Oh…how I’ve loved you…and oh…how I’m going to miss you…
One thing about living in New York City, you become acutely aware how so many “mom and pop” stores, bars and restaurants that have been around for years…close on a daily basis. And the pending closure of Kenn’s Broome Street Bar has to be, by far, the most devastating news for me. <sob>
My first visit was back in the early 80’s on a snowy, wintry day…back when Soho was filled with unique, one-of-a-kind boutiques instead of the trendy, cookie cutter shops of today. It’s your classic dive bar (since 1972) with bad decor, rickety chairs and fabulous tunes. My first hamburger served in a pita. It truly was love at first sight.
And speaking of great tunes, one of my favorite experiences years ago was listening to the Amazing Rhythm Aces and I totally fell in love with the song Third Rate Romance. Nowhere to be located for purchase at that time, the bartender told me he’d record it for me that night if I’d return for it the next day. I did and I still have that cassette tape today. What a sweetie pie he was…
Way back in the day…can you picture photographer Robert Mapplethorpe or artist Willem de Kooning sitting on one of those bar stools? Thanks to Kenn, the owner, the bar quickly became known as the artists’ hangout back before the art community moved out of Soho to the Chelsea area.
Back in February of this year, “Kenn died while on vacation in Florida, after having a margarita, a nice lunch and a swim in the hotel pool. He was 92.” <I so want my obituary to read like that one day…> And now the building has been purchased by a new owner for a cool $12 million and will soon become just another restaurant in Soho. It’s such a shame to see greed take over this city…rents so high that New York City will one day become just a huge mall filled with chain stores.
At least I’ll be able to say…back in the day…
That’s a shame – another NYC icon gone, but you’re right, at least you got to experience it “back in the day” and have the memories forever. I’m kind of glad I won’t be around in 100 years to see what became of NYC, if it is still around….”In the Year 2525, if man is still alive…”
No one can ever take away what’s in your heart and your experiences.
Cool song, too. Thanks for sharing, as always, Dear Robin.
Love you.
xoxo
And by the way….RIP Kenn. I wouldn’t mind dying that way, too!
Will we ever one day be able to say “No good things ever come to an end!” I can just imagine the sense of loss for you, Robin, since you are so meshed with the people of your favorite city. They have become part of your life-blood. Even though it’ll never be the same, I hope the new owners will pleasantly surprise you…in case you ever go back to check it out again.
It is sad to see something you love and enjoy and that holds fond memories in your heart go away. It will be interesting to see what they put in it’s place and if the people in “your” city will warm up to whatever it is… Great photos. Thanks for sharing. XoXo
How sad! Loved that bar and it continues to break my heart that greed is taking over everywhere. I don’t even recognize Wayata when I go home anymore. They closed down Sunsets and opened a fancy new place. (:
We are thankful for Broome Street being a part of the famous trip to NYC. I still have a coaster. 🙂
I hope I die the same when Kenn did, as well.
Wrapping you up in a great big hug!! xoxoxoxoxo
Great pictures of a great place! Was there no one to take over? What a pity – another Starbucks or whatever cannot make up for something so unique.
Absolutely nothing like a good dive bar, sorry to hear another one is biting the dust … but so glad that Kenn had a happy ending.
So sad to hear that … but I love the idea that still those places exist. Thank you – it’s not the first one you’ve showed us, but theses photos are superb.
stories behind places stories in the city stories that are little know add so mach value to an image outside of the story capturing in the actual image its the best way to match and make the story shine and known… your eye dear your time your research…
I remember watching a vimeo clip of a famous burger bar which was hauntingly beautiful, it to had decided to close, it just dripped nostalgia and that warm cosy feeling which only a place such as Kens et al could. They were of a time and it saddens me to think they will turn into the usual ad mans idea of what a place like this should look like.
It makes you want to weep, these should never be allowed to change they are living breathing history, and so much more. Sad times indeed.
I’m the John in the original Kenn and John’s bar. When Kenn and I designed, built and opened the bar we were hoping to attract indubitable people. Reading your wonderful tail of your first experience at our little pub makes me feel like we succeeded……….you had the kind of experience we wanted NYC drifters (and aren’t they all) to have.
I’ve often wondered just how much cash I threw away every time I asked Maco to wash the drawings off the black boards. Usually every couple of weeks. I remember Oldenburg and De Koning and the other hot shots showing up days later bitching about what the hell happened. I told them we had limited space and had to make room for the new crop of artists arriving every day.
I bought a copy of “Third Rate Romance” from Amazon last week. Thank you for reminding me how great a tune it is! It’s perfect listening for my frequent cruises in rural Kansas and other unpopulated landscapes..
When we started working on the bar Kenn was 50 and I was 30. I am a visual artist. Kenn was an actor. Perhaps that explains why I fled the scene a little over a year after our opening and Kenn stayed for nearly 50 years. The bar was his stage. Indeed – it was to Kenn “Man’s Last Chance”, and he took it the distance.
Thanks for the affirming tale. Made me feel good!