The rules: Answer as many of the 47 questions as you like (but a minimum of 15, and you must answer #1–4). Please limit most answers to the general geographic area.

1. How long have you lived in the area? Where did you move from? Where are you originally from? I grew up in Miami. I moved to Tribeca eight years ago from Los Angeles. I spent seven years there, first developing software and then launching a start-up of my own. I discovered that software was not my passion. I found my passion at night school—metalsmithing and designing jewelry. With a small portfolio and several interviews I landed a job in Tribeca working for David Yurman. David’s office is on Vestry Street. I found a home within walking distance, closed my software company and moved across the country to start a new career.

2. Married? Partnered? If so, what’s his/her name and occupation? My girlfriend, Adena, is a tropical fruit farmer, chef and has a stand at a farmer’s market in Miami every weekend. This means I am traveling a lot, but always have a substantial supply of sapodilla, canistel, mamay, and sweetheart lychees—whatever might be in season.

3. Kids? Pets? None, yet.

4. Where do you live? I live on Murray, between Church and West Broadway.

5. What do you do for a living? I’m a jewelry designer and entrepreneur. I launched my own jewelry line last year named for my grandfather, Walt Adler. [Left: A Walt Adler dome ring.]

6. Most-frequented restaurants: I usually have three or four in rotation. Right now Tiny’s has the best kale salad and meatballs. Blaue Gans serves the fastest dinner in the hood—seriously fast: time them. I love everything at Tamarind—I prefer to sit at the bar, so it feel less like a hotel lobby, and let them order for you. The gefilte fish at Kutsher’s is kick ass—ask for some extra horseradish. The burger at Smith & Mills is decadent and great late night. I still miss Bouley Upstairs almost every day. It was my neighborhood Cheers.

7. For special occasions, I go to: The big Bouley. There simply isn’t any competition. Their attention to detail is beyond ordinary. Go for lunch, it’s the best deal in town and can easily go over three hours. Don’t schedule anything else for the rest of the day.

8. The best deal around: The smoked fish [right] from the Blue Moon Fish stand at the Saturday farmer’s market. For a couple bucks you get an amazing breakfast.

9. Best sandwich: Does open face count? The tomato and egg bruschetta at Terroir is to die for. The bread is crispy, but you can still cut it. The egg whites are mixed into the tomatoes creating a tartare-like texture and the yolk makes it rich and creamy. That and a hoppy beer will suffice for dinner many nights.

10. Sweet-tooth satisfaction: …a chocolate malted shake at the Cosmopolitan Café. By the way, there’s a secret back room and they serve wine.

11. Most delicious cocktail: The Bourbon Bramble at Weather Up is perfection. They have the best ice in the neighborhood. I call it a bourbon snow cone. It’s the only drink that can last a good 30 minutes getting better as the ice gets slushy and the blackberries disintegrate. I don’t think it’s on the menu.

12. I usually order in from               , and I always order the                 .   I rarely order in, unless I’m sick—and then it’s the best pho I can find.

13. I can’t resist popping into: Kaffe 1668 in the mornings for a coffee.

14. The last non-essential item I bought: a red watch band.

15. When I walk into my apartment, the first thing I see that I bought around here is: A purple Dyson vacuum cleaner. Well, I actually didn’t buy it. I found on trash day in front of my building. It was missing a piece which Dyson sent me for free. People throw out some amazing things in the neighborhood.

16. I’m so glad good friends live in the neighborhood, because without them I’d have to leave Tribeca. We call it the 10pm club…. Around 10 p.m. anyone available meets up for a quick nightcap and debrief on the day. It’s a wonderful way to wind down and catch up.

17. How I stay fit: On nice weekends, I ride my bicycle out to Nyack. I take a bunch of spin and yoga classes at Equinox every week. I’ve recently started running along west side highway during lunch. It’s a perfect break in the day to reset.

19. What’s the area’s best-kept secret? Sarabeth’s [left] gives away their leftover pastries around 10 p.m. if you’re at the bar.

