An OTBKB reader wrote in with this history of a cursed space at the corner of President Street and Fifth Avenue. I have no memory of Bebe's. Why don't I remember Bebe's?
Was Bebe's this space's first incarnation as a restaurant? I feel like
I remember something either before or after Bebe's. Because I was
already thinking of that space as a doomed location by the time N&D
opened there.
I remember something either before or after Bebe's. Because I was
already thinking of that space as a doomed location by the time N&D
opened there.
Or maybe it was that Bebe's closed briefly for
remodeling? I do seem to remember that there was a sort of long
recessed lighting element on the back wall that originally was just a
solid color. After the remodeling they put in a plastic U.S. flag in
the recessed area. The timeline has been Ralph's Cleaners
> Bebe's > Night & Day > Biscuit > Lookout Hill >
Playa?
Jeesh. Could it be that with the additional patio area out back
there's just too much rent to cover to stay afloat? I just don't
understand how nothing seems to stay afloat here. It's seemingly a
great location.
Also: How did Star of India last next door FOR YEARS
with, like, two tables a night while the corner space's restaurants at
least did some business.
I think the owner of the dry cleaning place died from a heart attack in the store. Maybe his spirit is still around and none too pleased that his store was turned into a restaurant. That could explain the history of many failed restaurants there.
I lived on Prez between 4th and 5th back in the 80s and to my recollection it was always a dry cleaners back through the miasma of the past… So, how can the ghosts of dry-cleaned suits put the hex on the place, yet Cafe Moutard nearby can continue to be so successful when it was formerly, in the vernacular, a funeral parlor ? Go figure. Maybe they should open a cafe where you can get your pants (or skirt) pressed while you have lunch. Sort of like this –
http://rlv.zcache.com/play_golf_free_while_having_your_suit_pressed_business_card-p2403863100184182524j5c_400.jpg-
How did Star of India last so long while being so empty? Easy. It was a drug front.
It’s curious that Star of India on 5th Avenue lasted for years. But it’s amazing that India House on 7th Avenue lasted for decades.
Yes–Bebe was the first of the doomed restaurants on that corner. I think it was around for less than 6 months. Bebe had an American flag painted on the back wall. The only other distinctive thing about the decor was a Sputnik-era, octopus-like chandelier with plastic shades.