The former owner of America’s oldest cheese shop is reacting to the news that the building’s facade partially collapsed in Little Italy Wednesday and his former store will be demolished.
Photo credit: Dean Moses
The Little Italy building that once housed America’s oldest cheese shop until its facade collapsed last week will soon be demolished.
When bricks rained down from 188 Grand Street on Jan. 10, witnesses said it sounded like an explosion, causing nearby pedestrians and people inside to flee and evacuate. Debris crushed the surrounding construction fence. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.
The incident drew hundreds of first responders and many more onlookers gathered just meters away from the large hole in the building and the surrounding rubble.
“I heard a bang. I looked at the building and people were looking out the windows and people were yelling, ‘Get out, get out of the building.’ Get out of the building! ‘It was scary,” local Marjorie Carrillo told amNewYork Metro shortly after the incident.“It was like an earthquake.”
People familiar with the incident said ongoing construction work on the site, including the removal of several rebars, caused the facade to collapse. The Department of Buildings (DOB) said construction permits had not yet been officially approved, but work continued anyway.
However, the damage was so severe that the entire building had to be brought down due to instability and concerns of further collapse.
“The collapsed chimney and the illegal and unpermitted construction work found inside the building have significantly destabilized the structure of the building. Our engineers believe that the damaged building poses no immediate danger to the public. “The DOB has determined that the property owner is in a state of emergency and has ordered the property owner to begin preparations for the emergency demolition of the entire building to prevent an uncontrolled collapse,” the DOB said. statement.
This building was once home to Areva Dairy. The company was founded more than 130 years ago and is said to be the oldest cheese shop in the country until it was forced to close due to financial difficulties last year. The business, which has been run by Karen King for more than 50 years since her husband died, said she was stunned to learn of its demise.
“Like many people, I was shocked to learn that the second floor of 188 Grand Street had collapsed. It was home to my favorite Areva Dairy, America’s oldest cheese shop. It was an old store,” King said. “Normally there would be dozens of people in the store every day buying fresh mozzarella and cannoli. Thank God, no one was hurt and everyone is safe.”
These comments were made before the female business owner knew the building would soon be demolished. But when news of the bulldozer project reached King, she became emotional.
“My heart just dropped a few beats,” King said, declining to discuss the matter further.
Demolition is expected to take place within the next week.