The New Ray Candy Store

Now that the shock has begun to subside, it's time to examine the recent changes wrought upon the beloved Ray Candy Store on Avenue A.

I'll start by saying that I don't dislike the green, but why oh why did they have to paint everything the same color?!

With all the artists that reside in the East Village, they should have had a contest to submit ideas for the renovation. People would have lined up for the chance to do this, and not charged a dime!

I hate to say this, but it was better before. It was shabby, but it was a calm shabby — it looks like a giant Sour Patch Kids package now!

Well, there goes my chance of being unbanned from their Twitter feed!

#eastvillage #avenuea #rayscandystore #renovations #twitter #shabby

The Paradox of Trees

East Villagers love trees, as I've written before. They worships them! And why not? Everybody wants a shady lane!

Another reason East Villagers love trees is that the shaded area adds to a block's shabbiness. I've pointed this out with the beloved Ray's Candy Store, on Avenue A. Here is another example, on Second Avenue between East 7th Street and St. Mark's Place, home to many small shops, all of them beloved:

Second Avenue between East 7th Street and St. Mark's Place.

Cutting down the trees would make this area look better, but that would make it worse! Hence, what is known as "the paradox of trees"… in the East Village Today!

#eastvillage #secondavenue #trees #shabby