EAST VILLAGE — Several businesses shut their doors for good this year, with many of them saying goodbye after spending decades in the East Village and Lower East Side.
DNAinfo New York took a look back at some of the neighborhood businesses we lost this year.
Café Pick Me Up
145 Avenue A
Closed May 2015
The café and wine bar closed after 20 years in business following a rent hike, according to its owners. The café, which occupied the storefronts at 145 Avenue A and the space next door, moved its operations to Gnocco a few blocks away, while the 147 Avenue A became a Venezuelan eatery.
Winnie’s Bar
104 Bayard St.
Closed March 2015
The neighborhood mainstay and karaoke bar closed after nearly 30 years due to “lease issues,” according to an employee.
Tiengarden Vegan Kitchen
170 Allen St.
Closed May 2015
Declining foot traffic and a rent hike were the reasons behind the 20-year-old restaurant’s closure, a manager said.
Mitali East
334 E. 6th St.
Closed March 2015
The Indian restaurant closed after 42 years in business when it lost its lease, according to EV Grieve.
A.K. Shoe Repair
350 E. 9th St.
Closed August 2015
A rent hike, coupled with a changing retail landscape — with more people choosing to replace, rather than repair, old shoes — made it difficult to keep the business afloat, A.K. Shoe Repair owner Albert P. told DNAinfo.
Vic’s Pizza
51 Essex St.
Closed November 2015
Owner Victor Mendez closed the 45-year-old pizzeria after his landlord decided to knock down the building for a new one, he said.
First Flight Music
174 First Ave.
Closed September 2015
The music shop sold instruments and provided soundproofed practice rooms for lessons for 20 years, EV Grieve reported.
Saint’s Alps Tea House
39 Third Ave.
Closed October 2015
Saint’s Alps Tea House, reportedly one of the first spots to serve bubble tea in the city, announced it closure in late October, according to EV Grieve.
