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From Gothamist Contribute comes the following tip: "Max Brenner's on 2nd ave and 9th street is closed for good. I showed up to work this morning and half an hour later I was out. Not a huge loss to the community, but it's something." A Max Brenner worker answering the phone this afternoon confirmed that the store has indeed closed. Despite the idea that chocolate sales might actually improve during a recession, Brenner's free flowing chocolate fondue fountains have slowed to a trickle on Second Avenue; his hazelnut-caramel calliope is likely just as kaput. The Feedbag discovered a few weeks ago that the fictitious and so-called "Bald Man," a composite of the chain's two founders (one of whom is bald), has nonetheless been giving interviews in Australia. Made up or not, it seems Brenner may ultimately prove to be some kind of Danielle Steel of the cocoa bean: the Second Avenue location may have now closed, but the chain will publish its first cookbook in November, and it's all about chocolate rhapsody and purple prose. The "Bad Boy Chocolate Pizza" recipe not only features "passionately roasted marshmallows," but also recipe notes about "the infinite essence of life."
Max Brenner Closes on Second Avenue
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That place was really tacky.
Bruni hated it too. oh well.
please no bank!!!
If I had a dime for every bald man with an earring in the East Village who tried to taste my "infinite essence of life..."
I have to say I really found the whole "chocolate syringe" thing tacky-- especially considering how close the place was to TSP.
It's funny, I was walking by it this morning and fuming because their sidewalk cafe was taking up about 70% of the street.
Well, here's hoping it will be replaced by a locally run business that is community-friendly.
HA...
Chocolate cafe = good concept.
Max Brenner = bad execution.
Sorry, Max, but your shtick felt way too corporate and your chocolate tasted way too sweet. That might fly in Times Square (or even in Union Square, apparently), but not so much in the East Village.
Another vote for a locally run community-minded business. As if.
Why there might not be a bank: Banks are cutting down on their locations (BoA), consolidating (JPMG & WaMu), or otherwise not exactly in great shape to start expanding (Citi).
Why there might not be a locally owned business: The banks are much tighter with their small business loans and finding private investors right now is pretty tough.
Why there might not be a national chain: It's a little too far off the beaten path of Broadway, Union Sq, and doesn't have the "yuppie funky" factor of the Bowery or LaFayette.
I don't know guys, it's not a big enough space for a Duane Reade or CVS either. It may lay fallow for a while...
I've been there a few times after some light bar hopping. Kind of nice to have some cocoa (if overpriced) to wrap things up.
His crap belongs in Vegas anyway. Those idiots love that shit.
"His" crap. You do know that max brenner isn't a real personr right? He' s a jewish willy wonka made as an almagamation of the names of the two israeili owners.
I have a feeling he's based off of Howie Mandel's face.
Fine. "His", "their", "whoever's" crap.
Max Brenners is an Israeli chain with stores in Australia and in E.Asia .. I don't think it has a presence in Europe at all....
Whatever will the tourists, the b&T's and the yunnies will ever do now?
I will SO not miss this place. It's perfectly sized for a real neighborhood cafe, but who would go up against the 'Bucks across the street?
I know chocolates and, frankly, there items really are BAD. I spoke with a worker and she told me they are imported from some foreign country (which I shall not name here). Let's do local! Try chocolatmoderne.com, for example. It's on the top of my list. Or - they're good too - try knipschildt.com