A Moment of Silence for Chumley's
Posted by: Denelle
I'm posting this here mostly for David and Bradley (perhaps Kent) and for the few of you who are either 1. history buffs, 2. literature buffs, or 3. have a headful of useless knowledge (that's me), that may also be interested.
After 85 years of business Chumley's on the Lower East Side may no longer be. I say may because it seems there is still some question as to the fate of the former speakeasy.
On April 5, an internal chimney collapsed forcing the closure and evacuation (there are resdidential apartments above the business) of the building. Additionally, the external facade of the building is said to be buckling. The building is landmarked and is in a landmarked district so it cannot be demolished without certain steps and precautions being taken but the jury is still out on whether or not the building will actually be salvagable.
Chumley's notoriously has no sign or marking to distinguish it on the outside (you just have to know that it's located at 86 Bedford Street). Originally a blacksmith's shop in the 1830s, tradition has it that it became a save haven where slaves, who had escaped through the underground railroad, could take refuge before meeting their next contact (usually from the NY black community).
In the 1920s it had become a speakeasy and gambling hall that operated continually throughout the prohibition years. In fact, it is rumored that the term "86 it" came from the local policemen (obviously on the take) who during this period would calljust prior to a raid and say "86 it" to tip off the owner that his patrons should scram.
By the 1930s it was a literary haven for the most creative minds of our time. Hemingway, Lardner, Mailer, F. Scott Fitzgerald, E.E. Cummings, all frequented the restaurant and bar and their pictures and signed book jackets hang on the walls. The tables and bar at Chumley's are covered with names, some famous and some not, of patrons who have carved their identity into the wood.
Personally, I hope that the building owner (reportedly one of the worst landlords in the city), and the various city departments involved in deciding what to do with this gem of NY history try everything in their power to keep the building and the business. If it goes I am terrified to see what will show up in its place. The last thing this city needs is another Starbucks, Duane Reed or a Bank.
(Google Chumley's for more info on the collapse, most of it is from blogs so be warned, it's difficult to vouch for the authenticity of people's stories or the fate of the building but it's fascinating reading)
I'm posting this here mostly for David and Bradley (perhaps Kent) and for the few of you who are either 1. history buffs, 2. literature buffs, or 3. have a headful of useless knowledge (that's me), that may also be interested.
After 85 years of business Chumley's on the Lower East Side may no longer be. I say may because it seems there is still some question as to the fate of the former speakeasy.
On April 5, an internal chimney collapsed forcing the closure and evacuation (there are resdidential apartments above the business) of the building. Additionally, the external facade of the building is said to be buckling. The building is landmarked and is in a landmarked district so it cannot be demolished without certain steps and precautions being taken but the jury is still out on whether or not the building will actually be salvagable.
Chumley's notoriously has no sign or marking to distinguish it on the outside (you just have to know that it's located at 86 Bedford Street). Originally a blacksmith's shop in the 1830s, tradition has it that it became a save haven where slaves, who had escaped through the underground railroad, could take refuge before meeting their next contact (usually from the NY black community).
In the 1920s it had become a speakeasy and gambling hall that operated continually throughout the prohibition years. In fact, it is rumored that the term "86 it" came from the local policemen (obviously on the take) who during this period would calljust prior to a raid and say "86 it" to tip off the owner that his patrons should scram.
By the 1930s it was a literary haven for the most creative minds of our time. Hemingway, Lardner, Mailer, F. Scott Fitzgerald, E.E. Cummings, all frequented the restaurant and bar and their pictures and signed book jackets hang on the walls. The tables and bar at Chumley's are covered with names, some famous and some not, of patrons who have carved their identity into the wood.
Personally, I hope that the building owner (reportedly one of the worst landlords in the city), and the various city departments involved in deciding what to do with this gem of NY history try everything in their power to keep the building and the business. If it goes I am terrified to see what will show up in its place. The last thing this city needs is another Starbucks, Duane Reed or a Bank.
(Google Chumley's for more info on the collapse, most of it is from blogs so be warned, it's difficult to vouch for the authenticity of people's stories or the fate of the building but it's fascinating reading)
