Helene's Florist

Talk about obscure... here it is folks.... I need some ole time New Yorkers%26#39; help.

One of my favorite artists (Pierre Bonnard and Jim Dine are a couple others) is Richard Estes. Some of his artwork looks like photographs of New York citycapes. Way cool. When I was in college (yeah before computers were invented we read something called books).

On a trip to NYC to see the famous Picasso exhibit which was visiting for a short time, I splurged and bought a beautiful Estes artbook.

A friend of mine went out later and found a little italian restaurant. As we waited for our meal, I took out the Estes book and was oohing and ahhing, when HELLO.... right across the street from the restaurant was Helene%26#39;s Florist...which ALSO was a picture in the book. And the painting was spot on. OMG! I was in heaven.

Every time I visit the city I think of Helene%26#39;s and would love to visit it again. Alas, it%26#39;s not listed in any phone book. I wonder if it went out of business. Does anyone know of what I speak???

Any help appreciated. Thanks, voy.

Helene's Florist

I swear I wasn%26#39;t drinking when I wrote the above post....but somehow a lot of words got left out. I think it was the keyboard... yeah blame the keyboard.

Bottomline...anyone heard of Helene%26#39;s? TY

Helene's Florist

Would you recommend that wine vintage Voyagereuse?

(just kidding, and sorry, I don%26#39;t know Helene%26#39;s)

I don%26#39;t know the answer Voy but I amused myself by doing some investigation this morning. It appears Estes (who I didn%26#39;t know before this) is exhibited at the Marlborough Gallery on 57th st. and there%26#39;s a current exhibit that includes some of his work (not this painting though). Someone there might have some info.

http://www.marlboroughgallery.com/index.html

The painting is apparently owned by the Toledo Museum and I think is on loan.

On a more practical note, I looked closely at the painting online and there%26#39;s the number 267 on the awning. That could mean 267 xxx ave. or I guess 267 east xx st. etc.

The phone number is EN 2 7909. After doing some research I found that EN stands for Endicott but I haven%26#39;t been able to find out what area Endicott covered.

I don%26#39;t think Helene%26#39;s is still around. I did try a reverse phone number directory (using 362 for EN 2) but got nowhere before they wanted $14. If it%26#39;s no longer in business you could wind up paying for a name and address that has nothing to do with Helene%26#39;s. Might be worth it to you though?

I think you need to think some more about your trip. Where were you staying when your friend went out .... and found the restaurant?

Whiz, you are truly an awesome woman! If ever I need some sleuthing help, I%26#39;ll put you on the case.

I%26#39;m trying to jog my ancient memory cells for Endicott. Turtle Bay or Murray Hill?

Whiz,

You amaze me! You gave me enough ideas to continue my own sleuthing. We may have been on the upper east side. Not sure.

I definitely want to check out the Estes exhibit now too. I believe some of his works can be seen in MOMA.

;) Here%26#39;s a fun article I found about those old name phone codes from the New Yorker. It mentions Endicott but not where it is.

newyorker.com/talk/鈥?30210ta_talk_angell

I don%26#39;t think it%26#39;s Murray Hill because I had several relatives living there and it%26#39;s not familiar to me.