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CARNEGIE HILLnews
CARNEGIE HILLneighbors Because it’s our home Spring 2021 / Vol. 42 / Nº 1
THIS ISSUE
HIGHLIGHTS
CARNEGIE HILL
SMALL
BUSINESSES
2 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021
news
CARNEGIE HILL
COVER PHOTO AND PHOTO AT LEFT: SUSAN HOEHN
SPRING 2021
3 Dear Neighbors
CHN UpFront
4
Activities and Updates
List of Advertisers
6 Major Contributors
SPRING BLOSSOMS
7
PROMISE A
CHN Candidates Forum
by Joanna Cawley
8 On Museum Mile
by Bo Niles
RESURGENT 2021
10 Streetscape
Pocket Park, New Trees
by Joanna Cawley
12 Carnegie Hill Profile:
Roger Clark Dear Neighbors,
W
by Lenny Golay
14 CHN Virtual Benefit
ith more and more people getting vaccinated, our streets are rebounding, as are our
by Sarah Bramwell & shops and restaurants. We welcome back those of you who have returned after
Trish Preston choosing to weather the Covid storm away from the city.
16
In this issue we celebrate our small businesses, and relate their stories of how they
Restaurants and Covid
by Li Wen
managed the pandemic shutdowns. The writer who covered the restaurants during Covid called
her article “Uplifting Stories,” and indeed they are. The perseverance of our local shops
18 Landmark Land
these last 15 months has made us even more appreciative of our dedicated neighborhood.
by Lo van der Valk
CHN survived its challenging 50th year with flying colors. Despite the pandemic, our
20 Safe Neighborhood staff continued working through 2020 and ended the year with our first-ever virtual benefit
by Joanna Cawley in December. This successful, unique event can be enjoyed on our website. You can read
22 Merchant Profiles more about our 2021 activities throughout these pages. We are especially pleased to host a
by Elizabeth Robertson virtual City Council District 5 Candidates Forum on May 25. See details on page 7.
Although the CHN office now welcomes visitors (with Covid precautions), we
23 Persevering Shops
continue to participate in virtual meetings with other organizations, government agencies,
by Elizabeth Robertson
and our own board of directors. We look forward to the day when we can sit across the
24 Neighborhood Authors table and discuss issues, plans, and achievements eye-to-eye.
by Lenny Golay
If you received this newsletter in the mail, you are a member. We thank you and
25 Cooking Through Covid kindly remind you that we depend on your annual contribution. The last pages appeal to Carnegie
by Sarah Bramwell Hill residents who are not already members to join CHN. Please see more on page 31.
26 Shop Talk
by Samantha Fremont-Smith
28 Tree Care
Editor in Chief
by Julia Bradford
30 Timeline: Corner Bookstore
CARNEGIE HILL NEIGHBORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
31 CHN Membership Suzie Aijala • Irene E. Aldridge • Sarah M. Bramwell • Heather Brandes • Jenifer Brooks •
Barbara Coffey* • Samantha Fremont-Smith* • Jennifer Garrett • Mark L. Goldsmith* •
Susan Gottridge* • Anne Haubenstricker • Diane E. Jaffee • Jurate Kazickas • Linda Kurtz •
Editor in Chief: Barbara Coffey Nicole Nunag Mellody • Virginia B. Pitman • Patricia Preston* • Molly Rand • Kevin Roe •
Graphic Designer: Cynthia MacGrath April Shelton • David J. Stoll* • George Stonbely* • Lo van der Valk*
Lead Photographer: Susan Hoehn * Executive Committee
Editors: Sarah Bramwell, EMERITUS: David C. Balderston • Cynthia MacGrath • Ronald Spencer
Sam Fremont-Smith, Lenny Golay,
Ann Levin, Bo Niles CARNEGIE HILL NEIGHBORS IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, LANDSCAPING THE MALLS,
ENHANCING STREETSCAPES, CARING FOR TREES, NETWORKING WITH BUILDINGS, AND PROVIDING SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDANCE.
CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 3
CHN
UPFRONT by Joanna Cawley
BRILLIANT MALLS COME TO
IT’S MY PARK DAY
DESPITE CHALLENGES CHN will be partaking in this
annual event, sponsored by NYC
Parks, on Saturday, May 22.
Plan to join us at Park Avenue
T
and 96th Street as we get our
own garden park in tip-top
his spring, the Park shape. As 2020 demonstrated,
Avenue malls were in parks and green spaces are more
full bloom with a chic important than ever, providing
Dutch tulip varietal, much needed access to nature,
Templar Orange. outdoor space for exercise, and
In late May, flowering a general change of scene.
red dragon begonias Check our website for hours.
will enhance the malls
until late fall.
Even though
the malls convey the
air of easy elegance,
there is nothing easy
about maintaining the more than half mile of grass lawns and flowerbeds that are under
constant assault from car exhaust, salt and snow melt, litterbugs, and pet owners who use the
lawns as a canine comfort station. As the organization that initiated landscaping on the malls
41 years ago, we implore our public to please respect the malls and help us maintain them for
all to enjoy. The open green space is for your viewing pleasure.
THANK YOU PARK 1040 1075 1120 1160 1199 49 East 86th St.
SUSAN HOEHN
AVENUE BUILDINGS 1049 1088 1125 1165 1220 64 East 86th St.
1050 1100 1130 1172 1230 120 East 87th St.
AND FRIENDS FOR 1060 1105 1133 1175 1235 130 East 94th St.
YOUR SUPPORT 1065 1110 1150 1185 The Brick Presbyterian
1070 1111 1155 1192 Church
CHN ENHANCED BY COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND INTERNS
O
ur outreach and internship programs play a central role in how we, a more than 50-year-old
organization in service to Carnegie Hill, positively influence our community.
Outreach in the first half of 2021 includes local shopping events, walking tours,
lectures on fire safety, and environmental seminars to educate townhouse owners and resident
building managers on humane pest management. As the weather warms up, CHN hosts monthly
neighborhood outings that include street tree pruning, garden cleanups, as well as repainting and
refinishing street furniture and park benches.
Our internship programs continue to bear fruit with the promising young minds who come
to CHN to gain work experience and fulfill community-service requirements. Our internship partner,
Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO), based in East Harlem, provides CHN with interns, who
tackle everything from administrative duties to sidewalk maintenance, and, if interested, receive
JOANNA CAWLEY
horticultural training. CHN also welcomes volunteers and local high school interns, who take on
the balance of administrative duties, neighborhood deliveries, and small business data collection.
CHN is especially grateful to Carnegie Hill neighbor Scrip Gonzalez (pictured right), the
architect behind CHN’s new filing system and archive of important CHN historical documents.
4 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021
CARNEGIE HILL NEIGHBORS STAFF
NEW
PROGRAMMING
MANAGER Lo van der Valk, President
JOINS CHN Joanna Cawley, Executive Director
Nina Whiting, Membership Manager
Eduardo Duarte Ruas, Program Manager
Call: 212-996-5520
email: info@chneighbors.org
CHN ONLINE TWITTER@
Join the social network of CHNEIGHBORSNY
Carnegie Hill Neighbors.
