Our latest YouTube video "BEST NEW YORK BAGEL & HOW TO MAKE HAND-ROLLED BAGELS" is live!

In this BEST NEW YORK BAGEL & HOW TO MAKE HAND-ROLLED BAGELS, we visit Tompkins Square Bagels in the East Village of Manhattan and not only see where to buy the best New York style bagels but also watch and film a tutorial on how to make their hand-rolled, boiled and baked bagels. 

This amazing #bagel shop has been open during the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown in NYC and we speak with the owner, Christopher Pugliese about how COVID-19 has impacted his business. 

 

We bring home and eat their delicious homemade bagels including an Everything Bagel, Sesame Bagel, and their specialty French Toast Bagel with their homemade Birthday Cake Cream Cheese.   #nyc #food  

Tompkins Square Bagels: 165 Avenue A East Village, New York  

Note they also have a 2nd location in the East Village on: 184 Second Avenue East Village, New York  

If you want to HELP SUPPORT this channel so we can continue highlighting small unique shops, please send us a ONE-TIME DONATION via Venmo or PayPal: Venmo to Karla-Murray PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/KarlaMurray  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. 

We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla

Katy’s Candy, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

Katy’s Candy in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn was in business from 1969 until 2007 when it was forced to close when the landlord wanted to convert the building into a luxury condo. 

Sadly, the #storefront remains empty today (left) and the luxury condo project never materialized. It makes you wonder if the landlord would have been better off letting Katy keep her small business and pay rent all these years. 

The importance of small unique shops like Katy’s to the community can’t be understated and that is the reason why we are holding a free online public workshop via YouTube to help raise awareness of their importance. 

• CAPTURING THE FACES & VOICES OF MOM-AND-POP STOREFRONTS 2020 is a photography, social media and oral history ONLINE workshop which focuses on the cultural significance of neighborhood stores and the impact they have on the pulse, life, and texture of their communities. The ONLINE workshop will culminate in both an online @momandpopstorefronts dedicated Instagram page and a public exhibition of participants' work. 

• The workshops teach how photography, social media, and oral history can be tools for public awareness and advocacy. Participants will learn to create their own powerful photographs of neighborhood storefronts as well as record oral histories with shop owners, which communicate artistically and are insightful and moving. Participants will also gain valuable knowledge in creating and maintaining their own social media account. Small local mom-and-pop shops including restaurants and cafes are the lifeblood of our communities and now more than ever need all of our support. Many have been struggling to survive during the COVID shutdown, and highlighting their business is a great free way to help promote them. 

•• To participate in our free workshop please watch our YouTube video which we premiered last night. (See direct link below). We will be holding a 2nd free public workshop in early August to review and provide feedback on every participants’ photos and oral histories. 

••• Full video: https://youtu.be/92mw14ULXqo

Thank you Greg Mocker and PIX 11 for highlighting our free public online workshop to help support New York City mom-and-pop shops who are struggling to survive.

Full story and video: https://www.pix11.com/news/local-news/neighbors-support-small-business-by-sharing-photos-and-stories

Our friend Nick Hermanns has passed away.

He was a great soul and helped us when we were traveling hard through Europe. He will be missed.

(All above photos © Bernd Schuler)

LENOX LOUNGE on Lenox Avenue closed on December 31, 2012 after 73 years in Harlem, when the landlord doubled the rent from $10,000 to $20,000 per month, forcing it out of business.

Jazz greats Billie Holiday, John Coltrane and Miles Davis all performed at Lenox Lounge and many political luminaries including Langston Hughes, James Baldwin and Malcolm X gathered there. Photo from 2004 and photo from 2014 and sadly is now torn down and a Wells Fargo bank branch stands in its place. 

• To help us keep mom-and-pop stores in business please REGISTER for our FREE ONLINE workshop supporting mom-and-pop shops in NYC via Eventbrite (see IG story for direct link or copy and paste link below). 

