Photo by myself at 77th Street and Broadway, on the Upper West Side.
New Yorkers took their evening saunter, Tuesday night, enjoying the long days of summer.
I wasn't taking a photo of the people, actually. If you look closely, all the stores behind these folks are empty.
Most likely, this block will be torn down to make way for yet another new apartment building. One block at a time has been converted into brand new modern apartment buildings recently. The West Side is becoming the East Side.
And why not? Two or three story buildings filled with shops can be converted into many stories of luxury condominiums. Or better yet, luxury condominiums with a full service staff, so you can feel like you're living in a five-star hotel.
Who could blame the developers, going about their business with making money? What we all lose, however, are the little quirky shops and mix of building styles. There is much more metal and glass on the Upper West Side than before.
The NY Times also reports that the neighborhood will soon lose H&H bagels, which has been located at 80th and Broadway for the last 40 years. Sure, their interiors were dated and it was 120 degrees inside. But as a literal piece of history, H&H will be missed.
For an earlier photo inside H&H, click here.
To read about the changing Upper West Side in the Times, click here.
To read about the closing of the H&H Bagels location, click here.
Related posts: Sitting Outside, on Broadway, Trumped, on the Upper West Side and Dusk, at 72nd Street Station.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Times of Change, on the Upper West Side
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Interesting photo and post- thanks
Chrissy
http://mancunianwave.blogspot.com/
Le H&H est un bout de l'histoire de NYC, c'est triste de voir ce fermer cette boutique et toutes les autres. Le futur avance trop vite et detruit tout ;((
It is so sad to break down the original buildings, but you can't always stop the changes.I would prefer to restore the neighbourhood.
Did you post the photo in black and white to prove your point that New Yorkers always dress in black?
Sad sign of the times!
I can't believe a nail shop went out of business! To know these old building are going to be torn down breaks my heart, but there's no standing in the way of progress and the almighty dollar, is there?
Thanks everyone.
Yes, time marches on. There is no stopping it. It's tough when you feel like a part of the city but you have no control of what goes on.
Ha Larry, it's true, I think we tend to dress in dark colors for whatever reason. In the summer there is a little less of it, thankfully!
Hi Tiff and welcome!
I don't think the nail shop went out of business. I think the building was sold and they discontinued the leases.
We agree, it really is a shame to see so many Upper West Side storefronts sitting empty. H&H Bagels is a big loss for the neighborhood, and we hope the rumors are true that they will be opening up an alternate location.Hopefully there will be a resurgence of small businesses in the UWS in the near future.
Post a Comment