The transformation of the North Williamsburg section of Bedford Avenue continues with the newest lease signing at 180 Bedford Ave. by a “glitzy dental startup backed by a recent round of venture-capital funding,” the Commercial Observer reports.
The former building just across the street from the L train entrance at 180 Bedford Ave. (formerly 176 Bedford Ave.) featured a Salvation Army thrift store; the building sold for $30 million to developer Thor Equities and was demolished in 2013 to make way for new development.
Construction of the new 180 Bedford Ave. finished in 2017 and a Chase bank branch signed a 10-year lease in 2018.
The dental startup, Tend Dental, has also signed a 10-year lease for the building’s entire second floor; the asking price for rent was $650,000 per year, ($81 per square foot), Commercial Observer reports that Thor Equities declined to confirm the lease terms.
The venture-backed startup brands its dental clinics as “studios”:
Tend, founded by former SmileClubDirect CEO Doug Hudson, aims to attract patients to its clinics — which it calls studios — with an au courant marketing campaign that promises “no judgment” from its hygienists and the option to watch Netflix while its dentists’ drills whir. At its first location, on East 21st Street, Tend offers patients flavored toothpastes including licorice, cinnamon and ginger.
Tend and Chase join a growing crop of new businesses on Bedford Avenue that has ushered in a new identity to Williamsburg’s former main independent retail stretch, including Dunkin Donuts, Wholefoods, and Apple.
Another recent addition to this section of Bedford Avenue is the NYC-based donut chain, Doughnut Plant (198 Bedford Ave), which opened at the end of September at the former home of bustling breakfast cafe New York Muffins.
What even happened to the “so called promise” that The Salvation Army would be coming back to that location ? You have to love these developers that never follow up on their promises ! Greed , just simple greed !!!