Drugs, Sugar, Junk Food, Baristas: It's All Here

Once upon a time at the corner of West 63rd and Broadway, there was a 6,000 square foot stationery store called Lincoln Stationers, where you could find airmail envelopes, buy a snazzy pen and order your wedding invitations. But Lincoln Stationers closed last year and a Starbucks and Duane Reade rose in its place - exactly what the neighborhood was in desperate need of, because the only other Starbucks and Duane Reades are 4-5 blocks away!

There are tons of banks popping up all over town, but Duane Reade already has Chase ATMs inside. Which means that we expect Duane Reade to start selling Starbucks coffee or Starbucks to open up a prescription counter soon. Duane Bucks, anyone? Well, maybe it's not as synergistic as KFC-Taco Bell combos, but we know how those go. For our money, the worst combo is the Commerce Bank on the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 14th, with the Chase on the second floor. Both banks' colors are red and blue, so it's totally confusing!

You can still order things from Lincoln Stationer's website, like Moleskine notebooks. Interesting Duane Reade fact: At this location, Duane Reader has opened up its Flagship Diabetes Resource Center. The center offers classes and is free to the public. To sign up, call 1-866-913-8486.

And do you see chains all in a row on your street, just like a strip mall? Like a bank, a Duane Reade and a Starbucks, or a Barnes & Noble, Duane Reade and Subway? (But we're not sure if cellphone stores should count.)

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on February 28, 2007 1:29 PM

Comments [rss]

Think twice

New York Manhattan is over (whatever that's supposed to mean).

So long as a Manhattan chain store remains profitable, then there is a need for it at that location.

Lincoln Stationers will cut costs by moving to a more affordable location. As well by emphasizing their online store where they'll (blessedly) reach a much wider market then just siege-mentality Manhattanites.

Think twice

New York Manhattan is over (whatever that's supposed to mean).

So long as a Manhattan chain store remains profitable, then there is a need for it at that location.

Lincoln Stationers will cut costs by moving to a more affordable location. As well by emphasizing their online store where they'll (blessedly) reach a much wider market then just siege-mentality Manhattanites.

Think twice

New York Manhattan is over (whatever that's supposed to mean).

So long as a Manhattan chain store remains profitable, then there is a need for it at that location.

Lincoln Stationers will cut costs by moving to a more affordable location. As well by emphasizing their online store where they'll (blessedly) reach a much wider market then just siege-mentality Manhattanites.

Think twice

New York Manhattan is over (whatever that's supposed to mean).

So long as a Manhattan chain store remains profitable, then there is a need for it at that location.

Lincoln Stationers will cut costs by moving to a more affordable location. As well by emphasizing their online store where they'll (blessedly) reach a much wider market then just siege-mentality Manhattanites.

Traci

I'd like to know what's going on there. Since all the old tenants of that building moved out at the same time, I presume the landlord pushed them out and DR and 'bucks are paying more?

Also, this building is the Empire Hotel, and it sure seems to be closed. I wonder what's going on there.

jukeboxgraduate

Gothamist, I forgive you all your sins. I was in the neighborhood on Monday at a meeting, and got to leave early. Instead of heading straight back to the office I decided to stroll over to Lincoln Stationers... only to find the photo above. I couldn't believe it - and the worst part was that I had a total blank and couldn't remember the name of the place to try to see if they had relocated.

A web site is simply not the same as going in there and being able to feel the different weights of paper between notebooks. Forget moleskines,they had EVERYTHING.

*snif*

Lexiphane

Shayna, you forgot about the Verizon Wireless Store across from the 30th-32nd Sts / 2nd Ave. strip mall. The book store is actually a Borders though, not a B&N.

Nostalgique

My heart broke when I saw what happened to Lincoln Stationers' corner a while back. I can't tell you how much I miss them :-(

Always good desk accessories there and great selection of Christmas cards. Having moved back to NY seven years ago after a long absence, I'm sick to see what's becoming of our neighborhoods.

10033

I wish another Starbucks would open up in my neighborhood (Washington Heights). It would sure ease the congestion at the one that is there now. Of course, a good neighborhood coffe house where people could also hang out and eat would be better, but until then...

areacode212

Funny, I was walking up this very block yesterday and wondered where the hell Duane Reade and Starbucks suddenly appeared from. When did these open?

smitty

New York is over.

ed

and by 4-5 blocks away you mean...(drumroll)... 1 block away. there is literally another duane reade across 62nd street, same side of Broadway. And a starbucks on 60th and Broadway. shocking how much money those chains must make for twins to thrive within a 3 block distance.

adam

Everyone should watch Mike Judge's movie, "Idiocracy", It lampoons corporate proliferation, and lambasts the march toward stupidity. The theatrical release was killed for undisclosed reasons, but you can now get the DVD

enough already

on 6th ave between w8th and waverly.....there is a barnes and noble, starbucks, duane reade, and a cellphone store.

.

remember this classic?

http:// www.theonion.com/content/node/...

"New Starbucks Opens In Rest Room Of Existing Starbucks"

hedgehog25

Too many banks and Duane Reades. You've got that so right. More Starbucks than pizza places, bagel shops, Chinese restaurants (okay; they're pretending to be Japanese--the cuisine de jour--but we still love Chinese!) and real grocery stores (not bodega/delis yet). And Starbucks is worried that its brand is becoming tarnished. Now that's funny. And arrogant.

Shayna

The best example of a "strip mall" in Manhattan has to be 2nd Ave from 30th to 32nd Streets...Staples, Rite Aid, Crunch Gym, Petco, movie theater, and Barnes & Noble. Don't fret though, there's a Starbucks, Duane Reade, and Tasti-Dlite directly across the street!

EricGewiz

Interesting, the other space will be a spa, which use to house a Cingular dealer.

EricGewiz

While there are two starbucks 5 blocks away to each south adn north, the nearest Duane Reade is actually a mere 1 block away! (though the new one is 24 hours, and the old one appears to be staying open for now, but not as many hours).

Great placement! How bout a decent (read: affordable) lunch place for LC employees?

sangyulbae

I feel like this is another example of biting.

jg

the best combination is on 145th + Broadway: the liquor store directly above a Banco Popular. not to mention Banco Popular advertizes a "free gift" when you open a checking account. sounds exciting!