My previous blog post explored my fondness for traditional art supply and camera stores and my disappointment at their decline. Following that, while reviewing black and white negatives from 1976-1979, captured with my trusty Canon FTb during visits to NYC from my Rhode Island School of Design days in Providence, I rediscovered a panoramic image of Canal Street, with Pearl Paint prominently featured in the center. This vibrant street was conveniently close after my sister moved to a garden apartment on Grand Street, just east of Sixth Avenue. She generously hosted me during those NYC trips, even after her marriage in 1978.
This photo, among others, sparked a wave of memories about my deep affection for Canal Street in that era and the significant transformations over recent decades that have diminished the unique charm of this once-eccentric locale. The relentless rise in rents has been a long-standing threat to small, independent businesses in NYC. While today’s gentrification is arguably preferable to the dilapidated and vacant storefronts that once plagued the street for an extended period, Canal Street, like many other New York City neighborhoods, risks becoming just another generic upscale street found in any major American city.
The Historical Evolution of Canal Street
The rediscovery of my old Canal Street photographs prompted me to delve into the fascinating history of this iconic street. Its origins lie in addressing the growing issue of industrial waste disposal. Before the infamous Five Points slum emerged, a small Manhattan area known as Collect Pond, fed by underground springs, served as a primary source of fresh water until the late 1700s. However, it became heavily polluted due to tanneries and breweries discharging vast quantities of liquid waste. Lacking natural drainage in the low-lying area, a canal was constructed to improve Collect Pond’s drainage. Between 1813 and 1815, the pond was completely drained. The canal itself existed until 1820-1821, when it was covered, becoming what we know today as Canal Street. By 1838, this reclaimed land became the site of the notorious prison, The Tombs. The White House, located at 156 Canal Street, gained notoriety as the residence of John F. Schrank before his unsuccessful assassination attempt on former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt on October 14, 1912, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before 47th Street rose to prominence as the Diamond District, Canal Street was a hub for jewelry businesses, particularly at the corner of Canal and Bowery. Even today, a few jewelry stores remain in Chinatown, a vestige of this history.
Personal Reflections of Canal Street’s Past
My recollections of Canal Street, NYC, are rich with memories of Chinatown businesses east of Mulberry Street from years ago. Beyond Pearl Paint, my most vivid memories are of the diverse and fascinating shops located between Sixth Avenue and Lafayette Street. This area was once characterized by stores selling job lots, plexiglass sheets and tubing, and a plethora of other useful items catering to artists and hobbyists. In 1981, Canal Street’s plastic stores included Canal Plastic Center (#345), Industrial Plastics (#309), and Art Plastics (#359). To my knowledge, only Canal Plastic Center, situated between Wooster and Greene Streets, still operates as a physical store today. It might even be the same location where I purchased the blue plexiglass for the marble torso sculpture I created during my senior year at RISD. While Industrial Plastics is no longer a brick-and-mortar store, they continue to operate online.
The Allure of Vintage Finds on Canal Street
I used to frequent a small antique mall on Canal Street around 1978. I recall showing one of the dealers my small alabaster sculptures, and she offered to sell them on consignment. However, when another dealer at her booth suggested I take them to the larger Showplace Antique + Design Center on 25th Street, she became upset and asked me to leave. Regrettably, I don’t have any photographs of this Canal Street antique mall.
Canal Street has a long-standing history of street vendors, as evidenced by a circa 1910 photograph of children by Lewis Hine. I cherish memories of numerous street dealers selling vintage goods, including a specific encounter that remains etched in my mind.
After capturing the photo below, a group of boys insisted on taking my picture with my Canon FTb. Even then, I was wise enough to recognize this as a potential scam, so I declined and waited until they moved away. This particular vendor was selling Mexican fire agate sterling silver rings for $10 each. I considered returning to purchase one but was low on funds and decided against it.
I often browsed Canal Jean & Co, located right next to Pearl Paint. They offered an extensive selection of vintage surplus clothing. Beyond used jeans, you could find men’s suit vests, cardigan sweaters, leather coats and jackets, underwear, neckties, scarves, military knapsacks, and more. The only item I ever purchased there was a salmon-colored vintage sweater, which I almost immediately regretted due to pilling that made it appear too worn. Canal Jean even made a brief appearance in the 1981 film My Dinner with Andre! After relocating to 504 Broadway, the store seemed more like an overpriced vintage imitation rather than authentic vintage. Founder Ira Russack leased the Canal Jean building at 504 Broadway to Bloomingdale’s in 2002, eventually selling it five years later. Canal Jean briefly reopened in Brooklyn on Nostrand Avenue but is now officially closed.
Church Street Surplus is the only genuine vintage clothing store I’m aware of remaining just south of Canal Street. During a visit in 2015, they had a good, albeit pricey, collection of authentic vintage items. I enjoyed speaking with the owner’s daughter, who shared interesting details about the shop’s history.
Remembering Canal Street’s Diners and Dive Bars
I was particularly charmed by Dave’s Luncheonette, a 24-hour diner situated on the southeast corner of Canal and Broadway. I photographed it numerous times, starting in December 1976 and periodically from 1977 to 1979. Although I never dined inside, I distinctly remember getting an egg cream to go for 65 cents in 1979! Dave’s was still operating in 1984, but its lifespan beyond that is uncertain to me. I also photographed Chock full O’Nuts on the south side of Canal Street between Lafayette and Broadway, although this restaurant lacked the visual appeal of Dave’s.
Canal Street in the Present Day
During more recent visits, I’ve been less fond of the numerous vendors selling counterfeit designer bags and other low-quality goods. These tacky souvenir and fake bag stores are an unwelcome addition to Canal Street. However, according to reports, much like the job lot stores of the 1970s and 80s, their days may be numbered. On my last visit in August 2018, I noted the absence of one of Canal Street’s cherished long-standing businesses – Argo Electronics, which had closed after nearly four decades in operation. In 2015, I purchased a simple African ebony walking stick there in ‘as is’ condition for about $5.00. I later discovered it was significantly splintered and not worth shipping home, so I eventually asked my daughter to discard it about a year ago.
Even the questionable vendors with piles of sweaters sealed in plastic (preventing inspection) were absent. Perhaps not a great loss, as in 2015 I bought two cashmere sweaters from such a vendor only to find one had large moth holes. I threw it away and donated the other to a thrift store due to its mislabeled size.
I will soon share a larger selection of my vintage black and white NYC photographs, and high-resolution prints will be available for purchase.
