A fabricated bodega selling felt goods is fresh out.
Unlike many real New York City bodegas which have fallen victim to rising rents, “8 ’Till Late” — an art installation that sells tiny, felt sculptures of common bodega merch — is closing early due to overwhelming demand.
Lucy Sparrow, the London-based artist behind the tongue-in-cheek work, posted a photo on Instagram to announce the news via a felt front page of the New York Post, saying the artist had “sold out” of her items. Touché, friend.
The 30-year-old, cat-eye bespectacled Brit set up shop on the High Line beside the Standard hotel, selling 9,000 hand-sewn and felted fruits, bottles, cans and other bodega staples for up to $77 a pop.
The installation was slated to run till June 30, but is closing Wed. June 21. Since it opened June 5, it’s been swamped by tourists, some of whom hoped to find actual Tylenol for their hangovers.
Artnet reported that the fake bodega’s best sellers were reproductions of Moet Chandon champagne, Heinz ketchup, Vagisil, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Jif peanut butter — all made of felt.
The installation’s run wasn’t without mishaps. A thief made off with one of Sparrow’s more adorable sculptures, a mouse drowning in a bucket of dirty mop water.
“If anyone has seen it or has it, please return it and we won’t call the Felt Police (NYFPD),” Sparrow posted Tuesday.
After she closes up shop at 8 p.m. Wednesday, art lovers can still order their favorites on Sparrow’s Web site.
