The Lo-Down Magazine: December 2015

News from the Lower East Side

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DEC. 2015 JAN. 2016

www.thelodownny.com

EsSEntial

LES The Small Business Guide for Locals

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of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. All omissions, changes in price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. No representation is made as to the accuracy of any and all information should be confirmed by customer. All rights to content, photographs and graphics reserved to Broker.

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Ed Litvak Editor-in-Chief Traven Rice Publisher/Arts Editor Kim Sillen Art Director David Klein Copy Editor Alex Price Associate Designer Photographer Alex M. Smith Jenna Rice Contributing Photographers

December 2015

letter from the Editors: In May of 2012, The Lo-Down came out with its first print magazine, a monthly publication that has truly been a labor of love. After three-andone-half years, the magazine is ceasing regular monthly production. It’s a decision that was made after careful consideration. We have loved producing this publication for our neighborhood, but in looking to the future of our community news organization, some things became clear. The most important is that the magazine is time consuming. While we believe it has offered a valuable service to the people of the Lower East Side, our monthly production schedule has limited our ability to launch new initiatives online. Thanks to the support of our sponsors, advertising revenue has covered most production, printing and mailing costs. But it did not make possible re-investment in both the magazine and our online reporting. So we made

a difficult but necessary choice. In the months ahead, you will see more reporting on our website and exciting new projects. We’ll be stepping up reporting in our year-long Small Business Survival project. We also just added a morning newsletter, which delivers the latest LES news to your in-box every morning. Plus we’re increasing coverage of the local arts scene.

While we won’t be publishing a monthly magazine, it’s likely you’ll continue to see special editions from time to time. We’re grateful to everyone who has contributed to making this publication. A special thanks goes out to Kim Sillen, our art director, who has dedicated so much time and creative energy to this project from start to finish. Most of all, however, we want to thank you for reading and responding to this publication with so much enthusiasm. We’ll see you online at TheLoDownNY.com!

Ed Litvak

Traven Rice

*

On the cover: Orchard Corset, Economy Candy and Russ & Daughters have all withstood the test of time on the Lower East Side.

Economy Candy photo of Mitch Cohen

by Jenna Rice.

Graphic by Kim Sillen.

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December 2015

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Assemblyman Sheldon Silver Convicted On Corruption Charges, Forced To Relinquish Office

Sheldon Silver (left) with his defense lawyer, Steven Molo, outside federal court building during his trial in November.

by Ed Litvak

For the first time in four decades, people on the Lower East Side are grappling with a future in state politics without Sheldon Silver. The longtime assemblyman was removed from office Nov. 30 after a federal jury returned a guilty verdict on all charges faced by Mr. Silver in a high-profile corruption trial. He had stepped down as speaker after being arrested this past January.

The 65th Assembly District, including the Lower East Side, will be without representation until April 19, the date Gov. Andrew Cuomo has set for a special election.

Local Democrats and Republicans will choose their candidates at the County Committee level, since there is no primary election scheduled. The county committees are made up of party insiders, largely 6

December 2015

controlled by political clubs.

Mr. Silver, a lifelong Lower East Side resident, was first elected in 1976. He became speaker in 1994 and was widely considered one of the most powerful figures in New York. The jury found him guilty of honest services fraud, extortion and money laundering. Prosecutors said Silver collected $4 million in illegitimate legal fees in exchange for official actions that benefited a cancer researcher and two big real estate developers. Federal judge Valerie Caproni is not expected to sentence the 71-year-old former lawmaker until the spring. While he could technically receive 130 years on all seven counts, a much shorter prison term is anticipated.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara released a

short statement following the verdict, which read, “Today Sheldon Silver got justice, and at long last, so did the people of New York.”

Upon leaving the courthouse in Lower Manhattan after the jury announced its decision, Silver said he was “disappointed.” But he added, “Ultimately I believe after we file the legal challenges we will have a different result.” Asked what he had to say to his constituents who supported the assemblyman over the years, Silver simply replied, “Thank you.”

State Sen. Daniel Squadron, who represents Lower Manhattan in Albany, said Silver’s conviction highlights the need for campaign finance reform. “It’s certainly somber,” Squadron said, “for many in Lower Manhattan, where he was a stalwart on issues like rebuilding after 9/11 and school overcrowding.” Another ally in government, City Council member Margaret Chin, said, “I have been troubled by the steady stream of revelations regarding Mr. Silver’s conduct.

Today’s verdict by a jury of his peers confirms the worst of those allegations. By committing the crimes of which he now stands convicted, Mr. Silver betrayed the trust of voters who have the right to expect honesty, integrity, and ethics from their elected representatives.”

But many local activists continued to express support for Mr. Silver. John Quinn of Lower East Side Democrats, a political club, said, “We’ve lost a stabilizing force in our community. No matter what you might have thought about him, Shelly showed up.

He was there when we needed him. The guy has done a lot of good things—from bringing new schools downtown to keeping senior centers open. It’s sad. I think we’re all in shock.” Virginia Kee of the United Democratic Organization in Chinatown agreed. “I feel very sad about it,” said Kee. “Sheldon

Silver has always been very helpful to our community. I think political leaders should be accessible, and Sheldon Silver was always accessible to us. Whether it was improving the Grand Street subway or helping to fund our senior lunch program, he did a lot.”

Two local district leaders, Paul Newell and Jenifer Rajkumar, are expected to seek Mr. Silver’s seat. Gigi Li, who chairs Community Board 3, said she is keeping her options open regarding a possible campaign.

Yuh-Line Niou, Assemblyman Ron Kim’s chief of staff, is also a potential candidate.

There’s speculation about other candidates throughout the district, from the Lower East Side to Tribeca. But no one had made any public announcements by press time. The winning candidate in the special election would be required to defend the seat in regularly scheduled state elections in the fall of 2016.

During the five-week trial, prosecutors presented evidence from about 25 witnesses that Mr. Silver used his official position for personal gain. But defense lawyers highlighted the fact that there was no direct proof of a quid pro quo arrangement with either Dr. Robert Taub, a cancer researcher, or the two real estate developers. The verdict came after three partial days of deliberations, broken up by the Thanksgiving holiday. Two jurors tried to get off the panel.

One woman told the judge she felt “pressured” by other jurors and “stressed out.”

Federal prosecutors are expected to ask the judge to seize some of Mr. Silver’s assets as restitution. Following the verdict, the former assemblyman filed for his state pension. The U.S. Attorney will attempt to seize that, as well.

Mr. Silver will remain free while the appeals process plays out.

