Eli and Oliver Zabar try again with Night Shift
After not securing a Nolita space and being blocked from Chinatown, Eli Zabar and his son Oliver are now looking to open the second location of their UES beer bar Night Shift at 252 Broome St., between Orchard and Ludlow streets, in the former Lucky Bee space. Previous iterations of the plan included daytime baked goods and coffee, followed by craft beer and cocktails in the evening.
Empty storefronts could lead to vacancy tax
The number of empty storefronts plaguing Manhattan is rapidly increasing, and mayor Bill de Blasio is proposing a vacancy tax to battle it. “I am very interested in fighting for a vacancy fee or a vacancy tax that would penalize landlords who leave their storefronts vacant for long periods of time in neighborhoods because they are looking for some top-dollar rent but they blight neighborhoods by doing it,” he said on WNYC. Nothing has been set yet, as the mayor’s office tells the Post the proposal is “still in the planning phases.”
Three coming attractions
A Regal Cinemas movie theater opening up at Essex Crossing is seeking a liquor license to sell booze to film-watchers; another rice noodle spot is opening at 33 St. Mark’s Pl. called Shi Miaodao Yunnan Rice Noodle; and a fourth Boqueria, a Spanish tapas restaurant, will open at 260 West 40th St. with a rotisserie element.
Meat Hook looks to expand with $50,000 Kickstarter goal
Brooklyn butchery — and Eater video hosts — the Meat Hook plans to sell its sausages nationwide, and it’s looking to Kickstarter to help. With a $50,000 goal (with more than $8,000 raised so far), owners Ben Turley, Brent Young, and Tom Mylan hope to raise enough money to subsidize sustainable farmers to grow with their business, as well as buy supplies like a truck for deliveries.
14-year-old becomes banana bread Smorgasburg star
While most teenagers are posting selfies and playing video games, Manhattan’s Jack Greenleaf is building a banana bread business. The 14-year-old started vending his loaves at Smorgasburg this weekend, in plain and chocolate chip, but they’re also available for delivery in Manhattan. It looks like NYC has the next Flynn McGarry on his hands: The Bread & Monkey owner has ambitions to become “a Michelin star chef.”