New York Central Art Supply Closing After 111 Years

New York Central Art Supply, an East Village staple that has been open for 111 years, is officially closing its doors September 2. The shuttering of the historic artist supplies space marks the loss of an unparalleled collection of papers, sketchbooks, and other rare materials.

The historic space at 62 Third Ave., between 10th and 11th streets, was passed down through several generations of the Steinberg family. The ultimate reason for its closure was the sale of the building, although the business had been struggling for years, Doug Steinberg, family representative for the store, told Patch.

The cost of labor unionizing and running inventory without a computer was overwhelming, said Steinberg, great-grandson of original owner Benjamin Steinberg. The business was always heavily reliant on customer service, not on technology, he said.

"We run a very old-fashioned business in a very modern world," Steinberg said. "It's a charming way of doing it, and that's probably the best thing about us people that will remember. But it's also definitely very labor intensive and very hands-on, which doesn't necessarily translate to profit."

Since New York Central opened in 1905, it has become a destination for artists and designers around the world. In the 1970s, renowned artists like Andy Warhol, Willem deKooning, and Cecily Brown bought their supplies there.

Steinberg said more than 50 percent of the staff at New York Central had been there for more than 20 years.

"Even a lot of our staff used to live in the neighborhood, and everyone sort of migrated out because of the high rent," he said.

Steinberg doesn't foresee another art shop moving into 62 3rd Ave., but he is hoping to sell the store's artist paper collection to an art shop in the country, he said.

New York Central was an international destination up until its closing day. Steinberg recalled how people traveled from all over the world just to witness its inventory. "We had people from Japan who came straight from the airport just to see us," he said.

It's an end of an era for Steinberg. "I have been working there since I was born, essentially," he said. "Having to make a decision to shutter a business like that is heartbreaking on many levels. It's not just shuttering the business for the family, it's putting a damper on so many people's lives."

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