Chelsea Loses a Deli, But Gains a Doughnut Plant

Frank Lobelle (Patrick Hedlund/Chelsea Now)

After 30 years in business, Frank's Deli on Ninth Avenue near 20th Street is closing, and the locals are bereft. "People have been coming in in tears," local Nick Fritsch tells Chelsea Now. Coffee still costs 25 cents, and you can get a sandwich for under four bucks. The building's new owner has informed the deli's eponymous 80-year-old operator, Francisco Lobelle, a.k.a. Frank, that his lease would not be renewed. "It’s just devastating for the neighborhood," says Barney Karpfinger, a local literary agent. "One of the things that makes New York great are these small, personal places. Frank’s was gathering place for everybody in the neighborhood—people from projects, rich people who own fancy apartments, people from the seminary and everybody in between. He is just a decent, unfailingly polite, kind and funny guy."

But at least it's not all tears and heartache in Chelsea; a ray of good news is also shining on the neighborhood today. Confirming a rumor first floated by Vanishing New York, it's been confirmed that the wildly popular LES Doughnut Plant will be opening up a second location in the space being vacated by Dan's Chelsea Guitars, on the street level of the Chelsea Hotel. (The guitar shop is relocating down the block.) Plant owner Mark Isreal tells Time Out it will be "more of a doughnut lounge," with tables and chairs (unlike the Grand Street location) and a full-service espresso bar. Expect that to open in the Spring, and if you live in the Chelsea Hotel, expect room service.

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By John Del Signore in Food on January 5, 2010 1:50 PM

Comments [rss]

Dollars to Donuts

Very sorry to see Frank going from the neighborhood.

But what a presumtuous ass is Mark Isreal to think his fatty fried dough will add "atmosphere" to the Chelsea Hotel.

Dollars to donuts? he never opens.

Any commercial lessee who has done homework knows the Chelsea Hotel is plagued with STOP WORK ORDERS from the city of NY ever since they demolished Bob Dylan's former crash pad without applying for permits.

This Isreal character apparently thinks his rent check and some empty calories will erase all that? He'll be throwing his money away, and have building inspectors right up his a-hole until he decides its just not worth it.

Anyway, donuts are completely unimaginative and not a good fit for the Hotel. Why he thinks he can stay in business on 23rd street when Krispy Creme could not is beyond anyone actually living here in Chelsea.

Dollars to Donuts

Very sorry to see Frank going from the neighborhood.

But what a presumtuous ass is Mark Isreal to think his fatty fried dough will add "atmosphere" to the Chelsea Hotel.

Dollars to donuts? he never opens.

Anyone renter who has done homework knows the Chelsea Hotel is plagued with STOP WORK ORDERS from the city of NY ever since they demolished Bob Dylan's former crash pad without applying for permits.

This Isreal character apparently thinks his rent check and some empty calories will erase all that? He'll be throwing his money away, and have building inspectors right up his a-hole until he decides its just not worth it.

Anyway, donuts are completely unimaginative and not a good fit for the Hotel. Why he thinks he can stay in business on 23rd street when Krispy Creme could not is beyond anyone actually living here in Chelsea.

longacre

Doughnut Plant is amazing...glad they're opening a more convenient location.

S.K.

Perhaps the well-heeled nostalgic condo dwellers can bail Frank out and keep his business alive.

Lesliepbg

My family had been going to Frankie's for decades...he used to extend credit to those who were pay check to paycheck ("put it on the tab, Frankie")...I'd like to see Gristede's do that for poor people. My mom always got her papers and 1/4lb. of deli meat. Invariably she'd run into a friend or two from the neighborhood...These small delis do more than just sell items--they serve as the general store. I'm sure when my mom passed on the locals all learned about it at Frankies.

TrippinJoJo

great just what ny'ers need - a donut lounge.

Rob T Firefly

[Insert NYPD joke here.]

David

Frankie is indeed a saint, and will be sorely missed. I certainly don't plan on going to wherever replaces him. (Plus, nothing could beat Frankie's Turkey Special!)

Tremags

I moved into the neighborhood 5 years ago and Frank's was one of my favorite places. Awesome guy, always treated everyone well. Frank's will be missed!

Rob T Firefly

LMS Realty purchased the building above 167 Ninth Ave. a few years back, with the high-end bakery La Bergamote already in the space adjacent to Frank’s Deli. According to Raul Escarza of LMS, a chain Mexican restaurant called Lime Jungle will move into the property, with renovations beginning in January.

Screw LMS Realty, and screw Lime Jungle.

thewildpansy

Sorry but it's not 1950, if you are charging very little for your products and services how are you supposed to pay rent when there is inflation.

Rob T Firefly

RTFA. Frank was making his rent just fine before LMS Realty unceremoniously told him he was being kicked out. It wasn't until later on that LMS offered Frank the option of staying with a raised rent, but by that time Frank had already cancelled his licenses.

kc2slg

Frankie is a saint. I went to a nearby church years ago, and it had an arrangement where if someone came looking for a meal, the church gave them a voucher for a "Frankie Special"--a hot sandwich, soda, and cookie. The person got a good meal, and the church and Frankie worked it out monthly (I believe).

JacqueMehoff

that's nice.

CR

How many posts before some douche writes about how much he hates the coffee here even though it's only a quarter blah blah blah - he'd rather go to Starbucks blah blah blah.