Fire Sale: Rob Shamlian is Now Selling The Derby on Orchard Street
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The Derby replaces Tiny Fork on Orchard St.
It’s an historic Hell Square fire sale.
Controversial bar owner Rob Shamlian is amidst complete divestment mode, ditching nearly all his local nightlife holdings. You’ll recall his desperate play to unload both Spitzer’s Corner and Los Feliz to one Alon Moskovitch, principal of Mezetto just around the corner. That bid still awaits the approval of Community Board 3, though, after months of withdrawals (they go before the SLA subcommittee later this month).
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Meanwhile, it now appears The Derby is next in line to fall. A banner hanging from its awning reveals that Shamlian is seeking a suitor for the long-troubled establishment, which first opened as Tiny Fork in April 2013 after years of prep (i.e. construction of the new building). “Best final offers” are being fielded until January 15.
Not a complete surprise, though, as we’ve heard rumblings for months about how the business has been hemorrhaging cash. Of course, the failed attempt at a cellar club and the constant big-headed battles with neighbors didn’t help matters, either.
Fat Baby is now the last man standing, so to speak. Could this be the beginning of the end for Shamlian on the Lower East Side?
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