If you’ve ever had the good fortune of visiting Japan, then you might be familiar with a retailer called GU, Uniqlo’s hipper sister store that focuses on trendy and affordable fashion. If you hung out around SoHo at all last year, you might also have come across the brand’s small pop-up, which drew in big crowds and long lines at the checkout counter.
We have good news: GU is opening a flagship store, its first brick-and-mortar address outside of Japan, at 578 Broadway by Prince Street in SoHo starting September 19.
Expect men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, bags, accessories and more sprawled across two floors spanning a total of 10,225 square feet.
The SoHo opening will coincide with the grand reveal of GU’s collaboration with the stylish streetwear-meets-high fashion Japanese brand UNDERCOVER, which worked with GU to create versatile and unisex pieces that can be rearranged to create a variety of silhouettes via a single article of clothing.
If you plan to attend the opening in person, GU’s interactive launch will involve plenty of giveaways, including a collaborative tote bag designed by Shantell Martin that will be gifted to the first 300 customers, GU shopping trips valued at up to $250 and opportunities to experience Tokyo’s bustling culture right here in New York. The store will also be handing out Japanese treats throughout the opening weekend.
GU will also be launching its e-commerce website and app in the U.S., where they’ll be selling items that were previously only available in Japan, including the famous barrel leg jeans, the mini skort and the super wide cargo pants. Also on deck: brand new products and color ways that will only be available on this side of the Atlantic.
You can RSVP for the flagship store’s opening weekend, which will take place from September 19 to 22, here.
If you haven’t yet made Labor Day plans and are hoping to enjoy a wild weekend, get ready: S20, an immersive water music festival and one of Asia’s most coveted entertainment events, is coming to the U.S. for the first time ever.
The two-day festival will take place at the Brooklyn Mirage from Saturday, August 31 until Sunday, September 1, and will feature a stellar lineup of DJs, including Marshmello, Subtronics, Alan Walker and others.
S20 started in Bangkok and is inspired by Thai New Year celebrations, or Songkran, during which water fights break out across cities and towns to symbolically cleanse energy and mark the sun’s transition from Pisces to Aries. Although Songkran takes place in April, the festival has thrown events throughout the years across Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Other top acts at the S20 New York festival include The Sky b2b William Black, multi-platinum producer and live instrumentalist Timmy Trumpet, Borgeous, Dzeko, v Kaivon, Asian-American duo ARMNHMR, as well as the dubstep icon LEVEL UP. The festival will also feature local Asian-American artists like SENSEI, Zion B2B Jomu, Cyberpunk b2b PSYXTOI and JOKAH.
The happening was put together by Pulse Events, an organization that focuses on the Asian-American electronic music fanbase.
Tickets to S20’s New York debut start at $116 and you have to be 21 or older to attend. Snag them here.
You don’t have to make a sacrifice to the gods to win an affordable housing lottery.
When Manhattanites Stephanie Schroeder and her partner Lisa Haas won an affordable housing lottery eight years ago, they simply followed the guidelines.
The then-Bushwick residents, one of whom lived in a fourth-floor walk-up, were vying for an accessible and affordable apartment of their own after losing their jobs in the 2008 recession and living off freelance work. When they coincidentally saw an ad in Time Out New York, they decided they’d give it a shot (by mailing in their application!) and were contacted several weeks later to begin the vetting process.
Turns out, their hopeful replays of “Movin’ on Up” from the sitcom The Jeffersons didn’t manifest the win, it just made for a fun lead up.
“It was unbelievable,” Haas recallsabout winning the lottery. The couple was offered a corner unit in a new Midtown West building with floor-to-ceiling windows, a doorman, a washer and dryer and an elevator—for under $900 a month.
“It was a relief,” Schroeder adds. “I never win anything, but I would say it’s not luck. It’s half preparation … it’s not going to work at all if you don’t prepare.”
The couple isn’t lucky. Their lotto win isn’t some fortuitous blip. It really comes down to, yes, preparation, but also perseverance and proof.