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2015

ESSENTIAL LES LES ESSENTIAL :

Photos L-R: The Rueben at Katz’s Deli, photo by Baldomero Fernandez; Niki Russ Federman & Josh Russ Tupper, co-owners at Russ & Daughters, photo by Belathee Photography/ Courtesy of Russ & Daughters; a glimpse of Economy Candy's plentiful sweets, photo by Jenna Rice.

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n reporting about Small-Business Survival on the Lower East Side (a year-long initiative), we have found potential solutions to be elusive. You’re probably not surprised by that. There are no easy answers to keeping mom-and-pop businesses in their retail spaces as commercial rents skyrocket. But here’s something we can do to help locally owned businesses: support them by buying their products and encouraging our friends to do the same.

You might be surprised how many business owners tell us about the dearth of local shoppers in their stores. There are lots of reasons for this, of course. Online shopping is often more convenient and cheaper. Local residents may very well not be finding the things they need from the neighborhood’s independent businesses. But it could also be that a lot of people who live in the area aren’t aware of some of the unique retail and restaurants available within walking distance of their homes.

For this guide, which we’re calling Essential LES, we drew on our own research from the past several years and also asked your opinions 88 December December2015 2015

S H O P, E A T A N D D R I N K L O C A L ! through an online poll and Facebook. We wanted to know what local businesses you’d hate to live without—the places that help make the Lower East Side unlike any neighborhood in the world. Some of you expressed an opinion that we hear often, the sentiment that so much has already been lost, making the community almost unrecognizable. While it’s true that a huge number of beloved businesses have faded away, we were encouraged in preparing this magazine by the number of great, distinctive momand-pops that still remain.

This is not a comprehensive guide. Due to space constraints, it does not include the neighborhood’s many great arts-oriented small businesses, from performance spaces to galleries. The guide is also, by its nature, focused on long-established places rather than new businesses. We see it as a foundation for future reporting on The Lo-Down. In the months ahead, you’ll be seeing in-depth profiles of many of the businesses listed here, and we’ll be adding new businesses all the time. We hope you’ll chime in with your own suggestions. (send us an email at tips@thelodownny.com).

Support Local Business— Shop Local for the Holidays & BeyonD! BEYond!

Essex Street Market 120 Essex St. (at Delancey St.) essexstreetmarket.com

The last two or three years have been rough ones for the Essex Street Market, the New York City institution that turned 75 this year. Business has slumped since the announcement that the historic facility is moving across the street in 2018 as part of the big Essex Crossing development project. Several merchants closed

as a result, while others are imperiled. Vendors have been fighting for more resources to market their unique offerings, something that is now in-the-works. More broadly, they’re fighting to stay alive long enough to make the move to the new market. Their survival is our best hope of keeping the spirit of the old Essex Street Market alive in the future. Longtime merchants such as Viva Fruits & Vegetables, New Star Fish Market, Luis Meats and Tra La La Juice Bar continue to offer the neighborhood great value and service. The market is a one-of-a-kind experience, of course, because it is an idealized reflection of the economically diverse neighborhood: a blend of the old and the new. The long-established vendors co-exist with local gems like Saxelby Cheesemongers, Nordic Preserves, Ni Japanese Delicacies, Formaggio Essex and Bobouki (Greek food).

The 1940 WPA-era building, part of Mayor Fiorello La Guardia’s campaign against street vendors, is only safe from the bulldozers for about three more years. By supporting the vendors within its walls, you can help make sure they’re part of the future of the Lower East Side, rather than a memory from the neighborhood’s past.

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Russ & Daughters

Yonah Schimmel

179 East Houston St. (near Allen St.) 212-475-4880 russanddaughters.com

137 East Houston St. (near Forsyth St.) 212-477-2858 knishery.com

Katz’s Deli Let us count the ways Russ & Daughters is essential to the Lower East Side. We’re talking about a 101-year-old appetizing store that is recognized by the Smithsonian Institute as a part of New York’s cultural heritage. In a century, the family-owned business has grown from the humblest of roots (Joel Russ couldn’t even afford a pushcart when he came to this country) into a world-famous culinary mecca.

Third generation Mark Russ Federman resisted temptations in the bad ol’ days of the 1970s and 1980s to move uptown, convinced that the Lower East Side was down but not out. Now fourth generation owners Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper have taken the business to new heights.

In 2014, they opened a cafe at 127 Orchard St. that became an instant classic and one of the city’s most sought after brunch spots. But these are not the reasons, at least not the primary ones, that Russ & Daughters is locally revered. As customer service continues its steep decline, the shop is a place where you are still sure to experience a brand of old world attentiveness that’s virtually non-existent in the modern world. The scene inside the store in the days before major holidays (and not just Jewish ones anymore) is so quintessentially New York that most people don’t mind waiting for an hour or more to order their smoked fish. Weekends in the restaurant are a mob scene. But there are few things more pleasing on the LES than enjoying the tranquility of an early weekday evening at the bar with a cocktail or a bowl of matzo ball soup.

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205 East Houston St. (at Ludlow St.) 212-254-2246 katzsdelicatessen.com The first thing that comes up when you Google Katz’s Deli is the following description, “New York's most iconic deli. Home to the world's greatest pastrami sandwich. Where Harry met Sally.” That’s pretty much everything you need to know. The bursting pastrami sandwich is an irresistible guilty pleasure, even as its price pushes $20. Katz’s is a place that the Lower East Side must share with the rest of the world.

Its status as a top tourist attraction (a kind of Jewish Disneyland) makes the 127 year-old restaurant less appealing to a lot of locals. Who wants to stand in line, 10 deep, fighting the tour bus crowd? But don’t despair. There are ways to cope. Try going for dinner, when the fanny pack set has decamped for Times Square. Slide on over to the station in the front of the restaurant (where there’s seldom a line) for a bowl of soup, a burger or a knockwurst on rye. Or order delivery, which we have found surprisingly speedy (try not to let that $4 delivery surcharge irk you). Like Russ & Daughters, Katz’s is experiencing a renaissance. After selling their air rights to developer Ben Shaoul, co-owner Jake Dell assured the world that the deli is staying put for years to come. Earlier this year, Katz’s announced its first-ever expansion, with plans to open in the DeKalb Market in Brooklyn.

You will usually find co-owner Ellen Anistratov behind the counter of this 105-year old knishery. She’s more than happy to lecture you on the ins and outs of a proper knish (it is always round and never fried). But don’t even think of asking her about the persistent rumors of Yonah Schimmel’s demise. Anistratov insists that the little restaurant, a neighborhood time capsule, isn’t going anywhere. In fact, she hopes her kids will take over the business one day. There’s always a robust debate about the quality of the knishes. Are they as good as they were back in the day? Maybe not. But there’s no denying that this storefront is a cherished relic of old New York. “The Underground Gourmet,” in 1968, noted,“No New York politician in the last 50 years has been elected to office without having at least one photograph showing him on the Lower East Side with a knish in his face.” Maybe it’s time you headed to Yonah Schimmel for your very own knish selfie.

