Harry Chong (Again)

VANISHING?

A reader in the Village spotted a FOR RENT sign in the window of the former Harry Chong Chinese laundry, now the Snip N Sip hair salon, and it looks like Snip N Sip is getting snipped in half.



The reader writes: "I asked the retro hairdresser next door what's up. He said he is staying but giving up the former Chinese laundry space. He said that he hopes whoever comes in keeps the 'Harry Chong' lettering on the windows. When I expressed skepticism that would happen, he added that the landlord would like the sign to stay too! I found this surprising as well as ironic if the landlord is the same one who doubled the rent which put them out of business."


gothamistllc's flickr, 2005

In 2006, Harry Chong was forced to close after 60 years on this corner. Locals called the Chinese hand laundry a "landmark"--photographers took its picture and painters painted it. They worried what would come to the spot, like a Starbucks or a Keith McNally restaurant, as reported in the Villager at the time. Instead, it became part of the hair salon, with prices from $80 - $180.

The salon opted to keep the HARRY CHONG lettering, while removing the words LAUNDRY and DRY-CLEAN.


Piro Patton, flickr, 2006

More vanished Chinese laundries:
Chin's
Lee's

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