27. I’ve never been to the miniature golf or volleyball courts on Pier 25 and I don’t know why.

29. How does MaryAnn’s stay in business?

33. Pet peeve: Delivery guys on electric bikes riding against traffic.

35. A doctor I’d recommend: Tribeca Dental.

36. My most memorable celebrity sighting: I am horrible at recognizing celebrities.

39. Tribeca could use more specialty grocers and fewer jackhammers and barricades.

41: A business I’d like to have here: I’d love to open my own jewelry salon and design studio.

42: My best Tribeca story: 178 years ago Martin Guitars was founded on the corner of Vestry and Hudson, where the 200 Hudson building now stands. Nicole Bartelme had an idea for a commemorative plaque and asked David Yurman, whose office occupies the top floors, if he would create the plaque. Besides jewelry projects, I always got the odd jobs, so this one landed on my desk. This one was different than usual. It was for the community—my community. I set out to design something meaningful. We chose two of their most iconic guitars and used their motifs for the background. The details were imperative to the Martin family. When we sent them the design proof, they said the pattern was the wrong wood grain. Now the background is rose wood like their guitars. Nicole’s vision is to have several plaques throughout the neighborhood, much like the Freedom Trail in Boston. I think it would be a wonderful addition to the area. I see people stop to read the plaque all the time.

43. The best Tribeca story I won’t tell: A couple years ago I lost some books, and it pains me to relive the story. A friend lent me several irreplaceable books (about Tribeca!) and I left the bag in Ward III. I put up a hundred posters in the area. We never found the books :(

44. Someone who lives here who I really think you should meet: Brooke. She’s in the 10 p.m. club.

45. Proof that change is good: When I moved here, my subway entrance was closed on the weekends.

46. If I couldn’t live here, I’d live in…. New Orleans.

Recent TCQ&As:
• Marie-Joelle Parent
• Zak Profera
• Joya Dass
• George Carroll
• Dana Mass

If you want to suggest a TCQ&A subject (it can even be yourself), email tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

••• The uptown Kaffe 1668 is now serving lunch (primarily sandwiches and soups).

••• Downtown Florist (on Church between Warren and Murray) is indeed moving around the corner, next to Takahachi Bakery on Murray.

••• Business guru Seth Godin will be at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center on May 16.

••• Details about the Public Art Fund‘s next exhibit at City Hall Park have been announced. It’s called “Common Ground” (May 24–Nov. 30) and here’s the description: “Traditional public monuments and statues had a clear civic purpose, many having been commissioned to commemorate an important event, notable individual, or significant group. The artists featured in this show—Elmgreen & Dragset, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Roger Hiorns, Jenny Holzer, Matthew Day Jackson, Justin Matherly, Paul McCarthy, Amalia Pica, and Thomas Schütte—have taken this tradition of civic sculpture and expanded upon it.”

••• From the Downtown Alliance: “Battery Park City Parks Conservancy starts removing lawn fencing this week. Lawns should be open by Wednesday.”

••• The name of the fitness facility coming to the northern half of the Truffles Tribeca storefront is Superstar Gym. Which might be this? (The southern half will be a Fika café.)

You know what would be helpful for foreign tourists? Using only English on your signs. Even better, choose a word no native speaker would ever actually say!

That's better, although those quotation marks make it feel like someone is trying to sell you something....

One gnome's planter is another gnome's garden.

I had never been up to Jimmy, the rooftop bar of the James Hotel, so I stopped by last weekend. What a view! I wished I had brought my real camera. Anyway, the scene is sort of annoying (too many people, loud music, etc.) but it's worth going up just to gawp at the view. No one will make you stay for a drink.

I could've stayed there all night.

This is how the very rare zelion gets created.

The *inside* of a garage (on Vestry).

Kudos to New York Design Architects for doing a little old-fashioned sign-painting.

The cute-o-meter just broke.

••• The Harrison is closed for renovations, reopening for dinner on Friday.

••• The new Kaffe 1668 on Greenwich between Hubert and Beach is serving breakfast items (yogurt, granola, etc.). Lunch could start as soon as next week.

••• Speaking of next week: The HomBoms toy store is trying to open next week (and definitely in time for the Tribeca Family Festival on April 30).

••• Another reader took a photo of Jean (if that’s what it’s still called), the restaurant coming to 65 W. Broadway (Warren/Murray).

