BY THE VILLAGE SUN | Oh no, they didn’t!
Yeah, unfortunately, they really did.
Clearly, Chase bank didn’t read East Villager Frank Mastropolo’s new book “Ghost Signs: Clues to Downtown New York’s Past.” But they sure should have.
![](https://thevillagesun.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/chase-1.jpeg)
Or maybe — probably — they just didn’t care.
The iconic green-and-red corner sign of the former Coffee Shop restaurant and bar, at 16th St. and Union Square West, was recently replaced with a glaring blue-and-white one beaming out “CHASE.”
The long-running — 30 years — trendy restaurant, which was a always a terrific date spot, closed last October and was promptly replaced by the bank branch and a JoeCoffee outlet.
This seems to be an increasingly common combo: Just what we need, more caffeine jitters and sterile ATM machine vestibules.
![](https://thevillagesun.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/coffee-shop-1.png)
The Coffee Shop sign was a holdover — a so-called ghost sign — from an earlier business at the spot that really had been a greasy-spoon-style coffee shop. The stylish shingle added a cool and authentic retro feel to the Brazilian-themed eatery’s exterior.
Mastropolo’s new book documents many such ghost signs all over Downtown Manhattan that have miraculously stood the test of time.
![](https://thevillagesun.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/chase-2-coffee-shop-server.jpg)
But, well, it was futile to think the multinational bank would actually appreciate any of that.
But, on a positive note, Village Sun contributor Mary Reinholz shared a photo of the handsome barista at JoeCoffee, the sight of whom lifted her spirits — maybe more than an overpriced cup of coffee.
Great article/shame on Chase Bank. I do not need their signage in my face. The expectation had been that the iconic Coffeeshop sign would have a place on the building. I did stop by to inquire recently and was told they have the sign and no decision on it has been made.