So with those very wise words in mind, we’ve gathered nine tips on how to increase your chances of winning an affordable housing lottery, based on advice from Schroeder and Haas.
We also reached out to Aileen Reynolds, the Assistant Commissioner of Housing Opportunity at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
Photograph: courtesy NYC Housing Connect
9 tips for winning an affordable housing lottery in NYC
1. Sign up on Housing Connect
To find out about new affordable housing lotteries and be able to apply to them, you need to first sign up for the service on NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Housing Connect website. Sure, you can still rely on HPD’s advertisements in local papers or write in to get an application, but those processes will be slower.
“Essentially [Housing Connect] is a one-stop shop for finding affordable housing that the city is involved in in some way,” Reynolds says.
Once you’re on Housing Connect, Reynolds says to “take a few minutes [to] browse what’s opening. New lotteries are posted every day. There were 37 today and tomorrow there might be more. I’d recommend checking back and seeing what’s out there.”
2. Apply to lotteries you qualify for (and actually want)
It might seem like common sense, but apply only for a lottery you qualify for. Each lottery lists a table of available units and their requirements. For example, the housing lottery for the Marcus Garvey Apartments says that your household’s income must be between $29,555 and $117,390 a year to be eligible.
Photograph: courtesy NYC Housing Connect
If you apply for this lottery and fall under or above that range, you’ll automatically be removed from the lottery or not allowed to apply (you should get a warning message on Housing Connect if you don’t seem to qualify).
And don’t think about misrepresenting your income. According to Reynolds, you will be asked for proof of it all.
“We don’t restrict folks from applying,” she says. “The number one [applicant in the lottery] may get called but if they’re not qualified, we’re moving on to number two.”
“It’s admittedly [a] complicated process,” she continues. “It’s helpful if you look at the advertisement when considering the opportunity to see whether you qualify or not. Make sure you’re putting your efforts into a lottery you’re likely to qualify for and not spending your effort and getting emotionally drained applying to things you’re not qualified for.”
And, if you don’t want an apartment, whether because it’s in a neighborhood you don’t like or doesn’t boast a specific feature you are interested in, do not apply. Doing so would only lengthen the process for everyone else.
3. Know your chances and keep trying
“Lottery” has a certain connotation. It feels random and unlikely because so many of us have been on the losing end. But according to Reynolds, it works best for HPD.
“We [have] been doing lotteries for decades, back to when Mayor Koch was putting envelopes in a bag and shaking it and pulling out a winner,” she says. “The lottery has been around so long because the demand is so high. A lottery is [the] most equitable and fair way to do this. We admit it’s a challenge and we get inquiries and stories of New Yorkers in need. We empathize with that, but at this moment in time, we have one million users looking for housing. Last year, we housed over 9,000 households through the lottery, which is a huge accomplishment.”
The lottery actually randomizes applicants through an algorithm and then assigns them a number. HPD then starts at number 1 and goes down the list until they find an applicant who qualifies.
Additionally, those with vision, hearing and mobility disabilities/issues as well as veterans, community board members and other city employees are often given priority.
NYC Housing Connect
If you fall into any of these categories, it’s a good idea to apply since you’ll be prioritized over other applicants.
And keep trying. Just because you don’t win one, two or even three lotteries, there is still a chance to get the call and find your new home.
“I think anyone who’s ever won any lottery, but definitely the housing lottery, would say they never thought that they would be selected,” Reynolds says.
“Almost everybody I know, I tell them about the lottery and their response is ‘I make too much’ or ‘too little’ and they never apply,” Haas explains. “Apply! Sign up! It’s easy. It might take somebody a year or five years to win, but it’s really easy to apply. You never know. I’ve been called for three lotteries!”
4. Update your profile
It’s important to update your Housing Connect profile with the most recent information, including any disabilities and your household income. If that information is out of date, you could be turned down when you might otherwise be eligible.
5. Check your email and account regularly
Once you’re contacted via email and Housing Connect, you must submit documentation to support your application and you only have 10 days (two business weeks) to do that.
