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Stroll Beneath A Dazzling Canopy Of 100+ Colorful Lanterns Lighting Up The Garment District
The Perseid meteor shower isn’t the only thing lighting up the sky this month–a dazzling canopy of colorful lanterns are now lighting up Broadway in the Garment District, and New Yorkers can stroll beneath them!
The dazzling display is part of the Garment District Alliance’s (GDA) latest public art installation, New Start, New Hope.
Created by local artist Xin Song, the installation brings light–both literally and figuratively–to the Broadway plazas in the heart of Midtown by way of 135 colorful lanterns.
Song, who currently resides in Brooklyn, drew from her personal experience working in the Garment District during the pandemic to create the exhibition. She graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in 1994 and has since had works exhibited across the world in venues such as the Venice Biennial, Musée du Louvre in Paris, National Art Museum of China, and the Paper Art Biennial in Bulgaria.
New Start, New Hope features 135 suspended lanterns with twelve unique designs that light up in a variety of colors.
The exhibition serves as a beacon for an optimistic future and invites city-goers to pause and revel in a moment of tranquil reflection amidst the city’s craziness.
Barbara A. Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance, stated:
We are delighted to showcase Xin Song’s radiant lanterns in our neighborhood. Xin’s captivating creations not only brighten our plazas, but also demonstrate the power of public art in bringing our community spaces to life. We encourage all to visit and find a moment of calm in their day-to-day routines by visiting this installation.
Broadway plazas in the Garment District between 36th and 39th Streets
Now through January 2025
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One of only three Stop & Shop stores in Brooklyn is officially closing
If your weekly grocery run includes a trip to Stop & Shop at 2965 Cropsey Avenue in Coney Island, you might want to rethink your route: the Brooklyn store will officially close by November 2 alongside over 30 other “underperforming” destinations across the Northeast U.S.
The company has announced the shuttering of six other New York-area stores as well, four on Long Island and others in Westchester and Rockland counties.
“[We’re focusing on] delivering lower everyday prices and strong promotions,” the company said in an official statement last Friday, also mentioning that employees at the affected store locations will be offered positions within the company.
As of now, the Brooklyn Stop & Shop destinations at 1710 Avenue Y and 625 Atlantic Avenue will remain open.
The news isn’t necessarily surprising: Ahold Delhaize, the Dutch company that owns the chain, had already expressed interest in closing some Stop & Shop locations back in May.
Competition with discount chains like Lidl and other grocery giants (Whole Foods! Costco!) have also undoubtedly affected the company’s decision.
Alas, Brooklynites still have a few months to shop at the Coney Island location but, perhaps, it’s time to look for a new grocery destination.
Below is a list of the 32 Stop & Shop stores that will close by November 2 around the country:
New York
2965 Cropsey Avenue, Brooklyn
130 Wheatley Plaza, Greenvale
7 Samsondale Plaza, West Haverstraw
294 Middle Country Road, Coram
240 East Sanford Boulevard, Mt. Vernon
132 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead
2525 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow
New Jersey
1083 Inman Avenue, Edison
1049 US Highway 1 South, Edison
4861 US Highway 9, Howell
1278 US Highway 22, Phillipsburg
581 Stelton Road, Piscataway
625 Paterson Avenue, Carlstadt
1221 State Route 27, Franklin Township
130 Skyline Drrive, Ringwood
505 Richmond Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach
2275 West County Line Road, Jackson
Connecticut
100 Division Street, Ansonia
211 High Street, Torrington (931 Torringford Street, Torrington will remain open)
1937 West Main Street, Stamford (2200 Bedford Street, Stamford will remain open)
855 Bridgeport Ave., Milford (1360 East Town Road, Milford will remain open)
72 Newtown Road, Danbury (44 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury will remain open)
Massachusetts
932 North Montello Street, Brockton
36 New State Highway, Raynham
341 Plymouth Street, Halifax
539-571 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury
165 Needham Street, Newton (bfresh Market)
415 Cooley Street, Springfield (1600 Boston Rd. and 1277 Liberty St., Springfield will remain open)
545 Lincoln Street Worcester (940 West Boylston St. and 949 Grafton St., Worcester will remain open)
24 Mattakeesett Street, Pembroke (125 Church St., Pembroke will remain open)
Rhode Island
11 Commerce Way, Johnston
176 Pittman Street, Providence (Eastside Marketplace)
A swanky hotel is opening on the Upper East Side this fall
The Upper East Side is known for its high-end hotels—The St. Regis and The Carlyle, for instance—but it’s about to get another swanky stay: The Surrey.
