Chelsea Business and Industry: Past, Present, Future

[Southpaw]

To start this series here's a really nifty Chelsea business, Odds Costume Rental, that due to our present economy is in the process of making the transition from a present to past business. July 11 will be their last day. Their at 231 West 29th street, open 10AM to 4PM.

[Southpaw]

The Lions of Chelsea are Leaving

(latest update) The Lions of Chelsea are NOT Leaving

Midtown has Patience and Fortitude, Times Square has The Lion King, the Upper East Side has its sea lions. And Chelsea has the Lions of Chelsea, fierce Defenders of the Peoples of Chelsea and Guardians of the treasures of Olde Good Things.

In the wild, the lion is king of the jungle. Unfortunately, in the city the landlord is king of the jungle. With their lease lost, they have been forced to find a new home. They will be moving, along with their friends from Olde Good Things to 5 East 16th St. The lions' move hasn't occurred yet so there is still time to see them. However, this should be done soon. Olde Good Things is currently on a month-to-month lease at their 124 West 24th Street address and when that is terminated Chelsea will have lost its lions forever.

LATE BREAKING NEWS!I just talked to the staff and learned that negotiations are currently on to renew their lease, so with any luck, the Lions of Chelsea will be here forever! Olde Good Things at 124 W. 24th St. is an architectural antique store but it has the feel of a museum,so come on in and meet the famous Lions of Chelsea, one of the Seven Wonders of the Chelsea World!

All items shown can be viewed at the Chelsea location, except the Skeleton chair which is at 5 East 16th St.

[Anderson Black]

Thank you for posting this. I have often seen the truck going around with the lion on it and wondered if they had a store. Must check it out while it's still local.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Anderson Black

Thank you for posting this. I have often seen the truck going around with the lion on it and wondered if they had a store. Must check it out while it's still local.

Anderson,

The famed Lions of Chelsea, one of the Seven Wonders of the Chelsea World are not leaving, Olde Good Things told me their in the process of negotiating a new lease. They are very lucky that their renewal came up now. There was an article in the Times that said:

"The storefront vacancy rate in Manhattan is now at its highest point since the early 1990s — an estimated 6.5 percent — and is expected to exceed 10 percent by the middle of next year"

Gary Schwartzman, broker with Grubb & Ellis, a commercial real estate firm, said many landlords were trying to find ways to keep retail businesses open.

“The risk of losing a good tenant is something that landlords don’t want,” Mr. Schwartzman said. “Right now, it’s all about tenant retention.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/ny...ncies.html?hpw

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28th St. makeover: College expansion good FIT for area needing dressing up

The Fashion Institute of Technology is in the process of putting up an addition to their campus, "C Squared," at the south side of 28th Street between 8th and 7th Avenue.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/real_esta...#ixzz0LuZKbaPr

[Anderson Black]

I went to Ye Olde Good Things today. What a wonderful treasure trove of a place. The people who work there are also very kind and helpful. Thank you for bringing this place to my attention.

[Southpaw]

Anderson,
Yes, Olde Good Things is an incredible place, and if it wasn't a store I could see them charging admission!

Update:Planning and Planing History at the new FIT Building Site

The future history of Chelsea is hard to predict. The state has allocated $74 million for the new addition FIT is planning to build on its campus. These funds need to be matched. Because the city is FIT’s local sponsor, the college is seeking the matching funds there. Mayor Bloomberg has given $2 million to date, and FIT hopes the city will allocate the remaining $72 million match. Hopefully FIT will get the funding.

The past history of Chelsea is more certain. In 1902, at the FIT expansions site, stood John Crawfords planing mill. It was built of wood and if you read this article published by the New York Times on July 4th, 1902 you will get a good appreciation of why wood buildings are no longer allowed to be built. under New York City building codes.




For the rest of the article click here.