“You don’t know when you’ll be contacted,” Reynolds says, noting that there are deadlines for HPD requests for information. “After you apply and the application deadline passes, you can be contacted in one month or in one year (if it’s larger building or if they’re still leasing).”
Photograph: courtesy NYC HPD
6. Have all your documents printed out and ready to go
Given the quick turnaround, it’s best to have all your documentation—you can find a full rundown of what you need right here—ready to go, printed and readily accessible digitally. Otherwise, you may miss your opportunity.
“Get a filing cabinet so you can organize your papers,” says Haas. “There is some paper stuff that you need to keep in order so that when you do get called, there’s enough paperwork to go through.”
7. Appeal a wrongful decision
Did you know you can actually appeal HPD’s decision if they deem you unqualified for an affordable apartment? You’ll need to prove your eligibility by providing the documents we linked to above but, just because you get denied, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. You can always check the status of your application on the dashboard of Housing Connect.
8. Don’t be afraid to break a lease
Reynolds, Haas and Schroeder all agree that if you want to win an affordable housing lottery, you shouldn’t be afraid to break your current lease. Losing the opportunity to have a rent stabilized apartment for years to a lease that does not serve you is short-sighted.
“The turnover time [between selection and lease signing] is really fast,” says Schroeder. “You have to move within a short timeline, so sometimes you have to break a lease or find someone to take over your lease, but it’s worth it.”
Reynolds suggests not basing your future around lease terms and not only applying as your lease is about to end.
“It can take some time to actually be contacted and processed,” she explains. “It’s not useful to dictate your housing search around your lease term. That’s kind of counter how the New York housing market works, but it’s important, especially for New Yorkers … to think about the housing lottery in the long term and as a long game.”
9. Broaden your horizons
If you’re less picky about what neighborhood you live in, you may have a higher chance of winning a lottery, Reynolds says.
“Lotteries are all over the city,” she explains. “You can stay in your community or move to a new one if you’re interested in something new. The more options you’re open to, the higher the chance you have of being selected.”
Haas recalls only having 24 hours to make a decision on whether they wanted to move from Bushwick to the affordable apartment in midtown. They jumped on it and haven’t looked back. Both of them are able to live comfortably and do the work they love. Schroeder works for a non-profit helping older adults apply for housing. Haas is an actor, writer and adjunct professor at CUNY.
“One of the greatest joys of my job is hearing from folks who moved into their apartment, especially hearing from folks who were able to leave a vulnerable situation or start their independence,” Reynolds says. “I personally enjoy when I get to go see the buildings. I’m usually stuck in the office but, once in awhile, I go see a building and the new tenants. It’s always so rewarding to see folks happy in their apartments.”
We’ll never grow tired of singing the praises of the U.S. Open, the popular Grand Slam tennis tournament scheduled to take over the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens on August 26 through September 8.
The annual sporting extravaganza usually takes place just as the weather cools off, catching New Yorkers on their way back from their summer travels right before back-to-school events become the main focus of the city’s cultural calendar.
That is all to say: although you can watch the U.S. Open from the comfort of your apartment on TV, there’s just something about attending the games in person that titillates all of your senses. As a matter of fact, the experience is about more than just great tennis.
Here are all the reasons you should consider snagging tickets to the U.S. Open this year:
1. It’s really easy to get there!
There are two great ways to get the stadium: the eastbound number 7 subway train to the Mets-Willets Point station and the Long Island Rail Road to Mets-Willets Point, on the Port Washington branch. Once there, you’ll notice many signs directing walkers to the main entrance.
You can also take some sort of ride-sharing app instead, but it might turn into a long and expensive ride.
2. You’re bound to catch some pretty awesome tennis
For the past week, during the U.S. Open Fan Week, attendees got to watch pros duke it out on the court during the Grand Slam’s qualifying tournament. If that level of play was of any indication, this year’s main tournament is sure to be an exciting one.
