Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Station News

The newstand at the Fourth Avenue station has been closed since the end of last year.  It was operated by the same people that run S&P, up the block at Fifth & 9th, & has apparently been shut down as a consequence of MTA station renovations.  It's by no means clear who'll operate it when it re-opens - the guys at S&P are hopeful, but will have to compete with others for the spot.  I hope they get to stay there, but doubt the MTA cares much about keeping their old tenants.  I fear a Cemusa style upgrade. Both the place on Fifth and this one are favorites of mine.  I liked the succession of huge cats that lounged on the counter at Fifth (the grandest of the bunch was catnapped several years ago & though it was replaced, I haven't seen any there for a while), & enjoyed conversations with the incense burning gentleman at Fourth.  Sometimes I waited there while he was at prayer. I wonder what will happen to the other, long-shuttered station stores on either side of the avenue.  Dunkin Donuts & a Subway coming soon?  I'd like a diner.

S&P

Fourth Ave news, surrounded by the nicotine-hued tiles of the station.




2 comments:

Marty Wombacher said...

I love that last overhead shot. I hate all the generic Cemusa stands going up. None of the fun clutter and signage of the old newsstands.

onemorefoldedsunset said...

Thanks - this is a regular stop-off before getting on the train, & I hate seeing it all shuttered up.