The aesthetic is the same; there’s a lot of wood, from the shelves to the furniture to the floors. The floors, actually, are a holdover from when the space was Siberian Floors’ showroom; the patterns charmingly change every 10 feet or so. Tjarnberg said that an artist is working on an installation involving small paper sheep—I didn’t quite follow how it would all work, but we’ll see in a few weeks when it’s done. In the meantime, those fluffy little sheep are holding court.

The big difference is that this outpost will have a much more extensive food menu (along with the pastries patrons are already familiar with). Instead of premade sandwiches, they’ll be made to order, as well as soups (and, I’m guessing, salads once people start requesting them). They’re still getting things up and running, but the printed menu shows (in faded type) what will be coming: sandwiches such as barbecue pulled pork and braised beef with melted cheese, soups such as spinach wonton soup and Swedish potato leek soup with corn, and even “meals” (spinach pie, Swedish meatballs and potatoes with lingonberry preserves). Lunch items will be available 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., while breakfast will feature options such as yogurt and granola. While the coffee program is the same, the teas will be much expanded. There will be 42 teas, all from Le Palais des Thés, once they get through customs. And the beer and wine license is on its way.

Given its location, Tomas expects that the place will be popular with workers from Citi across the street. He should know: He works there, too.

Kaffe 1668 is at 401 Greenwich, between Beach and Hubert; kaffe1668.com.

Recent New Kid on the Block/First Impressions articles:
• Potbelly Sandwich Shop
• Woodrow’s
• The Ludlow Shop
• Hale Organic Salon
• Super Linda
• Lotus Blue
• Art Projects International
• Annelore
• North End Grill
• Vintry Fine Wines

The TCQ&A rules: You can choose which of 45 questions you’d like to answer, but you have to answer questions one through four (and at least 15 total).

1. How long have you lived in the area? Where did you move from? Where are you originally from? I have lived in Tribeca proper for two-and-a-half years; before that I lived in Battery Park City (TriBeCa Green) from 2007 to 2010. I am originally from Houston, Texas.

2. Married? Partnered? If so, what’s his/her name and occupation? I am partnered creatively and romantically to the wonderful and beautiful Christina Tyler. You may remember her—she does a great “Xena: Warrior Princess” battle cry. [It's true. She showed me at a BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center Meet & Greet after I mentioned that Lucy Lawless had recently admired my glasses. —Ed.]

3. Kids? Pets? I have two cats, Pookie and Ray Ray. They are litter mates and were abandoned by my ex-girlfriend when she left, so I took them in. They were fat bastards but I recently put them on a diet, so they are quite svelte now.

4. Where do you live? I reside on N. Moore between Greenwich and West, and I have great view of the Hudson River, which is, as you may know, an estuary—you can actually see the fresh and salt water flowing into one another.

5. What do you do for a living? I am a playwright. My latest production, based on the life of 2pac, is entitled The Tragedy of Tupac Amaru Shakur or Who Shot Me? It’s nominated for a Pulitzer. [It's being produced this year at Black Spectrum Theatre.] I also have a private business called Legacy Playwrights. We are private business and cater to the so-called 1%. What we do is private-estate writing for select clientele and private entities who want their story dramatized. It could be for a family reunion, corporate party, or just a really eccentric client.

13. I can’t resist popping into: Laughing Man [right].

14. The last non-essential item I bought: Drugs. Scratch that: one of those wood-and-wool sheep from Kaffe 1668, the small one.

15. When I walk into my apartment, the first thing I see that I bought in Tribeca is: My Abici Uomo, from Adeline Adeline.

16. I’m so glad some eccentrics are still in the neighborhood, because without them I’d be stuck in Jerksville.

17. How I stay fit: Boxing, boxing, boxing.

18. Where I get beautiful: Beauty sleep, my darling. Eight-to-ten hours nightly.

19. What’s the area’s best-kept secret? Washington Street between Hubert and Canal. It is the most peaceful strip in Manhattan. John Allan’s salon and private club is there, as are Featherstone Design jewelry and my favorite, Canal Park Playhouse [left], which is also a B&B.