Photograph: Shutterstock
In addition to instantly recognizable names like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff, we suggest you pay attention to Tommy Paul and Jessica Pegula, both top-ranked American players.
3. One of New York’s culinary gems will serve food on premise
Given the fact that the iconic Jewish delicatessen shut down its original location in 2016, the chance to indulge in the dishes once more should be enough of a reason to run to the U.S. Open.
There are a number of other food offerings on premise, including Greek fare by King Souvlaki, Van Leeuwen ice cream, pizza and more.
4. You can immerse yourself in a new gaming lounge
Rendering: Courtesy of the U.S. Open
This year for the first time, fans will get to play inside an “Advantage Arena.” The on-site physical gaming zone will be filled with a variety of games, including the newly developed “Tennis Storm” on Fortnite.
5. The Honey Deuce!
Did you know that the U.S. Open has an official drink? You’ve probably seen it around as it’s pretty hard to miss: the Honey Deuce—made with Grey Goose vodka, lemonade and raspberry liqueur—is an unmistakable pink in color and features three perfectly round pieces of green honeydew on top of it.
Photograph: Shutterstock
There’s much to say about the concoction, which was first introduced back in 2006: it’s refreshing, especially when sitting under the sun watching tennis matches for hours; it resembles the sport that it pays homage to as the melon spheres are to remind you of tennis balls; and the special cup that it’s served in, itself emblazoned with the names of all the U.S. Open men’s and women’s champions since 1968, has become a cult item of sorts that even sells on eBay.
Most importantly, though, the Honey Deuce tastes delicious.
With US Open Fan Week wrapping up this weekend and the full tournament scheduled to begin soon, it’s time to make your annual outing to Flushing for some tennis and food. This year’s US Open is set to be another special tournament, welcoming the sport’s biggest names and some of NYC’s hottest food and drink vendors. Bookmark this guide for when you go this year, because we’re putting you on to the best places to eat and drink at the US Open this year.
1. Carnegie Deli
Source / Mike Lawrence & USTA
One of NYC’s food institutions, Carnegie Deli, is popping up at the US Open in 2024, and they’ll be serving their iconic menu items all tournament long. The two are teaming up to serve a menu including the famous Hot Pastrami sandwich, as well as Jumbo New York Hot Dogs, Hot Corned Beef sandwiches, Roasted Turkey Breast sandwiches, New York Cheesecake, and Giant Black and White Cookies. It’s located right in the Food Village.
2. Grey Goose Bars
Source / Darren Carroll & USTA
The US Open’s iconic cocktail, The Honey Deuce, returns yet again for another year as the official signature cocktail of the tournament. The Grey Goose drink is a mixture of Grey Goose Vodka, Fresh Lemonade, Premium Raspberry Liqueur, and 3 Honeydew Melon Balls (appearing like tennis balls). They even come in a commemorative cup which you can take home with you. They’re available throughout the grounds.
3. COQODAQ
Source / Darren Carroll & USTA
If you can’t snag a table at buzzy Manhattan restaurant COQODAQ, you can give their viral nuggets a try this year at the US Open. Simon Kim’s (of COTE Steakhouse) newest venture is debuting at the tournament for the first time, bringing Korean-inspired fried chicken to the grounds. You can try their classic nuggets with sauces or opt for the boujee Golden Nugget, a chicken nugget and caviar pairing, which you’ve probably seen on your TikTok feed.
4. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Source / Darren Carroll & USTA
For a tasty dessert, grab some Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, who just launched a tennis-inspired, limited-edition ice cream flavor in collaboration with American Express called “Match Point Mint Chip.” The flavor is green mint chip with blue frosting swirl ice cream, and it’s available around the grounds throughout the whole tournament!
Looking for a quick pick-me-up? Lavazza Coffee is the official coffee of this year’s US Open, and they’re serving up some tasty drinks you must try! They’re debuting a brand new Dolcevita line at this year’s Fan Week and also has espresso martinis, lattes, coffees, and more. Learn more about Lavazza’s activation here!
