W42ST Daily 6/21/2020
Good morning and Happy Father’s Day.
Tomorrow marks the start of Phase 2 in New York’s pandemic journey. Those with hair (not me!) will delight in the return of hair salons and barbers. We wish them well. Our local stores will find it a little easier to trade, and the bars and restaurants can start to give some level of outdoor service.
As you know, our “Hell’s Kitchen is OPEN!” list has been hugely popular with people looking to find places to get food and to-go drinks for pick up and delivery. However, things change on Monday — so we’re planning by Wednesday to launch a new service to help you find the best that’s on offer from all open businesses — “Hell’s Kitchen is OPEN 2”. We need your help to do that…
We’re planning on a live and visual service based around Instagram posts and stories. We need your help. We cannot be everywhere. So please take pictures if you are a business owner or a reader and just POST, do a STORY and mention us @W42ST or hashtag #W42ST — and ideally both… because it’s complicated (or Instagram makes it complicated!)
We will sort through and make some sense of what’s going on by Wednesday. I’ll be cycling the streets and trying to find where’s open, what everyone is offering, and making sure to keep you connected and updated. Go take some great photos… while you enjoy and support our businesses starting Phase 2.
ROAD TO NOWHERE — DAVID BYRNE BIKE RACKS
An intriguing Instagram post from a W42ST reader set me off on this journey – for half a day, I biked all over New York in search of David Byrne’s (you remember him… Talking Heads, American Utopia!) bike racks. Did you know they were a thing? Join me…
WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Buzzfeed presents “9 Photo Stories That Will Challenge Your View Of The World” — including our photo feature with Jeenah Moon from last week. Click here…
Some landlords are using discounts and special offers to attract new renters to the neighborhood. Cuts here…
Eryc Taylor Dance is continuing to spread the love of dancing during the pandemic with its ETD Outreach program. Step here…
Is there a future for gay bars, post pandemic? here…
Do you think this photographer was inspired by our #maskies? Masks here…
AN APPEAL
The last few months have been hard on all of us – financially, emotionally, physically. One thing we’ve come to truly value is the importance of community – “our” people. Thank you for all your messages of love, support, and laughter – you’ve been a lifeline.
Some of you have asked if you can help financially. And, while it’s hard to ask when so many are struggling, if you are in a position to support us, any contribution, no matter how small, will help ensure the survival of W42ST.