From left: Biography Bookstore, Lever House and Bruegger’s BagelsBiography Bookstore, which has occupied its 400 Bleecker Street space for over 25 years, will be moving by January because it can no longer afford its lease, a manager told The Real Deal. The manager said he thinks a large fashion company will take over the space and that the bookstore has not yet chosen a new location. Le Souk, which closed at 47 Avenue B in February, is moving to 510 LaGuardia Street, at Bleecker Street. Sant Ambroeus may be taking over the lease at Lever House, at 390 Park Avenue. Dougie’s Express, a Kosher barbeque place on 47th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, has closed. Filene’s Basement has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and a Crown Acquisitions affiliate will buy 17 of its 25 stores.
Bruegger’s Bagels is hoping to open 15 locations in New York City, starting in Midtown. The chain lists no New York City locations on its Web site. Shorty’s, a cheesesteak restaurant at the corner of Ninth Avenue and 42nd Street, is looking to expand. A Huffman Koos furniture store has opened at 43 West 23rd Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. As the High Line opening approaches, Helmut Lang, Louis Vuitton and H&M are reportedly interested in opening spaces in the neighborhood. Ruth Ades-Laurent, whose father sold vegetable peelers in Union Square, has been kicked out of the Union Square Greenmarket, she said. Chris Sileo, Mason Reese and Dan Maccarone plan to open a bar called Destination on the corner of Avenue A and 13th Street in early June. Chabela’s, a Dominican restaurant, is coming to 40 Avenue B. An ice cream shop is coming to 18 St. Mark’s Place. A new bar is coming to 32 Avenue A, according to the work permit for the space. In Brooklyn, Bespoke Bicycles has opened at 64B Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene. Falafel House, a falafel and pizza restaurant, is coming to 407 Myrtle Avenue, also in Fort Greene. TRD