The Knitting Factory to Relocate?

The rumor mill's in motion and word is that The Knitting Factory will be moving out of its long time home on Leonard Street. The news doesn't come as a surprise as last April brought word that the building the venue is housed in would be sold.

This will be the third location for the club, which started off at 48 East Houston Street some 20 years ago (it's been on Leonard Street for 14 of those years). So where to next? This community board calendar shows that earlier this month they applied for a "full liquor" license at 504-508 E 14th Street; they also mention a "preliminary discussion regarding zoning variance to permit large entertainment venue." With a little bit of time on their side, there are likely other options they're perusing as well.

Many music lovers would likely welcome a new location, as it stands The Knitting Factory isn't in an area that most of its patrons would normally find themselves. It'll be sad to see the longtime fixture leave its current spot though. Read the history of New York's Knitting Factory, written by owner Michael Dorf, here.

Photo via Larimdame's Flickr.

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

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on February 29, 2008 11:27 AM

Comments [rss]

jumble

jtj74, Michael Dorf has not been with the Knitting Factory for 4 or 5 years

jumble

jtj74, Michael Dorf has not been with the Knitting Factory for 4 or 5 years

bonoboist

so not only are you a snob, you're also an idiot who doesn't do any research about the neighborhood you move into? as you're name proves, you are a class act.

babyhitler

i thought that shit was about real knitting.

rockvulcan

NY was an artist haven, but then a bunch of snooty condos moved in,and the artists got kicked out. Now Manhattan is more like an oversized Georgetown.

funkforfree

hey baby hitler, if you hate hipster music fans so much....why on earth did you move in across the street from the knitting factory? did you not see the huge flag hanging outside?

its a shame this stuff is happening. those music clubs were there long before th snooty condo people were, and they moved in knowing what happens at those places. anyone remember the TriBeCa rock club? that place was awesome. then some lamo condos took its place.

i thought NYC was supposed to be an artist haven.

klk

am i the only person who likes the knitting factory? i'm down with it moving a little farther north, though.

jtj74

About a year and a half ago I answered an ad by Dorf & co. to help promote a music festival he was organizing at Riverside Park. This consisted of the shitty and tiring job of passing out many flyers in all areas of Manhattan. Small pay was promised but not until the end of the festival. I was cool with that; anything to get my foot in the door. I answered another call to work at a comedy benefit and at said festival, again promised an allowance. I willingly accepted. Not until the very end as I was leaving a booth at the festival, after working 9 hours mind you, was I told, in a quick and flippant way, that I wouldn't get paid. I really wanted to get into music promotions which is why I bent over backwards for this guy but alas I got screwed and they got free labor.

Oh, and yeah, it's good The Knitting Factory found a new location.

Gwinny

Has the Knitting Factory really been on Leonard since 1994??? I clearly remember going to shows at the Houston Street location. God, I'm old.

MFer

The Knitting Factory really became a factory when it moved from the Houston location. And I mean that in a bad way. The multilevel, multishows, multinooks made for a convenient shooting gallery. Every band and grandma in a run of the mill showcase. The Knitting Memorial.

Pharmer

Hmm

It might be because a lot of the bands that attract the younger audiences play at the Knitting Factory. Like the bands from Fall Out Boy's record label for example.

babyhitler

thank god. I live across the street from this POS and every thursday and friday I get a whole bunch of obnoxious hipsters invading my territory. They hang outside, smoking, talking loudly and being as douchy as they can. the worst part is they all seem so young. like rookie hipsters learning how to walk the beat.