still kicking, but relocated back in September to 20 Orchard Street, beteween Hester and Canal.  Their old-world signage didn’t make the six-block trip south, though.  This newer space is below grade and is much smaller than the old digs.  According to one worker, their internet business is doing pretty well, and there was no longer a need for such a big store.

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M. Katz & Sons Furniture has been a family-owned fixture on the Lower East Side since 1906, and is currently in its fifth generation of ownership.  Founder Meilich Katz had humble beginnings, first selling furniture out of a tenement building, and after some success, moving to a space on Stanton Street.  Once his sons were old enough, the company as we know it was born.  By the 1960s, headquarters moved to its longtime home 146 Essex.

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