Caswell-Massey New York's New Location

2clfrwrds · Post by **2clfrwrds** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 10:18 am

The flagship Caswell-Massey shop on Lexington is no more. When I visited the new location today, the cashier told me their old landlord had other plans for the space, and C-M lost their lease after more than 80 years.

The new location is interesting: a converted church at the corner of West 20th and 6th.

The former church houses a lot of boutiques, and C-M is reduced to 5 racks of shelves on the second floor. Although they've crammed in as many products as they could, the full range is not available. There are still quite a few aftershave splashes and balms, colognes, and talcs. Many of the women's lines are available too.

My opinion: If I were in the neighborhood, I'd stop in, but unless you're a big fan of C-M products, it may not be worth a special trip anymore.

--Glenn

gsgo · Post by **gsgo** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 11:27 am

Too bad, C&M has some great products and history, sad to see this American brand floundering. Wish someone would take this one back and re-establish it, we could do with a few more success story's on this side of the pond.

Tommynick · Post by **Tommynick** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 3:50 pm

This used to be the Limelight Disco. I spent many a drunken night there in the mid 80s. Sorry to see c&M lose their lease. The Charlotte store has closed and been replaced by an Art of Shaving store. Sad

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:24 pm

I dunno, maybe there are other retail spaces available for rent in NYC, don't you suppose?

I've never had the pleasure of visiting NYC, but I'd love nothing more than a tourist trip there. When I was telling my wife that, she reminded me that she's always wanted to see Vermont and New Hampshire, etc., so that gave me hope that I can put something together that will make both of us happy.

If I should go to NYC, I probably wouldn't be visiting Caswell Massey, but I'm sure I could find Pasteur's and the other one that I can't remember the name of right now, start with a C and has 2 words? Anyway, I guess that sums it up.

2clfrwrds · Post by **2clfrwrds** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:18 pm

Good plan, Gary. There's a Pasteur's less than 3 blocks from Central Park. You could dissipate Mrs. Brothers' irritation ("We're in New York, and you spend 45 minutes in a drug store the size of our dining room!") with a cozy horse-drawn carriage ride through the park.

--Glenn

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:38 pm

That's good advice. I can't wait.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:46 pm

Tommynick wrote:This used to be the Limelight Disco. I spent many a drunken night there in the mid 80s. Sorry to see c&M lose their lease. The Charlotte store has closed and been replaced by an Art of Shaving store. Sad

I think the Limelight was the first place I ever bought $5.00 beers. I hope the girls from the Fashion Institute of Technology were impressed, but I doubt it.

We lost our C-M store here in Pittsburgh years ago. They closed down without ever giving me any notice, and I was a loyal customer for many years. They are a shadow of their former self.

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:08 pm

There is a shop in our city that a year ago, sold Trumpers. When I started shopping for Christmas this year, I went by there, asked about Trumpers, and they said, that Trumper's didn't sell, so we had a big closeout sale and now we carry all of the Caswell Massey shaving products. I was hacked off that I didn't know about the closeout sale! What the ****!

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:24 pm

Gary, Cambridge Chemists is the place you're thinking of. And it's still worth a visit for sure, but even it is not what it was until a couple of years ago....they were forced to relocate also, you see. Jeez!...I used to pass that church on 20th & 6th every day!....and it was still actually a church then, I think ( late '70s ). What a weird place for such an old, classic, and at one time, famous American brand to wind up....sad.
Regards,
Gordon