Christofer Bear Day Care Never Makes It After Being Plagued By Building Licensing

The kids are going to have to look elsewhere for daycare. Unless they want a “perfect space for a new eatery.”

At least that’s what the listing by Ideal Properties recommends for 511 5th Avenue (between 11th and 12th Streets), a space that Christofer Bear Advanced Early Learning Center has been trying to build out for about a year’s time.

When we spoke with owner Christofer Cassuto back in September, he told us there had been problems with the building’s landlord, explaining that “the licensing of the building has become an issue and we cannot say when we will be opening.”

The signage that told us to “bear with us while we complete” has been removed, and the studious bear icon has left the building.

Christofer Bear has not been the only business in a holding pattern. For different reasons, Pastificio Flora (1021 8th Avenue at 11th Street) has also been waiting and waiting. And we’ve spoken with several other recently opened businesses (who have requested anonymity) that had major headaches getting off the ground.

So if you can spare $10,000 per month (the asking price for rent at 511 5th Avenue), you too can pay for the privilege of what seems to be a bevy of red tape.