188 Grand Street
The former location of the nation’s oldest cheese shop Alleva ordered demolished. 188 Grand Street suffered a partial collapsed Wednesday afternoon Jan 10. According to the FDNY and NYC Buildings department illegal contractors had removed critical support beams while installing steel I-beams which contributed to the collapse. Building inspectors deemed the remaining structure too compromised to save and ordered a full demolition.
Alleva Cheese Shop established in 1892 remained a Little Italy staple until the pandemic affected sales and forced them to close. The shop had since relocated to New Jersey.
Concerned residents fear the demolition may affect foundations of adjoining buildings.
Former Alleva Cheese Shop