• CAPTURING THE FACES & VOICES OF MOM-AND-POP STOREFRONTS 2020 is a photography, social media and oral history ONLINE workshop focuses on the cultural significance of neighborhood stores and the impact they have on the pulse, life, and texture of their communities. The ONLINE workshop will culminate in both an online @momandpopstorefronts dedicated Instagram page and a public exhibition of participants' work. 

• The workshops teach how photography, social media, and oral history can be tools for public awareness and advocacy. Participants will learn to create their own powerful photographs of neighborhood storefronts as well as record oral histories with shop owners, which communicate artistically and are insightful and moving. Participants will also gain valuable knowledge in creating and maintaining their own social media account. Small local mom-and-pop shops including restaurants and cafes are the lifeblood of our communities and now more than ever need all of our support. Many have been struggling to survive during the COVID shutdown, and highlighting their business is a great free way to help promote them. 

• Space is limited to 100 participants & it is NOW FULLY booked but there is a WAITLIST. Registration is required so we can send you a LINK VIA EMAIL to view it on our YouTube channel and we will be participating in a live chat during the premiere. 

• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/capturing-the-faces-voices-of-mom-and-pop-storefronts-tickets-109643582908

From our latest YouTube video "CHANGING NEW YORK: GRAFFITI & PROTEST AGAINST RACIAL INJUSTICE" is live!

Full video: https://youtu.be/qV0-LDPc_rE 

We walk with our dog to Union Square in Manhattan, we visit with world-famous graffiti artist Steve ESPO Powers, who was spray painting boards surrounding The Daryl Roth Theatre with his "Black Lives Matter" mural and inspirational quotes. 

We also visit two George Floyd #Protests for #blacklivesmatter against racial injustice, the first peaceful protest was at Union Square and the second #protest was at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, NYC.  

Places we visit: Daryl Roth Theatre 101 East 15th Street at Union Square East Union Square, Manhattan located between East 14th and East 17th Street and Union Square East & West Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. 

We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla

Our latest YouTube video "CHANGING NEW YORK: GRAFFITI & PROTEST AGAINST RACIAL INJUSTICE" is live!

We walk with our dog to Union Square in Manhattan, we visit with world-famous graffiti artist Steve ESPO Powers, who was spray painting boards surrounding The Daryl Roth Theatre with his "Black Lives Matter" mural and inspirational quotes. 

We also visit two George Floyd #Protests for #blacklivesmatter against racial injustice, the first peaceful protest was at Union Square and the second #protest was at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, NYC.  

Places we visit: Daryl Roth Theatre 101 East 15th Street at Union Square East Union Square, Manhattan located between East 14th and East 17th Street and Union Square East & West Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village.  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. 

We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla

Thank you @UntappedNewYork !

Full article: https://untappedcities.com/2020/06/19/capture-the-faces-of-nycs-mom-and-pop-stores-with-james-and-karla-murray/ 

"In order to raise awareness of the importance of mom-and-pop shops throughout the city, photographers James and Karla Murray, in collaboration with the East Village Community Coalition, are hosting a free photography and oral history workshop Capturing the Faces and Voices of Mom-and-Pop Storefronts 2020." 

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/capturing-the-faces-voices-of-mom-and-pop-storefronts-tickets-109643582908?fbclid=IwAR3rABHL24TP_ZE2uUtJejrJSntKcIzYZkA69va4HrJ3xchpRX_b7Ppm3Sw

Apple Store, Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, NYC.

We just posted a new video of our walk with Hudson along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to check in on how the shops and restaurants are doing after the riots earlier this month which devastated the area. 

Sadly, most of the storefronts were boarded-up and the streets were very empty. As we neared Central Park, we also filmed a protest against racial injustice. 

Hope you guys enjoy watching! 

Full video: https://youtu.be/DwrQX5fRJgA

We just posted a new video of our walk with Hudson along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to check in on how the shops and restaurants are doing after the riots earlier this month which devastated the area.

