A number of storefront vacancies have been popping up in our neighborhood. NY Wax Boutique was the most recent establishment to shut down – it was located a few doors down from Self Edge NY. I had never seen a customer in there the six months that it was open, so it was no surprise to see the For Rent sign today in the window:

Empty storefronts have always intrigued me because they provide a little snapshot into someone’s former aspirations. I wish someone could have told Yvoni that opening a candle shop on Orchard Street wouldn’t be the soundest investment, but seeing the space emptied out and up for rent reminded me that this store represented someone’s hopes and dreams.