Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
East Village Favorite Odessa's Building For Sale, Restaurant Seems Safe
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 21, 2012
Modified Jun 21, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
phillip kalantzis-cope's flickr
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 21, 2012
Modified Jun 21, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Okay everybody, deep breath. Odessa, the beloved East Village food and drink standby isn't going anywhere...yet. But that doesn't mean there isn't some cause to be concerned because, as EV Grieve notes today, the building that houses the place where we (and many others) wasted hours of our youth smoking and drinking in the back is up for sale. Apparently the owner wants $3 million for the property.
According to EVG, the owners of Odessa were given first dibs on the building but decided to pass on it, for now. So, you might be wondering, why exactly shouldn't we be worried that another downtown standard could be going the way of Mars Bar? Because it seems the restaurant has another three years on its lease. What happens after that? Who knows. But considering the fact that we're still mourning the loss of the Kiev (RIP) twelve years later we're not quite sure we can handle the idea of a world without Odessa. At least it seems the newer diner next door at 119 Avenue A would be safe?
When we called the restaurant to ask about the potential sale we were brusquely "asked" to call back later—which is about what'd we'd expect from the old girl!
Tagged
east village
manhattan
odessa
real estate
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .