Reviving the Rumor: Blockbuster for Rent?
Red Square retail will probably see some significant turnover in the coming months. One need only spy the giant JDF Realty leasing banner strung across the strip mall (i.e. Blockbuster) at the base of the luxury rental building. According to the signage, multiple stores are for rent, totaling up to 10,000 square-feet of usable space. All uses are also being considered here.
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The former salon, In Style, at 250 East Houston is vacant and already has a new listing. A second leasing banner is covering the awning and last remnants of the colored “grand opening” flags are still visible. But this small storefront at $6,000 per month only accounts for 1,100 square-feet of the total available space.
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But it’s Blockbuster which seems the most endangered, even though the aforementioned listing doesn’t include this store. It was exactly this time last year that EV Grieve brought news that this location was rumored to close. This latest move by the landlord is a pretty strong signal of what could happen next. With Blockbuster currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, their own $1-a-night kiosks in Duane Reades all over town, and Netflix taking over the world, this place is destined to shutter.
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We were never huge fans of Blockbuster, but, much like music stores, still cherish the idea of browsing the walls of titles.
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