176 MacDougal Street, one block from the park, has a long history as both a much-loved Village restaurant, Shakespeare’s, in the 1970s until the early 90s and then a much needed community laundromat, Hong Wah, which was sadly felled by a suspicious fire in early 2013.
In 2014, Spina Florist put down roots in the space but has now switched up to Spina Bride, a transition which took place earlier this year.
No matter what the changes, surprisingly, the pay phone outside is not only still there – but it works! The horse shoe over the door remains as well.
I thought at some point I wrote about the span of time Hong Wah Laundromat was there – I think they took over the space in the late 1990s – it was a pretty long while. The suspicious 2013 fire, deemed electrical in nature, led to the closing of the laundromat just a few months before the much-anticipated Stumptown Coffee moved in next door in June.
The rent reportedly tripled for the next tenant.
For a period until 1967, the space was occupied by the Jumble Shop Tap Room. (Sometimes referred to as Tea Room.)
Previously at Washington Square Park Blog:
Spina Florist Puts Down Roots at 176 MacDougal Street – Previous Home of Hong Wah Laundromat and Suspicious Fire May 29, 2014
176 MacDougal Street has Fire; Hong Wah Laundromat Closed – Will it Reopen? | Some History March 8, 2013
Hong Wah Laundromat No More After Fire – 176 MacDougal Street Ground Floor Now for Rent March 18, 2013
More on 176 MacDougal & Shakespeare’s Restaurant of Yore – Part I March 18, 2013
Photos: Cathryn
except Jumble Shop via Ephemeral New York