Friday, December 31, 2021

Happy New Year to everyone!

With 2022 just hours away, we are happy to report that Sardi’s on West 44th Street in the Theater District near Times Square has just recently reopened after being closed for 648 days due to the pandemic. 

This iconic restaurant was founded by Vincent Sardi and his wife Eugenia in 1927 and is known for the hundreds of illustrated caricatures of show business celebrities that cover the walls. Sardi’s is still frequented by many #Broadway actors and offers a low-cost “actor’s menu” available to members of Actors’ Equity or the Screen Actors Guild. 

When we took this photo of @sardisnyc for our book “New York Nights” in 2010 we were lucky enough to interview the longtime bartender, Joseph Petrsoric, who has been lining up martini glasses on the 2nd floor bar since 1968. He told us that “In the good old days, we would often get the entire cast of a new Broadway show coming in here on opening night. The producers, backers and everyone from the show would eat and drink and sweat it out waiting for the critics’ reviews.” 

• Check out our full interview with Joe, who also names who his favorite customer was, in our book “New York Nights”.



Thursday, December 30, 2021

Kam Hing Coffee Shop, Chinatown, NYC

Kam Hing Coffee Shop on Baxter Street is a hidden gem family-owned bakery in Chinatown which has been in business since the 1970s. It is best known for its amazing sponge cake, which is similar to angel food cake in that it is very light but more “eggy” in taste and has a different texture on the outside. The sponge cakes are small so you can easily eat a few at a time and are only $2 for 3 regular flavor sponge cakes! 

The third-generation owners even introduced new flavors in the past few years of sponge cakes including green tea, chocolate chip, coconut, pumpkin spice, butterscotch and strawberry but we are still partial the the original. 

• We visited @newkamhing on Christmas Eve to have some of their delicious sponge cakes, and found out from the owners that the holidays are one of the busiest times of year as customers often buy a box of sponge cakes to give as gifts. 

• To see our visit to Kam Hing, please watch and subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

• Full video: https://youtu.be/cXuOU0Q76yA



Saturday, December 25, 2021

Merry Christmas everyone!

Last night on Christmas Eve, we walked through Little Italy 🇮🇹 in lower Manhattan which was once known for its large population of Italian immigrants who first settled in the area during the 1850s. By the 1920s, the neighborhood of Little Italy occupied an area roughly bounded to the north by West 4th Street and Houston Street, to the east by the Bowery, to the south by Canal Street and to the west by Greenwich Village, which also had a large Italian settlement. 

Today, much of Little Italy has become part of Chinatown and Italian-owned small businesses are centered on Mulberry Street between Broome and Canal Streets. 

• To watch our livestream #ChristmasEve walk through Little Italy & Chinatown last night where we highlighted many small businesses including Italian and Chinese-owned shops, please subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. • 

Full video: https://youtu.be/cXuOU0Q76yA



Friday, December 24, 2021

Our Store Front photo of Zito's Bakery used in new Bob Dylan painting

Thank you Scott Warmuth ! @scottwarmuth1 Writer and musician. I explore the work of Bob Dylan. http://swarmuth.blogspot.com 

The source for most of this new Bob Dylan painting is a scene from some Harlem newsreel footage from the 30’s. The folks at EDLIS Café have placed the source of the bakery component as a shot by  JamesandKarla Murray,  as seen in their book Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York.




Happy Festivus for all who celebrate!

Festivus is celebrated on December 23rd as an alternative to the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas season & was created by author Daniel O'Keefe & popularized in the 1997 Seinfeld episode when Cosmo Kramer, Elaine Benes & Jerry Seinfeld are dining at Monk’s Restaurant aka (exterior filmed at Tom’s Restaurant in NYC) with George Costanza who is opening his mail, receives a card from his father saying, "Dear Son, Happy Festivus." 

The #Festivus celebration includes dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, the "Airing of Grievances" and "Feats of Strength", and the labeling of easily explainable events as "Festivus miracles. The Seinfeld episode refers the holiday as "a Festivus for the rest of us".



