Earlier this morning, we noted that Russ & Daughters is opening a large production facility in a newly renovated building at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The story was first reported by the Wall Street Journal (subscription required). Now there are more details in a press release forwarded by the New York City Mayor’s Office:
The Brooklyn Navy Yard announced today that venerable New York City food institution Russ & Daughters will anchor the ground floor of Building 77, its new public food hall and manufacturing space. Renowned for its signature smoked fish, caviar, traditional bagels, bialys, and baked goods, Russ & Daughters is run by Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper – the fourth generation of the family which founded the business in 1914. “Our investment in Building 77 means thousands more good jobs in the Navy Yard. Russ & Daughters is a great New York City company, and it’s going to be the first of many to scale up and add new employees in this new manufacturing space,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The 102-year-old appetizing store has been in expansion mode the past few years. A restaurant opened in 2014 at 127 Orchard St. A new cafe is also in the works at the Jewish Museum.
Russ & Daughters is taking 14,000 sq. ft. at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for a food manufacturing center. There will also be a retail space and bagel sandwich shop. In the new space, the company will be able to hire 30 additional people beyond the staff already working on the Lower East Side.
The facility will house Russ & Daughters’ newly launched bakery (which is now in Bushwick), a nationwide shipping center, a central kitchen, on -site and off-site catering services and a training center. Classes will also be offered to the public at this location.
In the release, Nike Russ Federman said, “The opportunity to continue our growth — within the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a 200 year old force of industry and development in New York — is not only incredibly exciting, it’s a natural fit.”
“When we visited the Brooklyn Navy Yard for the first time,” added Josh Russ Tupper, “we were amazed by the spectacular and vast space. Building 77 will open up this previously hidden gem to the public. The excitement that will be generated from the intersection of food production and enjoyment in Building 77 will help solidify the Navy Yard’s place as a vibrant and unique location in New York to work and visit.”
