In June 2023, the Gramercy Park Block Association reported a fire at Namu Deli on Third Avenue between East 20th and East 21st Streets. The letter said the fire had begun on the roof at about 11 a.m. the previous day, spread inside and badly damaged the shop. It reported that everyone had made it out safely.
Namu had already been scheduled to close permanently that week, according to the letter, and would not reopen. The photographs accompanying the report recorded the damage at a familiar local storefront.
The same letter shared news that Garden of Eden Market was expected to take over the former CVS location on Third Avenue between East 21st and East 22nd Streets. The Block Association said it would report an opening date when one became available.
Some communications concern large projects; others help neighbors understand what happened just around the corner. This dated account is part of the Block Association’s record of keeping the community informed.
