Neighbors of 163 Lenox Avenue at 118th Street were excited to see the restoration of the building nearly finished last month and the last remaining bit of plywood around the ground level has finally been removed (lower photo). A reader mentioned last week that the two shops have finally debuted in the co-op building that has been under various forms of construction since 2007. The great little restaurant Native is next door and will probably do a lot better without the cumbersome sidewalk shed that had blocked most of the path at this point of the Avenue. It's yet to be seen if there is any interest in the spaces but we are hopeful that another better boutique will come along in 2011.
shame about the plug ugly shop windows which are lowest grade-standard issue but all things considered they did a nice job with the building on what I am sure was a tight budget and happy to see the hoarding down.
ReplyDeleteIf life comes to these store fronts and the restaurants are moving into the empty stores in the building at 190 Lenox Ave ...this will be quite a transformation! Looking forward!
ReplyDeleteIsn't there an ordinance requiring "see through" window coverings? Or is that just on FDB?
ReplyDeleteit would be nice if neighbors made a conscious effort to support all the new local businesses. i get on my neighbors who are "active in the community" & with MMPCIA but don't ever patronize the restaurants & boutiques & wines shops & flower shops... all the owners could do with better support in addition to their regulars
ReplyDeleteMaybe your neighbors can't afford to patronise restaurants & boutiques & wine shops & flower shops.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the ban on solid roll-down metal security gates doesn't go into effect until next July.
ReplyDeleteJoe -- and I presume said ban will apply only to new construction and retrofits undertaken from that point forward?
ReplyDeleteThat's my understanding. Beginning July 2011 new and replacement gates for certain types of businesses (not sure which) will need to be at least 70 percent transparent.
ReplyDelete