History in a Starbucks: 1841 Broadway

Did you ever hear of the Automobile District? Me neither, but apparently it was along Broadway in the west 50s and 60s during the early part of the 20th century, including 1841 Broadway, now home to a Columbus Circle Starbucks. If you were in the auto game and didn't own a building along this stretch, you were nobody! In 1921, a company leased 1841, the then eight-story building that stood at the northwest corner of Broadway and 60th, to devote it "to the automobile trade." Don't know which company.

Had this Starbucks existed anytime between 1901 and 1935, coffee drinkers would have looked across the street at the long-slung Circle Theatre, a vaudeville house that was one of the most northerly Broadway theatres every built. During a theatre labor dispute in 1935, the lobby was blown up. Now that's entertainment! After that the theatre was sold and remodeled as a roller rink.

Can't be sure from an old photo I have, but it looks like, during the early years of the Circle, and presumedly before the auto era, 1841 was a restaurant. Would make sense. Even back then, I'm sure folks wanted to eat before and/or after the show.