20. A recent enthusiasm: Guinness at Walker’s.

21. A worthy splurge: Chippendale table from Working Class.

22. A recent case of sticker shock: A trip to Whole Foods for fruit.

28. I’m sorry, NYSC on Reade Street, but I won’t be coming back.

29. How does Nili Lotan stay in business?

32. My very favorite spot: My terrace.

33. Pet peeve: People not acknowledging other on an elevator. If the elevator is full or occupied by say four or more people, it’s not necessary, but if it’s just you and another person, have some courtesy and acknowledge the other person, for Pete’s sake! It’s just rude to walk out with nothing leaving either person’s lips. You never know who you may need someday.

34. If money were no object, I’d… also have a place in London.

38. The most romantic spot around: Sunset on the Hudson.

39. Tribeca could use more “artistic” people and fewer stuffy ignorant financial types. And fewer parents. It’s just tacky at this point—most of them are very suburban with no style.

40. If I could change one thing about the neighborhood: (See above.)

41. A business I’d like to have here: 500-seat Broadway-style theater.

44. Someone who lives here who I really think you should meet: David Bressler, a really great guy who lives in the neighborhood.

45. Proof that change is good: I’m here.

46. If I couldn’t live here, I’d live in…. Tri-ghetto, the section of Tribeca east of Church. Yes, I said it.

47. I wish you had asked me about: How much I make per year.

Recent TCQ&As:
• Dana Mass
• Stephen Dimmick
• Meghan Farrell
• Yasmine Karrenberg
• Terri Pitts and Ivli Salman
• Peter Hannert

If you want to suggest a TCQ&A subject, email tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

••• “Louis F. Latilla, 65, and his wife, Terrie Latilla, 59 [who] live in Tribeca and own the Manhattan Fruit Exchange at Chelsea Market,” told the New York Times about dining at the West Village restaurant RedFarm. No offense to the Latillas, but it’s a pretty dumb column—although not as dumb as the NYT article about how the Giants have fairy dust on their side.

••• “Battery Park City’s Liberty Luxe Penthouse Wants $29,500/Month,” laughs Curbed.

A few Seen & Heard items that don’t quite warrant their own post:

••• “Coming soon” signage has been put up at the new Kaffe 1668 (on Greenwich bet Beach and Hubert).

••• I hear Super Linda isn’t opening until at least Wednesday.

••• I had to spend most of Saturday night in the emergency room—not because of me (I would never get sick at such an inconvenient time)—and it was my first experience of any kind with the New York Downtown Hospital. I’ve never gotten the impression that anyone there reads this site, but if they do, thanks again for being extremely considerate.

Someone, I don’t recall who (Paul Bettany?), immediately tweeted Pane Panelle, the sandwich offshoot/new name of Stuzzicheria. And what came to my mind—although I had yet to try any—were the sandwiches on the lunch/brunch menu at Kutsher’s Tribeca. I wanted a photo of the pastrami one, so I went and had it for lunch. It was pretty damn good. If you’re only rarely going to eat meat, you might as well do it in style.

Enough about me: Where’s the best deli sandwich in the area?

From Twitter:
• “It’s not a deli, but the turkey curry sandwich at Kaffe 1668 is my favorite.” —LisaALeigh

Sex
68.7% female
31.3% male

Age
Under 25: 2.4%
25–34: 20.3%
35–49: 50.4%
50–64: 22.5%
65 or over: 4.4%

Children in household
I botched the formatting of this question. Live and learn!

Where do you live?
Tribeca: 71.6%
Battery Park City: 10.3%
FiDi (to the east or south of the WTC): 5.1%
Elsewhere in New York City: 7.6%
Elsewhere in New York State (but not NYC): .2%
Elsewhere: 5.1%

Do you work south of Canal or in west Soho?
Yes: 38.7%
No: 54.6%

Annual household income:
Under $200,000: 35.8%
$200,000–$500,000: 35.8%
$500,000–$1 million: 15.3%
$1 million–$3 million: 9.6%
Over $3 million: 3.4%

Do you own your apartment or house?
Yes: 51.7%
No: 48.3%

How many times a week do you eat out in the area?
Zero: 8.6%
1–2: 62.9%
3–5: 24.6%
More than 5: 3.9%

How often do you read TribecaCitizen.com or the Tribeca Citizen email newsletter?
More than once a day: 7.8%
Daily: 27.4%
Several times a week: 48.7%
Once a week: 12.7%
A couple times a month: 2.2%
Monthly: 1.2%

Have you ever bought something you read about on Tribeca Citizen?
Yes: 56.1%
No: 43.9%
This was one of the handful of questions with a write-in field. Far and away, the number one response a variation on “restaurants,” followed by “sample sales” and “pop-ups.” A lot of folks mentioned deals as being particularly likely to get them to try something new. (And many specific businesses were mentioned, but I’ll spare you the list, as happy as I was to see all the names.)

