Some might remember, back in September, when I noticed that Miyabi, the Japanese restaurant that succeeded Bleecker Bob’s long residency at 118 West Third Street, has seemingly closed up shop without much fanfare. Apart from my entry, I didn’t notice a single blog post or news item about its sudden vanishing. I mean, it’s not really that big a deal – business ventures close all the time. But it still struck me as odd.
Ever since that September discovery, I’ve been periodically walking past the spot to check on any developments. For the most part, there haven’t been any, although I did notice that the longtime backrub/foot-rub (and invariable hand-job) joint one storefront to its west also vacated its premises, so, I guess you’ll have to get your “happy endings” somewhere else, Greenwich Villagers!
This whole strip of West Third has seen much better days. Ben’s Pizza is still holding court at the east corner at MacDougal Street, but the longtime McDonald’s on the Sixth Avenue corner finally closed and is now basically rotting. The whole block has sort of a vaguely disquieting feeling of lawlessness, although a brand-new deli did just open up on the north side of the street.
Today, meanwhile, as I was walking to work, I noticed a fresh application of scaffolding erected around the former Bleecker Bob’s/Miyabi site, so something is clearly afoot.
Watch this space.
Incidentally, yes, I know – prior it to being Bleecker Bob’s it was Bonaparte’s. Way prior it to being Bonaparte’s it was The Night Owl Cafe.
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