Thursday, December 23, 2021

Addeo Bakery in the Little Italy 🇮🇹 of the Bronx

Addeo Bakery in the Little Italy 🇮🇹 of the Bronx is a family-owned business that has been in operation since 1929. This historic Italian 🇮🇹bread 🍞 #bakery is run by the 3rd-generation brothers, Laurence and Tommy Addeo. 

We absolutely love ❤️ its beautiful #script #handpainted sign and their Pane di Casa, an oval white Italian bread that is made from what Laurence described to us as "a long-term dough that takes as much as 8 hours of preparation in fermentation, scaling and proofing before it even goes into the oven". 

•We visited both locations of @addeobakers yesterday (this shop is on Arthur Avenue and their main bakery operation is on nearby Hughes Avenue) as we live-streamed our walk around @bronxlittleitaly and supported many small including Addeo, where we found out that they now bake a whole wheat Pane di Casa which just like their original white bread was absolutely delicious! 

• To watch our visit to Addeo Bakers and see it’s original interior (we even have our Pane di Casa sliced using their #vintage bread slicing machine) please subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

• Full livestream video: https://youtu.be/EW_OKZ2exJI



Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Katinka, East Village, NYC

Katinka on East 9th Street near 2nd Avenue was founded by musician Billy Lyles and his wife, designer Jane Williams in 1979. 

They sell unique Indian clothing, shoes and accessories and original designs by Jane in a very tiny #storefront created between two neighboring buildings, which in of itself is very a New York City oddity, which we love. 

• We recently visited @katinka_ny in our livestream YouTube video highlighting small businesses and Christmas decorations in the East Village and spoke with Jane about how she curated the selection at this amazingly colorful shop and how she are struggling to keep their 41+ year-old business afloat. 

 • To watch our livestream walk and visit to Katinka where we purchased a pair of handcrafted mittens to help support this lovely shop, please watch and subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

•Full video:  https://youtu.be/1wngdJTCQ-w



Monday, December 20, 2021

The March Hare, East Village, NYC

The March Hare on East 9th Street in the East Village has the most adorable holiday window. This small shop which sells toys, plushies puzzles, puppets and craft kits  just opened 1 year ago amidst the pandemic. 

@themarchharenyc shop’s owner, Karen McDermott, who runs the business with her husband Jason McGroarty, was diagnosed with colon cancer in October and although she has been getting better ❤️‍🩹 we wanted to highlight the shop and have everyone help support it as it truly is a gem.  

• To watch our livestream video walk yesterday through the East Village to see some of the Christmas decorations and wonderful shops in the neighborhood with great Christmas displays, including The March Hare, please subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

• Full video: https://youtu.be/1wngdJTCQ-w



Sunday, December 19, 2021

Luigi's Pizza, Park Slope, Brooklyn

Luigi's Pizza in Park Slope, Brooklyn has been in business since 1973 and is now being run by the 2nd generation owner, Giovanni Lanzo. 

They serve amazing #pizza using only the freshest ingredients. 

Our Photo from 2006 and full interview with Giovanni appear in our book, "Store Front:The Disappearing Face of New York" and we are happy to report that @luigispizzaparkslope #storefront with its retro facade and interior remains unchanged today. 

• • • • • #pizzeria #pizzerias #newyorkpizza #parkslopebrooklyn #parkslope #pizzalover #pizzalovers #pizzas #pizzapizzapizza #pizzalove



Thursday, December 16, 2021

Garry Jewelers, Park Slope, Brooklyn

Garry Jewelers in Park Slope, Brooklyn was founded in 1951 by Ralph & Rose Garafola. 

We spoke with the second-generation owner Michael in 2006 when we interviewed him for our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York” and he told us one of the reasons for its longevity was that “Customers appreciate the stability of a long-time business and see our sign outside and know that we’ve been in the neighborhood for years.” 

Sadly, this family-owned business has been closed since 2009 and the #storefront has sat dormant but with its #neonsignage and wonderful inlaid tile of “Garry” written in #script on the front lobby entrance intact. We hope this lovely #storefront with its neon is preserved but its future is still uncertain. 

