W42ST Daily 3/22/2020 - Hell's Kitchen from 6 feet

I biked Hell’s Kitchen yesterday. Well, at least the blocks from W59th St down to W42nd St – I ran out of time. There were so many friends, so many businesses trying to make sense of this situation, so many conversations, so much outpouring of love for neighbors. I was tired, but full of adrenalin by the end of it (or maybe that was the combo of free pizza, oatmeal, cookies, coffee, poke, and face masks!).

I visited over 30 businesses – we had deep conversations, but kept our distance. We operated at six feet. It was strange. The connection was still there though.

I found business owners who told me this would be their last opening for a while. They all said they would be back. They are fighters, they will be. Watch the video of Lili Fable at Poseidon Bakery. They closed their shutters last night – but they have been here for 96 years and she intends to be back to make it 100.

There are similar messages from Steve at West Bank Cafe, Ray at Red Poke, Michael from Delphinium Home, Bryan and Gabriel at Fresh from Hell, and Red at RedInk Tattoo. We will bring you those messages over the next week (as we work out publishing this video en masse).

However, I have GOOD news to bring you. There’s still an array of businesses out there that are open and ready to keep Hell’s Kitchen fed and watered.

Charlie Marshall has created a brand new pizza at The Marshal. He’s excited – and as he experiments to make it even better, he’s been giving his test pizzas to local charities. I found him out walking the streets delivering them – while still practicing social distancing.

If you fancy a traditional slice, Sacco Pizza is still open on 9th Ave. Peter is there and ready to feed you.

Schmackary’s is open 10-10 and producing their fabulous cookie goodness. Andreas is a charming host, bringing a smile to every visitor.

Treadwell Park and Anejo are doing curbside service. You can get a margarita to take home as well as great food. Listen to Ricky, and Keja’s energy and warmth is infectious (but not infecting!)

And family-run Tulcingo Del Valle is producing wholesome Mexican food. Irmar and Jesus, the owners, are charming – support them (you know you don’t want to cook at home every night).

We will be publishing more videos over the next few days. Keep reading – and please tell your friends to subscribe to our daily newsletter to keep updated and upbeat in Hell’s Kitchen.

As you know, in Hell’s Kitchen many bars, restaurants, nail parlors, barbers, hairdressers, gyms, and other businesses have been forced to close. This is putting many (waiters, bartenders, cooks, hairdressers, trainers, beauticians, etc) out of work and that means no income for the foreseeable future.

We’ve brought together a list of these heroes with their Venmo details. If you are coming through this crisis with an income and the ability to make small gestures of support, please do send a tip with love from you and W42ST. With a HT to Jeb Banner from Indy for the idea.

If you are Hell’s Kitchen service worker and would like to be added to this list. Please go to this form and add your details. We will refresh the list daily.

Bye for now. Keep safe, keep smiling – and keep emailing us with ideas (or just to say hello!)