celebrates UNSUNG HEROES OF THE UPPER WEST SIDE ✦ 2016 AWARDS ✦ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 TAVERN ON THE GREEN PROGRAM 7:00–9:00 PM Delicious fare provided by Tavern on the Green Upper West “Cider” cocktails, featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka 7:45–8:15 PM Welcome Kate Wood, President, LANDMARK WEST! Presentation of Awards to Honorees by Justin Davidson, Architecture Critic, New York magazine Super Heroes Ian & Colm McKeever – horse & carriage owners/drivers, for keeping a historic city tradition alive Tavern on the Green – for reviving a beloved restaurant institution and Central Park landmark building Landmark Heroes – for their outstanding value to our neighborhood’s culture and character 67 Wine Albee Baby Barney Greengrass Harry’s Shoes Riverside Chapel Town Shop Zabar’s Heritage Heroes – for their special contributions to our neighborhood’s fabric Apthorp Pharmacy Cleopatra’s Needle Ernesto’s Jewelry The Eye Man Iglarsh Supply Company La Caridad 78 La Mirabelle Martin Bros. Wine & Spirits Murray’s Sturgeon The Plant Shed Westsider Books This year’s Unsung Heroes of the Upper West Side awards celebrate the longstanding, independent, local businesses that make the West Side the West Side. MEET OUR MASTER OF CEREMONIES Justin Davidson Justin Davidson has been the architecture and classical music critic at New York magazine since 2007, writing about a broad range of urban, civic, and design issues. Before that, he spent 12 years as classical music critic at Newsday, where he also wrote about architecture and was a regular commentator on cultural issues. He won a Pulitzer Price for criticism in 2002. He is currently at work on a book, Magnetic City, an ambler’s companion to New York, to be published by Spiegel & Grau (Random House), in spring 2017. MEET OUR SUPER HEROES Tavern on the Green Ian & Colm McKeever Central Park West (at 67th Street) Horse & carriage owners/drivers Set within the Central Park Scenic Landmark, For locals and visitors alike, a carriage Tavern on the Green restaurant is a perenni- ride through the Central Park Scenic al destination that just speaks “New York”. Landmark is a unique and pleasurable way The Victorian Gothic building was designed to experience magnificent landscapes by Calvert Vaux and built in 1870 to house designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and the sheep that grazed in the Sheep Mead- Calvert Vaux. Brothers Ian and Colm ow. The first use of the space as a restau- McKeever have introduced the park to rant was in 1934 and over the years several enthusiasts for a combined total of more additions altered the space dramatically than 60 years(!), continuing a historic (who can forget the shimmering spectacle tradition as old as the park itself. The park created by Warner LeRoy in the 1970s?). A was designed to be viewed from carriage, 2014 restoration by new concessionaires Jim horseback, and by foot on paths specifically Caiola and David Salama referenced old laid out so everyone can also can see other photographs and drawings to help return park-goers. Leaders of the horse carriage the building’s historic character. This remark- owners and drivers, the McKeever brothers able restoration sets the stage for a warm, fought legislation backed by wealthy celebratory gathering space for present and political donors to ban carriages from New future generations to enjoy. York City...and won! 1 MEET OUR LANDMARK HEROES 67 Wine Barney Greengrass 179 Columbus Avenue (at 67th Street) 541 Amsterdam Avenue (at 86th Street) 67 Wine is celebrating 75 years as a Venerated by generations of Upper West destination for outstanding wines and Siders, Barney Greengrass, the landmark spirits. Consistently rated one of the best restaurant, deli, and appetizing store, wine shops in New York, its 8,000+ bottle opened in Harlem in 1908 and has been collection spans the globe. This full-service a fixture on Amsterdam Avenue since shop is headed by the second generation 1929. Aka the “Sturgeon King”, Barney of Weisers and staff knowledge runs deep. Greengrass is all about family—the three While the bountiful oak shelves have held generations of Greengrasses who lovingly countless vintages over the decades, built the business and the innumerable 67 Wine isn’t slowing a step. Climb the New Yorkers who treat it as an extension stairs (noting the store’s many awards and of their own kitchens, consuming smoked vintage photos) to the cozy tasting bar any masterpieces at simple formica tables. evening and raise a glass to the future of Things haven’t changed much over this Upper West Side classic. the years (including the 60-year-old wallpaper), accolades and film cameos Albee Baby notwithstanding! 