These are just two sad stories about the all-too-frequent-lately demise of various New York institutions: The Claremont Riding Academy near Central Park, Manhattan’s only riding academy and the nation’s last standing livery stable, built in 1892; and the 66-year-old Empire Roller Rink, “Brooklyn’s ONLY roller rink,” according to its website.
Two establishments, worlds apart, one thing in common: They're over. Each is closing for very different reasons. The Claremont, claims its owner, Paul Novograd, simply became too expensive to run, and riding in the park especially with all them pesky joggers and Bugaboo-weilding parents claiming entitlement to commandeer the bridle path. (Plus, he got $11 million for the landmark building. Won’t it make awesome condos?) The Empire, it seems, saw one too many shootings outside. Kids today, huh?
Shutterings of New York institution seem to occur at least once a week lately. Does this happen in Paris or London or even San Francisco? I’m betting no.
images courtesy of Gothamist and citilore.org.
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