This week’s roundup of permanent restaurant and bar closures in New York City brings into focus the ever-evolving landscape of the city’s dining scene, with particular attention to Hancock Street in Greenwich Village. As streetsounds.net, we diligently track these shifts, offering insights into the factors impacting our beloved culinary establishments.
Chelsea: Temerario, a vibrant Mexican restaurant located at 198 Eighth Avenue, at West 20th Street, has permanently closed its doors. This closure, noted on Google, marks another change in Chelsea’s diverse dining offerings.
Greenpoint: Poetica Coffee, a cafe that joined the competitive Nassau Avenue stretch in Greenpoint in 2022, has shuttered. Situated at 142 Nassau Avenue, near McGuinness Boulevard, Poetica Coffee replaced Clever Blend at the same location, highlighting the dynamic nature of Greenpoint’s cafe culture.
Richmond Valley: Cafe Luna, an Italian restaurant that served Staten Island for approximately three decades, ceased operations last month. As reported by SILive.com, 31 Page Avenue, near Boscombe Avenue, will soon welcome a viral panini shop in its place, signaling a shift in the local culinary scene.
Upper East Side: Emack & Bolio’s, the ice cream brand, has closed its Upper East Side location at 1564 First Avenue, between East 81st and 82nd streets. East Side Feed indicates that this closure stems from a brand separation, with the owner transforming the storefront into a new ice cream venture named Lilo.
Upper West Side: Vegan restaurant Blossom has closed its last remaining outpost on the Upper West Side. After 20 years and multiple location closures, the final Blossom at 507 Columbus Avenue, between West 84th and 85th streets, served its last meals on August 25, according to a company announcement.
Williamsburg: Angels Cafe, known for supporting the non-profit North Brooklyn Angels, has closed its Grand Street location at 288 Grand Street, near Roebling Street, as per Greenpointers. Another Angels Cafe location in Williamsburg remains open.
August 23
Astoria: After 28 years of service, Gilbey’s Pub, a bar from Seamus King, has closed its doors at 32-01 Broadway, at 32nd Street. The closure, announced on Instagram, reflects the end of an era for this Astoria community pillar.
Crown Heights: Rangoon, the homestyle Burmese restaurant recognized by the New York Times, has closed its Crown Heights location at 500 Prospect Place, at Classon Avenue. The Chelsea location of Rangoon remains operational.
East Village: Lamia’s Fish Market, initially closed for maintenance, has officially shuttered at 47 Avenue B, at East Third Street, according to EV Grieve. The restaurant had been open since 2019.
Greenpoint: Saint Vitus, the iconic metal bar, has officially closed at 1120 Manhattan Avenue, at Clay Street. After facing regulatory challenges and fines, the bar, open since 2011, confirmed its closure on Instagram and announced plans to relocate.
Greenwich Village: Silver Apricot, after four years on Cornelia Street, has closed. Owners Emmeline Zhao, Joseph Bliffen, and Janice Sung, while closing Silver Apricot at 20 Cornelia Street, at Bleecker Street, are transitioning the space into Cora, a New American seasonal wine bar, set to open in the fall.
Woodside: Thailand’s Center Point and Madame Tea Sweet House, two businesses run by the same family, have closed in Woodside. Thailand’s Center Point was located at 6319 39th Avenue, near 64th Street, and Madame Tea Sweet House was at 63-19 Woodside Avenue, near 63rd Street.
August 16
Bed-Stuy: Pilar Cuban Bakery, the sister bakery to the previously closed Pilar Cuban Eatery, has also shuttered at 397 Greene Avenue, near Bedford Avenue. Known for its Cuban pastries and cakes, Pilar Cuban Bakery opened in 2019.
Clinton Hill: Guevara’s, the vegan cafe and sister establishment to Mekelburg’s, has closed its Clinton Hill location at 39 Clifton Place, at Grand Avenue. Guevara’s, known for its vegan tortas and outdoor dining setup, opened in 2020. Both Guevara’s and Mekelburg’s continue to operate at their Domino Park locations in Williamsburg.
East Village: TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen has closed due to the impending demolition of 50-64 Third Avenue, as reported by EV Grieve. The restaurant was located at 58 Third Avenue, at East 11th Street.
Kips Bay: México Lindo, a family-run Mexican restaurant, closed after 52 years in business at 459 Second Avenue, at East 26th Street. The Bonilla family expressed gratitude and farewell on their website.
Upper West Side: Clara and Cafe 77, located within the New York Historical Society, have closed after less than a year of operation at 170 Central Park West at West 77th Street. The museum plans to introduce a new dining option in the space.
