I’m reminded of a time when $2 at one of these Papaya places would get me two hot dogs and a soda. Sadly, these recession specials (at least at that low price) are few and far between. This one at the corner of 6th Avenue, Cornelia Street, and West 4th Street is a Papaya Dog, not to be confused with Gray’s Papaya or Papaya King or whatever else there is.

This photo was taken on January 22, 2011.

This Johnny Rockets on the corner of 8th and Greene Streets closed at the end of September. I guess even the hordes of NYU students that come through the doors over the years weren’t enough to keep up with ever-escalating rents that primo space must demand. What I couldn’t help but notice was just how empty this place is now. Sure, the counters and stools are still there but everything else not bolted down is gone, creating nothing but space. Hopefully, someone else will come along and open something here, though preferably not another chain.

This photo was taken on October 18, 2010.