• • • • • #disappearingfaceofnewyork #jewelry #jamesandkarla #jewelrydesigner #jewelryaddict #jewlerydesign #jewler #jewels #jewelrygram #parkslope #neon #neonsigns #lettering



Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Happy belated birthday to the legendary CBGB

Happy belated birthday to the legendary CBGB which opened on the Bowery on December 10th in 1973. CBGB became known as the birthplace of American punk rock, giving groups such as Television, The Ramones, Patti Smith, and Blondie their start. 🎶 

This iconic #club lost its lease and closed in 2006 and a John Varvatos clothing store took over the former #storefront of CBGB but preserved some of the original graffiti-covered walls of CBGB and even the newer bathroom 🚽in the store has a nod to its infamous graffiti past. 

Our photo of CBGB appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”. 

• • • • • • #jamesandkarla #punk #punkrock #punkmusic #punkhardcore #omfug #punkrockers #punkrockmusic #cbgb #disappearingfaceofnewyork #musician #musician #rocknroll #rock



Friday, December 10, 2021

Trailer Park Lounge, Chelsea, NYC

Trailer Park Lounge on West 23rd Street in Chelsea was founded in 2000 after the owners had a chance encounter with an Elvis impersonator and decided to open this trailer park-themed bar. 

It certainly has a festive vibe and features vintage #Americana decor including lots of #neon signage and memorabilia & serves classic American eats including burgers, tater tots, and fries. 

We were worried about this spot during the pandemic as it was closed for a long duration but are happy to report that it is open and sending a bright glow as usual. 

• • • • • #trailerpark #jamesandkarla #storefront #chelsea #lounge #neonsigns #vintage neonsignage #americanstyle #kitsch  #vintagestyle #vintageneonsign



Thursday, December 9, 2021

Myzel’s Chocolate, NYC

Myzel’s Chocolate on West 55th Street near 7th Avenue in the heart of the Theater District was founded in 1990 by Kamila Myzel. This lovely family-owned chocolatier not only sells a huge selection of their own homemade chocolates but also sells 160 different varieties of European licorice. 

We recently visited @myzelschocolate and spoke with the owner, Kamila about her shop and how it has been struggling to survive due to the pandemic as it was forced to close for many months due to the lack of street traffic and tourists in the neighborhood. 

• To watch our visit to Myzel’s where we purchased some delicious cappuccino chocolates, licorice and a chocolate-covered gingerbread Christmas cookie which Kamila baked herself please subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. We also hope others visit and help support this amazing shop as it is in immediate danger of closing.  

• Full video: https://youtu.be/HmQu0mn1Uqg



Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Broadway Wines & Liquors, Astoria, Queens

Broadway Wines & Liquors in Astoria, Queens circa 2009 as seen in our book “New York Nights”. 

We absolutely loved the festive facade this #storefront has for the holidays and especially loved its gorgeous neon signage glowing bright green with WINES separated from LIQUORS with a bright red neon dot! 

Even though this family-owned liquor store is still in business, the #neonsignage was removed in 2017.  • 

• • • • #jamesandkarla #wines #liquorstore #disappearingfaceofnewyork #neon #winestore #wineshop #liquorshop #astoria #neonsign #winestagram




Monday, December 6, 2021

Smiler’s Delicatessen, Midtown, NYC

Yesterday we walked to see the beautifully decorated Christmas windows at Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue as well as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. 

It’s an annual tradition for us to walk with our dog to the tourist-heavy areas to see the holiday decorations but we always would stop on our way back home for a coffee or hot chocolate to warm ourselves up at Smiler’s Delicatessen on Fifth Avenue in Midtown as it kept its prices fairly reasonable. 

Sadly, we discovered yesterday, that Smiler’s had closed and we no longer had an affordable option in the neighborhood. We will  miss this unassuming #deli and will definitely search for a replacement.  

• To watch our livestream walk to see all the holiday windows and the Christmas 🎄 tree at Rockefeller Center, please subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

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




Sunday, December 5, 2021

Watch the replay of our festive walk!

NYC LIVE Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Windows at Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf & Saks Fifth Ave 2021 in New York City! 

Full livestream video:  https://youtu.be/yvxUheBGFkg



Saturday, December 4, 2021

Murray’s Sturgeon Shop, Upper West Side, NYC

Continuing our week celebrating Jewish-owned NYC businesses in honor of Hanukkah 🕎 which is being celebrated until December 6th, we are highlighting Murray’s Sturgeon Shop in the Upper West Side. 