Kossar’s Bialys 367 Grand St. (near Norfolk St.) 212-473-4810 kossars.com Can the bialy make a comeback? Evan Giniger and David Zablocki are betting a half-million dollars that it can. After buying the Grand Street bakery in 2013, they closed for renovations at the end of September.

The baking facilities are being modernized, plus there will be a sandwich counter and grill. But the facelift of the Lower East Side shop is just a beginning.

Gininger told the Wall Street Journal, “Most people are going to buy a business to earn a living. We bought a business to almost restore a bit of history in New York City and then desire to expand that throughout the city, throughout the country and even throughout the world.” Kossar’s has been a Lower East Side institution for 80 years. Hopefully it’s about to enter a new golden era.

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

Holly Ferrari: Co-owner, Fontana’s NYC Stanton Tailor Shop: 90-96 Stanton St. (near Orchard St.) 212-353-9753 “I've been going there since the "90s" and, being a short person, having someone that can throw in a hem for $8 in 24 hours is a lifesaver. They are nice, professional and very good a what they do. Pablo Vargas always has a smile on his face -- what a pro.”

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Economy Candy 108 Rivington St. (near Essex St.) 212-254-1531 economycandy.com

of the LES Jewish Conservancy, encouraged us to consider the stores collectively. In her view, they represent something important: the continuation of Jewish life in the storied neighborhood. Dotting the north side of Grand Street, between Willett Street and Columbia Street, the butcher, bakery and grocery are bustling in the afternoon and early evening hours.

The owner of East Side Glatt, Baruch Weiss, not only offers kosher meats but prepared foods such as baked chicken, sandwiches, kasha varnishkes and kugel. Moishe’s has earned a reputation beyond the Lower East Side for delicious rye bread, black and white cookies and challah. The grocery features an ever-expanding collection, including a salad bar and sushi made to order. In all three stores, there’s no shortage of kibbitzing among customers and shopkeepers, who trade neighborhood gossip and strong opinions.

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

James Fuentes: Owner, James Fuentes Gallery Bacaro 136 Division St. (near Ludlow Street) | 212-941-5060 “Thanks to [proprietors] Kama Geary and Alain Levett, it is a home away from home. It would be an earth-shattering loss for me if I couldn't sit down for a drink with Alain on a quiet night or host gallery dinners there for large groups. They represent the old and new school of the neighborhood, having opened on Division Street when no one would go near that part of the Lower East Side. It is also a goto destination for my whole family. "

Zafis Luncheonette 500 Grand St. (at Columbia Street) 212-533-2415 zafisluncheonette.com

Frank’s Bike Shop Mitchell Cohen, Economy Candy. Photo by Jenna Rice

Is Economy Candy the world’s best candy store?

You’ll find plenty of people who will answer with an emphatic “yes”. Last year Mitchell Cohen told Forbes, “People walk back into their childhoods when they enter the store. Many spend an hour looking around before they buy anything, and we think that’s wonderful.” This old-fashioned shop is all about nostalgia. There are over two-thousand varieties of candy -- old school favorites as well as all of the latest creations. There’s also a huge selection of dried fruits, nuts and halvah. Like several other legacy businesses on the Lower East Side, Economy Candy has become a major tourist attraction. But it’s still very much a place where locals shop. That’s because the store still offers some of the best prices you’ll find anywhere.

East Side Glatt, Moishe’s Bake Shop & East Side Kosher Grocery 500, 504 Grand St. (near Columbia St.) 212-475-6915 (East Side Glatt) 212-673-5832 (Moishe’s) 212-477-3434 (East Side Kosher Deli) So much of the Jewish Lower East Side has faded away, but these three kosher businesses are still hanging on in support of the Grand Street Orthodox community. Laurie Tobias Cohen, executive director 12

December 2015

553 Grand St. (Near Lewis Street) 212-533-6332 franksbikes.com

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

Penny Arcade: Avant-garde performance artist Alex Shoe Repair 71 1st Avenue (near 4th Street) | 212-982-7773 “I have a pair of shoes that I bought in Glasgow in 1993...they are real witches shoes, [meaning] they are platforms and the toe curls up. These shoes became synonymous with my performances for the next 20 years, ‘till I performed in San Francisco in the dampest theatre on earth. The platforms got soaked and they crumbled! I spent four years trying to get them repaired. I heard about Alex...and brought them in and when I went to pick them up -- MIRACULOUS! Alex actually MADE a new platform, covered it in leather and made the toe CURL!! I had assumed he had just rebuilt the platform on the old ones but NO! He MADE AN ENTIRE NEW PAIR OF SHOES! This is because Alex is from Uzbekestan where they still KNOW HOW TO MAKE SHOES!”

Frank Arroyo remembers the exact day he opened his bike shop on Grand Street: May 18, 1976. In the nearly 40 years that have passed, he’s outfitted more LES kids than he can count with their first bike. This is a major reason why Arroyo is a beloved figure in the neighborhood, in spite of his sometimes cranky demeanor. But there’s more to Frank’s Bikes than just nostalgia. The shop has a good selection of new bikes, plus bike rentals and - most important attentive, quick and affordable repair service.

Thankfully, Arroyo absorbed the arrival of a nearby Citi Bike station in 2013, and continues to enjoy the loyalty of the community.

Nodas Kekatos of Zafis. Photo by Alex M. Smith

If you’re a regular, the crew behind the counter at this old school diner not only knows your name, but also exactly what you like to order down to every last detail. There’s been a diner at 500 Grand St., part of the Hillman Houses, for as long as anyone can remember. Greek immigrant Nodas Kekatos bought Zafis in 1978. In recent years, his son Mike has taken the lead in running the go-to spot in a section of the neighborhood with few full-service dining options.

The food at Zafis is typical diner fare. What distinguishes the restaurant is a commitment to attentive and personalized customer service. A few years ago, Kekatos shared a few words of wisdom with us about running a small business. “Every morning I look at myself in the mirror,” he said, “and I see some flaws–a wrinkle here, something else there–and I say, ‘You aren’t perfect.’ Then when I come in and I have [a disgruntled customer] I don’t get upset. I remind myself no one is perfect.”

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

Abby Sierros: Co-owner, Forgtmenot Sunshine Cinema 143 Houston St. (Forsyth/Eldridge Sts.) 212-206-7289 “For me, the Landmark Sunshine Theatre is practically my second home. I plan half my week around the movies I want to see, and being able to bike two minutes to see great films fulfills me so much.”