6. Red Hook Lobster Pound
Source / Darren Carroll & USTA
Get your coastal vibes on at Red Hook Lobster Pound, who’s serving the best seafood classics at the tournament this year. Imagine all of the Connecticut Roll, Maine Roll, and Lobster BLTs you can put back…it’s just as good as their Brooklyn outpost. They also have sides like crispy Brussels sprouts, lobster fries, and Shrimp Citrus Salad.
7. Eataly
The Trofie Al Pesto from Eataly during Flavors of the Open presented by Dobel Tequila as part of the 2024 US Open Fan Week on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 in Flushing, NY. (Darren Carroll/USTA)
For all your Italian eats, grab something from Eataly which you can feast on for yourself or share with friends. They have all the Italian comfort foods covered—pizza, pastas, salads, desserts, and more. Plus, new this year they got San Carlo Chips, Hummus e Carote, Pasta al Pesto, and Gnocchi alla Bolognese.
8. Crown Shy
Source / Jeff Dean & USTA
This Michelin-starred sit-down spot in FiDi finds a home at the US Open this year, serving up fancy chicken sandwiches, citrus tenders, and crispy chicken romaine salads. You’ve got to see what all the hype surrounding Chef James Kent’s chicken is about.
9. Fly Fish @ Oyster Bar 7
Source / US Open
Curated by Chef Josh Capon, Oyster Bar 7’s has a collection of seafood menu highlights like Peruvian Ceviche, Lobster Rolls, Shrimp Cocktails, and East & West Coast Oysters. It’s where you go if you want to feel a little fancy. You can find it between Court 7 & the Grandstand as well as Club Level of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
For nearly a century, The Apollo has stood as a beacon of performing arts and culture in Harlem. Now, for the first time in its 90-year history, the renowned theater will undergo a full-scale renovation.
Expect restored seating, updates to the iconic marquee, upgrades to backstage areas, and an expanded lobby with a cafe and bar. Work is intended to modernize the theater to create a more engaging and community-oriented space while staying true to the building’s history. Renovations will begin this fall and will be undertaken in phases until spring 2026. But don’t worry, programming will still continue thanks to the phased approach and with additional space at The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater located just steps away.
To highlight the venue’s storied history, the Walk of Fame that celebrates artists who have played The Apollo will be digitized and enhanced with the venue’s extensive archives. In addition, the irreplaceable signature wall, which houses decades of artist signatures from when they performed, will also be preserved.
The newly design cafe, bar, and retail space will be open to the public throughout the day and will host community gatherings and small-scale performances. Renovations to the Soundstage will add seating and upgrade production to focus on music and comedy programming in a cabaret style. Renovations also include: Doubling the lobby, digitizing historic performances to play at the entrance, refurbishing balcony seats, improving acoustics and modernizing restrooms. Interior details will reference The Apollo’s iconic marquee.
Photograph: Courtesy Shahar Azran
The renovations, coupled with the recent addition of the Victoria Theater, are intended to further enhance The Apollo’s mission to champion artists, shepherd the Black cultural narrative, and provide vibrant, artistic, and community programs that build on the cultural heritage of Harlem, theater officials said.
The Apollo’s board chairman Charles Phillips describes the venue as “the gravitational center of Black culture and art.”
“The gravitational center of Black culture and art.”
First opened in 1914 and renamed the Apollo Theater 20 years later, the theater has played a major role in the evolution of jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. It has helped launch the careers of musical greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and many more, especially through its world-famous Amateur Night programming.
Rendering: Courtesy Charcoalblue, Flyleaf Creative, and Beyer Blinder Belle
Back in the early 1980s, the theater underwent minor updates. Then, parts of the building became designated as New York City Landmarks. The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission signed off on the designs for this renovation project.
The project team is led by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects + Planners, with consultants Charcoalblue, Flyleaf Creative, and Consigli Construction.
“We are ensuring that The Apollo is well-equipped to serve the next generations of artists and audiences alike for the next century.”