Murray’s, which specializes in smoked fish including #sturgeon and smoked salmon as well as caviar, has been in business since 1945 and was founded by Polish immigrant, Murray Bernstein. 

We absolutely love its #neon signage (our last name is Murray) and included our photo of the #storefront in our book, “Store Front II- A History Preserved.” 

#smokedfish #lox #loxbagel #caviar #smokedsalmon #smokedsalmonbagel #smokedsalmonsalad #appetizers #appetizers #soup #soupseason #upperwestsidenyc



Friday, December 3, 2021

Gertel’s Bakery, Lower East Side, NYC

Continuing our week celebrating Jewish-owned NYC businesses in honor of Hanukkah 🕎 which is being celebrated this week, we are highlighting Gertel’s Bakery in the Lower East Side. This #Jewish bakery was owned by Abe Stern and specialized in homemade rugelach, challah bread, and hamantaschen. 

Sadly, the bakery was forced to close when the building was sold to a developer who knocked it down to build a luxury eight-story condo. Not visible in this photo was their overhanging #neon sign (swipe left for 2nd photo) which luckily was saved and moved to their wholesale business in Brooklyn. 

We also wished that this great #handpainted #signage with the #script lettering was also saved. 

Photo from 2004 taken with 35mm film appears in our book, "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York". 

• • • • • #bakery #jewishfood #jewish #hamentashen #rugelach #bakers #lowereastsidenyc #challahbread #ryebread




Thursday, December 2, 2021

15% OFF HOLIDAY SALE on ALL OUR MERCHANDISE!

15% OFF HOLIDAY SALE on ALL OUR MERCHANDISE!  As a way of thanking everyone who follows our IG & watches our YouTube channel and is interested in purchasing some of our wonderful channel merchandise including t-shirts, mugs, totes, hoodies, we are offering 15% OFF any purchase TODAY through 2:59 AM EST tomorrow. If you are in PT sale runs ALL DAY TODAY through 11:59 PM PT.  Use code: HOLIDAY15 upon checkout ! 

• Also as an added bonus, Hudson and Karla & James will send you in the mail Hudson Pizza King & Hudson Extra Good stickers as seen in the 5th photo and a Hudson pawtograph! 

• Check out our Merchandise STORE & Get 15% OFF! Use code: HOLIDAY15 upon checkout 

https://jamesandkarla.creator-spring.com





Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Jay Dee Bakery, Forest Hills, Queens

Today, we are highlighting another Jewish-owned small business in honor of Hanukkah. Jay Dee Bakery in Forest Hills, Queens was in business for over 60 years before it closed in 2009. It was well known for its chocolate marble cake, pies, and custom birthday cakes. We especially loved its gorgeous #storefront with Art Deco details and its reverse channel neon sign complete with a unique script #font. Our 35mm photo appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”.
We are not the only ones who appreciated its facade, the Estate of James Yancey used our photo of Jay Dee Bakery for the 12” first press clear vinyl release of J Dilla’s long lost vocal track (that had never before been released), “Give Them What They Want”.
(Swipe left for 2nd photo)
The first press 12” featured clear vinyl atop a Jeff Jank-altered photograph by James T. & Karla L. Murray.




Monday, November 29, 2021

Happy Hanukkah 🕎

This evening is the first night of Hanukkah 🕎 and for all who celebrate this holiday, we are highlighting the original location of the 2nd Avenue Deli in the East Village, which was founded in 1954. The late Abe Lebewohl opened this iconic Jewish #delicatessen on the corner of 2nd Avenue at East 10th Street but it sadly closed in 2006 when the rent was raised from $24,000 a month to $33,000 a month. 

Abe’s nephews reopened the #deli in 2007 in Midtown on East 33rd Street and it also now has an Upper East Side location serving its iconic sandwiches, chopped liver and matzoh ball soup. 

This film photo taken in 2005 appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”. • • 

 #disappearingfaceofnewyork #jewish #jewishfood #jamesandkarla #storefront #supportsmallbusiness #supportlocal #supportlocalbusiness



Sunday, November 28, 2021

Support Small Business!

