GREENWICH VILLAGE — A Bleecker Street property manager is looking to fill a vacant space with a tenant that will fit in with the block's music and arts history, he said.
David Rabizadeh is responsible for the 1,300-square-foot space at 145 Bleecker St. that was occupied by Choga, a Korean restaurant and music venue, until its closure last year.
"I think when people think about Bleecker Street, they think about the history of music and art," Rabizadeh said. "We feel that we want to stay very much within the characteristics of Bleecker Street, and to bring something that's unique and creative and within the confines of music and art."
Rabizadeh said they've considered "maybe a piano bar or a speakeasy type thing that is kind of historic, not necessarily something that's mainstream and able to pay the highest rent because they have franchises all over the place."
Gimmicky commercial ventures or franchise businesses don't seem to last, he added.
"The trend is there's a huge demand for what's new and creative," he said.
The newcomers that succeed, he said, are places like By Chloe, the new health food restaurant that's developed a cult following, and the second outpost of J.G. Mellon.
"They have a following, and people are so dedicated to them. They're packed all the time," Rabizadeh said of J.G. Mellon.
And every time he walks past By Chloe, "there's like 30 people on line."
He's still busy doing interior renovations in the space at 145 Bleecker St., but Rabizadeh said he and the property owners are determined to wait it out for the right tenant.
"I think it’s important to stick to your guns," he said. "I think that you’ll get those unique tenants that fit in with the characteristics [of Bleecker Street], continue the growth and continue what Bleecker Street is known for."
