I've somehow never posted this excellent storefront that got revealed in renovations a few years ago near Division/Ashland/Milwaukee, Chicago.

[I posted this edited photo in April 2021 but wasn't able to update the date, glad people seem to have found it somehow?]

A view of the Hotel Chateau storefronts as they look right now. When the renovation is done, these will no doubt be sterlilized and ready for lame boutiques to move in. Blah!

Open for business

This is definitely a favorite storefront of ours even though it hasn't seen a customer in years. Not only do we love the wood and brick facade but we also the vintage broken barber pole💈 outside and the disheveled blinds in the windows and the American flag 🇺🇸 covering the door. We wish we could have visited it while it was open but still admire its understated beauty.

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#storefront #american #americanflag #disappearingfaceofnewyork #barbershop #barberlove #barbershop #americana #urbandecay #shopfront #vintage #decaynation #decayporn #decay_nation #decay_of_today #decaydream #decayed #patriotic #decayphotography #decayingbeauty #urbexdecay #patrioticdecor

Storefront in downtown Jamestown, North Dakota.

Bamonte’s is one of the first Italian restaurants in the United States and is also one of Brooklyn’s oldest restaurants. It was established in 1900 and is located on a side street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Tonight, we dined there with our good friend @sign_of_the_time and met the fourth-generation owner, Nicole Bamonte. The Italian 🇮🇹 restaurant has changed little over the years, with an interior of dark wood paneling, brass chandeliers, white table-cloth covered tables and an open-windowed kitchen where you can see the chefs at work, that has existed before the idea became trendy. We absolutely loved our meal and had an assortment of classic red sauce favorites 🍝spaghetti with marinara, eggplant 🍆 rollatini, and chicken parmigiana and also baked clams oregano as an appetizer. This photo was taken a few years ago but the exterior with its oversize #signage remains unchanged too.

Here’s another shot of the new storefront, just from a different (also closer) angle. Both of these pics were taken on May 31st, 2017, which was the day I walked around the entire parking lot for a photo blitz of South Lake Centre, which I featured in a blog post later that summer. It was a perfect day for photo-taking – if too hot, haha! But the sunshine sure looked nice :) The old building may have been the one built with BAM’s usual architecture, but despite that, I can’t help but think the store looks better in this location… what do you think?

Books-a-Million // 75 Goodman Road W, Southaven, MS 38671

(c) 2019 Retail Retell

These places are public so these photos are too, but just as I tell where they came from, I'd appreciate if you'd say who :)

Picture taken 2/4/21

DXL Mens Apparel, Alterations Express, Foot Solutions, Corky & Lenny's, Penzeys Spices, Malley's Chocolates, European Wax Center, Fabuleux Nail Spa, TJMaxx

New photos coming Saturday.

PLEASE READ! www.flickr.com/photos/retaimes/50883692322/in/dateposted-...

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Gmail: gabegamesog@gmail.com

t is with heavy hearts, that we are sharing the news that the iconic dive bar Subway Inn, which first opened in 1937, has sadly announced that it will be closing its doors on December 28, 2024. In a heartfelt Facebook post last night, Subway Inn stated, “Throughout the last few years, we’ve seen a shift in the way people live, work, and spend their time. The rhythms of the city that once sustained places like Subway Inn no longer feel the same. The vibrant nightlife and bustling atmosphere we relied on have gradually given way to quieter, more introspective times. With fewer people frequenting the bar and restaurant industry in general, our ability to keep up with operational costs and overheads became unsustainable. Despite our best efforts to adapt and innovate, the financial toll became impossible to ignore.”

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Sadly, this family-owned bar whose patrons included Joe DiMaggio & Marilyn Monroe has weathered many challenges including moving from its original location on East 60th Street opposite the flagship Bloomingdales after the building owner declined to renew their lease as they wanted to build high-end luxury condos on the site. To make matters worse, the building housing Subway Inn has been demolished but the site is still empty to this day. Marcello Salinas (R.I.P.) who started out mopping floors at the bar when he immigrated to the U.S. before taking ownership of the bar was able to relocate the bar in 2015 to 2nd Ave at East 60th Street. Marcello’s son, Steve who took over the business even brought over the bar’s iconic neon signage but in 2021 Subway Inn lost its lease and yet again was forced to move for the 3rd time just a few doors down from their 2nd location and were not able to reopen until 2023 when they finally secured their new liquor license.

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The Salinas family still hopes to reopen at a new locale in the future but report it “may take time, but we are committed to rebuilding and finding a way to return.”.

Please stop by this bar and raise a glass before they turn off the iconic neon lights for the final time!

9m

Eagle Provisions in Park Slope, Brooklyn was founded in 1939 as the White Eagle Market, and specialized in making homemade Polish kielbasa. Eagle Provisions sadly closed earlier this year. Photo and full interview with second-generation owner Richard Zawisny appear in our newly released book STORE FRONT II- A History Preseved.

The Wharf, Orange Beach, Al.

zarag

"Kit Carson, namesake of the famous western scout, guide, trapper and Indian fighter, was founded on the Eastern Plains in 1838. In 1872 Kit Carson developed into a booming commercial center. The ideal location of Kit Carson encouraged the development of trade and supply outposts, providing the opportunity for stage companies and trading outfits to prosper. The town of Kit Carson had two locations. The original site was located near the site where Kit Carson traded with the Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indians. The present site was determined by the arrival of the railroad. Destroyed by fire three times, twice by the torchesof Indians and once by carousing cowboys, the determined citizens of the town showed their desire to survive by rebuilding. Kit Carson was the railroad terminus for the Union Pacific, and because of this fact, many opportunities became available to the future citizens of the town. The building of the railroad encouraged farmers and ranchers to settle in the area. The railroad made Kit Carson an important shipping point for cattle in the 1870's because of the connecting route to LaJunta. In fact Kit Carson became one of the largest cattle shipping points between Denver and Kansas City. The railroad brought in foreign dignitaries, such as the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia. The Grand Duke hunted in Kit Carson and was accompanied by his military escort, General George Armstrong Custer on January 20, 1872. Later Kit Carson was visited by Teddy Roosevelt as well. Kit Carson covers an area of 1030 square miles served by dry land farms and cattle ranches. " kcsdr1.org/our-community/town.html

This candy store specializes in old-fashioned chocolates 🍫, candies 🍬, nuts, and dried fruits 🍌 🍏. We love their amazing selection of hard-to-find #vintage candies. To celebrate their birthday 🎉 they just recently changed their #signage but we still love the sign seen in this photo taken in 2010 for our book "Store Front II-A History Preserved". When we interviewed the 2nd-generation owner he told us that their "inventory is basically everything I like to eat."

Carnegie Delicatessen, which became famous for its enormous pastrami sandwiches, opened in 1937 but sadly closed on New Year’s Eve in 2016 after 79 years in business. But for those who have been missing this Midtown Jewish #delicatessen it just recently was announced that there will be a pop-up location on Lafayette Street from December 1-8th to promote season 2 of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Everything on their limited menu will be 99 cents or less and all proceeds benefit the Lower East Side Girls Club @girlsclubny, a wonderful organization which we have supported and done photo talks for. Our night photo of Carnegie Delicatessen from 2010 appears in our book “New York Nights”.

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#storefront #neonsign #disappearingfaceofnewyork #neon #signcollective #signsunited #typevstime #dailytype #ig_signage #type #signgeeks #everything_signage #carnegiedeli #pastrami

Buon Natale is something you would certainly hear when visiting the authentic Circo’s Pastry Shop in Bushwick, Brooklyn this holiday season. This family-owned bakery which has been in business since 1945 has been using the same original family recipes brought over from 🇮🇹 Sicily by the current owner, Nino Pierdipino. When we interviewed Nino, he told us that not only is the storefront and gorgeous neon signage original but that they had to cover the shop’s neon signage hanging above the door in mesh in the 1970s because its neon tubes were constantly being broken by kids in the neighborhood throwing rocks and bottles at it. Thankfully, in 2016 they removed the mesh covering the neon and restored the sign to its former glory so that it shines brightly again today. Their most popular item is their Cannoli a la Siciliana, which we can say firsthand is absolutely delicious and a must to try.

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Our photo of Circo’s Pastry is one of many included in our new book “Store Front NYC: Photographs of the City’s Independent Shops, Past and Present” (swipe left for 2nd photo of page spread ) which is available in booksellers worldwide. Store Front NYC includes many of our favorite storefront photos taken using 35mm film in the early 2000s as well as many previously unpublished photos.

Elegant Woolen & Silk on Orchard Street was one of many fabric-related small businesses located in the neighborhood which was once the center of the garment industry. The Lower East Side, which was also the home to many Jewish immigrants, became the center of the garment industry because prior to the development of large garment factories and buildings, many garment manufacturers operated their businesses in small storefronts or even in their own apartments. We loved looking at Elegant Woolen & Silk as it proudly displayed much of its stock in its large window displays flanking the lobby entrance to the shop. Sadly, this fabric business closed a few years ago when Orchard Street became gentrified and hotels opened up nearby.

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#storefront #disappearingfaceofnewyork #windowdisplay #windowdressing #windowdisplays #windowdresser #windowdisplaydesign #fabric #fabrics #woolen #silk

All proceeds from the sales of the books help support this Lower East Side treasure.

