Vasquez Grocery in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Yesterday, it reached a high of 85 degrees Fahrenheit in Central Park, which had us thinking about enjoying a cold drink while relaxing in the shade like these two guys were in 2004 when we took this #filmphotograph in 2004 which appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”. We also love the unique handpainted #signage this #bodega has.

 At one point, the sign was surrounded by colorful chasing lights but they had long since disappeared. Let us know if you have a favorite corner store where you can often see locals hanging out. 

• #storefront #jamesandkarla #film #disappearingfaceofnewyork #typographydesign #signagedesign #vernaculartypography #filmisnotdead

La Pastora Bakery in the Bronx was founded over 50 years ago and is currently run by the third-generation owner using his grandfather’s recipes.

We photographed this timeworn #storefront in 2006 and our photo and interview with the owner appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”. @thelamc recently selected our photo of La Pastora Bakery and some of our other work documenting Latino “Mom-and-Pop” Storefronts to be highlighted as part of the 2021 Latin Alternative Music Conference which is being held May 4-7, 2021. 

To register for the free conference and view our full Artist portfolio please visit: https://www.Latin alternative.com/art.html 

• #bakery #bakersofinstagram #bakerslife #latino #latinos #supportsmallbusiness #supportlocal #shopsmall #supportlocalbusiness #supportsmallbusinesses #allinnyc #shoplocal #bakingfromscratch #bakinglove #supportlatinabusiness #supportartists

Last night was the first Supermoon of 2021 and this April’s special full moon is known as the Pink Moon due to the pink flowers 🌸 (phlox) which bloom in the springtime.

 While we look for the moon rising tonight at 11:32 PM, our thoughts go to the former Moon’s Home aka Demetree Hotel in the Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida. The Demetree was a noted flophouse and interestingly has been renovated in recent years as an affordable B&B hotel. 

• #moon #moonlovers #overtown #overtownmiami #hotel #hotellife #hotelhideaway #hotels #miami #hotelsoftheworld #moon_of_the_day

Shake Shack vs Paul's, East Village, NYC

Paul’s Da Burger Joint in the East Village has been in business since 1989 and makes amazing 1/2 pound burgers cooked to order as well as delicious steak fries. We visited @paulsdaburgerjoint last night during our YouTube livestream Burger Battle to purchase & compare freshly made burgers 🍔 and fries 🍟 from corporate owned Shake Shack on Astor Place to the independently-owned Paul’s. 2nd photo of Shake Shack burger and crinkle-cut fries on left vs Paul’s Da Burger Joint burger and steak fries on right. • To find out who the clear winner of our #burgerbattle was please watch and subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

•Full video: https://youtu.be/V-EnzO2d4xw

Olden Camera in Midtown closed a number of years ago but we always wondered what happened to its beautiful #neonsign.

As huge #analog camera fans as well as #typographylovers we would have loved to have saved it! Although realistically it would never have fit into our East Village studio as it was enormous. 

We just passed by this #storefront which you can enter from either Broadway or 6th Avenue and every floor is empty of tenants and currently for rent. 

Photo from 2004 appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York.

Karla wears the “I MAKE THE RULES” while I appropriately wear the “I BREAK THE RULES”

My friends from Argentina @anidespres and @donatti gifted me and my pet parents @jamesandkarla with the most amazing hoodies from @elalmacenderoger , an independently owned dog apparel company based in Argentina which was established because the owner specifically could not find doggie clothing to fit her larger dog, Roger. 

We absolutely love these graphic hoodies which are not only super comfortable and toasty warm to wear but also love the logos on each design. Karla wears the “I MAKE THE RULES” while I appropriately wear the “I BREAK THE RULES”. 

Please help support this amazing small business and look extra good & stylish at the same time! 

LINK: https://elalmacenderoger.empretienda.com.ar/

Rivington Guitars, East Village, NYC

Rivington Guitars 🎸on East 4th Street was founded in 1998 on Rivington Street and focuses on both acoustic and electric #vintageguitar from the 1950s-1970s. 

To watch our visit to @rivingtonguitar: https://youtu.be/38tp9G_y6JI 

Owner Howie Statland travels the US searching for unique inventory for his shop and when we met with him the other day, he showed us some of his favorite #vintageguitars he currently has in stock including Fenders and Gibsons. 

Many famous musicians have purchased guitars at the shop including Walter Becker from Steely Dan, Paul Simon, Robert Plant, Courtney Love and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top.

Meet our Argentinian friend Ana and her friend Juan!

