On Sunday, NYC International Pickle Day celebrates its 10th anniversary on the Lower East Side. A short time ago, we received an updated list of vendors from the New York Food Museum, which co-sponsors the big event with the LES Business Improvement District and Greenmarket NYC. Yesterday, Grub Street reported Guss’ Pickles, which moved to Brooklyn earlier this year, would not be taking part. However, Nancy Ralph, director of the Food Museum, told us the “other Guss'” will be represented. Confused?
As you may recall, Patricia Fairhurst was forced to give up the Guss’ name when she closed her Orchard Street store (the new shop is called Ess-a-Pickle). The change was a requirement of a 2007 settlement between Fairhurst and Steve and Andrew Leibowitz, who claimed they bought the rights to the Guss’ name years ago. We called Leibowitz’s Bronx headquarters today, and were told they’ll definitely be passing out pickle samples on Sunday. Got that?
Now on to less controversial matters. This year’s Pickle Day, held in the parking lot at the corner of Ludlow and Broome streets, includes dozens of vendors, performances from the Umami Food & Art Festival and other fun activities. Among the participants:
- The Pickle Guys, the Lower East Side’s last remaining traditional pickle store
- McClure’s Pickles
- Rick’s Picks (the Chrystie Street pickle manufacturer)
- Mother-in-Laws Kimchi
- Russ & Daughters
- Saxelby Cheesemongers
- Sahadi’s (the Atlantic Avenue food mecca)
- Brooklyn Brine
Other neighborhood favorites, such as An Choi, La Barra, Roni Sue’s Chocolates and the Roasting Plant will be taking part. The Main Squeeze, the Essex Street accordion shop, is even getting in on the act.
NYC International Pickle Day takes place from 11am to 4:30 pm Sunday in the parking lot on Broome (between Essex and Ludlow), as well as on Broome Street itself.
