123 Second Avenue Building Date : 1834, altered 1913 Original Use : Residential/Commercial Original Owner : Thomas E. Leary/Albert & Dora Sokolski Original Architect : Unknown/George Frederick Pelham Description & Building Alterations This building and its neighbors at 119 and 121 Second Avenue were destroyed in a devastating fire that occurred on Thursday, March 26, 2015. The fire was the result of an explosion that went off in the basement of 121 Second Avenue, killing two people and displacing all residents and businesses. Because these three buildings are located within the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District, new construction would have to meet the approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. At this time, we are unsure of when this will happen. The building that stood here was constructed in 1834 by developer Thomas E. Leary. In 1913, architect George Frederick Pelham applied to raise the building two stories bringing it to its current size.

Love Saves the Day Store, ca. 1980. The corner tenement building seen here was home to "Love Saves the Day," a vintage clothing and tchotchke store from 1966 until 2008. A scene in the film "Desperately Seeking Susan" with Madonna was filmed in the store. The business closed in 2008 as a result of both the death of the owner (who husband continued to run it briefly) and the rising of East Village rents. Its colorful storefront was dismantled the space soon became a Ramen restaurant. In March of 2015 a gas explosion, caused by an illegal tap into the gas main of the building next door, caused two deaths, 19 injuries, and a fire that completely destroyed no. 119 as well as 121 and 123 Second Avenue. As of summer 2019 a large new residential building is being constructed.