John St Between Broadway and Nassau St

Arguably, there's nothing about walking down John Street that feels any different than walking down any of the numbered streets to the north. You have the same assortment of shops (the new Duane Reade logo even makes an appearance), the same rush hour-only subway entrances, and the same people wandering around. But when you step back, and take in everything that makes up the Financial District, it's hard to even think of this as the same city that exists just a few subway stops uptown. Oh sure, it's still "New York", there's no disputing that. But perhaps no place else does Manhattan feel more like a departure from itself than down at it's tip. The endless assortment of tiny streets overcrowded by midtown-like office buildings create an atmosphere that's a combination of the early 19th century and late 20th century that one can only find in a few places around the world. The immunity from the standard grid that this area enjoys is perhaps it's greatest asset. There's perhaps no greater feeling of discovery anywhere else on the island.  

I went down here on a Saturday morning (like I often do for the site) which made for a very different atmosphere than what the majority of workers experience during the rest of the week. For the most part, the entire area is shut down save for a few popular lunch spots. Entire stretches echo with trucks backing up for deliveries while tourists try to find their away around in vain. I walked for blocks without passing another person. It's an interesting experience, not that unlike a mouse in a maze...except every few blocks the maze presents a Chipotle. I started on this street from a bustling Broadway on the west, which made it feel like the entrance to such a maze.

This stretch of John Street seemed to be on the verge of change. The majority of stores on the south side of the block were closed or abandoned. I wouldn't be surprised if this block was slated for reconstruction.  

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Comments

[Alexandra]

Damn that Duane Reade!