W42ST Daily — 10/10/2020
Phew, it’s going to be a 79F October scorcher today. It’s likely the last day of 2020 to leave that sweater behind. Go enjoy!
I had coffee yesterday morning with Robert Guarino, who runs and is part owner of Nizza and Bouillon Marseille. He and his partners have come up with an amazing offer for Actor’s Equity members, starting from Monday. Actors can eat now, and pay later (if they can). It’s a generous gesture, thanks for being so thoughtful, Robert!
WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK?
On Sunday morning, we woke to the news that Regal Cinemas were likely to close all their U.S. locations (including the flagship movie house on W42nd Street). The closure was blamed on the late release of the latest James Bond movie.
We ran an obituary for Doris Keough, a Hell’s Kitchen dog walker who passed away last weekend. Her life touched so many local residents — there was an outpouring of love and affection for “Wonderful” Dorry.
We took a walk in Central Park on Sunday afternoon and came across a group of nuns. What initially looked like the sisters gathering up for a group photo, turned into them lining up for a game of frisbee. Our video went viral and cheered the spirits of many of our readers. Lara Weinberg said: “This may be THE best post ever, bar none! “.
We started the week with the story of Paul and Sylvie Vaccari transforming their wholesale meat business (serving Michelin-starred restaurants) back to a walk-in butcher’s shop on 9th Avenue in response to the pandemic. Piccinini Bros, the third-generation family-owned business, has been around for nearly one-hundred-years. They’re back serving their neighbors in Hell’s Kitchen.
West Side Stories is back. Our regular monthly magazine feature will now be on our website each week. Our first feature was with Michael Barth. Michael is a Wall Street Associate who’s just become the U.S. Coast Guard’s “Auxiliarist of the Year”. You can read his story and hear about his 5 favorite Hell’s Kitchen places.
We wrote in praise of our local bodegas and linked to a story that Tom Fervoy wrote in the magazine two years ago about “Wally” Wahlid from the Skyline Deli on 10th Avenue and W49th Street. Tom’s going to be out and about getting an update on how our corner shops have weathered the lockdown.
W42ST is in the Best of NYC awards for our daily work in the community during the pandemic (currently in third place!). It’s the last day to VOTE!
In a week that we learned Broadway will not open again until at least June 2021, there was some joy.
Broadway sang again. The performance was brief, the voices strong, the talent huge, the emotions high. Tears were shed. It was a preview of hope for Broadway coming back. It was just one song at a popup event in Times Square called “A Moment for Broadway”. The chorus stood socially distanced, behind face shields to sing Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday” from ​Sunday in the Park With George​ on the TKTS Red Steps.
Ilene said: “Can’t stop crying, I miss Broadway SO MUCH!”. Michael Dowd said: Thank you! One of the best, most inspirational experiences of this shit year! IS THERE HOPE? Yes, there is!”.
Yesterday, we spoke about the GRUMPDEMIC that seems to be kicking in after 6 months. We found a Doctor with some advice. We also launched our new W42ST mugs with the help of our cover artists and Matthew at The Mug Affair. You know you want one!
WHAT WE’RE READING
Most shoppers in the United States are saying they won’t set foot in a shopping mall this year. (Bloomberg)
Hey kids! Don’t expect any snow days this year. You’ll be working from home like the rest of us! (Eyewitness News)
Mayor de Blasio is under attack for stopping booting repeat traffic offenders cars. There’s been nobody clamped in the city since mid-March. (Streetsblog)
Check the NY Fall Foliage Report. “Brilliant and colorful fall foliage will continue its progression across New York State this weekend, with peak and near-peak conditions expected throughout Upstate New York. Color change is still in early stages on Long Island and in New York City” (I Love NY)
One bedroom, one bathroom, and one 800-square-foot private rooftop terrace. There’s an open house for his Hell’s Kitchen apartment today and tomorrow. If you’ve got $950k and a love of the outdoors, this pet-friendly condo building with elevator and storage could be for you! (Streeteasy)
