As previously reported, Sammy's was looking to open in a new home at 191 Orchard St. between Houston and Stanton.
CB3's SLA committee signed off on the application, though with some debate on the language in the stipulations. Prior to last night's virtual meeting, owner David Zimmerman met with the local community group L.E.S. Dwellers and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. The main sticking point: dinner seating in the outdoor garden behind the restaurant. Zimmerman has agreed not to use the outdoor space for any service.
Neighbors/residents also agreed to the method of operation, which will be similar to its old basement space on Chrystie Street, including the services of a lounge singer on keyboards.
In addition, based on the day of the week, there were different proposed closing times, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The new Sammy's will close nightly at 12:30 a.m.
After the unanimous approval, Zimmerman, who was on the Zoom meeting, flashed a Famous Sammy's T-shirt, stating, "We are all proud."
By the way, the new outpost will sell Sammy's merch.
Sammy's closed in early January 2021 after 45-plus years of serving up ice-encased vodka, smeared pitchers of schmaltz and enormous platters of meat from the lower level at 151 Chrystie St. between Delancey and Rivington.
The restaurant had been shuttered since the PAUSE of March 2020, and this wasn't a business ready-made for delivery or outdoor dining.
In an Instagram post at the time, Zimmerman left the door open for a return.
And now it's happening, though no word on an opening date. The space has been vacant for nine years, and needs a lot of work to bring it into service.
A welcome addition to our neighborhood!
ReplyDeleteWell this a fantastic and pleasant surprise. Feels like we’re marching toward a lot more occupancy across vacant spaces generally!
ReplyDeleteKudos to the neighbors, the LES Dwellers and Sammy’s. It was clear to the neighbors that Sammy’s was not a push in, cash out operation as so many bars were. Hey, there’s no bar at all! Why the SLA committee did not include the agreed on stipulations in their approval is a mystery. Hopefully it will be resolved.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so hard for anyone to open a restaurant nowadays, let alone reopen a restaurant that has been established and well known. Good luck though Sammys has been missed, especially by those who have grown up in the EV.
ReplyDeleteOn the restaurant category, does anyone know why all those korean hotdog places all seemed to have closed in the neighborhood?
ReplyDeleteSammy's is such a truly unique and incredibly fun restaurant... welcome back! When restaurant owners work with the neighborhood they serve to come to a mutual agreement on their method of operation -- everyone wins!
ReplyDeleteHere's to another 45+ years of schmaltz at Sammy's!
I'm so happy that they're coming back
ReplyDeleteI proposed to my now wife at Sammy’s.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lord!
ReplyDeleteGreat news. My first time there was with my Dad 60 years ago and although I’m a Chicagoan I always made a point of going at least once or twice a year. Now for the big question. Will Danny Love be returning? I really hope so.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what Sammy’s would be without him. He IS Sammy’s.
DeleteYES YES YES YES YES BRING BACK SAMMY’S!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you can still walk in. It sounds like the way they ran things on the Jewish holidays. Communal seating would be unacceptable. Six tables for sixty six guests sounds weird. Two seatings per night ? I use to go to Sammy’s when I got the urge. Not with a reservation.
ReplyDelete