In our NYC LIVE: Argentinian Fan Meets James and Karla & Hudson in NYC,  , who brought gifts from Argentina for us.  

Full video: https://youtu.be/vv2XxTZd4QI 

Hudson gifts from https://elalmacenderoger.empretienda.com.ar/

Epic hail storm & clouds over Manhattan earlier today.

Full video: https://youtu.be/oSeI-qsxILo 

In our NYC Epic Hail Storm we film the epic hail storm which hit Manhattan. The #hail was 1 cm in dia & our footage from East Village shows views of downtown Manhattan and the Lower East Side.

Christopher Street Cleaners, West Village, NYC

Christopher Street Cleaners in the West Village sadly permanently closed and we are worried about the fate of many other NYC dry cleaners & drop-off laundromats because so many people are still working from home (& wearing pajamas while doing so) and others have left NYC and are no longer in need of a local dry cleaners for their “office attire” including suits, dress shirts 👔 and ties. 

• Let us know if your local dry cleaner/ drop-off #laundromat is struggling to survive during the pandemic.

We are excited to have our work documenting Mom-and-Pop Storefronts featured in the new @A24 Issue #15 "Family Business" zine

 Guest edited by Minari filmmaker Lee Isaac Ching and star Steven Yeun.

Taste Test Comparison : @thedonutpub VS. @krispykreme

To watch our livestream Taste Test Comparison and see who was the clear winner of our @thedonutpub VS. @krispykreme: 

• Full live video: https://youtu.be/JWhv2kdkxT0 

Times Square was surprisingly very busy again on Saturday evening April 17, 2021 as we chose the location do a direct taste comparison between glazed and jelly-filled donuts we purchased from family-owned The Donut Pub on West 14th Street and walked to the Times Square flagship location of Krispy Kreme company where we also purchased their glazed and jelly-filled donuts and put them head-to-head in a fun-filled competition.

The Donut Pub on West 14th Street was founded in 1964 by Buzzy Gedulb and makes donuts fresh daily.

The 2nd photo shows interior of @thedonutpub in 2018. We visit this family-owned shop to purchase 4 donuts and do a direct taste comparison between their glazed and jelly-filled donuts vs the Times Square flagship location of Krispy Kreme company. 

• To watch our livestream Taste Test Comparison as we walk with our dog Hudson from The Donut Pub in West Village/Chelsea to the flagship Krispy Kreme in Times Square and subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. 

• Full video: https://youtu.be/JWhv2kdkxT0

Raul’s Barber Shop on Avenue B in Alphabet City, NYC.

We are excited to announce that our work documenting Latino Mom-and-Pop storefronts has been chosen to be highlighted at the 2021 Latin Alternative Music Conference @thelamc which is being held May 4th-7th. Registration is free via Eventbrite for all panels, workshops, showcases and networking opportunities. 

To view our full Artist Portfolio, please visit: https://www.latinalternative.com/art.html

Our work documenting Latino Mom-and-Pop storefronts has been chosen to be highlighted at the 2021 Latin Alternative Music Conference

We are excited to announce that our work documenting Latino Mom-and-Pop storefronts has been chosen to be highlighted at the 2021 Latin Alternative Music Conference (Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC)) which is being held May 4th-7th. 

To view our full Artist Portfolio, please visit: https://www.latinalternative.com/art.html

Robin “D” Hood holding it down at the Hammer 🔨 Smash & Archery 🏹 “Game of Chance” in Coney Island on opening day of the 2021 season.

Although there are not nearly as many “shooting galleries” and other “games of chance” near the Boardwalk as there was during the peak of Coney Island in the 1920s, we were happy to see this game booth open •. 

To watch our trip to Coney Island on opening day (we took the Q train to see if it was busy) and hear more about the history of @denoswonderwheel and our visit to some of the independently-owned rides and shops, please watch & subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. • 

Full video: https://youtu.be/0EcCEtk-L0M

A special 7-course dinner at @veselkanyc

Veselka

Veselka :: Beceлкa

on 2nd Ave at East 9th Street is a family-owned Ukrainian “soul food” diner, which has been in business since 1954. Last night, we were honored to be invited to a special 7-course dinner at @veselkanyc prepared by Chef Ievgen Klopotenko of Ukraine @klopotenko and Chef Dima Martseniuk of Veselka @chefdimamartseniuk to increase awareness of traditional Ukrainian food that many people may not be familiar with. The menu included delicious hot borscht with sour cream & buckwheat bread and filet mignon topped with herring. We also had some more unusual dishes including edible painting, roasted parsnip with sour cream & berries, as well as honey bees, propolis and sorrel as well as millet & gooseneck with apples and parsley. An amazing vodka infused with cherries was paired with our meal. We finished with a stunning apple dessert .