Opening just one block from Central Park at 20 East 76th Street, The Surrey will begin hosting stays on September 1.
RECOMMENDED: 27 New York City hotels have been awarded Michelin Keys
The property first opened as a hotel in 1926, hosting all kinds of celebrities and world leaders within its walls, and has been undergoing a massive renovation by Corinthia Hotels and the Reuben Brothers. It will be Corinthia Hotels’ first venture into North America.
“The addition of this property represents a significant milestone for Corinthia Hotels & we are both proud and grateful for our partnership with the Reuben Brothers whose vision has made this possible. This much-anticipated opening allows us to bring to New York our commitment to luxury, elegance, and exceptional service with the brand’s first property in North America. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience the timeless charm and refined sophistication of The Surrey, an iconic Upper East Side establishment.”
The new Surrey will feature 70 guest rooms and 30 suites designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, including four themed suites inspired by Central Park’s bridges. You can choose from the smallest room, the Junior Suite, the Grand Deluxe Suite with Madison Avenue views, and the Bethesda Suite, which is the biggest—a one-bedroom “haven” on the 8th floor.
Art within the hotel will be curated by Paris-based VISTO Galley and showcase works from established and emerging New York City artists.
The hotel will also have its own spa, The Surrey Spa, featuring Sisley Paris products with two treatment rooms, a steam room and sauna, a “sensorial” shower, a salt relaxation room and a fitness center.
Even cooler, the hotel will be home to a new restaurant and lounge called Casa Tua and an exclusive, members-only space called the Club. According to its website, Casa Tua, which has locations in Miami, Aspen and Paris, will serve Italian and Mediterranean cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner when it opens this summer. The lounge will serve coffee and cocktails.
The hotel is already open for booking at corinthia.com/the-surrey.
The Most Dazzling Meteor Shower Of The Year Has Arrived–Here’s How To See It In NYC
Not one but two meteor showers are heading to NYC this July to dazzle skywatchers, and as of July 14th the first one has arrived!
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most dazzling showers of the year, and you won’t want to miss it. Here’s everything you need to know about the Perseid meteor shower:
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower (also known as the Perseids) is one of the best shooting star displays of the year with “swift and bright meteors frequently leav[ing] long ‘wakes’ of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth’s atmosphere,” according to NASA.
Space writes, “The Perseids are caused by Earth passing through debris — bits of ice and rock — left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle which last passed close to Earth in 1992.”
Each year they’re active from mid-July to late August.
When does the Perseid meteor shower occur?
This year the Perseids meteor shower will occur July 14th through September 1st.
When does the Perseid meteor shower peak?
Though the moon will be 50% illuminated at the time of the Perseids meteor shower’s peak, it will set around midnight, making for dark skies that are perfect for meteor hunting!
According to EarthSky, the Perseids meteor shower is predicted to peak on August 12, 2024 at 10 am EST. So the mornings of August 11, 12, and 13 will be the best times to view it.
How many meteors will I be able to see?
Years without moonlight make for higher rates of meteors per hour, and in outburst years (such as in 2016) you can see as many as 150-200 meteors per hour!
This year, NASA writes that we can expect to see up to 100 meteors per hour, traveling at speeds of 37 miles (59 km) per second.
Where in the sky should I look to see the meteors?
The Farmer’s Almanac writes that the Perseid meteor shower can be viewed anywhere in the sky, but the meteors will appear to be traveling away from the constellation Perseus in the night sky.
So locating the constellation Perseus might help you to see as many meteors as possible.
When is the best time to see the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseids can be viewed any time after dark, with NASA writing that it is possible to view meteors as early as 10 pm, but there are times when the the meteor count is higher than others.
EarthSky suggests watching for the Perseids starting around midnight until dawn, with the best viewing time occurring just before dawn as that’s when the skies are at their darkest.
