The storied Fillmore East corner on Second Avenue is swapping triple bills for toppings. The storefront at 105 Second Ave. is set to become a frozen yogurt shop, a surprisingly sweet twist for a spot once linked to rock legends and late night lineups, and another sign of how the East Village retail mix keeps turning over.
According to Crain's New York Business, fro-yo chain 16 Handles has signed a lease for the 105 Second Ave. space. The ground floor had most recently been home to an Apple Bank branch, which has since closed, per Bank Branch Locator.
The address carries outsized music history. As detailed by Village Preservation, the Fillmore East opened on March 8, 1968, hosting marquee rock acts before closing on June 27, 1971.
From stage to soft serve
16 Handles, which launched in the East Village in 2008, has been in expansion mode in recent years. A Jan. 8, 2026 press release notes that the brand recorded strong systemwide sales and signed multiple franchise deals. The company has also been updating its store design and menu as part of that growth push, according to a release via PR Newswire.
Neighborhood note
The move will not take the brand far from its roots. EV Grieve reported that the chain's original East Village shop at 153 Second Ave. closed in January, ahead of a relocation a few blocks south. That closure signaled that 16 Handles was preparing to consolidate on Second Avenue.
Crain's New York Business did not report a firm opening date or disclose lease terms, so neighbors will have to wait for permits and signage to see when the fro-yo arrives. Until then, the corner that once echoed with legendary concert encores is on deck to trade amps for scoops and a new wave of foot traffic.