INSTAGRAM@
I
Catch the latest CHN
activities and events. Check CARNEGIEHILLNEIGHBORS
n early April, CHN welcomed Eduardo Duarte Ruas, out Carnegie Hill Neighbors on
an engaging young man with many skills to contribute to our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. FACEBOOK@
Visit chneighbors.org. CARNEGIEHILLNEIGHBORS
active office. His duties include managing the CHN
programs that are self-funded—Park Avenue Malls, Security/
Patrol Car, and newsletter advertising. Besides his training and
experience in accounting, he brings graphic design talent TO JOIN CARNEGIE HILL NEIGHBORS
and an appreciation for historic preservation. OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Eduardo was born and raised in Brasilia and received a scan the QR Code, go to our website,
B.A. in architecture and urban planning from the University of or use the envelope on page 31.
Brasília and another degree from the Higher Technical School of
Architecture in Granada, Spain. In 2018, he came to New York
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
and earned an M.S. in historic preservation from Pratt Institute.
When asked how he developed an interest in preservation when Page Page
Brasilia is one of the most modern cities in the world, he Brick Presbyterian Church 15 Ginette Jewlers NYC 9
responded that the city was designed from the beginning to be Brosnan Risk Consultants 21 Gumley Haft 21
historically preserved. He admires the efforts of CHN to preserve Carnegie Hill Village 11 Holly Hunt, Corcoran 13
Carnegie Hill and likes to walk our streets with the CHN Collina Italiana 25 Jois Hair Studio 27
Architectural Guide in hand. Besides architecture, Eduardo is Carousel of Languages 2 King Education LLC 11
Corcoran 2 Kleier Residential 15
also interested in music—mostly classical, Latin, and American
Early Childhood Development 27 Lane Farms Market 13
jazz. Eduardo has already become our on site technician.
E. B. Cohen & Associates 11 Mind Your Body Pilates 27
Eli Zabar – Bar ‘91 31 Lee Perry – Handyman 27
Eli Zabar – NoGlu 31 Diana Rice/Sotheby’s Int.l 15
JMcLAUGHLIN SHOPPING DAY BENEFITS CHN Patricia Ellis – Douglas Elliman 14 S. Feldman Housewares 13
Michele Epstein, Language Tutor 27 Table d’Hote 27
Just in time for Mother’s Day,
Fitch Group 14 Urban Garden Center 27
J.McLaughlin offered to donate
15 percent of their sales made on
CALL CITY OFFICIALS FOR HELP (212)
May 5 to CHN. The thoughtful
gesture was a grand success. Carolyn Maloney, U.S. Congress 860-0606 repcmaloney@mail.house.gov
We thank the McLaughlins for Liz Krueger, State Senate 490-9535 liz@lizkrueger.com
their continuing support. Dan Quart, State Assembly 605-0937 dquart@assembly.state.ny.us
Rebecca Seawright, State Assembly 288-4607 seawrightr@assembly.state.ny.us
Keith Powers, City Council 818-0580 Kpowers@council.nyc.gov
RAT ACADEMY RETURNS VIRTUALLY TO CARNEGIE HILL
Ben Kallos, City Council 860-1950 BKallos@council.nyc.ny.us
The virtual Rat Academy presentation on Gale Brewer, Borough President 669-8300 bp@manhattanbp.org
May 6 was well attended. Previously CHN
hosted an in-person Rat Academy at
St. Francis de Sales. The commentators
I Will Brightbill, Community Bd. 8
George Sarkissian, Community Bd. 11
Rich Stein, Landmarks (LPC)
758-4340
831-8929
669-7923
info@cb8m.org
info@cb11m.org
richstein@lpc.nyc.gov
Police, 19th Precinct 452-0600 fax: 452-0652
offered helpful tips on how to seal cracks,
fix leaks, and deprive rats and other pests
of food, water, and shelter.
NY Police, 23rd Precinct (above 96th St.) 860-6411
CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 5
CHN MAJOR
DONORS
MANY THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTORS
CARNEGIE CIRCLE
The Carroll Petrie Foundation Jane & Charles Klein
Kenneth & Kathryn Chenault Angela & William Haines Martin & Kane Nussbaum Lawrence Leighton
Anne Nickel Curtin & Tony & Anna Hass Ken & Carolyn Ottenbreit Patricia & Herbert Lessow
Tom Brandenburger Anne & Tom Haubenstricker Marnie Pillsbury Paul Levy
Robert & Dolores Freidenrich Bill & Sarah Hyman Molly & William Rand David Long & Nila Long
Sam & Matthew Joseph Korff William Regner & Christine & Richard Mack
Fremont-Smith Linda & Glenn Kurtz Jennifer Burleigh Andrew Marquardt
Judith Gibbons & Joan Leiman Anastasia Saltarelli Kevin & Cara McCaffrey
Francesco Scattone Cynthia MacGrath Adam & Mary Shepard Joan McClure &
George Hambrecht & Claire & Cornelius Marx Jay Sherwood Michael Schler
Andrea Fahnestock Sue & Eugene Mercy Jr. Michael Shulman Bill & Warren Miller
Robert Desnick & Nicole Nunag Mellody Michael P. Smith John & Hee Jung Moon
Julie Herzig-Desnick Virginia Bradley Pitman Barbara Snow Christine Moson
Diane E. Jaffee & Susan & Elihu Rose Maria Vecchiotti Felinda Mottino &
David O'Brien Mr. & Mrs. William C. Scott Joe & Mikel Witte John Alexander
Sim & Lisa Johnston Pamela Seymon & Ronda & Alan Zients Nina Neivens
Jurate Kazickas & Robert Schumer Ned & Amanda Offit
Roger C. Altman Mark & April Shelton Margaret Richards
Sandra Earl Mintz Paul Sperry & SUPPORTERS Patricia Riley
John & Trish Preston Beatrice Mitchell Robert & Lisa Abel Alfred & Jane Ross
Elihu & Elizabeth Robertson Judy Steinhardt Jay & Dena Bock Allison Saxe
David J. Stoll Christine & George Stonbely Julia Bradford & Cynthia & Thomas P. Sculco
Monica & Douglas Taylor Greg & Leslie Warner Charles Warner Dhiren & Katie Shah
Anonymous Mary & Jay Wilberding-Hobart Michael Burlant & Frances Shannon
Charles & Meryl Witmer Elisabeth Etling-Burlant Jennifer Sheehan
Jonathan Weiss & Barbara Asch Stockard Channing Richard & Barbara Solomon
LEADERS Susan Zirinsky & Jennifer Christman & Greg Spano
Enid Nemy / The Dorothy Joe Peyronnin Jay Cohen Robert Surdam & Patricia Ellis
Strelsin Foundation Abraham Cohen Jon Thiel
Richard & Diana Beattie Sara & Lewis G. Cole Theresa S. Thompson
Philip & Heather Brandes BENEFACTORS Ann Colley Charlotte Van Doren
Leslie Carroll Stuart S. Applebaum Richard & Christina Davis John B. Vermylen
Michael Gordon James & Veronica Baker Marie de Lucia Martha & Alex Wallau
Sue & Malcolm Knapp Karin & Henry Barkhorn Christina & Laurent de Marval Bonnie Lane Webber
Gillian & Eduardo Mestre Fredrick & Jutta Benenson Thomas & Michelle Dewey Adam Palmer Yaari
Anthony & Susan Roberts Inge & Lester Brafman Maureen & David Egen Ravi & Suzanne Yadav
