Casa Magazines
 Casa Magazines, New York (August 2016) | |
| Industry | Newsstand |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1970s |
| Headquarters | 22 8th Avenue, , |
Number of locations | 1 |
Area served | New York City |
| Owner | Hemal Sheth |
Casa Magazines operates as a corner newsstand situated at the intersection of 8th Avenue and 12th Street within Manhattan's West Village.[1] Renowned for offering over 2,000 titles, it specializes in international print magazines focused on fashion and design.[2]
Frequently referred to as New York City's “magazine Mecca,”[3] this newsstand has attracted attention from prominent media outlets for its resilience amid the overall decline in print newspapers and magazines, as well as its endurance throughout the COVID-19 recession in the United States.
History
In 1994, ownership of Casa Magazines transferred to Mohammed Ahmed, who has been described by The New York Times as "the last king of print."[4][5] Since 1995, Ali Wasim has supported Ahmed in managing the stand.[6] One patron likened the experience of visiting the shop to "a grown-up Sesame Street," according to the New York Times.[2]
For more than a quarter-century, the store remained open daily until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced a temporary closure. In response, local residents organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist both the proprietor and employees.[6]
In 2021, Casa Magazines partnered with footwear brand Vans to release a limited edition sneaker. The design featured a white base adorned with names of items sold at the stand alongside other distinctive elements. This collaboration was initiated following a nomination by Nicolas Heller for Vans’ "Foot The Bill" program.[7]
June 2022 saw Ahmed and Wasim featured in a video presentation for a research salon hosted by MoMA, titled "The Store and the Street," which explored how retail spaces engage with pedestrians.[8]
During New York Fashion Week in February 2024, Casa Magazines collaborated with Madewell by offering denim jackets embroidered with its logo and decorating its storefront with a special denim-themed zine produced by Madewell.[9]
Later in 2024, ownership of Casa Magazines transitioned from Ahmed to Hemal Sheth, proprietor of Iconic Magazines—a small chain operating several magazine outlets in Lower Manhattan. At age 73, Ahmed decided to retire; however, Wasim remains responsible for daily operations.[10][11]
In media
- The New Yorker featured an article titled "A Light House for Magazines".
- Office Magazine published a piece called "Long Live Casa Magazines".
- An insider feature in The New York Times was headlined "Casa Magazines Is New York City's Best Kept Secret. The Secret Is Out".
- BBC News presented a special report named "Surviving Covid: How this New York newsstand kept going".
- New York Post ran a story titled "This humble West Village newsstand has become a fashion world darling".
Gallery
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Print magazines displayed on the shelves at Casa Magazines (June 2019) -
Various print magazines arranged at Casa Magazines (June 2019) -
Shelves filled with print magazines at Casa Magazines (June 2019) -
Selection of print magazines on display at Casa Magazines (June 2019) -
Mid-level shelves featuring Côté Paris and ELLE Decor, with Playboy positioned on the lower shelf (June 2019)
References
- ↑ Farago, Jason (April 29, 2021). "The Vanished Glamour of Midcentury Print Media". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dwyer, Kate (November 10, 2021). "Casa Magazines Has Seen It All". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ↑ Moinzadeh, Atoosa (June 17, 2020). "Long Live Casa Magazines". Office Magazine. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ↑ Lau, Maya (October 26, 2012). "The Last King of Print - The New York Times". The 6th Floor, The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ↑ Ruffner, Zoe (May 6, 2020). "How Two West Village Institutions Are Banding Together to Save a Beloved New York Block". Vogue. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Pemberton, Nathan Taylor (July 9, 2020). "A Lighthouse for Magazines". The New Yorker. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ↑ Saltonstall, Gus (March 29, 2021). "Vans Shoes Partners With Iconic West Village Magazine Stand". Patch. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ↑ Khan, Sana (October 5, 2022). "Mohammed and Ali's Magazine Mecca". Asian American Writers' Workshop. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ↑ Schlott, Rikki (February 19, 2024). "Humble NYC newsstand has become a fashion world darling". New York Post. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ↑ Chang, Clio (March 20, 2024). "Casa Magazines Has Been Sold". Curbed. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ↑ Conklin, Emily (March 20, 2024). "Casa Magazines is bought by Iconic Magazine". The Architect’s Newspaper. Retrieved March 20, 2024.