If you’re afraid to relax at a tourist center this season, you’ll be surprised: Rockefeller Center is thrilled!
Located behind the Art Deco façade of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the area, filled with nearly 10,000 vinyl tiles, is now home to rock lovers ’paradise. Rough Trade, an independent recording store in London, opened at 30 Rock in June after closing its Williamsburg office in March.
It takes live performances in the open-air Plaza and the famous 65-story Rainbow Room, helping to create a vibrant atmosphere in a long-dormant area. Last month, the unique venue hosted Britain’s post-punk band Dry Cleaning and Brooklyn’s The Muckers.
“I think it brings a lot of Indian and alternative artists [those who wouldn’t] you need to hear or see them, ”said Christian Salkhani, a 24-year-old shopper and East Harlem resident, about the presence of a store in the district. “It just shows that the city is recovering and it’s constantly changing – and that’s great.”
Garrett Troy, 33, another shopper who lives near the former Williamsburg post, said: “It was sad to lose them in the neighborhood, but it’s a good thing for the middle of town – and it’s probably part of something bigger. “
Rough Trade is in good company – and there are more fun things to come to downtown. Last week, Detroit-style Ace’s Perfect Pizza in Williamsburg opened a 30 Rock post, just like the industry’s health-loving, “socially conscious” The Goods Mart store, which sells beef from Los Angeles for $ 5.75 a week. sells burritos. On the horizon: Crane room for Other Half Brewery in Brooklyn, Rockefeller Plaza; and 135 W across Sixth Avenue. The Singapore-style food market from 50th Street, Urbanspace and street food guru KF Seetoh is scheduled to open next year.
Although some of these locations are considering relocating the Rockefeller Center before the pandemic, COVID-19 launched them as nearby locations of chain stores such as The Gap and Duane Reade were closed.
“This moment has given us the opportunity to move to an area of the city that is devoid of a contrasting culture, screaming for an independent creative cultural activity that many consider‘ wrong ’. [while] However, it is an area that is easy to access, ”said Stephen Godfroy, owner and CEO of Rough Trade, 48, in an email from London.
Over the past few years, landlord Tishman Speyer has approached smaller local businesses about opening at Rockefeller Center to counter the presence of chains, according to the New York Times. In addition, they are making reasonable rental agreements.
For Jill Lindsey, who owns a combined boutique, cafe, and wellness center in Fort Green, Brooklyn, the downtown business offered a unique opportunity to bring designers to the neighborhood, known as the behemoth of the big brand.
“The fresh air breathes much better than people say,” Lindsey, 43, founder and owner, told The Post. “People say,‘ Wow, is it local in the city center? This is crazy! … This is what New York City needs and should have.
It opened in November last year, during the lonely holiday season, and features clothing, accessories and household items such as candles made by Greentree Home and co-produced by KZ_K Studio and 1 Atelier. l sold the bags – in a 13-month contract that runs until December.
Recently, as the store is located across from Radio City Music Hall, tourists have been watching visitors see the “Christmas Wonderland” sign. Rockettes fans mingled with his loyal crew in Brooklyn, who crossed the river to shop: “They kept us here and they were really supportive. [us]Said Lindsey.
Lindsay even held pop-up windows of local designers in her shop, including jewelry designer Karen Karch, 57, who owned a store in Soho for 16 years before moving to Gramercy a decade ago. lgan. Last September, it was shut down due to COVID-19.
“I love downtown because it’s just like Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center – it’s very New York … but I never thought I’d want to own or own a store.” said Karch.
“What I saw [Lindsey] It was very interesting for the area – and he told me that the management wanted to bring local businesses in New York to the area so tourists wouldn’t see what they could see where they live.
Rachel Krupa, the 41-year-old founder and CEO of The Goods Mart, saw the signs of promise and also rushed to the opportunity to expand the city center. He opened a lobby-level newspaper shop at 30th Rock – selling delicious dishes such as pea-style Cheetos-style puffs and almond oil jars.
“We are able to do this because we are part of a city center [reach] more people and the goal of “Brand” is to make the options that are best for you easily accessible to all, ”Krupa said of the new post.
Eli Sussman, 36, owner of the fast-paced shawarma shop Samesa – which recently operated from East Williamsburg until it closed due to COVID-19 last September – didn’t even smell in its intercity debut.
In March, Sussman and his 39-year-old brother, Max Rockefeller, opened a cafeteria at the center – fulfilling the duo’s long-standing goal of testing their concept in a crowded area.
“Midtown is a completely different animal and while it may not be as cool as West Village or East Village or anywhere in Brooklyn, if you want to have a successful restaurant, you have to be where the customers are. said Sussman.
“I think we will bring something great to the city center. Something new and fresh, not just cookies. ”
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