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Zarin Fabrics 69 Orchard St. (at Grand Street) 212-925-6112 zarinfabrics.com Back in the day, competition among Lower East Side fabric stores was pretty intense. Most of the big retailers that once dotted the neighborhood are long gone. But Zarin Fabrics has endured since the 1930s and, in recent years, thrived. Next year, the store will be celebrating its 80th anniversary. Zarin’s is a favorite of television set designers and high-end decorators (Jill Zarin’s status as a reality TV star in the Real Housewives of New York hasn’t hurt). But the store is also a great resource for DIY home decorators. Zarin’s boasts millions of yards of deeply discounted luxury fabric. The family-owned business also carries furniture, lighting, home accessories, ready-made drapes, upholstery supplies and trimmings. In the past year, Zarin’s gave up most its ground floor space, but opened a nicely appointed new showroom on Orchard Street. It offers customers a more accessible gateway to the warehouse, the largest of its kind in New York City.

L.E.S. Locals pick:

Allegra LaViola: Co-owner, Sargent’s Daughters Eastwood 221 E. Broadway (at Clinton Street) | 212-233-0124 “I love Eastwood for many reasons. Firstly, Andrew and Sivan are fantastic people. Generous, kind and (importantly for a bar) great owners/hosts. It is such a nice neighborhood addition- the food is delicious, the beers are fantastic and the prices are reasonable. I love the atmosphere [which is] homey and casual, yet chic. It is not trying to be a rustic farm-to-table thing, thank god. I'm so sick of those places that want to pretend we all live in 1895 in the mountains. Also, it isn't just some bar with fast turnover and bad service.

They care about the quality of the experience in every way—music, decor, attitude and the food & drink.”

Mendel Goldberg Fabrics

Harris Levy Fine Linens

Moscot Eyewear

98 Forsyth St. (near Grand St.) 212-226-3102 harrislevy.com In its more than 120 years on the Lower East Side, Harris Levy has occupied at least four different storefronts. In 2005, current owner Bob and Meryl Levy opened a big new warehouse space on Forsyth Street, across from Sara D. Roosevelt Park. This is the place for luxurious bed and table linens, as well as bath towels, kitchen accessories and home decorating items. The products are high-end and don’t come cheap, but you can count on discounts of at least 10% over what you’d pay for similar merchandise uptown.

Cup & Saucer 89 Canal St. (at Eldridge St.) 212-925-3298 cupandsaucernewyork.com 72 Hester St. (near Allen St.) 212-925-9110 mendelgoldbergfabrics.com

David Zarin. Photo by Jesse Jiryu Davis

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December 2015

In 1890, Polish immigrant Mendel Goldberg opened a store on the Lower East Side, catering to the garment industry. In those days, the shop carried a variety of tailoring supplies and was anything but exclusive. He would, no doubt, be taken aback to see how things have changed in the past century. Today his great granddaughter, Alice Goldberg Wildes, caters to Upper East Side socialites and high end fashion designers. She travels to Europe to purchase extremely fine fabrics, expensive textiles that can’t be found anywhere else in New York. Mendel Goldberg overcame a devastating fire in 2012 and is now back in its historic Hester Street location.

and the Lower East Side. Cup & Saucer is a bastion for fast, affordable food and friendly service. For the past few years, Vasilopoulos has been a little nervous about his rent. The diner is on an annual lease, which doesn’t offer a lot of security. For the moment, however, Cup & Saucer continues to serve as a comforting oasis in a rapidly changing area.

108 Orchard St. (at Delancey St.) 212-477-3796 moscot.com

On the occasion of this year’s 100th anniversary celebration, Dr. Harvey Moscot told The Daily Beast, “We were determined not to leave. We were born on Orchard Street and we will die on Orchard Street.”

Moscot Eyewear is now ensconced at 108 Orchard St., after being forced from its longtime home across Delancey Street by a development project that has yet to happen. Even as Moscot expands globally to locations such as London, Seoul and Tokyo, it continues to embrace the brand’s Lower East Side roots. Their trademark retro styles have long been popular among hip celebrities, many of whom insist on coming to the Orchard Street store. Moscot is making the most of its LES cachet.

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

Cup & Saucer looks the way a diner is supposed to look. The vintage signage on the corner of Eldridge and Canal streets, the long formica countertop and those worn down brush-metal stools all recall an earlier era. This former Jewish luncheonette, opened around 1940, has been run by John Vasilopoulos and Nick Castanos for the past 25 years. These days, it serves as a kind of way station between Chinatown

Enrique Cruz: Founder, Association of Latino Business Owners & Residents El Castillo De Jagua 113 Rivington St. and 521 Grand St. “This small mom-and-pop restaurant has been serving our community good-quality, affordable food for over 35 years. It caters to the locals and, yes , the tourists eat there too, but every time you walk in there you will notice that mostly it is locals. For me, losing El Castillo De Jagua would be devastating for the neighborhood."

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Bluestockings

169 Bar

172 Allen St. (near Stanton St.) 212-777-6028 bluestockings.com

169 East Broadway (near Rutgers St.) 646-833-7199 169barnyc.com

The Lower East Side does not have a single general interest bookstore below East Houston Street. But it boasts one of the best special interest book shops you will find anywhere. Bluestockings, which stocks a thoughtful collection of feminist, queer and radical literature, is a full fledged community center. There are talks and special events at Bluestockings almost every night on a wide variety of topics. After signing a new five year lease, the collectively-run shop and activist center ran a successful crowdfunding campaign this past fall to pay for desperately needed renovations. Recently, the New York Times described the store as “a kind of clearinghouse for tolerance and radical ideas.”

It’s been a long while since 169 Bar lived up to its old nickname, “The Bloody Bucket.” Today an occasional rope line has replaced the drunken brawls that were once commonplace in this LES dive. Since 2006, Charles Hanson has run the kitschy bar (the decor features disco balls, mermaid statues and tinsel). He’s introduced a New Orleans vibe and added menu items such as Oysters Rockefeller and Louisiana crawfish. While the place has definitely gentrified, 169 still attracts a diverse crowd and still features one of the best happy-hour deals around (a beer and a shot for $3).

A.W. Kaufman 73 Orchard St. (near Grand St.) 212-226-1629 awkaufman.com

Photo by Gino Gianoli.

157 Orchard St. (near Stanton St.) 212-674-0786 orchardcorset.com At Orchard Corset, what’s old is new again. Isaiah Bergstein, a concentration camp survivor, opened the store in 1968, creating his shape-shifting designs on a Singer sewing machine (it still sits in the front of the store). Today Peggy and Ralph Bergstein (Isaiah’s son) are riding a new wave of corset popularity.

The cramped store with boxes of bras piled to the ceiling, is a magnet for celebrities and anyone else desperate to take four to five inches from their waist instantly. Designs include mesh, satin, silk, leather, cotton and velvet in a wide array of colors. Orchard Corset is pretty much the only store of its kind left in New York and a place where you’re still sure to get a great deal (compared with what you’d pay at a department store).

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Rosario’s Pizza 173 Orchard St. (at Stanton St.) 212-777-9813 www.rosariospizza.com

There’s method in the madness at this legendary lingerie shop, operated by the same family since 1924.

Miriam Kohn knows her bras so well she can size up any woman in seconds. The narrow shop might seem disorganized, but the knowledgeable staff can find exactly what you’re looking for — whether it’s a bra or other types of lingerie. There’s a large selection of undergarments, robes, nightgowns and pajamas for women as well as men.

Orchard Corset

diverse lineup of music, spoken word and burlesque.

Parkside Lounge

A couple of years ago, Sal Bartolomeo of Rosario’s Pizza told us, “I’m a storyteller... A lot of people come because they want to hear the story of New York.”

After more than 50 years as a Lower East Side pizza man, Bartolomeo has plenty of stories to tell. If there were a contest for “most beloved neighborhood character,” he’d probably win hands down. He began managing the restaurant, originally located on East Houston Street in 1964 for Rosario Dispenza, his uncle. Rosario’s has been a fixture on Orchard Street since 1997. Now pushing 70, Bartolomeo still works grueling hours. But the “rainbow of people” that make up his customer base keep the pizza ovens burning. The LES, he says, is “the most beautiful neighborhood in the world.”

317 East Houston St. (at Attorney St.) 212-673-6270 parksidelounge.net It’s almost impossible to find a real dive bar on the Lower East Side these days, which is why locals appreciate Parkside Lounge. That great retro neon sign on the east end of Houston Street has been beckoning neighborhood boozers for decades. In addition to cheap drinks (draft beer from $4-$6), the Parkside features a pool table and a back room for performances. Scheduled events include a

Photo by Alex M. Smith

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of Downtown Music Gallery. The record store and makeshift performance space tucked under a Buddhist temple is one of the last remaining remnants of the Lower East Side’s once vibrant bohemian creative scene. Founded in 1993, Downtown Music Gallery has been on the run in recent years after being gentrified out of spaces on East 5th Street and the Bowery. Now in Chinatown, the ramshackle shop still contains 6,000 CDs and vinyl LPs. There are many live recordings of memorable downtown shows that Gallanter began documenting in 1975.

Pickle Guys 49 Essex St. (near Grand St.) 212-656-9739 pickleguys.com Essex Street’s only remaining pickle store, the Pickle Guys has been around for a mere 12 years. But it feels like a neighborhood institution. This is because owner Alan Kaufman is keeping the spirit of the old Pickle District alive by sticking with established traditions.

Having worked in the neighborhood since the 1980s, including a tour of duty at the legendary Guss’ Pickles, he’s committed to doing things the old fashioned way. You can smell the vinegar, salt and garlic the moment you approach the hole-in-the wall establishment. The “full sours” spend three months in the barrel. Over the years, he’s added new items, such as pickled pineapples and turnips. While you’re peering into those barrels, contemplating your order, Kaufman will offer you a sample. Customer service is a top priority. One of the best visuals in the whole neighborhood occurs during the Jewish holidays, when the Pickle Guys pull out the gas mask and grind fresh horseradish on Essex Street.

El Castillo de Jagua

The Collado family has been running this Dominican diner on Rivington Street for almost 30 years (there’s a newer location on Grand Street). It’s still a good spot for affordable Spanish specialties in an unpretentious setting. Daily specials include chicken soup, baked chicken, oxtail stew and pepper steak. El Castillo also offers a satisfying Cubano. Two years ago, owner Luis Miguel Collado told us he’s not too worried about being squeezed out by gentrification.

“People want a place that is affordable,” he explained.

“Even if you spend a lot to go out for a special night, you need a place to come to the rest of the time.”

Downtown Music Gallery

Photo by Jesse Jiryu Davis

13 Monroe St. (near Catherine St.) 212-473-0043 downtownmusicgallery.com

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

“It has become an instant L.E.S. classic. There is great food and coffee and it’s a perfect spot, day or night.

It is unique, neighborhood centric and promotes a sense of community for me which are the keys to what makes the L.E.S. so special.”

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December 2015

Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse 157 Chrystie St. (near Delancey St.) 212-673-0330 sammysromanian.com Sammy’s is not really a locals’ spot, but we’re glad it’s there anyway. A couple of years ago, New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells called it “the most wonderful terrible restaurant in New York... a permanent underground bar mitzvah where Gentiles can act like Jews and Jews can act like themselves.” The place has been around since the Koch administration. It’s the type of restaurant that everyone should experience once, not necessarily for the food but for the unique, celebratory atmosphere. On the right type of special occasion, it’s well worth elbowing the tourists aside to indulge this one-of-a-kind establishment that embraces the motto, “Death by Chicken Fat.”

Altman Luggage 135 Orchard St. (near Rivington St.) 212-254-7275 altmanluggage.com

Josh Russ Tupper: Co-owner, Russ & Daughters El Rey 100 Stanton St. (near Ludlow Street) 212-260-3950

L.E.S. locals pick:

Alain Levitt & Kama Geary: Proprietors, Bacaro Cafe Katja 79 Orchard St. (near Grand Street) 212-219-9545

Photo by Alex M. Smith

113 Rivington St. (near Essex St.) 212-982-6412

Looks are deceiving at this discount luggage store, an Orchard Street mainstay since 1920. Upon walking inside, you’ll be confronted by a sea of bags in every shape, size and color–stacked to the ceiling. While shopping at Altman’s can be a bit overwhelming, there’s an amazing selection featuring many brand names. The store guarantees the lowest prices on luggage in New York and the sales staff is always accommodating.

“Our favorite place in the neighborhood is Katja. I don't think that there is a more welcoming, delicious and family-friendly place in New York. The consistency of the food is incredible and someone always grabs the baby when we arrive. Even when our kids destroy the place they seem genuinely happy to have seen us.”

Punjabi Grocery & Deli 114 East 1st St. (near Avenue A) 212-533-3356 The neighborhood rallied around this much-loved cheap eats spot in the past year, helping owners Kulwinder and Jashon Singh battle City Hall for the restoration of an all-important taxi stand. Punjabi Deli has been an indispensible spot for the city’s cabbies and for locals since opening in 1994. Not only is the little restaurant a destination for inexpensive and delicious vegetarian food, it’s also an important gathering spot for the local Indian community. After losing so much business due to construction on East Houston Street in recent years, the little place appears back on track.

