Photo: Old Hell’s Kitchen Grocer Becomes New Restaurant, Or, What Lies Beneath, What Came Before.

I took this photo a few weeks ago, as I was walking about the neighborhood. Chanpen was getting a new sign and was just about to cover up the “supermarket” sign that had been revealed by removing the previous sign. For me, this photo became more than I had intended, or saw initially. I really like the old vs. new dichotomy, the “on top” vs. “underneath,” and the layers within the reflections. Even the passers-by took time to notice, and pay their last respects to what came before.

I think the temporary, new sign they had up is such a departure from the previous one, as is their tenancy. But that’s what I love about Manhattan, and especially Hell’s Kitchen now.

If you look carefully, you can see in the reflection on the right window the old, urban buildings across the street, and on the left, more buildings, and the beautiful tree that transforms the block.

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Tags: 10036, 9th Avenue, buildings, butcher shop, Chanpen, grocery store, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, Maps, New York City, NYC, Old New York, Photography, reflection, restaurant