I’ve always wondered about this sign in my neighborhood, and now I’ve looked it up. Apparently, this is the location of the last whalebone-cutting establishment in the country (closed in 1920, according to the New York Times).
And right across the street is an interesting, old nautical shop (called New York Nautical) with old, odd oceanworthy items inside, as well as sailing books and sea charts and such (we are, after all, only a couple of blocks from the river at this point on the island).
Hey Tara,
ReplyDeleteThis is my kids' favorite place to have a 'walk-about'. $20 goes a long way, esp. with $3 bobble head ceramic piggies, bovines and sheep. Fun place for a scavenger hunt!
Since we were a maritime community a while ago - remember Moby Dick? - I guess it makes sense that NY should have a nautical curio shop.
ReplyDeleteWell, I figured your kids weren't crazy for the nautical shop! And I (you, too, actually) used to live right around the corner from where Melville worked in the customs office (Jane Street, if I'm not mistaken).
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