Georgia’s Eastside BBQ Closes Down, Cites Construction Woes Next Door
Georgia’s Eastside BBQ, one of the longer running businesses on the Lower East Side, just faded into the night. The small local business closed up shop yesterday evening after eleven years at 192 Orchard Street.
Principal cause of demise was the constant construction next door on Ben Shaoul’s new luxury condo development. It’s turned the block into a wasteland where little survives.
Owner Alan Natkiel alleges that this construction was partly to blame for the city’s Health Department closure last August.
“Us not being vermin-proof relates to physical damage sustained to the building that includes large visible cracks in the bricks,” Natkiel told us at the time.
Natkiel also blames an increased reliance on delivery services and the surcharges levied per order.
Nine months later, the restaurant is out of business.
Nevertheless, Georgia’s Eastside BBQ will return, but in a different location altogether. Somewhere in New England, as yet unannounced.
Georgia’s first opened at 192 Orchard Street (between Stanton and Houston) back in summer 2007, and became a popular locals spot.
Recent Stories
At Belse, the New Vegan Brewery on the Bowery
Belse, the Texas-based vegan brewery and restaurant, is now in business on the Bowery. The Lone Star State transplant – officially, Belse Plant Cuisine – takes 11,000 square-feet at 265-267 Bowery, in what was previously the fleeting home of the Paulaner Brauhaus brewery. The renovated space features three sections – a restaurant, bar, and Garden […]
East Village Artist M. Henry Jones, Contemporary of Keith Haring, Dies
M. Henry Jones, a member of the East Village arts scene for over forty years, died last week (either June 16 or 17) at the age of 65. We’re told, though unconfirmed, the cause of death was a form of cancer. Jones was a neighborhood fixture for decades, in part, because of his storefront studio […]
Under the Floorboards at Long-Vacant East Houston Lot
Bereft of substantial activity in nearly two decades, the long-vacant parcel at 49 East Houston Street is in deterioration overdrive. An eagle-eyed tipster notes that the floorboards atop the existing foundation are now busted. Creating a pseudo entryway into the cellar level. Before its demise fourteen years ago, 49 East Houston had been a one-story […]
Developer Begins Demolition of Rutgers Street Playground for Temporary Parking Lot
Demolition work began this week on a Lower East Side park that is a focal point in the tension between the community and developers on the waterfront. The backhoes are out and job now underway at Rutgers Park, the small public space beside the Lands End II residential development. Removal of the playground began yesterday, including […]
The 3 Lower East Side Walk-ups that Sold for $35M
Earlier this month, we reported that SMA Equities, the Long Island real estate firm with controversial history on the Lower East Side, sold a portfolio of its area properties. SMA unloaded three tenement walk-ups to Daniel Fishman of GAIA Real Estate – 102 Norfolk Street, 177 Ludlow Street, and 99 Allen Street – for an […]
