A two-shot page on One Shots. Forgive the breach from format …
This newsstand, on 7th Avenue and West 51st, is one of NYC’s classics with a hand-stenciled sign. It’s bursting with the promise of newspapers, magazines, snacks, cigs. I’m out of touch — I barely use a cell phone. Are phone cards still in wide use?
The Lorax would likely have a problem with this rather anodyne, chrome and glass CEMUSA newsstand further south closer to Times Square. Granted, it was a Sunday and it was closed, but even when opened it probably doesn’t have the bustling and busy atmosphere surrounding the classic stand.
2/27/12
6 comments
Plus, the “old” newstand has what appear to be two lights on the upper corners to help buyers see at night. There are probably two on the other side, too. I don’t see anything like that on the “new” stand; of course they may be hidden. Or perhaps, those greenish looking panels light up? In either case, I’ve always wondered how the vendor relieves himself or herself; I’ve never seen anything that looks like even the smallest bathroom….
You can see the light on the left side of the old stand above the chips and adjacent to the Mama Mia! sign
No Kevin, there’s a new chrome newsstand on Fulton at Gold I pass everyday. It always looks like it’s bursting at the seams. Come back in a while after it’s been open a few weeks.
There used to be a newsstand on Allen St. that had hand-drawn directional signs to points of interest. The one that stands out in memory said something to the effect of:”!5 blocks north, Little Italy, where Italians used to live.” Always made me chuckle.
I think phone cards are very popular among immigrants, who use them to make international calls at fairly low rates. Many of the deli/bodegas in my neighborhood have posters in their window from the various phone card brands, each listing their per-minute rates to different countries.
The newsstand at 51st and Seventh is right across the street from my office building, and flanks the AXA Equitable Building at 787 Seventh Avenue.