We are celebrating the many small businesses we have photographed in the past 25 years in New York City, by offering a sale on our prints of our 12 x 36 inch chromatic branded signage collage, which we designed using 100 different photos of the many #momandpopshops in all 5 boroughs of NYC. This signed limited edition collage is now $230 and  includes FREE shipping to anywhere in the USA.  

• To order, please Venmo $230 payment to us & shipping address to us at our Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/Karla-Murray



Thursday, November 25, 2021

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

To celebrate this holiday, we watched a& livestreamed from the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We had so much fun seeing in person the massive balloons which are handled by 90 people! Some of our favorites from this 95th Year of the Parade included Astronaut Snoopy, Pikachu and the Papa Smurf from “The Smurfs”.  

•To see the other large balloons including Sponge Bob SquarePants, Sonic the Hedgehog, Pillsbury Doughboy, and The Boss Baby please watch and subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

• Full Video: https://youtu.be/oFUzpjCS3Ek





Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Veselka the Ukrainian comfort food diner is open on Thanksgiving

Veselka, the Ukrainian comfort food diner in the East Village has been in business since 1954 and is one of the few casual restaurants, which not only is open on Thanksgiving but also serves both an affordable Turkey 🦃 dinner as well as a special Thanksgiving #vegetarian dinner and even a special Turkey Pierogi Bowl filled with Roast Turkey and cornbread stuffing served with Turkey gravy snd cranberry sauce.  


• To watch our video highlighting @veselkanyc and its affordable Thanksgiving Dinner, please subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

Full video: https://youtu.be/Vid_JWhc3s4



Sunday, November 21, 2021

The Union Square Holiday Market

The Union Square Holiday Market is now open daily It was founded in 1993 by Eldon Scott of @urbanspacenyc and is modeled after Christkindlmarkts in Germany. It features independent vendors and artisans who are all individually selected to mark sure that there are varied offerings. Applicants are even personally interviewed and asked to provide samples of merchandise before being selected.
Last evening we visited the @unionsquareholidaymarket to highlight this wonderful #christmasmarket and help support some of the vendors. To watch our livestream visit and to see what we purchased including a handcrafted bracelet, please watch and subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story.



Saturday, November 20, 2021

East Village Meat Market, East Village, NYC

East Village Meat Market was founded by Julian Baczynsky in 1970 and specializes in Ukrainian Kielbasa, which are made by hand and smoked daily in the back of the shop. 

We recently visited @eastvillagemeatmarket to see both the items they are offering for Thanksgiving as well as their special #Thanksgiving prepared meals ( #Thanksgivingdinner ) which includes fresh roasted turkey and cranberry stuffing as well as Country hams and Canadian hams and potato pierogi. 

• To watch our visit to this amazing family-owned #butchershop please  subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

• Full video: https://youtu.be/HGCE6uqrOrI


Sunset. Central Park Autumn.

Sunset. Central Park #Autumn . Watch our full walk: NYC LIVE Walking Rainy Central Park Fall Foliage Tour & 5th Avenue & Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Holiday Windows Preview Saturday night with our dog Hudson!

Video: https://youtu.be/ooq4ylOZdCw



Friday, November 19, 2021

Tea & Sympathy on Greenwich Avenue in the West Village

Tea & Sympathy on Greenwich Avenue in the West Village and its British grocery provision shop, Carry On Tea & Sympathy which is located next door to the restaurant are all owned by Nicky Perry, a British expat. Nicky founded Tea & Sympathy in 1990 and it has attracted many British expats and celebrities over the years including Sarah Jessica Parker, Dame Judi Dench and David Bowie, who celebrated his 50th birthday at the tea-room style restaurant. 

• Yesterday, we dined with our dog, Hudson @hudsonpittienyc in the outdoor dining structure of @teaandsympathynyc and had a large pot of Typhoo tea for two and an order of both cod and haddock battered & fried fish 🐟& chips from their sister fish & chips shop, “A Salt & Battery” which were absolutely delicious. We ended our meal with a slice of Marmalade cake which Nicky made using her homemade marmalade and an order of custard and fresh scones served with clotted cream and jam (2nd photo).  