Larry & Wendy Rockefeller Barbara & Michael Calabrese Ellen Flamm & Eli Zabar &
Kevin Roe & Mary Carpenter Richard Peterson Devon S. Fredericks
Christina von Riesenfelder David & Dena Clossey Jacqueline Garrett
Marilyn & James Simons Barbara & John Coffey Juliann Gautam
Lo van der Valk Edward Dewees & Julia Blaut Gerald & Nancy Gehman
Susan S. & Kenneth L. Wallach Judy & Richard Feldstein Michael George
Ronald & Vicki Weiner Johnson & Jenny Garrett Brooke Gomez
The Malcolm Gibbs Foundation Donald Goodson
John Golden Barbara & Henry Gooss
PATRONS Katherine Goldsmith Anne & Ray Groves
Irene Aldridge & Arthur Goldstone Thomas & Bryanne Hamill
Steven Krawciw Lisa & Rob Guida Carol Dies &
Anne & Guillaume Bebear Dennis Herman Robert Hamilton
Sarah & Austin W. Bramwell Mr. & Mrs. Reinaldo Herrera Chris & Courtney Hardart
Jenifer Brooks & Bruce Thorpe Gerald & Jane Katcher John & Paula Hornbostel
Margaret Chi Joy & Benno Kimmelman Ayn-Whang Hsia
Marc & Sheri Feigen Steven & Jill Lampe Ed Hyman
Mr. Peter Friedland Della & John Leathers Patricia Hynes & Roy Reardon
Elliot & Barbara Gewirtz Margot & Mitch Milias Anne & William Jacobi
Mark & Arlene Goldsmith Wayne & Lisa Miller Richard & Virginia Keim
SUSAN HOEHN
Susan & Marc Gottridge Gina & Allan Morehead Martin & Allegra Kelly
Walter Nollman & Maureen Carr Clarke & Elizabeth Keough LIST AS OF APRIL 30
6 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021
by Joanna Cawley CHN
ACTIVITIES
Tuesday, May 25, 4:00 p.m.: CHN co-sponsors a virtual
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 CANDIDATES FORUM
W
hat’s at stake for Carnegie Hill on Primary Day, June 22? A lot. Carnegie Hill
Council Member Ben Kallos must vacate his District 5 seat, and CHN, along with the
organizations listed below, are sponsoring a virtual District 5 Candidates Forum.
It will be moderated by Roger Clark and feature all the candidates, who will be together in one place
to discuss and debate solutions to the many challenges facing our neighborhood and city.
Due to term limits, a whopping 35 of the 51 City Council seats will turn over, spurring many
ROGER CLARK, community and citywide groups to deliberate on the issues. Topics of conversation will include the
NY1 news reporter
importance of preserving our historic districts, the threat of overdevelopment districtwide, and
and Carnegie Hill resident,
will moderate the debate. the necessity of essential services to maintain the quality of life in Carnegie Hill.
Every candidate running to fill Ben Kallos’s seat says recovery is central to their platform. With
seven contenders, similar themes appear, although each has a hallmark position and merits review.
MEET THE CANDIDATES LIVE.
REGISTER AT CHNDISTRICT5FORUM.EVENTBRITE.COM.
BILLY FREELAND REBECCA LAMORTE JULIE MENIN KIM MOSCARITOLO
is a lawyer and Community Board is a union member, labor advo- has held three city commissioner is a journalist, activist, and
8 secretary. His platform includes cate, and disabled New Yorker, positions and is an attorney and Democratic district leader
sanitation and small business with platforms for disability, a Columbia University adjunct committed to saving small busi-
plans, affordable housing, and housing, economic recovery, professor. She asserts we need nesses through her organization
homeless services strategies. and racial justice. strong, experienced leadership. Yorkville Buy Local.
TRICIA SHIMAMURA CHRISTOPHER SOSA MARCO TAMAYO
is a social worker and first vice- is a former Democratic New York is an architect interested in
chair of Community Board 8. She State Senate aide, nonprofit sensitive, contextual land use and
is a housing, parks, seniors, and professional, and journalist. He vows consistent zoning regulation to
small business advocate, running to bring courage, compassion, mitigate disparities and create a
for a just and affordable New York. and community to City Hall. more dynamic and vibrant city.
THIS EVENT IS CO-SPONSORED BY:
CARNEGIE HILLneighbors
CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 7
ON by Bo Niles
E
MUSEUM
ven as New York’s museums have begun reopening (albeit with reduced hours and timed
MILE tickets), they have also expanded their digital presence, offering online tours as well
as videos of artist talks and special events, plus workshops for adults and children. We
encourage you to scroll through museum websites to see what’s available. It is amazing!
SPRING
THE JEWISH MUSEUM
thejewishmuseum.org
Thursday – Monday
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Louise Bourgeois, Freud’s
Daughter. Long-term
psychoanalysis informed and
inspired this artist in multiple
AWAK
ways: through dream
recordings, process notes, and
ultimately her own art,
represented here by 40 seminal
works in various media.
Through September 21.
Online highlight: audio tour of
the museum with Director
Claudia Gould.
THE SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
guggenheim.org Thursday – Monday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; members-only on select Mondays 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Continuing: Knotted, Torn, Scattered: Sculpture after Abstract Expressionism; and Away from the Easel:
Jackson Pollock’s Mural, a deep dive into an appreciation of this work that preceded Pollock’s drip paintings.
Both through September 19. Online highlight: the Guggenheim course on Abstract Art.
8 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021
MUSEUM OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORK
mcny.org
Friday – Sunday
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Rising Tide: Visualizing
the Human Costs of the
Climate Crisis. Rising sea levels
affect us all. Dutch documentary photographer Kadir van Lohuizen
illustrates the dramatic consequences across the world through
photographs, video, drone images, and sound. Experience the effects
in Greenland, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Amsterdam,
Panama, Miami, and here in New York City. Through Deember 31.
Online highlight: Activist New York, the city’s history of activism.
AKENINGS
EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO
elmuseo.org Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Estamos Bien – La Trienal 20/21, formerly online only, this survey
of Latinx contemporary art features the work of 40 artists from the
U.S. and Puerto Rico. Through September 26.