•

To watch our Livestream Video of the entire #ukrainian meal at Veselka, please subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story.

•

Full video: https://youtu.be/iw_v8mRoi4I

The Coney Island Cyclone opened on Friday for the 2021 season after being closed since October 2019 due to the pandemic.

The Cyclone 🎢 is a world-famous twisting wooden roller coaster, which was built in 1927 for brothers Jack and Irving Rosenthal at a cost of nearly $175,000. The Cyclone has 2 trains that hold 24 passengers each and reaches a speed of 60 miles per hour. 

• To watch our visit to Coney Island on opening day and see exactly how long the #cyclone ride takes check out our full video:  https://youtu.be/8FC1V2c5zBg

Pete’s Clam Stop on Surf Avenue next to @williamscandy1, Coney Island, Brooklyn

• To watch our visit to Coney Island on opening day: https://youtu.be/8FC1V2c5zBg

Pete’s Clam Stop on Surf Avenue next to @williamscandy1 has some of the best #handpainted signage in Coney Island and we always look forward to when this #momandpopshop opens for the season. 

NYC LIVE Coney Island Amusements Opening Day April 9, 2021 Wonder Wheel & Cyclone Roller Coaster

Full video: https://youtu.be/8FC1V2c5zBg

Lung Moon Bakery on Mulberry Street sadly closed in October 2020 after 53 years in business.

This family-owned bakery was best known for its #homemade mooncakes, egg custard tarts and sesame balls with sweet bean filling. 

We will miss this lovely #chinese bakery especially their egg tarts which we often were able to eat while still warm out of the oven!

We visit the best Budget Art Hotel Under $100 Night in Manhattan the Carlton Arms Hotel on E 25th St

Full video: https://youtu.be/J2fAXf1Zyp0 

Bansky, who stayed at the hotel in 1999 and painted a room and also painted some of the hallways during his stay before he became famous.

In honor of #nationalcaramelpopcornday yesterday, we are highlighting Williams Candy on Surf Avenue in Coney Island.

We absolutely love this family-owned candy shop, which not only sells caramel corn but also specializes in #homemade #candyapples. In a typical summer day, @williamscandy1 sells up to 4,000 candy apples 🍎. 

We took this #film photo in 2001 and it appears in our book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York”. Although the #storefront has since been “modernized” with new #signage, it is still in business and we hope that this summer it will again flourish as starting April 9th, the Coney Island amusement parks will reopen for the first time since October 19, 2019

Sweet Life Café, West Village, NYC

Sweet Life Café on Christopher Street in the West Village was in business for over 25 years and served an amazing and reasonably priced breakfast & lunch menu. 

Sadly on our livestream walk today along Christopher Street to the Hudson River Park with our dog, we discovered that the cafe has sadly permanently closed. We loved this family-owned cafe and remember speaking with the owners John and Dolly when we dined there almost 2 years ago right before Easter . 

• To watch our livestream walk to check in on the state of small businesses in the West Village & subscribe to our JamesandKarla YouTube channel, see direct link below & in bio and IG story. • 

https://youtu.be/7fpv6yQbUcU

Yesterday was opening day at Yankee Stadium 🏟 in the Bronx with the Blue Jays facing the Yankees ⚾️

The Yankees have not won the World Series since 2009 and it would be so rewarding if they did so this year with their line-up of heavy hitters including DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Even though we did not attend today’s home opener, we remember sitting in the old bleacher seats 💺 at the old #YankeeeStadium cheering on Thurman Munson (although we could barely see him from the bleachers) and if you have never done it, there was nothing quite like being part of the raucous crowd. 

Let’s go #Yankees!

Remembering Stage Delicatessen

This Jewish #deli was founded by Max Asnas in 1937 and was known for its Broadway themed sandwiches including the “Mamma Mia” and others named after famous patrons who dined there including @dollyparton and @adamsandler. 

Sadly, the restaurant closed in 2012 due to a combination of a rent increase and a decline in business. Our full storefront photo from 2009 appears in our book “Store Front II- A History Preserved”. 

We wonder if it had survived to 2020, would it have made it through the pandemic. Let us know your thoughts. 

#jewishfood #delicatessen #nydeli #pastramisandwich #pastrami #cornedbeef #brisket #smokedbrisket #disappearingfaceofnewyork