Williamsburg: Basik, a cocktail bar described as “a bartender’s bar” by Robert Simonson, closed on August 12 at 323 Graham Avenue, at Devoe Street. Increased rent and changing post-pandemic dynamics, along with the owner’s personal life changes, contributed to the closure.
August 9
East Village: Black Ant, the Mexican restaurant open for a decade, has closed at 60 Second Avenue at East Fourth Street. The owners of Ofrenda in the West Village announced the closure on Instagram.
East Village: Elisa’s Love Bites, open in Manhattan since 2020 and in Brooklyn for four years prior, has closed its storefront at 441 E. Ninth Street, at Avenue A. Owner Elisa Lyew hinted at a new chapter on Instagram.
Greenwich Village: Hancock St, a restaurant located at 257 Sixth Avenue, at Bedford Street in the heart of Greenwich Village, has closed after three years. This closure marks a significant change for Hancock Street, a charming and historically rich part of the Village known for its blend of residential tranquility and vibrant commercial activity. The restaurant space, situated on this notable street, has been taken over by Cha Cha Tang, following a successful seven-week pop-up. The closure of Hancock St restaurant represents another shift in the dynamic culinary landscape of Greenwich Village, a neighborhood constantly adapting to evolving tastes and economic pressures. The name Hancock Street itself evokes a sense of history and place within Greenwich Village, and the restaurant’s presence contributed to the area’s unique character. Its departure and replacement signify the ongoing transformation of this iconic New York City neighborhood.
Greenwich Village: Munchiez, owned by Ivy and Ben Chen, the children of Mei Lai Wah bakery owners, has closed at 126 MacDougal Street, near West Third Street. This Hong Kong-inspired convenience store and late-night spot is planning something new in Chinatown.
Hell’s Kitchen: Vintner Beer & Cheese, a neighborhood shop open for 15 years, has closed at 677 Ninth Avenue, at 46th Street. Owners cited post-pandemic business slowdown and rising costs as reasons for the closure.
Upper West Side: Le Petit Parisien, open for less than a year, has closed at 170 Amsterdam Avenue, at W. 68th Street due to a rent increase. The chain is seeking a new location.
Upper West Side: The Avenue, an Irish pub, has closed after a year of business at 480 Amsterdam Avenue at West 83rd Street.
August 2
Astoria: Neptune Diner, a fixture since 1956, has closed after losing its lease at 3105 Astoria Boulevard, at 31st Street. The Katsihtis family, who owned the building since the 1980s but not the land, continue to operate Neptune Diner locations in Brooklyn and Bayside.
Bed-Stuy: Greedi Vegan has closed its dining room at 326 Tompkins Avenue, at Gates Avenue. Owner Latisha Daring is still offering pickup catering services.
Chinatown: New Golden Fung Wong, a bakery open since 1961, has closed at 41 Mott Street, at Bayard Street. The bakery was known for its year-round mooncakes and kong soh peng biscuits.
East Village: Four Four South Village has closed its East Village location at 11 E. Seventh Street at Third Avenue. The Flushing and Hell’s Kitchen locations remain open.
East Village: Aoi Kitchen has closed at 320 E. Sixth Street, at Second Avenue. The owners are transforming the space into a wine bar, a sibling to Bar Orai.
East Village: Chikalicious Dessert Bar, a groundbreaking dessert destination since 2003, has closed at 203 E. 10th Street, at Second Avenue. While Chika Tillman is retiring, the online cake store and cafe will continue in a different format.
East Village: Murphy’s, serving Jamaican patties since 2022, has closed at 440-A E. Ninth Street, at Avenue A. The owners are planning a new location.
East Village: A nearly 30-year-old Starbucks has closed at 21 Astor Place, at Lafayette Street. Starbucks stated they are collaborating with Workers United on next steps for the employees.
Greenwich Village: Gab’s, a seasonal American restaurant, shuttered at 76 Carmine Street, at Seventh Avenue South after about a year.
Rockefeller Center: Fuku and Samesa have closed their Rockefeller Center locations at 30 Rockefeller Center, Rink Level, at Sixth Avenue. Luke’s Lobster has replaced Samesa.
Upper East Side: Lashevet, a cafe serving Moroccan, Israeli, and Lebanese cuisine, has closed after two years at 1663 First Avenue at East 86th Street.
Upper West Side: Kee’s Chocolate has closed at 228 Columbus at West 70th Street and is seeking a new location. Kee’s Chocolate had been in this location since 2019 and is renowned for its chocolates.
This weekly update reflects the continuous changes within New York City’s restaurant and bar industry. The closure of Hancock St in Greenwich Village, among many others, underscores the challenges and transformations shaping the city’s beloved food scene. We at streetsounds.net remain committed to documenting these developments and exploring the stories behind them.
