With so many closures of late, the
Daily News files a story titled
"In New York's tough restaurant marketplace, some fave places are on the endangered list."
The paper's list of five includes three in these parts — The Hat/El Sombrero, Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery and the Stage.
The Hat's situation has been well-covered
here ... and
here. The Ludlow Street classic remains open for now.
Meanwhile, Ellen Anistratov, the owner of Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery on East Houston, insists that she would like to expand the small knishery that opened in 1910. Still, she admits that business has been off. Per the
News:
"In 2012, the city cut off two lanes of Houston St. for construction. Since most of Schimmel's customers now come from outside Manhattan, business tanked, and Anistratov feared she might have to shutter. For now, fanatical followers are keeping it afloat."
Finally, there's EVG favorite the Stage Restaurant on Second Avenue. There has been concern here since
news broke that Icon Realty, not exactly known for
appreciating preservation and EV institutions, bought the building that houses the Stage. We hear that there's five-plus years left on the lease.
Stage owner Roman Diakun told the
News: "I haven't had discussions with the new owners. I haven't even seen them. I just keep sending checks." Business, he says, "has been OK, but a little tough. The Polish and Ukrainian people are mostly gone, and their kids left."
Recently, a rumor surfaced that John's Pizzeria in the Village was closing. Fortunately, that's
not the case. But
as Jeremiah Moss put it last week: "[I]t's a good reminder to take the time to
enjoy the authentic New York places we still have. We know now that anything can vanish, no matter how successful and revered, at any time."
Previously on EV Grieve:
An appreciation: Breakfast at Stage
Troubling talk about 128 Second Ave, and the long-term future of the Stage
128 Second Ave. has been sold
An appreciation: Yonah Schimmel's dumbwaiter