A Brief History of M. Schames & Son at 3 Essex
Since posting about the relocation of neighborhood paint purveyor M. Schames & Son to 90 Delancey, we’ve been in contact with ownership regarding the origins of their former headquarters at 3 Essex Street. And it’s quite extensive! Although the City of New York dates the building to around 1909, the tenement is allegedly much older.
This image has been archived or removed.
But piecing together this history was difficult. The Schames descendants know little about the structure prior to 1927, when the family initially acquired the property. However, the demolition of neighboring 5 Essex Street a year ago revealed some interesting clues about its true age. Based on the antiquated construction methodologies and materials (hand-forged square head nails, hand-hewn beams, etc.), it appears that the original building could have been constructed as far back as the early 1800s. In subsequent decades (nay, centuries), the footprint was apparently enlarged, and gradually evolved to its current state. At present, though, only half of the first floor is believed to be original.
This image has been archived or removed.
And check out the wooden siding, now visible through the busted sidewalk plywood!
This image has been archived or removed.
Tragedy struck in 1940, though, when a large fire consumed the building. Coincidentally, a newspaper photographer just happened to be passing the scene with his camera gear in tow. His chance encounter with the blaze produced the photo seen above. Truly amazing that the whole place didn’t explode with the sheer volume of paints and chemicals stored there. Also, note the firefighter on the move.
This image has been archived or removed.
[3 Essex Street, Circa 1947]
Now that the plywood perimeter of 5 Essex is completely splintered, we have a clear glimpse of the facade of the old paint store. That large opening now sealed with brick was most likely a Porte-cochère for horse-drawn carriages, which probably led through the building at some point in the distant past. Also visible is some of the antiquated wood cladding of 3 Essex, likely the original supports from way back when.
This image has been archived or removed.
Schames Paints is open at 90 Delancey. Support your neighborhood hardware store!
Many thanks to the Schames family for the archival photos and help with their family history.
Recent Stories
LES Synagogue Pursues Removal of Deed Restriction to Redevelop for Residential
As reported last month, the Lutowisker Synagogue on the eastern fringe of Delancey Street is headed toward redevelopment. The congregation, which owns the building and has been present on the Lower East Side since 1877, hopes to construct housing atop its house of worship. The proposal as it stands is to expand the building at […]
Famous Hakki Opens ‘Cluck’s’ Fried Chicken Spot on Essex Street
Famous pizza maker Hakki Akdeniz just unveiled his latest fast food concept. It’s chicken-focused fast food and seems poised to collect plenty of cash from weekend revelers in Hell Square. Cluck’s debuted last week at 115 Essex Street, mere steps from Hakki’s Champion Pizza. The signature menu offering here is the “chicken cone,” which is […]
Caught Red-Handed: Spa Ordered Shut for Prostitution
Yet another Lower East Side “spa” is busted for prostitution. Grand Healing at 297 Grand Street was ordered shut by the police department at the end of October. It precedes the sex-related closure of Good Luck Spa on Orchard Street, yet appears part of the same crackdown. (Just take a look at that calligraphy in […]
City Honors Sun Yat-Sen with Plaza and Permanent Statue in Columbus Park
Mayor de Blasio, Councilwoman Margaret Chin, and other politicians this week dedicated a slice Chinatown’s Columbus Park to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. This past Tuesday, what would have been the 153rd birthday of the founding father of China, also marked the return of the bronze statue after the city excavated a new permanent home. The area […]
Enter the ‘Lion’s Den’ with Lee Quinones on Delancey
An iconic handball mural from one of the local greats is again on display. Strolling down Delancey Street this past week, you may have noticed the fifteen-foot replica of Lee Quinones‘ “Lion’s Den” mural. It’s fastened to the facade of the James Fuentes Gallery as part of his one-man show there. The “Lion’s Den” dates […]
