New York Daily Photo Analytics

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Space Surplus Metals

Space Surplus Metals on Church Street is the last of an era. This area around Canal Street was filled with industrial suppliers, many of them virtual institutions. Just a few who have gone out of business: Canal Lumber, Tunnel Machinery, Industrial Plastics, Canal Hardware, and Bob Michaels (metals). Canal Rubber and Pearl Paint still survive. Owned by Victor James (in the photo) and his wife, both from India, Space Surplus has been around since 1979. You can find anything metal here - brass, copper, zinc, aluminum, steel in sheets, rods, etc. And he cuts at no charge. I love the homey, quaint interior. His space is only 55 ft. x 13 ft., with a rent of nearly $5000 per month. With Victor at 80, his wife at 86, and rent the way it is, I would visit soon - our days in NYC with such places are numbered.

8 comments:

Sam said...

Fascinating!!!

Ham said...

This reminds me so much of what it used to be like in Lisle Street (which is now part of Chinatown). There used to be any number of odd shops. 30 years ago.

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Nate said...

Hey Brian, just wanted to say thanks for this small bit about my grandparent's shop. It means a lot to me that even complete strangers can appreciate my grandparent's and their shop. This place has so many memories that I will never forget.

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