Online highlight: A special Spotify playlist of over 100 songs selected
by curators and artists of the 20/21 exhibit; the playlist can also be
heard in the museum lobby.
STILL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
NEUE GALERIE, neuegalerie.org
COOPER HEWITT SMITHSONIAN DESIGN MUSEUM, cooperhewitt.org
CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 9
SUSAN HOEHN
STREET-
SCAPE
by Joanna Cawley
CARNEGIE HILL IS GREENER AND CLEANER
A s reported in the fall 2020 Carnegie Hill News, the little pocket park at the top of the
Park Avenue malls, between 96th and 97th streets, was gifted two Stewartia trees by
our malls landscaper, Anthony Bulfamante. Filling the empty space where two dead
trees were cut down, the young trees are now thriving and will provide a flash of
color, a subtle aroma, and dappled shade for those relaxing on the benches at the
south end of the park with a book, a sandwich, or a good friend for an afternoon chat.
Other upgrades to the little park include cleanup days and a replenished
perennial border at the innermost edge of the garden wall. The wall wends along a
New Stewartia trees are thriving.
wavy pattern of knee-high stonework, preventing the flowerbeds from being trampled
and providing extra seating in this peaceful space. Roger Chavannes removes
Quality of Life Manager Josephine Mazur monitors the tree beds in Carnegie Hill graffiti from public property.
and requests new trees from the city. Since October 2020, she has requested 69 trees,
resulting, so far, in 18 new trees planted in the late fall. She has been supported by our
District 4 City Council Member Keith Powers, who has requested 50 trees for
Carnegie Hill. It usually takes more than six months from request to a tree being
planted, but the future for Carnegie Hill sidewalks looks very promising.
Even though the city has been relatively quiet while enduring Covid precautions,
graffiti artists and sticker bandits went into overdrive with spray paint, viscous marker
tags, tape, and other hard-to-remove adhesives in our historic neighborhood. The CHN
graffiti removal team of Ms. Mazur and Roger Chavannes has been removing fliers
and tags on public property weekly.
Need we
remind
neighbors
not to
dump
trash in
JOANNA CAWLEY
tree beds?
Graffiti here. . . graffiti gone
10 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021For many older adults, "village"
communities such as ours provide an
alternative to leaving a current home
for a residential retirement community.
Covid-19 has brought special challenges to
our community, but we're proud of the way
our members have responded. Regular
"interest" groups have continued to meet
weekly via Zoom, augmented with online
lectures by members and friends on a range
of entertaining subjects. And small picnics
and dinners outdoors have brought
us together safely.
To learn more about Carnegie Hill
Village, visit our website or email us
at chv10128@gmail.com.
www.carnegiehillvillage.org
CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 11CARNEGIE
by Lenny Golay
HILL
PROFILE
ROGER CLARK REPORTS ON NYC
R oger Clark is that man with a twinkle in his voice, the voice
you hear mornings on television’s NY1, when he is doing
what he loves best—sharing his love for New York with
stories about New York City. Covering all five boroughs,
Roger is your man about town.
rarest of all New York
amenities, a backyard.
The place was fine for a
young couple, but when
their son Jack was on the
ROGER CLARK will be the
moderator for CHN’s City
Council District 5 Candidates
Forum on May 25. See page 7.
A lifelong New Yorker, Roger was born in the Bronx, way, it was time to look
then moved to Staten Island and later Queens. Following high for larger quarters.
school at Stuyvesant and college at Syracuse University, Roger loved the area and was happy to find a place
where he earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, close by in Carnegie Hill, where he has lived for the past ten
in 1989 he took a job at a radio station in Oneonta, N.Y., near years. He’s a walker and our architecture gives him a lot to
Cooperstown. After eight years, he moved on to his first love, look at. He feels the history of the area and relishes the quiet.
television, at a station in Wappinger Falls. Goat Hill is an especially favorite block for perambulating.
In 2001 a job opening in Staten Island with NY1 While his son was growing up, a favorite go-to spot for
brought Roger back to the city for an interview. NY1 was them was the pocket park at Park Avenue and 97th Street,
looking for someone who at least knew where Staten Island where they could watch the trains coming and going. Son
was. When Roger rattled off his credentials—his father lived Jack is now a student at Hunter Elementary School, but the
there, as did a cousin who was a detective, an uncle who was “choo-choos” still hold a thrill for Roger. Roger also delights
a firefighter, and another cousin who was a captain on the in our restaurants and mom-and-pop shops, three of which –
ferry—that clinched the job, and he moved to Staten Island. Yanz Leather Services, Jan’s Hobby Shop, and The Corner
Human interest stories that highlight the little something Bookstore—have all been the subject of his features for NY1.
Events like the Halloween Spooktacular
Roger playing drums with his Perp Walk trio block party on 92nd Street, with
extravagantly decorated houses, also
underscore for him what a special
neighborhood this is.
While TV journalism might be
his first love, no profile on Roger
would be complete without mention of
his second love, music. Roger has
been playing drums with a variety of
groups starting with his high school
band Early Jitters, followed by his
Syracuse University band The Slip.
Nowadays, when Roger is not
reporting for NY1 or walking around
our neighborhood, he can be found at
various watering holes playing drums
with his trio of bass, guitar, and drums
known as Perp Walk. Their venues
special he finds in people, places, and things are Roger’s have included Hank’s Saloon in Brooklyn and Desmond’s
forte. His features are generally short and sweet, but in 2015 Tavern and Otto’s Shrunken Head, both in Manhattan.
his reporting on NY1’s “How NYC Works,” a half-hour series He has also played the legendary, now sadly defunct, punk
that did an in-depth look at how everyday systems like the club CBGB.
sewer system, power grid, and recycling operations, actually A TV reporter and a punk rock drummer? You can’t get
work, garnered two Emmys for NY1. any more cosmopolitan than that. So when this New Yorker,
As his beat expanded to include all five boroughs, who has been East Side, West Side, and all around the town,
Roger left Staten Island and moved with his wife, Jenny, to a says Carnegie Hill is the best place in Manhattan to live,
ground-floor studio apartment in Yorkville that boasted that you better listen up!
12 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 13
CARNEGIE
by Trish Preston and Sarah Bramwell
HILL
ANNUAL
BENEFIT
CHN 2020 BENEFIT: A VIRTUAL SUCCESS
E even the Covid pandemic could not stop us from
celebrating Carnegie Hill Neighbors’ 50th anniversary!
On Tuesday, December 15, we held our first-ever virtual
benefit honoring Jurate Kazickas and Roger C. Altman
(pictured to the right with Lo van der Valk), who have 50
chn
19 7 0 - 2 0 2 0
been outstanding supporters of CHN for decades. The
hourlong program, hosted by co-chairs Trish Preston and
Sarah Bramwell (pictured above), took viewers behind
the scenes of CHN’s many programs and services. We
traveled back in time to learn about the origin of Carnegie
Hill Neighbors and the preservation battle that set us on
our 50-year course serving Carnegie Hill. We met our
neighborhood security team, visited the beautiful Park
Avenue malls, and saw graffiti removal in action. To view
the video presentation, go to our website, chneighbors.org
and select the tab CHN at 50.