“While ushering us into our next chapter, the changes we are making to the historic theater also honor the rich legacy and the creative magic that courses through the theater and pay homage to the many legends who have been propelled into stardom by The Apollo,” Apollo President and CEO Michelle Ebanks said in a press release. “After 90 years, we are ensuring that The Apollo is well-equipped to serve the next generations of artists and audiences alike for the next century.”
Many Americans would say they would tip an average of 20% for a sit-down meal at a restaurant. Many others would say tipping culture in the U.S. is pretty out of control. But what if we told you you can have a sit-down meal without having to leave a tip before departing–and no, you don’t have to hop on a flight out of the country to do so.
Temakase Hand Roll Bar recently opened in NoMad, and they’re deviating from the NYC dining industry norm by enforcing a no-tipping policy.
Now before you come at us, no, they’re not the only restaurant in NYC with this policy–Ichiran also doesn’t expect diners to tip, along with spots like Sugarfish and Kazu Nori–but with so few of these restaurants in NYC, and Temakase Hand Roll Bar being the most recent one, it’s understandable to get excited.
Source / ONYSKO Photography
And let’s be clear: their no-tipping policy is certainly not the only reason you’ll love this place.
Temakase Hand Roll Bar is the premier destination for exquisite hand rolls. They opened their first location in the East Village back in 2020 and have been captivating New Yorkers with their culinary excellence and innovative hand rolls ever since.
Everything you’ve come to know and love from their East Village location will be carried through their NoMad space, along with an expanded menu that includes signature hand rolls and new seasonal offerings.
Source / ONYSKO Photography
They offer their hand roll sets in either classic or spicy versions at no additional cost. A la carte rolls include tuna, blue crab, sweet chili rock shrimp, chopped eel avocado, teriyaki tofu, and Japanese pumpkin, among others. You can also order the rolls in sets, and beyond the hand rolls they also offer “highly addictive” crispy rice.
Temakase takes pride in crafting unique flavors that surprise and delight, infusing every hand roll with an omakase touch. That’s to say regardless of which you choose to indulge in you can count on a compelling experience for your tastebuds.
In addition to the bites, the restaurant will also offer a wide selection of draft beers and Sake to open with.
Source / ONYSKO Photography
As for where you’ll be eating, you’ll be seated at an intimate 24-seat hand roll bar with a front-row seat to watch as your food is prepared by chefs in the restaurant’s open kitchen. The 1,400-square-foot space is simply designed; a conscious decision to mirror the simplicity of their hand rolls’ construction.
Liron Michaeli, founder of Temakase Hand Roll Bar, stated:
We are excited to share our new menu and location with both our loyal customers and new. The surge in hand roll bars worldwide represents the evolution of Omakase, making high-quality sushi more accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience. We’re thrilled to be at the forefront of this movement. We look forward to upholding our tradition of excellence and innovation in this vibrant neighborhood.
At this point, Magnolia Bakery has reached New York landmark status, and its unique cupcakes and desserts are the emblematic of the city we call home.
Thankfully, taking Magnolia cupcakes out of New York City’s borders is about to get a lot easier: the famous brand just set up shop at LaGuardia Airport’s new Delta C Terminal near gates 60-69. The opening marks the brand’s first-ever airport location.
Expect plenty of crowd favorites on site, including the classic cupcakes, the beloved banana pudding, plus brownies, cheesecakes, merch and more.
The cupcake shop first opened in 1996 in the West Village and quickly attracted crowds for its high-quality baked goods. Since then, the bakery has opened ten locations across the city, including Grand Central Station, Hudson Yards, Rockefeller Center and Central Park South. International addresses abound as well.
The newest location is part of a huge overhaul of LaGuardia’s Terminal C, which consolidated 37 gates into one big facility with floor-to-ceiling windows, new art installations, automated check-in counters and several new restaurants, including a Chuko ramen and a Greek tavern.
Magnolia Bakery at LaGuardia Airport is open Mondays through Sundays from 5am to 9pm.
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32 West 28th Street