Photo by Cynthia Lamb

The great avant garde musician John Zorn once said, “Every musical scene has its champions...Our champions are Bruce (Gallanter) and Manny (Maris)”

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L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

EAST VILLAGE A few standouts among many B&H Dairy 127 2nd Avenue (near St. Mark’s Place) 212-505-8065 The 80-year-old kosher-style lunch counter is back better than ever (with the help of many dedicated customers) after this past spring’s 2nd Avenue fire almost doomed the neighborhood treasure.

St. Mark’s Bookshop 136 East 3rd St. (near Avenue A) 212-260-7853 | stmarksbookshop.com After being forced out of the space it occupied for 37 years, the East Village institution relocated to 3rd Street.

Unfortunately, the financial troubles continue (a $150,000 crowdfunding campaign launched last month).

Ray’s Candy Store 113 Avenue A (near East 7th Street) 212-505-7609 82-year-old Ray Alvarez has been keeping things real across from Tompkins Square Park for decades, providing the neighborhood with excellent egg creams, ice cream and Belgian fries.

Tuan Bui: Co-owner, An Choi Fu Zhou Cuisine 118 Eldridge St. (at Broome Street.)

212-625-2532 “This is straight up, a hole in the wall neighborhood spot frequented by Chinese locals. Tasty, cheap eats like boiled pork & chive dumplings made from scratch, peanut butter noodles, and beef noodle soups are part of my rotation when I go here. I spend about $5 every time I visit. I love the fact that it will never get trendy or over-hyped like it's next door dumpling neighbor. It's where Chinatown meets the LES and so diverse (or random), it specializes in food from the Fujian province.”

CHINATOWN e Some of the n iborhood's iconic spots Wo Hop 17 Mott St. (near Worth Street) 212-972-8617 | wohopnyc.com Descend the steps into this subterranean Cantonese classic (opened in 1938) and be transported to another era.

GEM Spa 131 2nd Avenue (at St. Mark’s Place) 212-995-1866 The St. Mark’s Place institution is still the place to go for your morning newspaper, an egg cream and to have your fortune told by Zoltar.

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory 65 Bayard St. (near Mott Street) 212-608-4170 | chinatownicecreamfactory.com Opened in 1977, this destination for Asian-inspired ice cream flavors is now managed by the next generation, the social media-savvy Christina Seid.

McSorley’s Old Ale House 15 East 7th St. (near 3rd Avenue) 212-473-9148 Established in 1854, McSorley’s is said to be the oldest bar in New York, although the claim is open for some dispute.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor 13 Doyers St. (near Bowery) 212-962-6047 | nomwah.com The first dim sum restaurant in Chinatown was opened more than 90 years ago. It was rediscovered by the masses following a makeover from second generation owner Wilson Tang.

Veselka 142 2nd Avenue (at 9th Street) 212-228-9682 | veselka.com The place to go for pierogi, borscht and other Ukrainian specialties since the 1950s.

Big Wong 67 Mott St. (near Canal Street) 212-964-0540 | bigwongking.com Long considered a top spot for BBQ meats, including roasted duck and pork.

Great NY Noodletown 28 Bowery (at Bayard St.) 212-349-0923 | greatnynoodletown.com Another popular spot for roasted meats, delicious noodle soups and softshell crab (in season). NY Noodletown is one of the few late-night options in Chinatown.

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Jing Fong 20 Elizabeth St. (near Canal St.) 212-964-5256 | jingfongny.com The 800-seat restaurant, founded in 1978, is chaotic dim sum destination, a banquet venue and community gathering spot for special occasions.

Paramount Diamond Center 82 Bowery (near Hester St.) 212-925-7763 Chinatown’s Jewelry District has been decimated in recent years, but a few stores are still hanging in there, including several longtime merchants crowded into this communal space near the Manhattan Bridge.

L.E.S.locals pick:

Andrew Chase: Co-owner, Cafe Katja Yummy Kitchen 38 Allen St. (below Hester) | 212-343-2373 “The loss of the Chinese restaurant at 38 Allen St. (formerly Cheung Wong) would really bum me out.

There are just too few old-school Cantonese places left.

After losing Wing Shoon (at the corner of E. Broadway and Rutgers Street), I was really upset; I’d been going there for 30 years. It must have seriously altered many people’s lives because in addition to being a great restaurant it was such an important social hub. 38 Allen is much smaller but it’s the kind of place where ordinary neighborhood people go. Elderly residents from our building on Orchard Street eat there daily, as well as the mailman, the Time Warner guys and the art gallery owners; it’s a real democratic place.”

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

Meghan & Diarmuid Joye: Co-owners, Lucky Jack's and Donnybrook Gaia Cafe 251 E. Houston St. (near Norfolk Street.)

646-350-3977 “We love Gaia and all her crazy rules and quirks. We get up early, so by the time 10 am rolls around, we're ready for a real meal. Where else in the neighborhood can you eat homemade lasagna for breakfast?”

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

Wilson Tang: Owner, Nom WahTea Parlour Karlee Hardware Store & Electric 98 Madison St. #A 212-966-3344 “Karlee Hardware Store has been around for more than 20 years. I love this place because the owner, Gary, keeps it stocked with anything you'd imagine finding in a Home Depot. It is truly a mom-and pop shop. You can buy nails or washers by the piece, get the most obscure things or even bring in a piece of equipment that's broken (drill, fan, heater) and Gary will try to fix it if he has time.”

More Local Favorites New and Old Classics Ben Freedman Gents Furnishings 137 Orchard St. (near Rivington Street) 212-674-0854 benfreedman.com Selling name-brand discount clothing on Orchard Street since 1927.

his Ludlow Street hangout, Pink Pony, Lucien Behaj continues to operate the artist-friendly bistro just above East Houston Street.

These days, Lucien’s son, Zac, is taking the lead.

Cheeky Sandwiches 35 Orchard St. Cafe Petisco (near Hester Street) 189 East Broadway 646-504-8132 (at Jefferson Street) cheeky-sandwiches.com 212-387-0366 Free spirit Din Yates runs No website this quirky New OrleansThe Mediterranean-accented style sandwich shop on restaurant is a popular spot lower Orchard Street. for families and people who live near Seward Park.

Classic Coffee Shop 56 Hester St. (near Ludlow Street) Cibao Restaurant 917-685-3306 72 Clinton St. No website (at Rivington Street) Carmine Morales is in 212-228-0703 charge at this little lunch No website The Dominican diner is a counter, which has been good spot for an affordable around for about 40 years. meal on Clinton Street.

Soy Restaurant Daredevil Tattoo 102 Suffolk St. 141 Division St. (near Delancey Street) (near Ludlow Street) 212-253-1158 212-533-8303 soynyc.com daredeviltattoo.com The homey Japanese spot is The longtime Ludlow Street like eating in your best shop fled “Hell Square” gen- friend’s kitchen. trification for Division Street, even opening a New York Tat- Barrio Chino too Museum.

