Extra Place's Viability Questioned as Bespoke Chocolate Closes

On Friday afternoon, the owners of Bespoke Chocolate, a high-end chocolatier located on the somewhat desolate Extra Place in the East Village, sent out an email to friends and followers announcing its imminent shutter. The shop will close for good at 7 PM this Thursday. "Running a small business in New York City is very challenging, and we are so incredibly grateful for all of your support over the past few years," they wrote, adding, "Our plans for the very immediate future, however, involve reflection, a glass of wine, and a lot of eye-drying."

When Avalon Bay debuted Extra Place, a little alley way on 1st Street between 2nd Avenue and the Bowery, it was envisioned as a Parisian pedestrian area filled with shops and restaurants. Now, with the shutter of Bespoke—which was supposedly going to ruin the neighborhood when it opened two and a half years go—and the nearby gallery, there's little to see there besides the newish outpost of Mexican chain Oaxaca Taqueria and fairly hidden venue Extra Place. Perhaps Daniel Boulud's planned commissary kitchen will do something about that.
· All Coverage of Bespoke Chocolates [~ENY~]
[Photo: Glenwood NYC]