Good morning Hell’s Kitchen. Are you ready for some mid-July humidity and a little rainstorm this afternoon?
Thanks to Catie, Sandra and Michael for their help in analyzing and tidying up the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF) data on 101,005 eateries receiving $28.6 billion nationwide. Together we found that the RRF has awarded over $137 million to 168 Hell’s Kitchen eateries, averaging out at $818,363 per business. The funds were handed out in amounts ranging from $5 million to $3,919. It’s a lifeline for those businesses fortunate enough to get an award — but many struggling restaurant owners have been left with rejection and $0. Details here…
Matt Fox and Enrique Crame returned from their vacation in Provincetown to open up Fine and Dandy this week, only to discover that they both tested positive for COVID — despite being fully vaccinated. “We’re hearing about lots of breakthrough cases of people who are vaxxed. We’re fine. We have minimal symptoms. But this Delta variant is no joke. Please get vaccinated if you haven’t. We’re all excited about life returning to normal but Delta is throwing a wrench into those plans. Take care and stay safe,” Matt told us. We wish them both a speedy recovery.
The New York Times today reports that the test positivity rate has doubled in the city. Let’s be careful out there…
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What we’ve been reading
Barbershops on wheels in Harlem — could that be a trend for the city? (NY1)
The story of New York’s violence interruptors. (New York Magazine)
With a criminal past, finding a home is hopeless for the homeless in New York. (Curbed)
The future of the Gateway Project is unclear as Cuomo holds out on New York funding. (Gothamist)
One New York summer night in 1946. (Ephemeral New York)
Freeze Frame
Head down to Pier 84 for some free jazz this evening at 7pm. Drummer Sylvia Cuenca will be performing thanks to Hudson River Park’s partnership with Jazz Foundation of America. You can get to enjoy the sunset too…