Confession: sometimes when I say, “Sorry I’m late, the train was a mess!” I really mean, “I have a street addiction and I passed a beautiful wall and, and, I couldn’t not stop! I’m sorry! Here, look at the photos, your would’ve stopped too, right?”

At 2nd Street and 2nd Avenue in the East Village, there’s this intriguing building next to a pocket community garden.  

The door on the outside was propped open with a sign that said “HOLDING”. I peaked inside and saw art on the interior too.

Inside:

Maybe if I hadn’t been feeling introverted and guilty that I was late, I would’ve asked the woman leaving the space what was going on. Instead it remains a speculation!

I’m guessing it’s a creative event space transformed from an old industrial shop? So very East Village and I love the vibe!

And as I wrote that, I realized there was a big “22” on the door staring me right in the face from this photo! Thus the location of the space is 22 E 2nd Ave, which makes it easy to learn this is “IDEAL GLASS”! According to their website:

At Ideal Glass, we create, produce, and present performances, live music, installations, and much more.

Cool, right? They’ve also been hosting murals on their facade for a decade! This cat one is by AYAKAMAY. You can see past murals here and even submit your own idea for a featured mural!

And the moral of this story is…it’s often totally worth being late in New York City!! Especially when it’s to stop and enjoy lucky cat street art…definitely feeling lucky to have found this place!