This book, and these photos, are a picture perfect example of:

"REVERSIFICATION," the phenomenon of going backwards in spite of and/or because of progress, usually caused by greed, ignorance, stupidity, apathy, or a combination of all the above.

I literally wept when I heard that major meats in coney island was closing after some 75 years in business--to be made into a parking lot of all things. Progress--ugh.

I agree completely with Bernie from Brooklyn. It seems as if so many in the elite media (and there is a media elite, no matter how they try to deny it), especially in the NY Times and "New York" magazine, prefer having upper middle class Ivy Leaguers (and non-New Yorkers) to write about and define New York City. "Natives" they ignore again and again. I'm going to buy two copies of this book.

Since you weren't familiar with Estes paintings here are some examples.

http://www.museothyssen.org/microsites/exposiciones/2007/Estes/mascuadros_ing.htm

http://www.artbrokerage.com/artist/Richard-Estes/Cafeteria--Radical-Realism-Portfolio--8396

I have a 5and 10 store in Valley Stream. The store has been here for over 75 years. First as a Woolworth then as "Morris" variety. I feel like the Murray's were talking about my store.

What a wonderful service the Murray's have done for the History of the City.
They should be honored by the Museum of the City of New York.

Wow. I hadn't realized all the restrictions the city was placing on small biz around the city. Can't have a neon sign? I guess they're paving the way for putting the little guy out, and moving the big box store in.

Glad to hear a program like this on WNYC (and was immediately riveted by Lopate's introduction); there should be many more segments discussing the destruction by real estate and "development" interests, aided always by big-money-loving mayors and governors, of New York's beautiful and ugly character, which is being plowed under forever to attract people to the city who don't intend to live here and will in many cases pay far less in taxes than they should. The new New York, or Houston on the Hudson, is pretty much here.
The authors and photographers of this book are admirable.

so nice to hear native new yorkers talk about new york. seems rare these days....people from iowa talking about how bad gentrification is when they ARE the gentrification.
one exception to that- rosey perez. leonard loves her but listening to her talk about "the old days" of brooklyn is really hard to endure.

This is a beautiful record for graphic designers! All these original, elegant, and authentic designs have such character that corporate America could never capture. Thank you.

Thanks for documenting these stores. It is so sad to see these gems disappear. You should start a community online project for people to post pictures of their neighborhood favorites.

hating to bust a "candy bubble",but providing cheap candy, to keep kids off drugs, is nuts. refined carb junk,actually induces nutrient deficiencies, and blood sugar shifts, that bring on cravings for alcohol and other drugs....sorry..

I love the book. I agree with Caroline and thank you for preserving the memories. They remind me of Richard Estes paintings. Was he an influence?

I wonder what their thoughts are on zoe leonards 'Analogue'. Another breathtaking tackle of the subject.

I LOVE your book, thank you so much for preserving evidence of these precious human traces in your photographs. Looking at your work hones my own eye to better distinguish the archeological layers in my hometown. History exists, even in Jersey! Thanks for having the Murrays on and love you too, Lenny.

if we keep going the way we are going,we will soon be able to cover all bases, by having a photo of a duane-reade,a bank of america,and a starbucks. maybe then, we'll all go to vegas, to get to new york.