The building that housed the grocery store was magnificent and is actually designated as a landmark in the Soho Cast-Iron Historic District.
The interior of the store was similarly magnificent and had marble floors and elegant white columns throughout.
But the store was markedly empty. Where there should have been fruit or pastries, we found a bunch of empty baskets on the display islands at the front of the store.
There were signs like this throughout the store that gave customers an explanation for the appearance. A few employees confirmed that renovations were happening, but they had no details beyond that.
When not completely empty, some of the displays were half-filled with different dishes — or half-empty, depending on how you looked at it.
Overall, the atmosphere was depressing. It felt like walking through a store in the process of liquidation.
The store had an eerie feeling to it as if it was frozen in time, waiting to be made useful again. It was sad to watch the once-bustling store look this melancholy.
Even if renovations are on the way, it seemed strange that practically half the store was out of commission. Other Dean & DeLuca stores were reportedly similarly empty before they closed.
Source: The New York Times
The stories of the grocer's other shuttered stores made us suspicious about the future of this location.
Whether or not this location will close, Dean & DeLuca is still in a downward spiral as it closes more stores and racks up debt. As for the fate of this Soho flagship, that still remains to be seen.
Source: The New York Times
