Thrift Shopping in the Neighborhood

Now taking reservations, the latest location of Serafina, at University and 12th.

The great kitchen store Broadway Panhandler on East 8th St. will be closing this spring. Too bad because the store has a long history in the city going back to its original location on Broome Street in Soho. Watch for closing sales.

The new tenant in the old Foxy Lady space on 14th St. will be GameStop.

Soon to occupy the former Forbidden Planet space is Zumiez, a store with all the latest skateboard fashions.

Last Friday, NYC Parks & Recreation, CYNTHIA-REEVES PROJECTS, and the Union Square Partnership officially cut the ribbon on LOTUS, the newest piece of temporary art in the Union Square Park Triangle. LOTUS was the creation of Seoul-based artist Jaehyo Lee. To create the piece, the artist meticulously carved, shaped, burned the individual wood elements attached to a steel armature that stretches 12 feet high. The artwork has certainly made an impression as passersby who can be seen at all times of day stopping to look and touch the new art in the triangle.

Another dry cleaning option has arrived. Young Cleaners is located on University Place between 12th and 13th St.