Preview Sturgeon Queens, a History of Russ & Daughters

Filmmaker Julie Cohen will soon premiere Sturgeon Queens, a long-in-the-works documentary about the Lower East Side's iconic appetizing store, Russ & Daughters. The film chronicles the history of shop through interviews with several generations of the Russ family, plus a mix of loyal regulars and celebrity customers like Mario Batali, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The release is well-timed to coincide with the shop's 100th birthday this year, but also catches it at a moment of significant expansion. In discussing those plans for a Russ & Daughters Cafe, fourth generation owner Niki Russ Federman says, "Most restaurants don't even last past the first year. That can't even be an option for us." Sadly, the film isn't screening anywhere in the city, The film will be screened a few times in the coming months, including on May 20 at the JCC CineMatters festival on the Upper West Side. Until then, check out a preview below or catch it on PBS when it airs in the fall.

· All Coverage of Russ & Daughters {~ENY~]