…And I’ll Cry If I Want To

This is S. Klein, the famous discount clothing store that did business on the east side of Union Square for decades.

The renaissance of the Jefferson Market on 6th near 11th is a letdown. While the prepared foods section is still OK, the rest of the store has been transformed into a humdrum Gristedes. All the local flavor is pretty much obliterated.

“Next week (August 1 to August 5), Contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, and load out material. Installation of bracing rakers, line drilling, lagging and sheeting around the perimeter will progress as well. Concrete foundation walls will continue along the perimeter of the site. Final adjustments to the access ramp within the site are ongoing. As early as Thursday, July 28th, the construction fence along the North end Fifth Avenue will be relocated to the curb line with pedestrians diverted to a walkway in the street as approved by the Department of Transportation. The following week (August 8 to August 12 ), we will continue with concrete foundation walls, line drilling, rock excavation, and loading out, as well as lagging and sheeting. DEP will continue to work on the water main along 13th Street. The site will be open on Saturday, July 30th. Work hours are between 9AM and 5PM as permitted by the City. To control noise levels, work activities will be limited to the placement of formwork and rebar for concrete placement, wood lagging, and installation of walers and braces. There will be no rock excavation, rock chopping, or hauling on Saturday.”

D’agostino’s is long gone, and Agata and Valentina had to vacate so that the undistinguished building can be demolished and replaced by retail and apartments. Should be an interesting build. How high? Unknown at this time.

The northeast corner of Union Square has now been swept clean of its last small independent businesses as Tammany Hall preps for its big upgrade. One less deli, one less smoke shop. And so it goes.