Elegant Woolen & Silk Leaves Orchard Street After 27 Years
Twenty-seven years. That’s how long Elegant Woolen & Silk has resided at 174 Orchard Street. But in the current real estate climate of the Lower East Side, there’s not much room for old-school fabric vendors along this upper portion of the historic street. It’s game over.
This image has been archived or removed.
Last night, the store was looking rather bare. Storefront showcases were lacking and the interior itself was devoid of inventory. The owner informed us that Elegant is vacating the neighborhood for the greener pastures of Flatbush Avenue. Apparently the landlord had no intention of renewing the lease, and wants the business gone.
This image has been archived or removed.
This loss no doubt contributes to the continuing downfall of the weekly Orchard Street pedestrian mall, but more worrisome, provides yet another opportunity for some upscaling. We can likely expect a bar-restaurant to keep The Skinny company; or another gallery; or a trendy boutique. Those seem to be the only options these days…
Recent Stories
Time to Demand Cuomo and de Blasio Protect Workers and Small Businesses in Reopening Plan (OP-ED)
The following editorial was written by Zishun Ning of the Coalition to Protect Chinatown and the Lower East Side. The New York City and State governments are still failing to protect people’s health and livelihood after two months of “PAUSE.” The number of deaths and infections remain high. Patients with COVID-19 are still turned away, despite […]
Orchard Street Shop Continues Pushing Pencils During a Pandemic
Many independent neighborhood businesses have been impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown, including CW Pencil Enterprise. Established in 2014, the pencil purveyor of Orchard Street is feeling the pains of the pandemic and adjusting as best they can during. Owner Caroline Weaver explains how they’ve been trying to keep the business afloat. “Adapting to this new […]
Skateboarders Are Scaling the Fence at Coleman Skatepark, Flouting Shutdown
The brief, state-ordered hiatus from skateboarders grinding under the Manhattan Bridge has concluded. Though, not officially. Signs remain in place at many city playgrounds announcing full closure until further notice. Still not much of a deterrence, though. For instance, the popular Coleman Skatepark on Monroe Street. Skaters have begun scaling the fence of late, flouting […]
Clayton Patterson Gets the Graphic Novel Treatment
Prolific Lower East Side documentarian, Clayton Patterson, is getting his own biography. An illustrated one, at that. The colorful homage is curated by Julian Voloj, and features the work of eighteen artists paying tribute to Patterson’s life and works in graphic novel form. The anthology is aptly titled, Clayton: Godfather of Lower East Side Documentary. […]
Disaster Squared: Coronavirus and Hurricanes Poses Deadly Threat to Lower East Side [OP-ED]
The following editorial is written by Pat Arnow. For more than a year, the city has been ignoring solid community opposition to a massive flood control project that will demolish East River Park, and do the opposite. Now, with a furious hurricane season predicted, not listening could prove dire for these unwealthy sections of the […]
