The Death of Chelsea's 8th Avenue II

Just over three years ago I wrote about The Death of Chelsea's 8th Avenue. It got me so wistful that I decided to celebrate The Heyday of Chelsea's 8th Avenue, which turned into my most-popular post to date. (Nothing makes me happier than hearing Chelsea memories from a reader -- on the street or by email -- who read the post.) After seeing some improvements in the neighborhood, I noticed as I was walking to my pharmacy on 16th and 8 the other day that things appeared to be moving in the wrong direction again. A quick stroll between 14th and 23rd, with cellphone camera at the ready, confirmed there are now 17 vacant stores along the stretch -- several of which had opened in the three short years since my original post. As we stroll through the latest victims of high rents, here's hoping Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposed "vacancy fee" for landlords of empty storefronts picked up some momentum. For a neighborhood that was once the queer heart of the city, it's looking pretty ratty out there.

104 8th Ave.

The former home of Rue des Crepes and Swich is now also the former home of Wrapido.

106 8th Ave.

The Japanese restaurant Blue Ginger had been on 8th between 15th and 16th as long as I can remember. 

116 8th Ave.

The former home of Mary Ann's Mexican -- who claimed to be relocating to 20th and 2nd but never did -- was supposedly becoming a WeWork location. But after the office-sharing company bought the iconic Lord & Taylor building in Midtown, the place was suddenly for rent again.

300 W. 17th St.

The local favorite Camouflage clothing store gave way to a Caffe Bene franchise, which didn't last long.

166 8th Ave.

The former home of La Chinita Cuban-Chinese has since become TWO failed Thai restaurants: Room Service and Rhong Tiam: Express Your Inner Thai.

158 8th Ave.

The former home of legendary French bistro Gascogne gave way to Montmartre, a similar theme under new management. But when that didn't pan out, it became Vita, a "vegan paradise" lost . 

174 8th Ave.

The old home of Galaxy Cafe II eventually become the new home of El Cid. That then flirted with closing over the years -- then eventually did only to reopen as essentially the same thing but called Sugar & Spice Tapas Restaurant and Sangria Bar. 

176 8th Ave.

Perhaps the most high-profile flop on the city's once gayest avenue is the quick demise of Haru Sushi. The company spent years transforming the former home of Sam Chinita and Nisos into a whole new restaurant, only to close up shot in less than two years. 

181 8th Ave.

The rather large home of now-defunct American Apparel has been vacant for quite some time now. It's a deceptively large space -- it used to be Jennifer Convertibles showroom -- so its abandonment is especially noteworthy.

199 8th Ave.

Spice Grill was yet another "in and out in no time" business. The fast Indian joint took over Spice Thai, which still has its second location inexplicably across the street.

297 8th Ave.

Perhaps fearing cooties, no one has moved into the old home of Rainbow Station, which moved two doors down a few years ago.

218 8th Ave.

Eising Opticians had been there since at least the 1990s -- the company was founded in 1893 -- but closed quietly in the past year or so.

254 8th Ave.

The former home of S.G.S. Donuts became Breadstix and then Chelsea Deli & Bakery. Now it's just another empty storefront. (Now where will I get my gourmate coffee and dessert?)

238 8th Ave.

Not sure if this Chase ATM location is gone for good or not. But it's been in bondage for years.

222 8th Ave.

Google says Spruce Flowers may have moved to 29th Street (aka Fake Chelsea), but it's a huge loss to the neighborhood. It had been Village Florist back in the 1990s, so longtime residents miss a floral presence on the block. The only good news is that a new place called Chelsea Exclusive just opened. The store is a cross between the now-defunct Starting Line and Efor, with its handsome, pompadoured owner telling me: "We needed a fun store, not a sex store."

218 8th Ave.

The only thing sadder than Kitchen Market becoming a Subway all those years ago is the space now being a boarded-up franchise of the shitty submaker. 

216 8th Ave.

The former home of the great Bright Food Shop was a Qdoba before becoming an Organic Avenue, which has opened and closed twice but seems to finally be down for the count.

192 8th Ave.

The building that housed gay greeting card, tchotchke and porn shop Rainbows and Triangles was fittingly blown to the ground. 

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