Happy Saturday! Get outside today and enjoy the warmth, because tomorrow the temperatures will plunge 20 degrees and we will be back to winter chills.
While it’s cold, we recommend pulling up a chair (but maybe not sitting on it) to Chris Schanck’s exhibition that starts at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) at Columbus Circle today. We met the artist and marveled at his colorful furniture earlier this week. Read more…
The quest for cauliflower gnocchi, Unexpected Cheddar, and reasonably priced frozen food has reached new heights, as longtime campaigners — backed by City Council Member Erik Bottcher — invite Trader Joe’s to Hell’s Kitchen in a Valentine’s Day press conference. Read more…
Also, please tell us if you’d like a Trader Joe’s in Hell’s Kitchen — and a little about your current grocery shopping routine. https://w42st.info/TraderJoesHellsKitchenSurvey
Here’s what else has been happening in Hell’s Kitchen this week…
If you’re mourning the demise of Hudson Yards’ short-lived palatial Neiman Marcus NYC flagship, don’t despair — you can still visit, but you’ll need to bring your work laptop. Read more…
Joley Aristhee fell to his death from the roof of a Hell’s Kitchen building on Sunday morning after a police traffic stop. Read more…
On Monday afternoon, the skies above midtown were filled with smoke as part of the Pennsylvania Hotel — currently being demolished — caught fire. Read more…
For a while, it seemed like everyone was leaving. But slowly, surely, New Yorkers returned to Hell’s Kitchen and the five boroughs, with a new report showing that most residents moved within NYC in 2021. Read more…
Legendary New York nightclub Copacabana is back! It relaunches tonight in Hell’s Kitchen with a jubilant, carnival-themed jamboree at its new W51st Street location. Who could ask for more…?
Thank you to all the readers who filled in our survey on mask wearing after Governor Hochul let the statewide mandate expire this week. Read more…
After a pandemic hiatus, beloved Hell’s Kitchen pottery studio Mud Matters is back in action and open for classes and workshops starting this week. Read more…
There was drama on W52nd Street when a domestic dispute turned into a daytime shooting. More here…
New Yorkers are feeling the squeeze. We reported this week that in the past year rents have surged in the west side by 29% — and that many are facing huge increases in their Con Ed electricity bills.
What we’ve been reading
New York subway statistics don’t tell the full story of crime. (The Guardian)
The city’s grocery stores step up security as shoplifting increases. (Eyewitness News)
MoviePass is planning a summer relaunch. (Variety)
New York might be taking a dump on Big Sky Alabama again — with a “poop train”. (WVTM)
Exploring Thomas Edison’s electric influence on New York — did you know his first patent in 1869 was for an electric vote recorder? (Untapped New York)
Freeze Frame
We spotted these folks gathered on W55th Street this week for a warming bowl of soup. Seinfeld fans will be familiar with this spot. The Soup Nazi episode was based on Al Yeganeh, the owner of Soup Kitchen. It’s fabled that any references to Seinfeld are forbidden in any Soup Kitchen. After the episode’s airing, cast members and writers from the show visited the restaurant and Yeganeh claimed that the show had ruined his life, yelling at them “No soup for you!” and throwing them out.
Thank you for your readership. If you can support our ongoing work to keep Hell’s Kitchen connected, updated and upbeat in 2022 — please hit the button below.