L’Annam to Become Hardware Store

Have a browse through Idlewild Books, on West 19th St. just west of 5th Ave. on the south side of the street. This travel specialist arranges all its books, no matter what kind they are–fiction, essay, guide–by location, so that E.B. White’s “Here Is New York” is right next to “Fodor’s New York.” It’s a novel idea that makes for great browsing. This is one of the city’s most pleasant independent bookstores. Good luck to them.

At long last, L.A. Burdick Chocolate is returning to the City they love!  In late October, L.A. Burdick Café (5 East 20th Street, 212 796-0143) opened featuring their award winning hot chocolate and renowned chocolate mice and bonbons.  The café is open seven days a week serving hot and cold drinks, homemade pastries and a full selection of chocolates. 

Don’t be fooled by its name. The new $850-per-night boutique hotel The Twenty Two is actually located at 16 East 16th St. It will also feature a restaurant and a members-only club. Another upscale addition to the area.

Serafina is expanding its chain of quick in-and-out shops by being the first retailer to arrive in the new apartment building on University between 12th and 13th. It’s been about five years since those spaces were ready for occupancy. Now we’ll have yet another spot to buy overpriced coffee.

Next week (June 10 to June 14), material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors inside the building. We will be working on the new sidewalks around the building on 13th st. Additionally we will be working on the roofs of the building.

The following week (June 17 to June 21), material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors as well as sidewalk work.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, June 8st for interior, roof, and sidewalk activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City.

File under news of the weird.