Noodles no More: 88 Lan Zhou Closes on October 31
Photo: Sara Graham
For Chinatown favorite, 88 Lan Zhou, the brief reprieve is up. Closure is happening at month’s end. Despite a recent surge in sales and support.
“With a heavy heart, we’re announcing that our final day of operations will be October 31,” the handwritten sign at 40 Bowery reads.
The closure was also announced on Instagram – “We tried everything we could to stay afloat, but in the end, it was just too difficult to just survive in these current conditions.”
Ownership blamed the coronavirus pandemic for destroying the hand-pulled noodle business, and originally announced an August end date. However, they worked with the landlord of 40 Bowery to remain for these intervening months. The local group Send Chinatown Love reported that the restaurant had been a one-woman operation of late, with an outstanding rent balance dating back to February.
Meanwhile, dumplings will be sold until the bitter end. So, it’s probably wise to start stockpiling. Winter is coming.
Recent Stories
Clayton’s Corner: Overthrow the Wrong Way
In this installment of Clayton’s Corner, photographer Clayton Patterson shares news that the Overthrow boxing gym on Bleecker Street is back in action. Then, crosstown on Essex Street, two cops stopped for a quick slice. However, flouting traffic by driving the wrong way to park in front of Champion Pizza. This move seemed to irk […]
How COVID and a Bus Stop Chased Benson’s from Essex Street
The following guest post was penned by Boogie reader Sydney Fishman. For five years, Benson’s held down the corner of East Houston and Essex Streets with craft beers, sumptuous burgers, and the occasional movie night. The movie nights, according to owner Annie Morton, were the highlight of Benson’s tenure on the Lower East Side. Before […]
Next Phase of Market Line at Essex Crossing Now Visible
With scaffolding and other construction elements removed from The Artisan building at Essex Crossing, another part of the Market Line is coming into focus. Unlike the westernmost third of the Market Line, this section beneath 180 Broome Street feels less like a dungeon. Design elements, including massive grand staircase and full facade glass open the […]
14-Story Eldridge Street Hotel Hit with Stop Work Order
The hotel newcomer underway on lower Eldridge Street – recently topped out at fourteen stories – met the might of the city. Inspectors from Department of Buildings issued a stop-work order on 79 Eldridge about a week ago. It’s a full order which only allows work “to provide shoring for all staircases and provide design […]
Eighteen Groups Sign Open Letter Demanding Transparency over CB3 Removal of Committee Chairs
Eighteen community groups within Community Board 3 on the Lower East Side this week co-signed an open letter to city and state officials urging inquiry into the removal of Alexandra Militano and Carolyn Ratcliffe as chairs of the SLA and Arts & Culture subcommittees, respectively. The shakeup, apparently inspired by a stated “new direction” for […]