The event featured a silent auction of items sourced from neighborhood businesses, Top: Co-chairs Trish Preston
and Sarah Bramwell toast
as well as a line-item benefit where attendees and supporters had the opportunity to contribute virtual Benefit viewers.
to a specific CHN program, such as Preservation, Beautification, or Security. We are so grateful
Above: Honored guests
to everyone who attended and supported our 50th anniversary event. It was a smashing success Roger C. Altman and
and put us on a promising path for the next 50 years. Jurate Kazikas are
Stay tuned for news on our 2021 Benefit! We are shooting for a hybrid event this fall. interviewed by CHN
President Lo van der Valk.
ROSES TO...
GOAT HILL NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION for coordinating
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR
the planting of daffodils in NEIGHBORHOOD
every tree bed on their block –
95th Street from Park to SMALL BUSINESSES
Lexington avenues – and
delighting all of Carnegie Hill.
14 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 15
C
LOCAL
RESTAU- arnegie Hill was one of the first neighborhoods in New York City to rebound after
the city was shut down more than one year ago. For this issue, we talked to a few
RANTS restaurant owners who made every effort to keep their restaurants open and
customers safe. We take pride in their resilience and are grateful that the outdoor
spaces are bringing joy to our neighborhood.
RESTAURANT OWNERS SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC:
Eli Zabar Sitting outside Bar 91 & Eli’s Essentials on Madison
owner of Avenue and 91st Street on a crisp, cold morning in
BAR 91 & ELI’S early spring, I was pleasantly surprised to feel the heat
ESSENTIALS radiating from overhead. It was warm thanks to the
insulated duct that ran from the store’s large indoor
heating system, a luxury in outdoor dining. “Outdoor seating is
most uplifting during Covid, it makes me feel we are in Paris,”
said Eli Zabar, a New York City legend. “It was remarkable and
uplifting to see people come out to enjoy dinner no matter what the
temperature. Even in the mid-20s, people still came and ate outside
every night,” he said. “Before Covid, nobody would eat outdoors
unless it was 60 degrees and sunny.” Because Eli’s business stayed
open throughout the pandemic, he was able to keep any employees
who wanted to continue working.
A year ago, many Carnegie Hill residents sought refuge
outside the city, but people have been returning since last summer
as they found our neighborhood to be relatively safe. “I am expect-
ing more people in Carnegie Hill this summer when more cultural
sites open,” Eli said. “We are having a renaissance here, a rebirth.”
Eli also brings music to the neighborhood; every Friday and
Saturday he has a jazz band that plays outside the restaurant from
5:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m.
Chris McLaughlin It has been a long ordeal getting
owner of through Covid’s darkest time. Over
ISLAND the past year, Chris adjusted Island’s
business concept eight times to meet
the city’s ever-changing restaurant policies.
“It requires a ton of agility and perseverance to
get through this,” Chris said. Last spring, after
closing down the restaurant for two months,
he hired and trained high school and college
students and graduates from the neighborhood
to help with answering phones, talking to cus-
tomers, and making deliveries. Restaurants
became a good way for students to interact with
people and gain experience when their summer
jobs got cancelled.
“I see a lot of loyalty. Neighbors want to
support restaurants, and customers are extraordi-
narily generous,” said Chris. “It is not uncommon to see a $50 tip on a home delivery.”
With more people vaccinated, residents are getting more comfortable sitting indoors. Chris is confident that
soon, business will be comparable to May of 2019. “People are cherishing social gatherings, and we see more parties
of threes or fours at the restaurant,” he said. He noted Covid has brought restaurant owners together as they now
often call each other to discuss new regulations and interpret new laws. “We help each other out a lot,” said Chris.
16 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021by Li Wen
Stefano Marracino of When asked about his responsibil-
PAOLA’S RESTAURANT ities at the restaurants, Stefano
and PAOLA’S OSTERIA
Marracino, son of Paola, the
SOME UPLIFTING STORIES matriarch of the iconic Carnegie
Hill Italian establishments, said he is the executive busboy and
dishwasher. While I was amused by his candor during my
hourlong conversation at Paola’s Osteria, I could see why this
family restaurant is so beloved of locals. Stefano answered calls
to confirm reservations, received deliveries, and greeted staff.
A customer who had been away for over a year popped in to say
hi and to ask if the former bartender was still there. Stefano
said yes and shouted out the customer’s favorite drink.
“Our community is the reason we are still here. People always want to help others. They
give back more than they receive from us,” said Stefano. During the worst days of Covid, locals
generously opened their pockets to support restaurant staff, and the landlord for the Osteria
reduced the rent substantially. Last summer, when the Hotel Wales reconstruction began, Paola’s
relocated to smaller space nearby on Lexington Avenue.
Stefano is passionate about using locally grown food in the restaurants. He sees food as a
common denominator to connect communities, to educate and empower people. For the past five
years, he has been involved in Green Heron Farm, a community-based cooperative farm in upstate
New York. Its goal is to become an educational farm while supplying produce to restaurants and
providing volunteer opportunities for adults and children. Said Stefano, “It’s all about people sharing.”
The restaurant education concept comes from Paola herself, who immigrated from Rome as a
teenager and founded Paola’s in 1983 on East 84th Street, moving to Carnegie Hill in 2009.
“She is a school teacher-turned-restaurant educator,” said Stefano. “Paola is everyone’s mom.”
Michel Mroue Vicolina was the first restaurant on Madison Avenue in
CEO/owner of Carnegie Hill to build an outdoor restaurant last summer.
VICOLINA and Strong financial support from some 30 Carnegie Hill
MERCATO residents enabled the restaurant and the adjacent Mercato
RUSTICO notes, “Our neighborhood is known for restaurants that serve
Market to meet the challenges of the pandemic. Michel
people who live in the area. Vicolina has become a destination for customers
who come from different neighborhoods. People come here for the experience.”
Michel has felt the support of the neighborhood so much that he is going to open
another place in July, his third eatery on the same block: Hiramasa, a high-end
Japanese omakase restaurant (a restaurant where the dishes are selected by the
chef), will be occupying the northwest corner of Madison Avenue and 92nd
Street. The chef comes from a famous two-star Michelin restaurant.
Lottie and Pascal This intimate, two-level French restaurant, named for
Bonhomme its chef and co-owners, has been serving Carnegie Hill
owners/chef of residents for 25 years. Its bond with neighbors has been
PASCALOU evident as the outdoor tables extending beyond the
storefront up and down the sidewalk are filled with
diners. “Customers are more accommodating. I get to know customers much
better as we are all on the street. Before, I didn’t have such close contact with
our neighbors,” said Lottie. “People want to be out to socialize, even carry on
conversations to the noise of a jackhammer,” she added. “People nowadays are
more community-oriented, they see people on the street, at the restaurant, and
they stop and talk. It is a great community-building time. We hope this spirit
will last well past the pandemic.”
CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 17by Lo van der Valk
LANDMARK
LAND
Carnegie Hill Jane’s Walk goes virtual
CELEBRATING OUR MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS
Below: Carnegie mansion with
south garden on 90th Street.
Right: Church of the Heavenly Rest
at 90th Street and Fifth Avenue;
Guggenheim Museum behind tree
at far right
STAN HONDA
Guggenheim
T
Museum with
a 25-foot wide
he annual walks in honor of the late urban activist Jane Jacobs, Carnegie’s lead in the sidewalk, un-
obstructed by
sponsored by the Municipal Art Society, resumed this spring as development of the
trees, allowing
virtual presentations. CHN led Jane’s Walks on May 4 and 8, Fifth Avenue land an extended
on streets near the Central Park Engineers’ Gate. The 45-minute swath between 90th view south
virtual format covered more territory for more attendees than and 92nd streets.
prior in-person events. Here are some highlights from the walks. In 1917, Carne-
LO VAN DER VALK
It is well known that Andrew Carnegie’s selection in 1898 gie also purchased
of 91st Street and Fifth Avenue for his retirement home at- the corner lot on the
tracted others of wealth to buy into the area, which came to be south side of 90th
known as Carnegie Hill, and build mansions designed by noted Street to prevent a
architects. What is less appreciated is the profound impact his tall apartment building from blocking the light to his mansion
purchase had on the immediate blocks of Fifth Avenue and and garden. His widow, Louise W. Carnegie, sold the lot to the
especially the 90th Street intersection. The west side of this congregation of Church of the Heavenly Rest, in 1926, specify-
intersection had long been an entrance to Central Park named ing height limits. The built church, clad in limestone combined
Engineers’ Gate. It connects Fifth Avenue with the park’s Loop style elements of neo-Gothic and Art Deco. Its low scale assured
Drive, bridle path and the reservoir surround, now the running all four corners of the Engineers’ Gate intersection would remain
track, and is also the highest point on Fifth Avenue. The special spacious and open to direct sunlight—creating a veritable
character of this intersection was further enhanced with Carnegie-Engineer’s Gate plaza. See video on CHN website.
1143 FIFTH AVENUE MAINTAINS LOW SCALE
A
bout five years ago a major debate took place before the Landmarks Preservation Commission
(LPC) over a proposed addition for 1143 Fifth Avenue, between 95th and 96th streets. The 1924
apartment building, was unique, measuring only 30 feet wide and only eight stories tall. This
unusually low height was the result of a brief period in the early 1920s when Fifth Avenue zoning height
limits were lowered. No major changes had been made in the building since it was built, except for a
recessed penthouse added in the 1990s.
The new owner, who sought to add five additional stories to make its roofline almost matching the
adjacent apartment buildings, hired an impressive team of architects and preservation consultants to
support the proposal. CHN organized a petition drive collecting more than 500 signed letters asking the
LO VAN DER VALK
LPC Chair not to approve the proposal. In the end we prevailed, and only one additional, recessed,
penthouse floor was permitted. Alterations are now nearing completion of this attractively renovated
building, whose original scale has been largely maintained.
18 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021CENTRAL PARK PERIMETER
SIDEWALKS RESTORED
A major repaving project started in mid-April
at 85th Street and Fifth Avenue and is moving
1230 MADISON REFLECTS CHANGES north. It involves replacing the hexagonal
C
tiles for the sidewalk and the cobblestone
onstruction of this new mid-block apart- paving on either side.
ment building on the westside of Madi-
son Avenue between 88th and 89th
streets is nearing completion. As we
have reported earlier, a group of neighbors
enlisted zoning consultant George Janes to advise
in the legal challenge to the additions planned for
the upper residential floors. The zoning for Madison
LO VAN DER VALK
Avenue is unique in that it requires a tapering
of the upper three or four floors of the building.
While certain points are still being argued,
significant changes to the top floors have already COALITION PURSUES NEW STRATEGY
been made. We are also now able to see the contours of the entire building, which FOR MARX BROTHERS PLAYGROUND
closely follows the original design by noted architect Robert A. M. Stern. Having lost the appeal at both lower courts,
it seemed pointless to continue the lawsuit. It
became clear to us that while representations
about the playground’s park status changed
during the review process through the various
TWO ISSUES PENDING AT 1083 FIFTH AVENUE city agencies, in the view of the judges such
L
reversals were irrelevant and only the final
ocated in the mid-block south of Mock-up of
proposed decision by the City Council mattered.
Church of the Heavenly Rest addition The Coalition is now focused on a key
between 89th and 90th streets, this requirement in the State act giving the play-
30-foot wide townhouse, originally built ground its development rights: namely the City,
in 1902, was part of the National Design before it can start construction, must either
Academy complex that was recently sold. create a replacement playground or make a
The townhouse will become a private park capital improvement with the same or
residence and is undergoing extensive greater market value as the Marx Brothers
alterations. Two issues have materialized. playground. Our Coalition attorney is seeking
One involves the owner’s wish to intro- clarification of where the City stands on this.
duce a front entrance space, set off by a
low wall, that would jut into the Fifth
CITY COUNCIL INTRODUCES TWO
Avenue sidewalk. This was opposed by MAJOR INITIATIVES
CHN and strongly rejected by Community Board 8 (CB8) in early 2020 and has
PLANNING TOGETHER: This proposal seeks
so far not been presented to the LPC for approval. A second, newer issue concerns
to institute a major city-wide land use plan-
an apparent mock-up for an elevator extension to service what appears to be a
ning framework to encourage greater growth
rooftop addition. Both additions will be significantly visible from Fifth Avenue and
in affordable housing and infrastructure and
Central Park. CHN and neighbors (with, we anticipate, CB8 support), feel these achieve greater social equity. Five-year plans
additions should not be approved at staff level, but should be decided by the LPC would be formulated for each of the 51 com-
Commissioners in a public hearing. munity board districts under the guidance
of an expanded planning unit in the Mayor’s
office. This proposal is highly controversial.
APPROVAL OF 3 EAST 89th STREET ENLARGEMENT FACES DELAYS See more on CHN website.
This was the main building of the National Design Academy complex. Its new DEVELOPMENT BONUSES FOR SUBWAY
owner is seeking a major renovation and expansion to accommodate the art IMPROVEMENTS: Buildings near subways
galleries for Salon 94. In addition to the already granted LPC approval, a special would provide funding for improvements
permit by the City Planning Commission is needed for required variances including such as elevators. In exchange, they would
exceeding height restrictions required for the “glass box” proposed for the roof receive development bonuses of up to 20
(by the architect Rafael Vinoly), which will include a penthouse apartment and percent, allowing them to build taller. But
rooftop mechanicals. That approval is pending. While CHN, CB8 and neighbors the resulting towers would rob others of
did object to the out-of-context glass box, this did not deter the LPC from light and air. This proposal also promises to
be controversial. See more on CHN website.
approving the project in June 2020.
CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 19SAFE by Joanna Cawley
NEIGHBOR-
Thank You
HOOD
SECURITY PATROL
SECURITY PREVAILS AS TOP PRIORITY PROGRAM SUPPORTERS
A
If your building is not listed
lthough many Carnegie Hill residents left particularly near among those below, please
our neighborhood at the start of the pan- subway entrances, ask your board to consider
demic last March, the CHN Security Patrol and one late-night participating. The cost is
continued canvassing our streets in full shift to deter early only $50 per apartment
force. Responsive to our community’s morning break-ins. unit per year. Call CHN at
212-996-5520 to arrange
shifting needs and member suggestions, CHN’s com-
for our team to tell your
the CHN patrol has implemented a number munity-centered
board and managing agent
of changes. As of January 2021, CHN approach to safety about our Security Program.
switched to an all-vehicle security patrol, does not stop with our patrol tours. CHN is
foregoing the foot patrol, and adding an the 19th Precinct’s Sector D/Carnegie Hill FIFTH AVENUE
overnight shift with new and extended community liaison. Our office enjoys ready 1056 1107 1133 1150
hours. The change to an all-vehicle tour access to Deputy Inspector Melissa Eger 1060 1115 1136 1158
facilitates a faster response time to specific (pictured above), who recently became 1067 1120 1140 1165
situations; the addition of an overnight head of the 19th Precinct, and her team of 1080 1125 1148 1170
shift with extended hours has increased Neighborhood Coordination Officers
CHN’s overall patrol time by 30 percent. (NCOs), who collaborate with CHN on MADISON AVENUE
The weekday tours utilize two eight- everything from cleanup days, to Build- 1261
hour shifts, one during the day to cover the-Block meetings that report on local PARK AVENUE
heavier student and pedestrian traffic, crime statistics every quarter. 1040 1082 1130 1175
1045 1088 1133 1185
1049 1095 1150 1192
1050 1100 1155 1199
1065 1105 1160 1220
1070 1111 1165 1230
1075 1125 1172
LEXINGTON AVENUE
Neighborhood 1435
Coordination
Officers EAST 86th STREET
for Sector D 25, 49, 55
Daniel Pardo EAST 87th STREET
and Lori Murray 21, 47 115, 120, 153
EAST 88th STREET 2, 4, 5,
19, 40, 47, 60, 111, 121-123
EAST 89th STREET
CHN Security
17, 45, 50
Guard Joanna
EAST 90th STREET
Joseph-Pierre
14, 21, 51, 115
EAST 91st STREET 15
EAST 92nd STREET 46
EAST 93rd STREET
55, 125, 134, 155
EAST 94th STREET 64
EAST 95th STREET
NINA WHITING
3, 4, 17, 19, 27
EAST 96th STREET
8, 9, 16, 17, 60, 70
CARNEGIE HILL NEIGHBORS SECURITY PATROL, 365 DAYS A YEAR
Patrol Car: Day shift daily 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Night shift: Monday to Friday, 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
20 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021RELIABLE PROTECTION WITH BROSNAN®
Providing technology-driven risk mitigation services to New Yorkers 24/7.
800-590-2180 | BROSNANRISK.COM
CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 21MERCHANT by Elizabeth Robertson
PROFILES
Carnegie Hill’s long-term retail core remains strong
WORKS GALLERY AND PALACE SHOE REPAIR
T wo shops on Madison Avenue have served the Carnegie They melt down gold and silver. This is a place to shop for
Hill neighborhood for over 35 years. Both closed for five engagement rings. They work closely with artists who can
months last March and reopened their doors last summer design custom jewelry. As Sheryl notes, “Not a day goes by
with cautious optimism about the future. that someone doesn’t stop by to say, ‘I’ve never been in before,’
or ‘I never noticed this shop.’” The visit is well worth it!
Located to the north on Madison between 97th
and 98th streets is PALACE SHOE REPAIR,
a friendly and inviting shop. Its narrow shopfront on
the west side of the Avenue is easy to overlook on a
block of busy restaurants and delis. Gregor, who works
behind the counter surrounded by shoes and shoe
accessories, has been overseeing the shop for four
years. The owner has been in the neighborhood for
45 years and on Madison Avenue for 35.
ALL PHOTOS: SUSAN HOEHN
The shop closed in March and reopened in July,
but Gregor has not noticed a return of customers.
However, business started to slow well before the
pandemic. Why? “Sneakers. No one wears nice shoes.
It’s all rubber soles.” Gone are the heels, lifts, and sole
replacements. Gregor pointed to a wall of shoes that
The founder and owner of WORKS GALLERY, at
1250 Madison Avenue between 89th and 90th streets, Frank
Pereira, along with his associate, Sheryl Miller, are passionate
about their carefully selected inventory of jewelry, ceramics,
glassware, artwork, and watches, and delight in sharing their
enthusiasm about the art and artists with all visitors. Frank
had a thriving business in Southampton and was encouraged
by friends and customers to open his NYC branch in Carnegie
Hill. Over the past three decades, he has cultivated a loyal
clientele in the neighborhood.
Frank and Sheryl had lots to share about the past year,
including praise for their landlord, who was willing to work
with them to help the shop through the many months that it
was closed. While it was closed, Frank continued to work,
maintaining contacts with artists and connecting with clients.
Business has bounced back; however, customer traffic has not
returned to pre-pandemic levels. Frank observed, “It was customers have simply abandoned, some with tickets over
quiet in the summer. No one was around! It was busy before three years old. He knows the neighborhood well and notes
Thanksgiving, but the holidays were slow. Things are busier that it is always busy because of Mt. Sinai. Gregor is happy
now than they were at the holidays.” He notices that people to repair all leather goods—belts, jackets, handbags—but he
seem to be returning to Carnegie Hill, and while his business wishes a return to when people dressed in shoes and heels to
has not suffered because of the decrease in tourist traffic, the go to work!
closing of the Hotel Wales has meant the loss of some repeat The pandemic accelerated a decline in retail that was
customers. evident well before last March, with empty store fronts
One thing is clear—even if you browse at Works, it is becoming a common site along the city’s avenues. Standing
not apparent how many services the store offers its customers. firm against this trend, Carnegie Hill’s retail core has re-
Old bracelets and necklaces? Frank and Sheryl can refurbish mained strong—a tribute to close ties between shops, shop
or convert them into something new. They repair watches. owners, and neighborhood residents.
22 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021by Elizabeth Robertson LOCAL
BUSINESSES
PERSEVERING IN THE PANDEMIC
LAILA’S FLORIST, 1264 Madison Avenue
“Thank goodness for apartment buildings and their street planters,” says Evan of Laila’s Florist.
