Another one bites the dust. The Village has lost yet another market.
Agata and Valentina, a specialty-foods store on University Place that sported good-quality fare, high prices and very nice staff, closed its doors on April 26.
The company has another store Uptown and one in New Jersey.
“They have always struggled,” one Villager reflected. “It’s kind of a Citarella place but not as well located. They had too many complicated components and they were always trying to change it.
“They did seem to have lots of customers until March last year when so many people moved out of the neighborhood. It’s too bad because it seems like they just needed to hold out for a couple more months.”
The wonderful Midoriya Japanese Market on E. 17 St. is scheduled to close on May 7. It is depressing how many good business people stayed open for us during the worst of the COVID-19 shutdown, only to have to go out of business just when things are starting to open up.
The basic fact is the building has been sold and is scheduled for demolition soon!
We here in the Central Village are sad to lose A&V for another excess new building, which, along with the Department of Transportation plans for University Place “calming” (? ? – it will be the party path on the way from Union Square to Washington Square Park) will continue to change the neighborhood vibe!
S. Barry,
East 10 St Block Association