Photo: It’s that time. Saturday on East Houston Street at Norfolk Street.
Some of the stories that caught our eye on the Lower East Side in the past week:
–Sen. Chuck Schumer came to the Lower East Side to tout a provision in the recently passed infrastructure bill that he says will address the problem of lead pipes and contaminated drinking water. “According to some modeling by the New York League of Conservation Voters,” Schumer said during a news conference at the Captain Jacob Joseph Playground, “New York thinks there could be at least two dozen lead service lines within one block from where we are today.” [AM New York]
–Police have made an arrest in the an incident in a subway station in Chinatown that caused the death of Htwe Than Than, a 58-year-old woman who came to New York from Myanmar about three years ago. [Associated Press]
–In a new lawsuit, local advocates with the Children’s Magical Garden say developer David Marom is continuing his years-long intimidation campaign and once threatened to overturn a port-a-potty on garden grounds. Maron’s lawyer denies the accusations. A judge previously threw out a multi-million dollar defamation suit Marom had filed against the gardeners. [New York Post]
–Moscot, the iconic Lower East Side eyewear brand, has moved its flagship store a few doors down to 94 Orchard St. This time, they own the building. Harvey Moscot explains: “We moved the ‘metaphorical pushcart’ several times because we were beholden to landlords…We purchased this building to secure our fate.” [Forbes]
–Sunday Routine: Leigh Altshuler of the one-year-old business Sweet Pickle Books has discovered the charms of the East Side waterfront, Wu’s Wonton King and the kitchen supply stores on East Broadway. She’s also become pals with the 80-something locals who routinely offer her books in exchange for a jar of pickles. [The New York Times]
–You might remember Akiko Thurnauer from her charming little Eldridge Street restaurant Family Recipe. She’s now the creative force in the kitchen at Cha Kee in Chinatown. Pete Wells has good things to say about the new spot and is optimistic that it can be “a beacon in Chinatown’s revival.” [The New York Times]
