Organic Avenue, a favorite of photographer Ryan McGinley and others for its LOVE detox cleanses, organic- and raw-food workshops and “uncooking” classes, and retail items like organic clothing, has been on the move. Last month they opened a shop-in-shop in the Paul Labrecque East salon, offering foods, juices, and cleansing programs Tuesdays through Saturdays, making that their third retail location after a West Village store was added last year. In July, owners Denise Mari and Doug Evans unveiled a 4,200-square-foot manufacturing space and kitchen in Long Island City, an upgrade from the 300-square-foot kitchen in the basement of their 101 Stanton Street spot. Now Organic Avenue is expanding its domain once again.
The latest venture is a 4,000-square-foot bi-level space in the old Rothko location on Suffolk Street, which will offer “a greater information and education component,” says Evans, including more classes and workshops on topics of interest to the raw and vegan lifestyles. Also planned is a live-food lounge and elixir bar offering (alcohol-free) “cocktails” made of alkaline water and fresh-pressed juices. Whether the original Stanton Street shop will continue once the new space “officially” opens in December is undecided. But you can preview it tonight, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. The opening party ($10 cover) will feature raw and organic elixirs, appetizers, and desserts; a D.J.; yoga demonstrations; and a midnight talk on chocolate by raw-food pioneer David Wolfe.
Organic Avenue. 116 Suffolk St., nr. Rivington.
