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.

The post NYC Libraries Will Once Again Be Open On Sundays appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Ingka, owner of the majority of IKEA stores worldwide, has just invested in a massive retail tower at 570 Fifth Avenue by 47th Street in midtown Manhattan alongside city developer Extell, announcing that part of the mixed-use building will be used to debut a new IKEA “meeting point” shop, a destination for customers “making larger and more complex purchases,” according to Pix11.

The one-million-square-foot property will be open for commercial tenants some time in 2028.

According to an official press release, the iconic Swedish brand will take over 80,000 square feet of space over two large cellar levels, with a corner entrance on Fifth Avenue. 

“This next phase of our investment and expansion in the U.S. signals our commitment to bring IKEA closer to people in city centers,” said Javier Quiñones, the CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA, in an official statement. “While we are in the very early stages of planning for the IKEA location, we can promise to deliver an experience that is full of inspiration and designed to meet the home furnishing dreams of the many New Yorkers.”

At the moment, there only two IKEA stores in the New York area: one at 1 Beard Street in Brooklyn, right by Red Hook Park, and the other on Long Island, in Hicksville.

Back in 2022, the first and only-ever brand shop in Queens shuttered less than two years after first opening—making this upcoming debut by the Diamond District in Manhattan an even more exciting piece of news. 

Although not a traditional type of IKEA concept, we’re sure New Yorkers will be taking advantage of the new location when trying to furnish or revamp their apartments.   

* This article was originally published here

The culinary rivalry between New York City and Chicago is a long-standing one. Sure, out of the kindness of our hearts, we can begrudgingly admit that a Chicago-style tavern pie is pretty good (we do not recognize deep dish as pizza, sorry not sorry) and we do like the pickily, peppery zippiness of a classic Chicago dog. But this is New York: everything you can do, we can do better. And so, one of NYC’s most iconic and longest-running food institutions, Katz’s Delicatessen, is joining forces with Chicago-born Food Network star Jeff Mauro and his Mauro Provisions for a culinary smackdown between the two food-loving cities. 

RECOMMENDED: Try NYC’s best hot dogs, frankfurters and sausages from all over the five boroughs

Introducing the East Meats Midwest Sandwich Kit, an exclusive $155 meal kit that celebrates the best of NYC and Chicago’s food scenes, available now for nationwide shipping through Saturday, August 31. The spread features deli classics and cured meats from Katz’s, as well as Honey G Pepper Relish and Giardiniera from Mauro Provisions. To rep the Big Apple, you can recreate Katz’s legendary pastrami on rye with mustard or a classic street-vendor frank piles high with sauerkraut. If you want to see how Chi-town stacks up, you can try a toasted Chicago Honey G turkey melt with Swiss cheese, or a Chicago-style loaded hot dog with craft giardiniera from Mauro Provisions.

Feeding six people, the East Meats Midwest Sandwich Kit includes:

* This article was originally published here