253 Broome St. (near Orchard Street.)

Ideal Hosiery 212-228-6710 339 Grand St. barriochinonyc.com (at Ludlow Street) The laid-back Mexican can212-226-4792 tina hasn’t changed a thing No website in years, and that’s the way Boxes are almost always piled its customers like it. to the ceiling in this store, which has been in operation Fontana’s on the Lower East Side since 105 Eldridge St. 1950. (near Grand Street.)

212-334-6740 Lucien fontanasnyc.com 14 1st Avenue The large bar and music (near 1st Street) venue is locally owned and 212-260-6481 always up for hosting comluciennyc.com munity events.

While he was forced to close

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Verlaine 110 Rivington St. (near Essex Street) 212-614-2494 verlainenyc.com The locally owned cocktail bar draws in a neighborhood crowd with good drink specials.

Rice Noodle Cart Southeast corner of Rutgers Street and East Broadway No phone, no web site The popular cart features cheap and tasty rice noodles with fishballs and other items.

Chef Restaurant Supplies 294 Bowery (near East Houston Street) 212-254-6644 chefrestaurantsupplies. com The biggest, and one of the best, of the dwindling Bowery restaurant-supply stores.

Global International Menswear 62 Orchard St. (near Grand Street) 212-431-4530 globalmensclothing.com Orchard Street would not be the same without the overzealous salesman Sammy Gluck at this 50-year-old store.

Clandestino 35 Canal St. (near Ludlow Street) 212-475-5505 clandestinonyc.com The unpretentious bar run by Nick & Son Clothing Laura Travers is a neighbor- 161 Orchard St. hood favorite. (near Stanton Street) 212-253-7588 Army & Navy Bag nickandsonclothing.com 177 East Houston St. A longtime discount retailer (near Allen Street) specializing in leather jack212-228-5267 ets and other clothing No website items.

For 40 years, a dependable spot for military surplus bags, Thelma on Clinton jackets and other clothing 29 Clinton St. items. (near Stanton Street) 212-979-8471 Ted’s Formalwear thelmaonclinton.com 155 Orchard St. Melissa O’Donnell convert(near Stanton Street) ed Salt Bar into a new casual 212-966-2029 restaurant geared for the lonapoleanrocktshirts.com cal community.

A small shop with an amazing collection of rock ’n’ roll t- Lucky Jack’s shirts.

129 Orchard St. (near Delancey Street) Max Fish 212-477-6555 120 Orchard St. luckyjacksnyc.com (near Delancey Street) A blessedly unfancy spot for 212-529-3959 a pint on increasingly highmaxfish.com end Orchard Street.

The legendary Ludlow Street bar was reborn on Orchard Street.

Tiny’s Giant Sandwich Shop 129 Rivington St. (near Rivington Street) 212-228-4919 tinygiantnyc.tumblr.com An indispensable local spot for an affordable meal.

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L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

Jessica Delfino: Musical Comedian and owner, The Unicorn Forgtmenot 138 Division St. (near Ludlow St.) 646-707-3195 “Owners Abby and Paul and Adam have been incredible additions to the neighborhood. They are not only great and considerate neighbors, but the restaurant vibe is warm, wonderfully weird and inviting, and the staff is awesome. They make a killer spicy watermelon margarita in a jar, their brunch and salads are the best below Delancey, as far as I'm concerned.

The decor and little touches around the place make it feel like you're at a friend's house.”

The Lo-Down’s yearlong reporting initiative focused on Small Business Survival is made possible in part by our local Community Partners:

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

Coss Marte: Owner, ConBody Cup and Saucer 89 Canal St. (at Eldridge St.) 212-926-3298 “My favorite spot is Cup & Saucer. I've been going there since I was a kid, and that delicious Greek diner has the same taste I remember. I love their breakfast sandwiches. The owners John and Nick are business owners that I look up to. They treat me like family and every time I bring my son by they give him a free donut, which he craves all the time!”

To read our ongoing coverage visit: www.TheLoDownNY.com/SmallBusiness

L.E.S. LOCALS PICK:

Hanksy: Street artist, curator & punster extraordinaire Up Stairs Bar (a.k.a. Swat Bar) 9 Canal St (near Allen Street) | 646-559-0098 “Their karaoke selection is questionable, but I will forever bring friends and LES newcomers to this Canal Street sing-song hall. It’s best early in the evening, before the crowd of newly christened neighborhoodies arrive, when there’s a weird and lingering cloud of yesteryear Chinatown floating in the room.”

For More Local Picks and Ongoing Coverage of Small Business on the Lower East Side, visit:

www.TheLoDownNY.com/smallbusiness The Lo-Down | TheLoDownNY.com

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DECEMBER what to do in & JANUARY

calendar

Visit our CALENDAR online at www.thelodownny.com/calendar for more details and to add your own events.

DECEMBER Fri.

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JANUARY

Family Concert – Klez for Kids at The Museum at Eldridge Street: Sing, dance and learn Yiddish at the museum’s annual family concert. Clarinetist Greg Wall and his band, Klezmerfest, lead the audience on a musical tour of Eastern European Jewish culture, ending with a joyful audience-enacted shtetl wedding.

12 Eldridge St., $12 adults; $8 students/seniors; children under 3 free, 11 a.m. eldridgestreet.org.

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Tues.

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December 2015

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6

The Iron Mule Short Comedy Film Festival at Dixon Place: Catch New York’s longest-running short comedy film festival. Stars like Stephen Colbert, Dan Harmon, Aziz Ansari, Lena Dunham and Abbi Jacobson & Ilana Glazer showed their films (pre-fame) at past Iron Mule screenings. The festival is hosted by filmmaker Jay Stern and filmmaker/comedian Victor Varnado. 7:30 p.m., $12 adv./$15 door, 161A Chrystie St., dixonplace.org.

7

Sandra Bernhard – Feel the Bernhard at Joe’s Pub: Toast to the New Year with the sharp witted and raucous comedian (and former Roseanne star) Sandra Bernhard. Her latest show, titled in tribute to presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, promises to be a night of outrageous hilarity and insight served up especially for the 99 percent. Nightly through New Year’s Eve, 25 Lafayette St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. (9 p.m. and 11 p.m. on NYE), $65 $200, joespub.com.

The International No Pants Subway Ride: Join thousands of New Yorkers in continuing the funny tradition on subway cars all across Gotham.

Donning winter clothes, minus their pants, the straphangers share the same goal: to confuse bystanders and bring a smile to everyone’s face. The event had only 150 participants in its first year, but now the prank is an international sensation with (as of last year) over 25 countries involved. Visit www. improveverywhere.com for details.