Where is the best place to see the Perseid meteor shower in NYC?
It’s imperative for anyone hoping to enjoy some stargazing to find a good viewing point with as little light pollution as possible–and yeah, we know that can be hard to do in NYC but it’s not impossible!
Find a comfortable, dark spot with an unobstructed view, like a park or beach, and lay down on your back for the best views. Be sure to give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness (which will make the meteors more visible) and avoid looking at your phone or any bright lights to speed up the process.
Can you see a meteor shower without a telescope?
The coolest part about the Perseid meteor shower is that there’s no need to use binoculars or a telescope! As long as you’re in a dark place meteors will be visible to the naked eye.
How rare is the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower isn’t rare as it occurs each year in the middle of the summer. It is, however, one of the most famous as it reliably has the brightest and most numerous meteors.
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These Items Will Be Banned In All NY Hotels Starting Next Year
We’d neverrrr encourage swiping those small shampoo bottles you find in the showers in your hotel room, but we will say if you were planning on using them to restock your own bathroom toiletries your hotel room won’t do you any good beginning next year. That’s because on January 1, 2025 New York State will officially ban single-use toiletry bottles under 12 ounces.
According to The Department of Environmental Conservation, the toiletry bottles will be banned from hotels with more than 50 rooms, though by 2026 all New York hotels will have to comply.
The bill, which was first introduced in 2019, is part of an effort to cut down on single-use plastic.
First-time offenders that don’t comply with the bill will receive a warning with 30 days to “correct the violation.” However, if they don’t correct the violation, they’ll have to pay a $250 fine. After another 30 days hotels still not complying will be hit with a $500 fine.
You may have already experienced this for yourself as some hotels have already begun making adjustments, transitioning to using larger pump bottles and shampoo bars.
A Marriott Hotels spokesperson told FOX Business, “We have long been focused on our residential amenities program, switching from small toiletry bottles to larger, pump-topped bottles as part of our commitment to reduce plastic waste.”
A spokesperson for Hilton added, “As of 2023, Hilton properties were required to transition to full-size shampoo, conditioner, and soap amenities, eliminating single-use miniature bottles and reducing disposed bars of soap.”
The bill was originally supposed to go into effect on January 1, 2023, though hotel industry lobbyists asked it be delayed to give hotel staff a chance to use any bottles left in stock. Once the bill goes into effect on January 1, 2025, New York will become the second state to implement the ban, after California.
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‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show’ Returns To NYC & Tickets Are On Sale
See “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” through a new lens as the beloved book is turned into an enchanting show with over 75 magical puppets! Tickets are now available to this wonderful family experience which will take place at The Duke on 42nd Street at NEW 42 Studios!
Eric Carle’s classic story follows one very hungry caterpillar as he eats a variety of food before becoming a butterfly. The story teaches children about a butterfly’s life cycle but also incorporates counting, days of the week and food.
Alongside The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the show features three other Eric Carle stories, with two that have not been seen in NYC since 2016. Audiences learn to create with the colorful characters of The Artist Who Painted the Blue Horse; explore the seas with Mister Seahorse; and help The Very Lonely Firefly find his friends. These beloved tales and their messages of community, self-expression, and the power of creativity are brought to life by a captivating cast of storytellers, sweeping original music, and stunning puppetry.
The show is presented by Rockefeller Studios, the producers and creators of “Sesame Street the Musical,” “Disney’s Winnie The Pooh” and other family favorites. This show is happening at The Duke on 42nd Street at New 42 Studios right in Midtown (229 West 42nd Street between 7th & 8th Avenues).
There are a variety of ticket options available including VIP admission which secures the best views and seats and a photo op with The Hungry Caterpillar himself after the show! It’s the perfect fun family outing!
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” has stood the test of time since it was first published in the 1960s and has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into over 50 languages! And now, you can experience it in a whole new way.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
September 7, 2024 09:30
From $33.05
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A Chips Ahoy! Ice Cream Sandwich Pop-Up Is Heading To NYC
Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth, because for one day only on August 4, Chips Ahoy! is bringing an exclusive pop-up here to NYC. Except we aren’t talking about just any regular pop-up…
Chips Ahoy! is popping up in the city we’re proud to call our happy place to give New Yorkers a chance to indulge in the delicious nostalgia of ice cream sandwiches. Not only are all Chips Ahoy! ice cream sandwiches free, but the NYC pop-up will let visitors customize their very own treat as well.* So create the ice cream sandwich of your dreams using a variety of toppings and classic Chips Ahoy! cookie flavors.
