Results tagged “emeraldinn”

Back in September, 77-year-old Charlie Campbell learned that The Emerald Inn—the beloved Columbus Avenue dive bar that's been in his family since the '30s—was finally doomed when he saw the location advertised for lease on a website. At the time, the landlord was demanding more than double the $15,700 monthly rent. Fast-forward to 2009, and suddenly Campbell has been allowed to stay on because, as the property manager puts it, "of the kind of people the Campbells are." Oh, and also the economy. One Emerald regular speaks for all of us when she tells the Times, "Columbus Avenue has been turning into a strip mall, with chain stores and restaurants. Maybe the recession will help the mom-and-pops stay in business." But has the meltdown come too late to save indispensable St. Mark's Place dive Holiday Cocktail Lounge?

The NY Post reports that decidedly un-glitzy Columbus Avenue bar (which serves food, including bangers and mash) Emerald Inn will be closing next year. Another neighborhood joint closing isn't surprising, but it's a little depressing, given how owner Charlie Campbell found out: "he only got the bad news when he saw the location advertised for lease on the Web site of real estate brokerage CB Richard Ellis." Apparently the landlord is doubling the rent to $350,000/year for the 800-square foot space. An Emerald Inn patron lamented, "We used to have all these ma-and-pa shops," but these days, there are higher-end and trendier neighbors--like a sleek Lancome location next store and Intermix and Magnolia Bakery across the street. We hope mom-and-pop stores, like Stationary Toys World on West 72nd (between Amsterdam and Columbus), can weather through it.