Sadly, most of the storefronts were boarded-up and the streets were very empty. As we neared Central Park, we also filmed a protest against racial injustice. Hope you guys enjoy watching! 

Full video: https://youtu.be/DwrQX5fRJgA

Our latest YouTube video "NEW YORK PROTEST AGAINST RACIAL INJUSTICE: WALKING ALONG FIFTH AVENUE DURING LOCKDOWN" is live!

We walk with our dog to see the #protest for racial injustice along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in memory of George Floyd and #blacklivesmatter . 

We also see the aftermath of the riot which took place in New York City and see many boarded-up luxury storefronts and hotels along Fifth Avenue. 

While walking we also check out some #graffiti and protest related street art painted on the boarded-up storefronts. 

We do see some signs of reopening from the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown, with a few restaurants and shops offering curbside pickup and takeaway.  

Filmed on Thursday June 11, 2020 along Fifth Avenue from 18th Street in the Flatiron District through the Upper East Side to Central Park in Manhattan.  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  

We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. 

We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla

We are excited to announce that registration is now open via Eventbrite.com for our FREE ONLINE workshop: CAPTURING THE FACES & VOICES OF MOM-AND-POP STOREFRONTS 2020.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/capturing-the-faces-voices-of-mom-and-pop-storefronts-tickets-109643582908?fbclid=IwAR3rABHL24TP_ZE2uUtJejrJSntKcIzYZkA69va4HrJ3xchpRX_b7Ppm3Sw

Start date of Monday June 22, 2020 is the date when the FREE ONLINE workshop will be available to view via our JamesandKarla YouTube channel. 

PLEASE NOTE to view our FREE workshop video you MUST HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT (GMAIL ADDRESS) or create a free Google account and LOG IN to view. 

• This photography, social media and oral history ONLINE workshop focuses on the cultural significance of neighborhood stores and the impact they have on the pulse, life, and texture of their communities. The ONLINE workshop will culminate in both an online @momandpopstorefronts dedicated Instagram page and a public exhibition of participants' work at a free public venue to be announced. 

• The workshops teach how photography, social media, and oral history can be tools for public awareness and advocacy. Participants will learn to create their own powerful photographs of neighborhood storefronts as well as record oral histories with shop owners, which communicate artistically and are insightful and moving. Participants will also gain valuable knowledge in creating and maintaining their own social media account. Small local mom-and-pop shops including restaurants and cafes are the lifeblood of our communities and now more than ever need all of our support. Many have been struggling to survive during the Coronavirus pandemic shutdown, and highlighting their business via photography and oral histories is a great free way to help promote them and make sure they weather COVID-19. 

• Space is limited to 50 participants per online workshop. The WORKSHOP IS FREE but advance registration is required so that we can send you a LINK VIA EMAIL to view the online workshop on our YouTube channel. Everyone who registers and participates in the first online workshop will receive another link to a second LIVESTREAM workshop session providing feedback on your work.

From our YouTube video "NEW YORK AFTER RIOT: LOCKDOWN WALK AROUND SOHO, CAN IT REOPEN?".

Full video: https://youtu.be/2MxY0nm06ZM 

We walk with our dog during the #Coronavirus #Lockdown in New York around the streets of SoHo in Manhattan to see the aftermath of the riot which took place in #NYC on the evenings of May 31 to June 2, 2020.

Our new YouTube video "BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN NEW YORK: BUYING & HOW TO MAKE MOZZARELLA CHEESE DURING LOCKDOWN" is live!

In this BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN NEW YORK tour, we visit Russo's Mozzarella & Pasta in the East Village of Manhattan and not only see where to buy amazing homemade mozzarella, pasta and prepared Italian #food, but also film a tutorial on how to make mozzarella cheese. 

This family-owned shop has been open during the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown in #NYC and is one of the last remaining shops where you can get an authentic taste of #Italy in Manhattan.  