• To watch our livestream walk around the West Village and our lovely meal at Tea & Sympathy, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

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




Rainy Central Park #Autumn .

Watch our full walk: NYC LIVE Walking Rainy Central Park Fall Foliage Tour & 5th Avenue & Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Holiday Windows Preview Saturday night with our dog Hudson! 

Video: https://youtu.be/ooq4ylOZdCw



Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Autumn. Central Park, NYC.

Watch our full walk: NYC LIVE Walking Rainy Central Park Fall Foliage Tour & 5th Avenue & Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Holiday Windows Preview Saturday night with our dog Hudson! 

Video: https://youtu.be/ooq4ylOZdCw




Smith’s Bar in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood near Times Square has been in business since 1954.

Although this old Irish ☘️ pub which closed briefly in late 2014 before a new owner (actress Hayden Pannetire’s father)  took over the former dive bar and renovated it, he thankfully kept and restored the original #neon signage.  

This photo of the original #storefront was taken in 2004 and appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”.



Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Village Works NYC, East Village, NYC

Village Works NYC is a unique gallery/bookstore in the East Village which was opened earlier this year by Joey Sheridan. It focuses on New York-centric new and used books and artists who create art in New York City. 

• We just visited @villageworksnyc today and not only spoke with Joey about why he created this great new space but we also signed copies of three of our books that are for sale including a rare copy of our NYC graffiti book “Burning New York” as well as our book “Store Front II-A History Preserved” 

• To watch our visit to Village Works with our dog Hudson, please subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

https://youtu.be/MVC2aSjLsVs



Monday, November 15, 2021

Central Park Autumn Rain Fun.

Watch our full walk: NYC LIVE Walking Rainy Central Park Fall Foliage Tour & 5th Avenue & Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Holiday Windows Preview Saturday night with our dog Hudson! 

Video: https://youtu.be/ooq4ylOZdCw



Deep Cuts Record Store in Ridgewood, Queens was founded by Brandon Perry in 2013.

Deep Cuts specialize in used and new vinyl records in a wide variety of genres.  

• We visited @deepcutsrecordstore the other day and not only found some #vinylrecords gems but also filmed a short video highlighting the shop and also spoke with Brandon about his inventory and how he founded his #recordstore  

To see what #vinyl we found , please watch our video please see direct link below & in bio and IG story. • Full video: https://youtu.be/39yRW_I4WX0



Sunday, November 14, 2021

Hudson. Central Park Autumn Rain Fun New York City

Watch our full walk: NYC LIVE Walking Rainy Central Park Fall Foliage Tour & 5th Avenue & Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Holiday Windows Preview last night with our dog Hudson! 

Video: https://youtu.be/ooq4ylOZdCw



Saturday, November 13, 2021

Thank you El País for the article!

Print version:  "Los retratistas de una Nueva York que dice adiós" MATEO SANCHO CARDIEL - 07 NOV 2021 

Photos courtesy of Ignacio Buhigas






Gotham Thrift Shop in Ridgewood, Queens

Gotham Thrift Shop in Ridgewood, Queens has an amazing selection of #vintage furniture, memorabilia, vinyl records, books, comics, baseball cards, jewelry and clothing. Yesterday we visited @gothamthriftny to check out the many unique items they sell (the Coca-Cola bottle vending machine seen in the front window was a fave of ours).  

•To see some of the other items we spotted inside (we purchased a thick  silver bracelet), please watch & subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. • 

Full video: https://youtu.be/3klL_gd96B8



Friday, November 12, 2021

Joe & John Pizzeria & Restaurant on Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood, Queens was founded in 1968.

We really loved its unique retro facade adorned with yellow and mint green-colored panels giving it a sort of big-top circus 🎪 look.  Although the #pizza place is still in business, the original Joe and John have long retired and new owners and management took over the #pizzeria and modernized the exterior and replaced the #vintage #signage. We photographed the #storefront at night for our book “New York Nights” but also took a daytime photo which appears in our book “Store Front II-A History Preserved".  

• Today, we visited @joeandjohns_ to have a classic slice of pizza 🍕 with our pizza-loving dog Hudson. To see what we both thought of the pizza we tried, please watch   & subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

• Full video: https://youtu.be/3klL_gd96B8