Seventeen NYC Retail Stores That Have Already Closed This Year

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These days, it feels like we're constantly telling you about stores in New York City that are closing. We're only 11 weeks into 2014, and we're already down 17 pretty sweet New York retailers. And here's a scary thought—at this rate, we're on track to lose 70 stores by the end of the year.

After the jump, we've rounded up the notable closings that have already taken place, which includes some of our Indie 38 favorites and a couple long-time New York residents. For easy reading, we've divided these stores into categories, which includes one for places that we know are on the way out. Read on to see what's included in our de facto in memorium list.

Mainstays

Loehmann's
Perhaps the most significant retail loss so far this year is the discount department store that was founded in Brooklyn nearly a century ago, following in the footsteps of Daffy's and Filene's Basement. The five New York City-area locations said farewell with a weeks-long liquidation sale that finally came to a close at the end of February.

Image via Yelp

↑Barnes & Noble, Lower Fifth Avenue
Book stores have been struggling for a while now, but it was still sad to hear that Barnes & Noble was closing its first-ever college bookstore outside of Union Square, just a year after the Sixth Avenue store shuttered. Its replacement will be a Banana Republicm whose parent company already has several stores in the area.

Camouflage
At a mere 38 years of age, the former Chelsea menswear shop is the youngest in this category. A report on the closing noted that the owners were selling everything that wasn't nailed down by their final days, including the "elegant fixtures" that indicated its age.

Indie favorites

Dalaga
We were so sad to post—on Valentine's Day, no less—that this Indie38 member, whose sister owners are expecting "two new little Dalagas" this year, would be closing up their Franklin Street shop. But at least their online business will remain open. If you're searching for a shopping experience with similar vibes, check out Violet Pepper, which is owned by a former Dalaga buyer.

Photo by William Chan

↑Dagny & Barstow
Shortly after a pretty epic warehouse sale in January, this essential shop quickly shut down—cut off the phone line, wiped their name off the marquee, the works. Via email, the owners vaguely said: "Based on a number of reasons we have decided to close our business. As of right now there are no plans to reopen."

Mini Mini Market
The shop that pioneered Williamsburg's Bedford Avenue in the ancient days of 1999 kicked off their closing sale last week. "I am sad to say good-bye to an era when North Brooklyn was a hub for artists and free expression," co-owner Dana Schwister wrote in an email. Luckily, sister store Shoe Market will remain open.

Cynthia Vincent
The California label is saying goodbye to Elizabeth Street at the end of the month to focus its efforts on opening a boutique in Los Angeles. New York denizens can still shop the Twelfth Street line in person at Barneys.

Old Hollywood, Broome Street
The kitschy accessories unsuccessfully tried to keep its closure under wraps, but a big honking "For Rent" sign above their awning kind of gave it away. According to the owners, the Lower East Side shop was being shuttered so that the Greenpoint store could become their main focus.

Kiosk
Hopefully, the gift shop that stocks tons of international product won't be on this list for long. Their Spring Street building is being razed, and they insist that they're "moving somewhere." Until that location is determined, their online store is your only replacement.

High Fashion

Catherine Malandrino, Broome Street
The Broome Street store started an "end of lease" sale at the beginning of this month. Back in 2011, when the store closed for "inventory", we thought there was a good chance it was closing for good. However, they managed to hang on there—until now, that is. The brand is still maintaining its Hudson Street flagship.

↑Brian Atwood
We were so excited to welcome the shoe designer to Madison Avenue back in October 2012, especially after their over-sexy campaign shots that season were too hot for public consumption. But a few weeks ago, they disappeared from the space seemingly overnight. The brand has not returned our request for comment on the closing, and everything on its website is seriously discounted right now.

Tracy Reese
After some initial confusing about an official closing date, press reps for the brand said that they're letting the lease expire on Hudson Street. Last we heard, "the team is exploring all neighborhoods" to open up a new flagship in the city.

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
The Italian label's parent company was so eager for it to exit West Broadway at the beginning of this year that it broke the space's lease. This stretch on the western edge of Soho has recently become a viable alternative for businesses looking to avoid rents on Prince and Spring Streets.

For The Kids

Wonderwolf
The children's boutique shuttered just after their first anniversary on Metropolitan Avenue—the owners told us via e-mail that more and more parents were turning to the convenience of shopping online for their kids' needs. They'll keep somewhat of a physical presence in Brooklyn by doing pop-up shops at the start of every season.

Photo by Brian Harkin

↑Honey in the Rough
After the store briefly closed and reinvented itself last year with offerings for both moms and moms-to-be, as well as their tots, owner Ashely Hanosh decided to exit Rivington Street for good. "It has been over 7 years of nothing but honest pleasure to serve the Lower East Side," she wrote.

Cute Attack
Another Metropolitan Avenue children's store moving online is Liza Dare's Cute Attack, who told us in an interview that she wouldn't rule out opening another store down the line. She's being replaced by Brooklyn Flea vendor Smallhome.

Honorable Mention

Steve Madden Warehouse
In a way, the discount store on the corner of Ludlow and Rivington Streets in the Lower East Side perpetually looked like it was closing, with signs indicating rock-bottom prices and much of its product displayed on those metal racks you see in the sale section of department stores. But they closed for good last month, and have already been replaced by Tani Shoes.

Still Open...For Now

Juicy Couture
Once the go-to uniform for J. Lo and millions more, the Juicy tracksuit (as well as other looks from the brand) have fallen out of favor with both shoppers and its parent company, which is shifting its focus toward Kate Spade and its multiple offshoot brands. Their massive storefront at 650 Fifth Avenue will be vacated at some point this year.

Image via Vanishing New York

↑Jim's Shoe Repair
Because Duane Reade wants an additional 12 feet of frontage to add to its already-large location on 59th between Madison and Fifth Avenues, it's kicking out an 82-year-old family-run shoe repair shop. Fans of the store, along with city preservationists, have started a petition to try and prevent its scheduled September closing.

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Brian Atwood

655 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021 (212) 415-4739 Visit Website

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Old Hollywood

250 Broome Street, New York, NY 646 454 0166 Visit Website

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Dalaga NYC

150 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222 718 389 4049 Visit Website

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Cynthia Vincent

253 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012 (646) 707-3830 Visit Website