Have you ever frequented a business you read about on Tribeca Citizen?
Yes: 92.4%
No: 7.6%
This question was probably a bit too much like the one before it, because there was a lot of “See the last question” and a lot of “restaurants.” And there was a lot more of Laughing Man, a.k.a. “Hugh Jackman’s coffee shop.”

Have you ever attended an event you read about on Tribeca Citizen?
Yes: 51.1%
No: 48.9%

Do you regularly read any of the following?
New York Times (82.0%), New York Magazine (55.1%), Tribeca Trib (51.3%), Curbed (32.7%), Eater (31.7%), Downtown Express (30.7%), New York Post (23.9%), DNAinfo (16.0%), Broadsheet Daily (15.7%), New York Daily News (7.1%), Our Town Downtown (3.0%). The only other media to be written in more than once or twice were the Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker.

Do you notice the ads on Tribeca Citizen?
Yes: 70.3%
No: 29.7%

Why do you read Tribeca Citizen? And/or what do you wish it would do differently?
There were 289 responses to this question, most of which said they read it because they like knowing what’s going on in the neighborhood. Which is great! I’m tempted to post all of them in one major list so you can feel better that you are not alone. But that might be a tad self-serving…. So here are ones that I thought were especially notable—totally unedited—with responses in italics.

Warning: If this post has already started to bug you, stop reading now.

• needs other voices, guest columnists, but good please keep going // When I started out, I thought there would be tons of people who would want to contribute—maybe they had their own Tribeca-ish blogs, and we could band together, sort of like the Huffington Post, but not crappy. A few people have written—some wonderful posts!—but there’s no money to pay them, and they have lives, so they tend not to come back. (I suppose they could not like how I edit them.) I think maybe some folks get discouraged that I know so much about what goes on around here; what would they add? I’m still open to it, but I refuse to post anything that I don’t think people will care about, so please do email me if you’re interested, but don’t be surprised if I try to shape the topic. Once an editor, always an editor.

• To feel part of the neighborhood when I do not have time to walk everywhere, not the money or time to taste everything and to know what is going on architecturally…Love the Q&A, love the updates on the neighborhood, love the apartments’ peeking… // The Loft Peeping posts have become a favorite of mine, too. If anyone out there sees a Lower Manhattan home in a shelter magazine or website, please let me know.

• There really isn’t anything gives the scoop in the hood like your site – while there is hard news at other sites – finding out what’s up with that wine place about Frankly Wines is something I’ve always wondered about but you finally answered. TC def fills a niche // I love when people email their questions (tribecacitizen@gmail.com). In fact, I got a good one this past weekend….

• I love a blog that focuses on our neighborhood. Awesome job. I tried to donate via paypal but the link was broken. Can you put new one on? // Done.

• I know that you need to cater to affluent people and things they might purchase, but tribeca is not all gourmet restaurants and overpriced kids clothing stores. It would be nice to have some content covering the not to shiny, but also present businesses etc that exist here. Still love the site! // Here’s the thing: One of the main reasons people read the site is to find out what’s new—I know because they told me in this survey, and I see it in the traffic numbers—and what’s new around here is shiny. Existing businesses are tough to cover because they are less likely to have news, and I refuse to do anniversary articles, because they’re the lazy writer’s news peg. The main reason I came up with the TCQ&A was so people could mention businesses that might not otherwise get press.

• Clean up the site and make it more condensed and similar to the CNN website with different categories with headline links to the stories. Love to read the Smithers’ smackdowns. // (Hold that close to your heart, Smithers, because it’s going to get ugly soon.) When I had the idea for the site, I didn’t know if I’d want to keep doing it, or if locals would want it. So I spent as little money as possible, and I’ve learned as little about the technology as possible. I still haven’t decided if the site can ever be more than a hobby, which makes me wary of investing in making it a real website. But if money were no object, yes, it would look better. Would it be organized by subject? I don’t know. I like when different topics bump up against each other.

