One Shubert Alley gift shop to close October 2- Page 2

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 4:55pm

I actually miss Colony more than any of those Broadway souvenir shops. I know a few of you have worked there, so please don’t take offense. However, I’ve typically found those stores populated with nasty bitter theatre fan employees who were so rude and condescending. They have conversations out loud with each other about how annoying and stupid customers are. They would also trash shows and actors within earshot of customers. Their unpleasantness kept me from returning. 
 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 7:01pm

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 7:17pm

Colony is a lost gem. Nothing will beat it. The Drama Bookshop has a similar vibe, but I don't find the employees as helpful there now as in the past. (And the green color of the carpet just makes me think of Barnes & Noble!)

[veronicamae]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 7:21pm

Bettyboy72 said: "I actually miss Colony more than any of those Broadway souvenir shops. I know a few of you have worked there, so please don’t take offense. However, I’ve typically found those stores populated with nasty bitter theatre fan employees who were so rude and condescending. They have conversations out loud with each other about how annoying and stupid customers are. They would also trash shows and actors within earshot of customers. Their unpleasantness kept me from returning."

This was, unfortunately, also my first experience with One Shubert Alley on my very first trip to the city as a brand-new theater fan. Of course, I knew nothing about how casting changes worked, or merch, etc. and whoever was working did nothing to hide their irritation about me asking them for an OBC Wicked window card. I was afraid to go back thereafter, and the 2-3 times I did go back were very stressful and I spent very little time.   Of course, now, I realize they were probably exhausted by fans just like me asking them the same questions all the time, but still - wasn't pleasant. 

Regardless, it's such a theater district mainstay; sad to see it go.

I only ever got to Colony once before it closed, as it closed before I moved here, and while all record stores have basically gone extinct, it sure would be nice to have something like that again.

[Lot666]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 8:54am

Bettyboy72 said: "I actually miss Colony more than any of those Broadway souvenir shops. I know a few of you have worked there, so please don’t take offense. However, I’ve typically found those stores populated with nasty bitter theatre fan employees who were so rude and condescending. They have conversations out loud with each other about how annoying and stupid customers are. They would also trash shows and actors within earshot of customers. Their unpleasantness kept me from returning."

I had similar experiences in those shops, particularly the larger one across 44th from the Majestic. Bitter, b!tchy employees with a lot of attitude.

 

[mamaleh]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 10:23am

I will be sorry to see it close. Since my teens I have loved looking through the merchandise and taking advantage of whatever sales were offered. Great for postcards, frames, T-shirts, window cards, etc. The end of an era.

[aldudgeon]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 12:03pm

As someone who has both been a customer and employee, while there were definitely some "gruff" workers, most of my experiences were great. The stores also have, and have had, an array of hard working, pleasant employees glad to answer questions and talk theater. Sad to see the shop get shutdown after 40 plus years.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 12:22pm

Bettyboy72 said: "I actually miss Colony more than any of those Broadway souvenir shops. I know a few of you have worked there, so please don’t take offense. However, I’ve typically found those stores populated with nasty bitter theatre fan employees who were so rude and condescending. They have conversations out loud with each other about how annoying and stupid customers are. They would also trash shows and actors within earshot of customers. Their unpleasantness kept me from returning.
"

Oh yes. They were there. Mostly it was the older folks who had been there for years and were incredibly bitter. They were also gatekeepers over which shops they worked in, so people with seniority got to work alone at Shubert Alley or at the busier Theatre Circle. Us younger folks were mostly relegated to Broadway Baby, across from the Lunt-Fontanne, or the “photo” one in the middle.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 1:57pm

Does anyone know if the store itself ever had merch? Wouldn’t mind having a shirt or something before it’s gone for good.

[aldudgeon]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 4:53pm

I know there was store specific merchandise back when it first opened, but there is not currently any.

[BETTY22]

Posted: 9/21/22 at 10:08am

It's such a small space, I wonder what store can work in that location?

 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 9/30/22 at 10:02am

The shop will reopen under new management before the end of the year:

https://bway.ly/ox6yot

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/30/22 at 11:22am

TaffyDavenport said: "The shop will reopen under new management before the end of the year:

https://bway.ly/ox6yot"

 

Well that is good news. I don't go in there often but it is just so much a part of the Alley that it would be strange not to see it there when walking through. I will definitely go in when it re-opens to get a One Shubert Alley tee, if that is part of the branded merchandise.

 

[aldudgeon]

Posted: 9/30/22 at 12:18pm

It's so nice of the Shubert Organization to kick out their former partners in the space, only to bring in new partners to run the same space. After 40 plus years of creating and running the store, people are losing their jobs so that another company can take over and use it for the same exact thing. But I guess all that matters in the long run is that people will still be able to get their Broadway merch, and they'll still be able to make their money.

[Wick3]

Posted: 9/30/22 at 6:07pm

Did the Shuberts have drama with the current Shubert Alley folks to cause them to hire new management?

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 9/30/22 at 6:52pm

This saga feels like a weird mini dress rehearsal for what Cameron is planning to do with Phantom.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/30/22 at 6:53pm

The Scorpion said: "This saga feels like a weird mini dress rehearsal for what Cameron is planning to do with Phantom."

I had the same thought. We’re closing! jk lol!

[aldudgeon]

Posted: 9/30/22 at 11:23pm

From my knowledge of the situation, there is no issue between the Shubert's and the current management of the store. The store was told that they were losing the space because the Shubert's wanted to "repurpose" it. It now appears that they want to continue to have the store there, but with a company they have a greater investment in.

The current company was offered the space 40 years ago to turn it into a Broadway gift shop, and now it's thanks, and there's the door. These days I guess it shouldn't be a much of a surprise.

[Listener]

Posted: 10/1/22 at 9:16am

Where can one shop for window cards or souvenir programs or old Playbills as of October?

 

I'd appreciate recommendations - don't know which shops are worth checking out/still exist/carry that kind of stuff.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 10/1/22 at 11:10am

The company that was running the One Shubert Alley shop still has their Theatre Circle shop across from the Majestic. Triton Gallery is also a reliable shop for old window cards.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/1/22 at 12:08pm

That's where I got my Carrie souvenir program a few months after seeing the first preview. Just more proof that nothing gold can stay.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 10/1/22 at 1:23pm

Oh, I'm so glad it's going to return. I can't imagine the theatre district without it. Yay!

[Listener]

Posted: 10/1/22 at 9:49pm

Sorry FindingN - which shop did you get your Carrie merch from?

 

Thanks for suggesting Triton Gallery. Pricey but wide selection. Any others?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/3/22 at 1:29pm

It would be nice if it was a shop you could buy merch from all the shows in Shubert houses at retail (not with insane mark-ups.)