James and Karla Murray’s classic tome from their ongoing Store Front series is now available for the first time in its covetable “mini” format. The Murrays have been capturing impeccable photographs from the streets of New York City since the 1990s. With Store Front II they’ve continued their documentation of an important cross-section of New York’s “Mom and Pop” economy. The Murray’s penetrating photographs are only half the story though. Their copious background texts, gleaned largely from interviews with the stores’ owners and employees, bring wonderful color and nuance to the importance of these unique one-off establishments.

Picture taken 8/21/21

Please contact me via FlickrMail

or on Gmail

if you'd like to use any of my photographs.

Gmail: gabegamesog@gmail.com

We are sad to report that Hank’s Saloon In Boerum Hill, Brooklyn closed

We are sad to report that Hank’s Saloon In Boerum Hill, Brooklyn closed just a few days ago at the end of December as the building they were located is being torn down to make way for new condos which are being built on the site.

The GOOD news is that they will be reopening upstairs from Hill Country Barbecue @hillcountrybbq at 345 Adams Street near Borough Hall. They will have their own entrance, and a great new stage and sound🎵 system! We are so happy that despite the bad news that there is a silver lining to this story.

We absolutely love this old-school #barbershop 💈and its owner, Tony Garofalo who first began working at the shop in 1964 after arriving from Italy. Although he told us that he didn’t speak a word of English when he first arrived, the neighborhood was predominantly Italian so he quickly fit in and less than a year later was able to purchase the shop and later the entire building. We originally photographed the shop in 2006 for our book, “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York” and also had the chance to watch him work. Sadly, we just heard from our friend @americansquares that Tony has retired and closed the shop. We wish him the best and will always remember watching him cut the hair of a youngster whose father also was a long-time customer of Tony (see below).

Today is the 138th birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge as it opened to the public on May 24, 1873. In honor of the Brooklyn Bridge’s birthday we are highlighting the Bridge Café on Water Street (which sits at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge). Bridge Café was established in 1979 by the Weprin family. The Café sits on the first floor of a historic wood frame building built in 1794 along what was once the East River's western edge. Newell Narme opened a "grocery and wine and porter bottler" in the space in 1794 and since then it has operated under various names as a saloon, boarding house, liquor establishment, and restaurant. Through research conducted by historian Richard McDermott, it was found to be one of the oldest surviving drinking establishments in New York City, continually serving alcohol since 1847 when Henry Williams first opened a porterhouse at its location. Sadly, the Bridge Café has been closed since it was flooded during Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. Photo and full text appear in our book "New York Nights".

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#storefront #nyc #historic #brooklynbridge #disappearingfaceofnewyork #bar #jamesandkarla

Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Kenosha, WI

Menton, Cote d'azur, France

I've been meaning to get over and photograph more of the Hastings Sunrise area near Nanaimo Street. This part of town has been gentrifying over the last few years but there are still some interesting little shops left along Hastings Street. The Michelle 1 Hair Salon is long gone and is now a tattoo shop.

www.greenapplebooks.com/

August, 2010. Spring Garden Street. Philadelphia, PA

Jerome, AZ

We couldn't think of a better place to recover from a Thanksgiving turkey-induced coma Photo & full interview in our book Store Front II: A History Preserved

West Midtown, New York, NY

We always loved its #signage especially since it listed many of our favorite foods: BURGERS 🍔, DONUTS 🍩 and SANDWICHES as well as COFFEE ☕️! Sadly we passed by this #storefront today and it still remains empty but has been renovated with an all glass facade. We are not sure what is taking its place but we can be pretty certain that it won’t be a reasonably priced coffee shop.

Ralph's Deli & Grocery in #NYC has a colorful #storefront and #fontastic signage! We especially love the "R" and the mix of Spanish and English groceries listed. Who can resist cervezas and sodas. #bodega #signgeeks #everything_signage #gas_food_lodging #ipulledoverforthis #signcollective #typevstime #tv_retrotype #jj_texttypographical #signage #lettering #ig_signage #handpainted

Mercer Street Books, owned by Wayne Conti, has been in business in Greenwich Village for 27 years. They sell used, out-of-print and even some new books as well as a selection of LPs. We love their piles of books inside and the small rack outside of used books. We encourage everyone to visit their local independent #bookstore today, Saturday April 28th in celebration of the fourth annual “Independent Bookstore Day". Many local independent bookstores across the U.S. will participate in the national celebration with some giving away special prizes and giving discounts.

Parkside Lounge in the Lower East Side has been in business since 1956. Before it was a bar it operated as an icehouse & there even was a tunnel downstairs that used to run all the way to the river so that ice from the river could easily be transported into the house. Today, we were lucky enough to speak with the co-owner Christopher Lee who has lovingly maintained the bar’s vintage neon signage which you can see all the way down Houston Street. Our photo of @the_parkside_lounge_nyc from 2010 appears in our book "New York Nights".

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To see our “tour” of this dive bar which has also live music performances, please check out our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story.

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youtu.be/ciCQoanhC5w

Botanique, Brussels, Belgium