An NYC-inspired ice cream sandwich curated by our Secret NYC team will also be available for you to try at the pop-up. Playing on the theme of nostalgia, our sandwich leans into two iconic flavors associated with the city: New York cheesecake and pretzels. What better way to celebrate our happy place than by enjoying this sweet treat?
And as if that wasn’t enough to get you excited, here’s another twist: the pop-up’s location is a secret for now. Chips Ahoy! will quite literally “pop-up” at an undisclosed location in NYC, so you’ll have to join this waitlist for the scoop. It’s sort of like a treasure hunt, but the reward is a delicious, personalized FREE Chips Ahoy! ice cream sandwich. Worth it? Definitely.
August 4’s Chips Ahoy! ice cream sandwich NYC pop-up is going to be a sweet escape you don’t want to miss. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to cool off and celebrate summer right here in our happy place.
Don’t miss NYC’s Chips Ahoy! ice cream sandwich pop-up on August 4! Click here to join the waitlist.
*While supplies last.
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New Yorkers Are Paying 58% More In Food Delivery Fees Than Last Year
Following a report from New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), food delivery fees have spiked 58% since the minimum wage was increased to $16 in NYC.
And though earnings for delivery workers have been significantly raised, there’s been a 9% drop in active worker accounts since last year. “DCWP predicted in its 2022 study that couriers would earn more, but that earning opportunities would be concentrated in fewer hands,” shared a GrubHub spokesperson, and so far that’s proving to be the case. “The couriers who are still able to work need to work much harder, doing 80% more deliveries per hour than they did before the rule took effect,” echoed UberEats in a statement after losing 12,000 workers since the law was implemented.
Food delivery service apps like Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash have had to increase the cost of their added fees to manage the surge in wages, causing New Yorkers to pay 58% more in food delivery fees than last year (up an average of $2.30 per order). Now an average order, including fees, tips and taxes, costs around $39.11.
These high service fees are one of the reasons it’s believed delivery workers are now making less in tips. According to the Adam’s administration, delivery workers are seeing an average drop in tips by $2.64.
And though New Yorkers are paying more for delivery, that didn’t stop them from ordering. In fact, deliveries rose 8% over last year totaling to 2.77 million in Q1 2024.
See more from the report here.
In other news: NYC Libraries Are Once Again Open On Sundays
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NYC Libraries Are Once Again Open On Sundays
Back in November of last year it was announced that NYC libraries would be forced to stay closed on Sundays following city budget cuts–and this past March they were potentially looking at only being open five days a week–but after months of fighting against this (along with pressure from the City Council) NYC libraries will once again be open on Sundays!
After months of negotiations, Mayor Eric Adams and City Council leaders announced a historic $112.4 billion budget that restored many of Adams’ proposed cuts.
Thankfully, the budget will positively affect NYC libraries and cultural institutions, as $58.3 million worth of library cuts will be reversed, thus allowing them not only to reopen on Sundays but to additionally remain open on Saturdays.
The Adams administration also baselined $42.8 million in funding every year moving forward.
In a joint press release from Mayor Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Speaker Adams stated that restoring libraries’ funding had been a “top priority” for the Council.
According to the press release “libraries are a critical part of NYC’s social fabric, which New Yorkers depend on for children’s growth and the vibrancy of the city.” It added that seven-day service will begin in branches that previously offered it on a rolling basis, and by July 14th there will be a branch open seven days a week in every borough.
Moreover, newly renovated locations will open across all five boroughs.
Mayor Adams stated:
I understand firsthand how important libraries are for children, families, and every New Yorker in leveling the playing field…From providing spaces to prepare our young people for a bright future to being a vital partner in the creation of affordable housing, libraries are a lifeline for countless communities. Today, we can all be proud that our city has a budget that invests in our libraries and invests in the future of our city.
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