We bring home and eat their delicious homemade mozzarella cheese and an amazing made to order Caprese Sandwich.  

Russo's Mozzarella & Cheese: 344 East 11th Street East Village, New York  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  

We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. 

We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla

JAMES AND KARLA: On Instagram & Twitter @jamesandkarla  Email: jandk@jamesandkarlamurray.com  Website: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com

Record Mart located in the Times Square subway station sadly announced that it has permanently closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

Record Mart was founded in 1958 and was the oldest surviving record store in Manhattan until it announced its closure this week. It was known for its great selection of Latin music and salsa records. 

• To see what Times Square looks like today amidst the Coronavirus shutdown, please watch our YouTube video which highlights our walk up a very empty Broadway from Union Square to Times Square. Link: https://youtu.be/A2ODgeujB5U

Historic Fanelli Café on Prince Street in SoHo

We were so happy to see that the historic Fanelli Café on Prince Street in SoHo has reopened for takeaway with a special dedicated take-out window and even set up some tables outside where you can drink your takeaway beer 🍺 and have some food to go along with your drink.  

To see our full NEW YORK AFTER RIOT: LOCKDOWN WALK AROUND SOHO video please watch our Full video: https://youtu.be/2MxY0nm06ZM  

In our latest YouTube video, we walk with our dog through the very empty streets of SoHo showing the devastation after the riots last week and check in at Fanelli Café and see many boarded-up businesses.

From our latest YouTube video "NEW YORK AFTER RIOT: LOCKDOWN WALK AROUND SOHO, CAN IT REOPEN?".

Full video: https://youtu.be/2MxY0nm06ZM 

We walk with our dog during the #Coronavirus #Lockdown in New York around the streets of SoHo in Manhattan to see the aftermath of the riot which took place in #NYC on the evenings of May 31 to June 2, 2020.

Our latest YouTube video "NEW YORK AFTER RIOT: LOCKDOWN WALK AROUND SOHO, CAN IT REOPEN?" is live!

 

We walk with our dog during the Coronavirus Lockdown in New York around the streets of SoHo in Manhattan to see the aftermath of the riot which took place in #NYC on the evenings of May 31 to June 2, 2020.  

We see many boarded-up luxury storefronts and some with broken glass still laying on the street. 

We also see some signs of reopening, with a few restaurants and shops offering curbside pickup and takeaway.  

Filmed on Thursday June 4, 2020 along Broadway, Mercer Street, Greene Street, Wooster Street, West Broadway, West Houston Street, Prince Street, Spring Street, and Broome Street in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan.  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  

We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. 

We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla

Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Broadway near Times Square

Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Broadway near Times Square has been in business since 1987 and is known for its singing waitstaff and its 1950s #retroaesthetic with memorabilia lining its walls. 

We recently visited Times Square to see how busy it was (it was largely empty) and how the many businesses which rely heavily on tourism and theater goers were doing and sadly most remain closed due to the Coronavirus shutdown. 

• Watch our YouTube video highlighting a very empty Times Square: https://youtu.be/A2ODgeujB5U

Our latest YouTube video "RIDING THE NYC SUBWAY DURING CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN: IS IT SAFE?" is live!

We take a ride on the #NYC subway during the Coronavirus lockdown to see if it safe to travel during the COVID-19 quarantine pandemic. 

We start our subway trip in Manhattan at the usually very busy Union Square / 14 Street subway hub which connects the 4,5,6,N,R,Q,W and L subway lines. 

Union Square is fairly empty of people at 9:45 AM and we take the 4 express train to the City Hall / Chambers Street station and transfer to the J local train to travel to Bushwick, Brooklyn. The car we ride in is empty at times and the people who are traveling are all safely wearing masks. 

We look out the window of the first subway car as we ride above ground in Brooklyn and take note of neighborhood sites and buildings. 

We exit the subway at the Gates Avenue stop on the border of the Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhoods of Brooklyn at around 10:20 AM.  