Wed.

Thurs.

Sun.

Sun.

American Realness at Abrons Arts Center: The cutting-edge dance and theater festival returns for its senventh season. This year’s lineup includes off-site engagements at MoMA PS1 and Gibney Dance Center and features two world premieres, six U.S. premieres, three New York premieres, and six engagements of 62 performances of 17 productions over 11 days. Through Jan. 17, 466 Grand St., showtimes, ticket prices and locations vary, visit abronsartscenter.org for more info. class. Through Dec. 6, 466 Grand St., 8 p.m., $30, abronsartscenter.org.

John Zorn’s End of the Year Improv Week at The Stone: Stop by the annual end-of-the-year benefit at The Stone featuring some of the top improvisers in New York. This year the lineup features John Zorn’s acclaimed Bagatelles Series, which premieres some of the 250 new tunes written by Zorn this past spring. He appears each night with a different lineup of creative musicians. All proceeds go to help pay the rent. Through Jan. 3, Ave. C at Second Street, 8 p.m., $20, thestonenyc.com.

Thurs.

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Punk Magazine 40th Anniversary Exhibition Opening at Howl!

Happening:Check out this tribute to John Holmstrom and some of his brilliant collaborators at an exhibition that commemorates the 40th anniversary of the publication of Punk magazine. On view are classic artworks, early issues documenting the NYC punk scene and new work by contributing artists. Through Jan. 30th, 6 E. 1st. St., Opening on Jan. 14 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., gallery hours Weds. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., free, happening.howlarts. orgWhite (drums) will join Roney for this performance.

425 Lafayette St., 7:30 p.m., $20, publictheater.org.

The Hundred Year Walk: An Armenian Odyssey at Tenement Talks: Investigative journalist Dawn Anahid MacKeen spent over a decade writing the story of her grandfather’s escape from the deadly mass deportation of Armenians during World War I and traveled to Turkey and Syria, using her grandfather’s newly discovered journals as a guide, to reconstruct his journey to the far reaches of the Ottoman Empire. Part reportage, part memoir, the book alternates between Stepan’s tale of resilience and Dawn’s own journey, giving us a rare eyewitness account of the twentieth century’s first large-scale genocide. New Yorker staff writer Raffi Khatchadourian joins MacKeen in conversation. 103 Orchard St., 6:30 p.m., free, tenement.org.room.com.

Tues.

12 Featured Event

Sat.

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Michael Kliën, Excavation Site – Martha Graham U.S.A.

at the New Museum:

As part of the COIL 2016 festival, a multigenerational group of performers from the Martha Graham Dance Company’s past, present, and future explore their relationships to Graham and the underlying “movement forces” that bind them to one another, to Graham, and to the Company. Developed in collaboration with dramaturge Steve Valk, who adds a complementary discursive component to the piece, that will unfold alongside the performance in an adjacent studio.

Audiences will be invited to explore the work for any length of time and will be encouraged to move freely between the two spaces. This onetime-only dance event takes place off-site at the Martha Graham Studio Theater, 55 Bethune St, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., $20, newmusuem.org.

The Lo-Down | TheLoDownNY.com

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James

HABACKER

How have you seen the neighborhood change? ` The whole city has changed so much, but I think it’s more apparent downtown. The neighborhood used to attract artists who needed to be in a place where they could live the way they wanted and express themselves in a creative environment.

Now the city is so expensive, the culture is consumed with money, and conformity reigns.

up our show when we heard a ruckus out on the street. I looked outside and there was a full marching band coming up Stanton Street. They had no permit, it was an art project, and the cops were closing in, ready to arrest them all, so I opened the door and waved them in. Without stopping their song, they marched right in and onto the stage. The sergeant was not happy, but he let them continue to perform at our place.

What do you miss from the old LES? When I first opened The Slipper Room it was a neighborhood joint. There were so many local characters. I chose the area because of how many theaters there were. Now I feel like we’re the last theater left.

Who’s the best neighborhood character you’ve met and why?

James Kenny, our doorman at The Slipper Room.

He’s been on the street for the last 15 years, knows everyone and has a great attitude. He is a holdout from the old days, and people who come to the Slip from around the world really appreciate him and his cheery demeanor.

Is there a new arrival you love?

My wife Camille and I have recently rediscovered the Hat [El Sombrero], which has been revamped under new owners What drives you crazy about the neighborhood?

I try not to let anything drive me crazy, but I am not too fond of the discount bars, which attract crowds who are just in our neighborhood to get blotto.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on the LES? Too many strange things, good and bad. One Wednesday night very late, we had just finished

Tell us your best LES memory.

My wedding reception. Camille and I got married on the roof of the Chelsea Hotel and held our reception at the newly built Slip. When we pulled up in the vintage car we hired, everyone was outside.

Camille was excited that they all came out to see us. I pointed out that they weren’t sure when we would arrive, and I doubted that they were waiting for us. Turns out the new ovens had a coating on them, and when they first heated them the whole place filled up with smoke. We got it aired out and it was a great night after all, but we still get a good laugh about that.

Photo by John Goddard

How long have you lived on the LES? I’ve lived in downtown Manhattan since 1985. The Slipper Room has been on the Lower East Side since 1999.

My wife and I lived on Jane Street for almost 20 years in a little railroad apartment. I would have stayed there forever, but we have two kids and they were getting too big, so we moved to Peter Cooper Village. It has no charm at all and corporate management, but the apartment is big enough to raise our kids in. When they move out, we’ll move into something smaller in the village again.

Why did you move here? (Or if you were born here, why did you stay?)

I’m a native New Yorker. This city is home. I can’t imagine myself ever living anywhere other than New York.

What’s your favorite spot on the LES? Well, the Slipper Room is my favorite spot on the LES. It’s my other home. I am always sure to see some friends, and there is always an interesting band or show to see.

What do you do?

I am an artist. I am currently working on making my second feature film. I perform every week at my theater, The Slipper Room. I am also an impresario.

I curate all of the Slipper Room variety shows.

Favorite cheap eats?

I like Wolfnights on Rivington Street.

For our regular feature spotlighting the people who live and work on the Lower East Side, we talked with The Slipper Room owner, performer and producer James Habacker.

Tell us about your apartment—the good, the bad and the ugly.

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December 2015

Favorite place for a special night?

Sauce is a great place to have a really fine meal in a sweet atmosphere.

The Lo-Down | TheLoDownNY.com

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December 2015

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Real estate agents affiliated with The Corcoran Group are independent contractors and are not employees of The Corcoran Group. The Corcoran Group is a licensed real estate broker located at 660 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10065.

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December 2015