A Dollar And A Shattered Dream

I made a conscious decision when I moved to Chelsea to forego the food at Chester Fried, located on 101 W. 23rd Street, and instead have always used the store as my source for purchasing Mega Millions tickets. Once the jackpot reaches the $100 million+ mark I take notice and hit up my change jug. Tonight's Mega Millions winner (should there be one) stands to walk away with $170 million, so I rounded up a dollar and a dream and headed to Chester Fried. I was met with disappointment when I saw the gates are down and a large "Store For Rent" sign is plastered over Chester Fried's faded blue banner (apparently it has been this way since late July- if I had any craving whatsoever for suspect fried chicken I would have noticed much sooner). A mere two doors down, at 115 W. 23rd Street, workers are busy preparing for the opening of another store, Bryant Market. This new venture promises "deli, grocery, flower, fruit & vegetable, salad bar, etc." - but no mention of lottery tickets. Bryant Market's colorful sign indicates the store is "coming soon"- but from the looks of it's gutted interior, it could be quite a while. None of the men at the worksite had an answer.

Chester Fried is no longer...

Gone with Chester Fried are greasy fried chicken and lottery tickets

Offering me a sign of peace at the future Bryant Market

The sign says "coming soon" but the interior tells a different story