Last spring, the shop saw the core of their traffic plummet by 80 percent; supplying arrangements
to schools, churches, and special events came to a halt. Evan credits three major reasons for why
the florist was able to stay afloat: the landlord, who worked with the florist and reduced rents by
30 percent; the apartment buildings for which they supplied lobby flowers and managed their outdoor
beds; and a healthy reserve. This 15-year-old Carnegie Hill business reports that business is back,
but at 50 percent of pre-pandemic levels. What is missing is the event business. The pandemic has
changed the business model somewhat: The focus has changed to building relationships with the
apartment buildings in the area, capitalizing on what sustained the business through the pandemic.
SUCCESS FITNESS, 62 East 88th Street
Founder Santiago McCarthy says that what was key last year was “planning, planning,
planning,” rather than adopting an attitude of “wait and see.” After closing his studio located
within H&D Physical Therapy, Santiago went digital, capitalizing on his already existing online
training business. His clients moved online with him.
Now, with the reopening of the studio, clients have returned, but Santiago believes that the
best business model is a hybrid. His clients enjoy the flexibility of training within their homes, and
Santiago has spent the resources necessary to develop his online product to meet his clients’ needs.
H&D Physical Therapy’s plans also had an impact on Santiago’s business. The pandemic forced
H&D to close another studio and consolidate operations at 88th Street. As a result, the Success Fitness
Studio is only open three days a week, rather than six. The reduction in days fits well with the
hybrid model, but what if clients would like more time in the studio? Here the attitude of wait-and-
see seems appropriate given the past year. “We will revisit in September,” Santiago concludes.
VAL MORE SALON, 1323 Madison Avenue
Val More offers a wide range of services befitting an upscale hair salon and spa. When forced to
close last spring, Val, together with his brother Gabby and sister Abby, planned for a reopening of
the salon that would set the industry standard for quality, safety, and health. On June 23, 2020, Val More
reopened with an array of amenities on hand to meet the needs and concerns of returning clients.
What did this look like? Individual pods for hair cutting separated by plexiglass screens,
cleaning and sanitizing stations within each pod, and a separate studio for treatments with a state-
of-the-art air filter system, plus “al fresco” services for those who were concerned about indoor
spaces. Nonetheless, business has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, the salon has
not let any of its employees go. “We are a family, so we have worked with our people to ensure
that they know that they have a place with us,” says Abby. As the future unfolds, the salon will
build on its strong relationships with its clients and the neighborhood. As Abby concludes,
“We are deeply appreciative of the loyalty we have seen. Our clients have been so supportive,
and we are equally committed to them.”
THE CORNER BOOKSTORE, 1313 Madison Avenue
As a nonessential business, The Corner Bookstore had to close in March 2020. However, one
month later, it began a slow return to full service, when it was allowed to accept orders for
delivery. Chris, who lives nearby, ran the store single handedly, joined remotely by Nick,
who placed email orders with wholesalers, who in turn shipped books directly to customers.
Although it was closed, the bookstore maintained its staff on full salaries.
At the start of the pandemic, the bookstore replaced its monthly Calendar of Events of
readings with a monthly newsletter as well as guidance for placing online or phone orders.
Many customers also bought gift certificates. By summer, Nick and Robert were commuting
to the store, Nick running 45 minutes each way (and losing 30 pounds) and Robert riding
Citibikes. Their onsite presence enabled curbside pickup, then expanded in mid-August, when
up to three masked customers at a time were allowed in the store. (See more on page 30.)
CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021 I 23by Lenny Golay
LOCAL
AUTHORS
MORE THAN JUST BEACH READING
A cultural haven for museum goers in New York and
beyond, The Frick Collection holds masterpieces by
some of the most celebrated artists in the Western
tradition. With The Sleeve Should Be
Illegal & Other Reflections on
The relationship between Francis Drake and Elizabeth I
is the missing link in the rise of the British empire;
its importance has not been fully appreciated—
until now.Framed around Drake’s key explorations,
In Search of a Kingdom: Francis
Art at the Frick, published by Drake, Elizabeth I, and the Per-
MARY DELMONICO, and with a ilous Birth of the British Empire,
forward by ADAM GOPNIK, you can by LAURENCE BERGREEN, is a
explore the treasures of this museum swashbuckling, edge-of-your-seat
through the eyes of a diverse group of 61 adventure narrative set on the high seas,
contemporary writers, artists, and other featuring pirates, cannibals, mutinies,
cultural figures writing about an daring explorations, and gripping bat-
artwork that has personal significance. tles; it mingles wide-ranging historical
Each essay is accompanied by an themes with intimate passions.
illustration of the artwork.
Seven Voyages: How China’s
WILLIAM BOURNE grew up loving Treasure Fleet Conquered
baseball; as an adult, he traced the history the Sea, also by LAURENCE
of Minor League baseball, traveling BERGREEN, but in collaboration
to various baseball towns, mostly with his daughter, Sara Fray, is an
with his brother and son. Over a immaculately researched history
period of years, he traveled almost for young readers detailing the
36,000 miles via airplanes and rented life of Zheng He. For three
cars, seeing dozens of games in decades, in the fifteenth century,
22 states. In Not Just Baseball: he commanded 1,500 ships and
Traveling to Remote America, thousands of sailors in seven epic
he celebrates his love of baseball, voyages that would establish
family and America. China as a global power.
LISA LINDBLAD, of Lisa Lindblad Travel How do you get people to appreciate what is
Design, has been traveling since her early right in front of them? In The Tale of the
childhood. For the past 10 years, she has been Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable by
collecting and sending out monthly mailings BETTE MIDLER with photographs by Michiko
coupled with a meditation. Meditations on Travel, Kakutani, it takes a mysterious, beautiful duck
her book of photos, paired with inspirational Inspired by the real-life mandarin duck that
meditative thoughts on the purpose and value of appeared in Central Park in 2018, an afterword
travel, is for the armchair traveler and all those who by Michiko Kakutani adds details to the facts
long for a journey. behind this one-of-a-kind story.
Set in a remote mountain town, JEANNE-MARIE OSTERMAN’s
where the secrets run as deep as poetry collection, Shellback, takes
the hollows, Saving Grace, us to the heart of her relationship
by DEBBIE BABITT, is at once a with her father, a World War II
spellbinding tale of innocence lost Navy veteran and kamikaze
and a twisty, edge-of-your-seat survivor. Set beneath the rainy skies
psychological thriller. This gripping of the Pacific Northwest and the
debut novel introduces a captivating Pacific theater of World War II,
protagonist—Mary Grace, the first these poems speak of love, forgive-
female sheriff of her rural town, ness, and the tragedies of war.
whose concept of good and evil can Shellback is both a tribute to her
shape a young girl, then and now. father and a longing for the closeness
to him she could never quite achieve.
24 I CARNEGIE HILL NEWS • SPRING 2021You can also read