715 Amsterdam Avenue (at 95th Street) Harry’s Shoes A neighborhood staple since 1933, 2299 Broadway (at 83rd Street) three generations of family owners have made Albee Baby the Upper West Side’s Harry’s Shoes has been a mainstay of premier destination for all things baby. Broadway commerce since 1975. Started in Albee’s began nearly 100 years ago with the Bronx in the 1930s by Harry Goldberg, Alexander Weintraub’s bicycle repair it is now run by third-generation Goldberg stand on a Manhattan street corner. siblings. A 2012 expansion more than Bikes led to strollers and the corner stall doubled the size of the flagship store and to a store in one of the city’s most kid- created a separate children’s store a few friendly neighborhoods. Al’s children and doors down. What hasn’t changed is Harry’s grandchildren joined the business, building dedication to its customers—its patient, albeebaby.com into a top online resource knowledgeable staff members are well for baby gear. Eight decades in, Albee Baby known for their ability to size up the most takes pride in providing customers with the maltreated arches. Harry’s Shoes fits the products they need and the service only UWS like a great pair of…well, you know. family can give. Still need that stroller fixed? No problem. No appointment necessary. 2 MEET OUR LANDMARK HEROES (continued) Riverside Chapel Zabar’s 180 West 76th Street (at Amsterdam) 2245 Broadway (at 80th Street) The reputation and goodwill of Riverside Jerry Seinfeld first told his future wife he Memorial Chapel has developed over the loved her at the Zabar’s fish counter (many past 110 years, during which time it has decades after this family-owned mainstay earned a reputation for professionalism and opened in 1934). Jerry was neither the first sensitivity to special secular and religious nor the last to proffer expressions of love needs. Today’s Chapel had its origins on near one of Zabar’s specialty counters. the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1897, Heralded as the ultimate source for classic moving uptown to Lenox Avenue in 1916. New York eats, Zabar’s evolved from a The present building on Amsterdam was market stall in Brooklyn to a counter inside built in 1926, where it has become an a supermarket on Broadway to a building integral part of the community, serving the of its own. Roasting coffee in the 60s; a traditions of all with the utmost respect and housewares section in the 70s; “You’ve Got attention to detail. Mail” in the 90s...today, a new generation of foodies is discovering what legions of fans Town Shop already know: shopping local gets you the best of the best at the best price. 2270 Broadway (at 81st Street) ‘It’ll change your life’. Thousands of women have become believers after a bra fitting with a savant Town Shop staff member. The Upper West Side lingerie institution recently moved across the street from its original 1888 location to a roomier new space on Broadway, still run by the same family. Owner Larry Koch learned the business by watching his grandmother Selma Koch make sales at Town Shop. The fitting ladies have been honing their craft for multiple decades and get ready, guys— the expanded store has added a section for men’s underwear. After 125 years, the magic just keeps happening in the fitting rooms at Town Shop. 3 MEET OUR HERITAGE HEROES Apthorp Pharmacy Ernesto’s Jewelry 2201 Broadway (at 78th Street) 2350 Broadway (at 86th Street) Apthorp Pharmacy opened in 1910, just When Ernesto Gallardo arrived on Upper a few years after its namesake Landmark Broadway in 1970, it was to work with building was built. On this beautiful block, jeweler Leo Blau, who himself had already it is possible to not only picture life a been in business for 45 years. Within six century ago, but to also enjoy the personal, years, Ernesto had bought out Mr. Blau, quality service that only an independent, in the process moving to larger quarters neighborhood pharmacy can deliver. For on 86th Street and adding his own name those who have watched in dismay as small to the awning. With the help of family, local businesses have been replaced by including his wife, son, brother, niece, national retailers, Apthorp is more than a and daughter, Liza, who is Gemological pharmacy. It is a neighbor that understands Institute of American (GIA) certified and the needs of the UWS community and now runs Ernesto’s, the jeweler has built an irreplaceable link between the com- a loyal clientele who value integrity and munity’s past and present. individualized care…even beyond rubies. Cleopatra’s Needle The Eye Man 2485 Broadway (at 92nd Street) 2264 Broadway (at 81st Street) Anyone who has stopped by “Cleo’s” The Eye Man, the destination for eyewear on to take in a set or two can attest to the the Upper West Side, has been family owned uniqueness that is Cleopatra’s Needle.