3. The Narrowest Shops in NYC

Narrow Smoke Shop on Columbus Avenue

One of the curious developments in the urban fabric of Columbus Avenue between 68th Street and through 76th Street are the narrow shops that exist between buildings. You’ll find a smoke shops, a jewelry store, a shoe repair, a barber shop — all important neighborhood businesses that benefit from the lower rents the storefronts of small frontage provide.

The occupation of these narrow shops between buildings is part of a special zoning plan from the city of New York, which seems to have reinforced and/or extended already existing usages of in-between spaces along this avenue. In another regulation, Columbus Avenue between 72nd Street and 87th Street is part of the the Upper West Side Special Enhanced Commercial District which limits the width of ground floor frontage, and has prevented the influx of larger chain stores along this avenue.