Note that face coverings are REQUIRED while riding the New York subway system.  

Filmed on Wednesday June 3, 2020 at 9:45 AM  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  

We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. 

We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla

Mask Life over on Avenue D, East Village, NYC.

To see our East Village’s Alphabet City, #NewYorkCity #pandemic walk with our dog Hudson check out our full YouTube video: https://youtu.be/6PijcC-ENUU

Our YouTube video "TIMES SQUARE LOCKDOWN: WALKING FROM UNION SQUARE TO EMPTY TIMES SQUARE DURING COVID PANDEMIC" is live!

Full video: https://youtu.be/A2ODgeujB5U 

In our walk with our dog during the Coronavirus Lockdown in New York we travel from Union Square in Manhattan via Broadway to an empty Times Square in Midtown, Manhattan.  On our way we see how empty Herald Square is during the pandemic and see the streets mainly devoid of tourists surrounding the "Crossroads of the World" in Times Square.  Even though Times Square is largely empty, the Naked Cowboy is still out playing his guitar.    

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  

We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. 

We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla

Our latest YouTube video "TIMES SQUARE LOCKDOWN: WALKING FROM UNION SQUARE TO EMPTY TIMES SQUARE DURING COVID PANDEMIC" is live!

In our walk with our dog during the Coronavirus Lockdown in New York we travel from Union Square in Manhattan via Broadway to an empty Times Square in Midtown, Manhattan. 

On our way we see how empty Herald Square is during the pandemic and see the streets mainly devoid of tourists surrounding the "Crossroads of the World" in Times Square. 

Even though Times Square is largely empty, the Naked Cowboy is still out playing his guitar.  

Filmed on Thursday, May 28, 2020  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  

We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla

Le Fournil, a new French bakery in the East Village, NYC

Le Fournil, a new French bakery in the East Village, which opened in the #storefront formerly occupied by Moishe’s Kosher Bakery for 40 years was sadly vandalized on Saturday night following peaceful protests against racial inequality at Union Square in memory of George Floyd. 

• While filming our YouTube video documenting the then peaceful protest on East 14th Street, we also witnessed the nearby damage of the #protest turned riot where some instigators smashed the front windows of @lefournilnyc and a few other businesses along Second Avenue. Despite the extensive window damage (seen in our video) the bakery reopened on Sunday morning selling its delicious French pastries, bread 🥖 and some savory items. The owner even posted a note on the plywood-covered window that they support #blacklivesmatter . 

Please watch and subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel to see video. Direct link below and in IG story and bio. 

• Full video: https://youtu.be/Yg53MmtE_NQ

Protest against racial inequality at Union Square escalates.

Full video: https://youtu.be/zmur5qqCUt0 

We walked with our dog to see the #protest at Union Square in Manhattan in memory of George Floyd, justice and #blacklivesmatter late. 

We saw a massive police presence around Union Square, thousands of protestors marching along the streets of NYC and being arrested after clashes with police. Just a few hours ago it was announced that NYC will be instituting a citywide curfew starting at 11pm so this late night protest will be among the last ones documented.

Our latest YouTube video "NEW YORK PROTEST AGAINST RACIAL INEQUALITY AT UNION SQUARE ESCALATES" is live!

We walk with our dog to see the #protest against racial inequality at Union Square in Manhattan in memory of George Floyd, justice and #blacklivesmatter on the last night before NYC instituted a curfew. 

We see a massive police presence around Union Square, thousands of protestors marching along the streets of #NYC and being arrested after clashes with police.  

Filmed on Sunday, May 31, 2020 from 11 PM through the early hours on Monday, May 31, 2020 at Union Square, Manhattan on the last night before NYC instituted a curfew.  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!  We would love for you to subscribe to our channel and hit the thumbs up and notification bell and please SHARE if you enjoy the video. 

We will be posting new videos EVERY WEEK highlighting unique small businesses in New York City.  

SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesandKarla