That's Not A Real Mall Coming To The Lower East Side
Apart from filling the lungs of Lower East Siders with acrid smoke and bad memories, J.J. Abrams's recent film shoot is filling neighborhood residents with a fear of an entirely different, and in some ways more crushing, variety.
From the mailbag:
"Today is my birthday and I woke up to a giant loser's face on an advert covering the entire side of an Orchard St. building in my neighborhood. I live on Ludlow Street between Stanton and Houston facing the empty lot, also across from Pink Pony, Dare Devil tattoo. On the advert it says, "Woodbridge City Mall - Coming in 2008." ....I feel sick. what a horrible birthday present.
Breathe easy, birthday boy. That's the Walbridge Mall—and also presumably a prop left over from the J.J.'s set. Or at least, dear Lord, I hope it is. Wait, right? I feel a little sick.