A 5th Ave. welcome to Merci Market, which is opening just around the corner at 5th and 13th in a space formerly occupied by a series of trendy restaurants that ended with Danal. The neighborhood has lost four corner delis in the past ten years, so while this one may be pricier than the ones that have departed, at least it will be convenient.
The Union Square Partnership reports:
Amid the broader success of the Union Square area in 2024, the performance of 14th Street between 1st and 6th Avenues stands out as exceptional. This segment alone welcomed 18 new businesses in 2024, including Q4 openings such as Adonis Barbershop, Upperz Café & Bar, Kamisama, and Harlem’s famous soul food restaurant Amy Ruth’s. These family-owned establishments enhance Union Square’s vibrant and diverse retail and food scene.
Thanks to strong leasing activity this quarter, the storefront vacancy rate along 14th Street between 1st and 6th Avenues has dropped to 9%, with just one available ground-floor listing east of Broadway.
According to LiveXYZ, this is below the average vacancy rate for Manhattan Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) (16%) and the vacancy rate for the Union Square Partnership BID as a whole (16%).
Beyond retail growth, investments in residential developments and transit upgrades have modernized 14th Street’s appearance and accessibility at Union Square’s western gateway. The completion of upgrades to the F/L/M/1/2/3 subway station at 6th Avenue has made the station fully accessible, complementing new residential landmarks like FÖRENA (540 6th Avenue) and 101 West 14th Street at the intersection’s northern corners. Meanwhile, construction is underway on a 71-unit condominium at 525 6th Avenue on the southwest corner, poised to complete the transformation of this important intersection.
They pretended like they would be back, but vegan-friendly Blossom du Jour on our block of 13th St. is done.
It looks like shuttered Indian restaurant Babu Ji may be rising from its wage theft lawsuit ashes into the old All’onda space at 22 East 13th Street. A neighbor happened upon the space at an opportune moment, when a garbage bag hanging over a brand-new sign at the address fell down, revealing the words “Babu Ji” for all to see. It’s an unexpected changeover for the space — up until very recently, Red Farm restaurateur Ed Schoenfeld was planning to take the space for a new restaurant called The Mess. The restaurant with chef Zod Arifai was completely built out and had even hired staff and hosted friends and family in February when all work came to a halt in March. Schoenfeld previously told Eater the hold-up was initially a result of issues with the Community Board, who recommended a denial of the space’s liquor license. Schoenfeld did not immediately respond to inquiries, and Babu Ji owners Jennifer and Jessi Singh declined to comment.
P.F. Chang’s has finally opened on the corner of University and 13th, golden horse included. However, Eater.com hates it. A lot.
Community Board #3 has voted overwhelmingly to support designation of the proposed East Village/Lower East Side and East 10th Street Historic Districts. This is a major step towards preservation of the irreplaceable and increasingly threatened historic resources and character of the East Village. However, the Landmarks Preservation Committee must still approve the move.
L’Annam, the Vietnamese restaurant on the corner of University and 13th that closed a few months ago, will become a larger version of the Basics Hardware store that is already on that block next door.