Here’s our monthly roundup of new businesses on the Lower East Side.
CW Pencil Enterprise (100a Forsyth St., at Broome Street) Caroline Weaver says she’s an “amateur pencil collector but lifelong pencil lover.” Now she’s channeling that passion by opening a shop on the Lower East Side selling nothing but pencils and accessories. The collection ranges from basic #2 pencils to vintage varieties from the 1920s to a German-made clutch pencil in various colors. Also available: a selection of sharpeners, erasers and notebooks. Weaver says she aims to “make sure that you can have any pencil your heart, hand, or collection desires.”
Launch F18 (94 Allen St., at Delancey Street) The young artists/curators Tim Donovan and Sam Trioli made the move from Tribeca, taking over a versatile space with entrances on both Allen and Orchard streets. There’s a ground floor storefront gallery plus a lower-level exhibition space. In moving to the Lower East Side, Launch F18 also took on a third partner, painter and curator David Deutsch. The original gallery opened in 2010.
Claw & Company (101 Delancey St., at Ludlow Street) Graffiti artist and fashion designer Claw Money has opened a boutique to sell her own line, including signature Claw starter jackets, as well as leather vintage, Nike high-tops and other hip items. She says the idea behind the store is to “embrace the grit of the legendary NYC subculture of graffiti.”
Maison Kitsuné (5 Rivington St., at Bowery) The cutting edge French lifestyle brand opened its second New York City store on this increasingly fashionable strip of Rivington Street. The shop for men and women includes an exclusive patchwork sweater and T-shirt, designed specifically for the Lower East Side launch. There’s also a backyard, which will spring into action as the weather gets warmer.
Orchard Street Hotel (163 Orchard St., at Stanton Street) The 50-room hotel, which towers over its tenement neighbors on Orchard Street, began accepting bookings last month. A recent online check of availabilities found weekend rates ranging from $199–$349/night. The 12-story property is owned by entrepreneur Nico Moinian. It’s not the only hotel coming to this block. The 290-room Hotel Indigo at 180 Orchard St. is scheduled to open in the summer.
