Ben Ness Gone
Sad to see local photo store Ben Ness go. It was a good place to get passport phots done and was staffed with a nice bunch of guys. It will be interesting to see if the space goes to a local business or to a chain. Pinkberry perhaps?
To get a sense of the pulse of the neighborhood, check out the USP’s ANNUAL REPORT. It’s full of interesting plans and action items, such as:
Public Space Activations: This summer, USP is rolling
out new seating areas, enhanced landscaping, the
second annual mural along the 14th Street Busway,
and hosting an Oonee Pod Mini, a prototype for safe
bike storage.
Park Upgrades: In partnership with NYC Parks, USP
will develop a Union Square Park infrastructure
plan that includes upgraded utilities, irrigation, and
bathrooms amenities, as well as a preservation plan
of the entire district’s tree canopy.
Since January 2021, 46 new businesses have opened in and around Union Square.
The lastest neighborhood store to shutter is Environment 33, the high-end home furnishings boutique on University at 10th. Seems like it was a bad time, economically speaking. to be in the business of selling expensive knicknacks.
Dominique Ansel is opening a third bakery in Manhattan. The French pastry chef, famous for inventing the cronut in 2013, has signed a 15-year lease n at 64 University Place, between East 10th and 11th streets. The new bakery is located on the ground level of that yet-to-be-completed 11-floor luxury apartment complex.
More changes are afoot for 14th St. in the coming years. Find out about the potential plans here.
Visit SmashyClub at 42 Union Square East for inexpensive burgers and fries.
See your mail or e-mail to get the Zoom log in information for this year’s annual shareholder’s meeting on Wednesday, October 12 at 7 PM.