Los Muchachos Supermarket

Regular readers of this blog will surely remember the beloved Avenue C Deli Corp — who doesn't remember the day their door was closed?!

I was walking past there, oh, about eight days ago, and it looks like their door is closed forever now:

Avenue C Deli Corp closed forever.

It's weird how they only took half their awning with them — it's even weirder how beneath their awning was a much cooler sign: Los Muchachos Supermarket!

I passed by again a few days later, and saw signs of activity:

Signs of activity.

I thought about crouching down and taking a picture under the plastic tarp, but I didn't know if there was a vicious guard dog inside!

East Villagers are keeping their fingers crossed that an exciting new shopping venue opens here soon!

#eastvillage #avenuec #avenuecdelicorp #bodegas #losmuchachossupermarket #signs

Santa Barbara Deli

This is a relatively new deli, at the corner of Avenue B and East 12th Street:

Santa Barbara Deli.

It used to be a ratty, old bodega, but they've really fixed it up nicely! Not only does it look nicer, but they now have a wheelchair entrance!

You see? It is possible to make things better… in the East Village!

#eastvillage #santabarbaradeli #avenueb #12thstreet #bodegas

Borderlines

I've dealt with the idea of borderlines before, and I've shown pictures of a couple of them.

When drawing borders, there's always someone on one side who should be on the other. That's a problem with borders, and why most (all?) should not exist.

But they do, and for now we have to live with them. One of these borders is Third Avenue. The yellow line that runs down the middle is what divides the East Village on the east from…

But these lines are not accidental; there's a reason they're chosen. This is one of those reasons: on the west side of Third Avenue, outside of the East Village:

Vegetables at the Westside Market on Third Avenue.

East Villagers love things to be chaotic — once you leave, order takes over! Look at how precisely these vegetables are arranged. Look how fresh they are. In the East Village, they'd be shriveled and under the stand!

Nothing stops East Villagers from crossing the avenue to buy these vegetables, but they don't do it. Not only is it neatly arranged, but it's cheaper! East Villagers prefer the food in bodegas, that is expensive and old.

Coolness comes with a price!

#eastvillage #bodegas #borders #thirdavenue #westsidemarket