The devastation experienced by the international economy amid the lockdowns and stay-at-home orders in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic was arguably predictable. Which didn’t make it any easier on the small-scale business owners, their employees and loyal customers across the board.

Downtown Manhattan was affected greatly by beloved businesses closing their doors: some forever, others until further notice, which still hadn’t come. Among those were numerous pinnacles of student life around New York University’s East Village campus.

Early into the first pandemic fall, The Nugget Spot, formerly located at 230 E. 14th St., fell victim to lack of income and strict (yet necessary) restrictions on eateries. It used to be a staple for late-night feasts, NYU’s Third North Residence Hall’s residents would indulge in during finals seasons.

NYU senior Paul Kim had a special place in his heart for The Nugget Spot. When the shop announced its closure, Kim dedicated a tribute piece to it in Washington Square News, NYU's independent student newspaper.

“It's been almost a year since my last visit to The Nugget Spot,” Kim said. “Even after all this time, my heart still breaks every time I pass their old space. [During an interview] I asked [the owner] how to make their Sriracha Nuggets at home. He teased a series of upcoming Instagram videos that would give some of the recipes. That was six months ago. I'm still waiting.”

A lot of the iconic stores were forced out of business by the financial devastation as well. Among them was Ricky’s NYC, a beauty shop located a mere 2-minute walk from NYU's Brittany Residence Hall at 830 Broadway. 

Later in September, another store praised by the NYU community followed suit. Gothic Renaissance at 110 4th Ave. shut its doors and a high-end thrift store Metropolis Clothing, rented out the quarters.

A shop praised by the diverse NYU community for its inclusive atmosphere and gender-bending fashion, Phluid Project, shut down in the middle of June 2020, leaving an unrented store and messages of acceptance still plastered across its windows.

NYU junior Annie Shen, who moved to the city in search of a diverse community, found Phluid to be of an impact on her perception of gender norms and fashion alike.

“I really liked the atmosphere there,” Shen said. “It was very lively and welcoming. It encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and reach for something that I don’t usually wear. I love experimenting with my fashion now!”

Of course, there will be new shops and eateries to take the place of the ones we have to let go of. But, to quote Kim’s tribute to The Nugget Spot, they’re “gone but not forgotten.”