• To keep current on what’s happening in the neighborhood, regardless of whether it’s relevant to me or not. You keep it pretty real and interesting, and although I am a mom of two and am a very active triburbian, I find the mom-talk offered by other local blogs/newspapers to be endless, disenchanting, and downright boring. It’s really refreshing to read your posts, particularly the quirky off-beat reports you provide. I also like the tone. // Thanks! Not everyone agrees.

• It is local. It keeps me informed about what is happening in the locale. Question – should you consider being the “Patch” for Tribeca and Downtown to give you more scale? // On one hand, that could make the site more appealing to a certain advertiser. But to another—a Tribecan one, say—it diminishes it; why would they pay for readers who live farther away? Other problems with increasing the scale are resources (don’t have any) and reader interest (do Tribecans want to read about FiDi more than I already cover it?). If anything, I’d love to start a West Village site, and a Chelsea site, and so on, until there’s a network of sites. Sort of like Curbed’s personality crossed with DNAinfo’s budget, but with each site retaining an independent integrity.

• I like to know what’s happening in my neighborhood. I would like to see a list of weekly events (for kids and adults) happening in the downtown area. // I gave up on the calendar because maintaining it was a soul-drainer. It was the same handful of organizations over and over. At the end of the day, I had to factor in whether they’d ever advertise if I was giving away the milk for free (to quote Ann Landers), and whether readers valued it enough to make the effort worthwhile (the traffic numbers said no). I’d guess that HRP Mamas has some sort of events info? I can’t access it because I don’t have a human child.

• Love the info about the neighborhood. Info on dinner & drink specials, wine tastings, chef demos & gallery events is always appreciated. // Maybe there’s a way I could sell event listings for $5 or $10 per pop. I’ll think about it.

• To learn about new openings/closings, latest news and Jim Smithers. Maybe show more recent comments instead of only the last 5 or so. // Now that people comment as much as they do—which is fantastic—that’s a good idea. I bumped it up to eight. More than that and the second ad space goes “below the fold.”

• I read it for local news. Find a new tone. The editor seems to be going for clever and snarky but achieves only the snark. So far, DNAinfo and other neighborhood guides are more informative and readable. Sorry. // Thanks for the “Sorry.” I worry about the tone—and you should see what I cut before posting—but enough people like it that it’s not going anywhere. Much of this is gruntwork, and making myself laugh is one of the things that keeps me doing the site.

• Mainly follow on twitter – would like more recommendations on where to eat out // Meet the Tribeca Citizen Restaurant Guide.

• i love how curious you are! thank you for keeping your neighbors informed about everything tribeca and the general area. we’ve been living in tribeca since 1995 and seen so much change that it’s hard to keep up. i don’t wish you to do anything differently really…but, perhaps, i’m not too fond of the format of the newletter…i prefer the more organized look of the homepage. otherwise, please don’t get too slick! tribeca has lost some of it’s character and as a result has become a bit too trendy and slick. thank you! // The look of the newsletter is a pet peeve. The next major investment will be to make it more professional. I don’t think it’ll ever get slick, though.

• Best source of what’s happening in the neighborhood. Love the editorial commentary – and editor’s sense of what’s funny. Maybe there’s a premium version you could charge for to make some $. I’d buy it. // Or you could just donate! Kidding, sort of. That sort of thing costs money to build, and I remain unsure where this project is headed. Also, the macro trend these days is to not pay for content, despite what the New York Times is attempting.

• Makes me feel a part of the community–like I know what is going on. I like walking around the hood and knowing what changes are happening because I read about it on Tribeca Citizen. I like that I am up to date with any local politics (school zoning, stop sign installments, etc). AND I love love love Tribeca Tweets!! I like “where in Tribeca” because I find myself looking around for the item posted…makes me look at the details on buildings more. I like that you keep us up to date with any sales–I feel like I am one of the first to know because read about it here. I like your humor. Basically, I feel like you are a friend…a friend I have never met but that I look forward to hearing from daily. Thank you!!! ps..my husband is a subscriber also and he says “did you read today…” We both get your emails but I read you on Facebook :) // You’re welcome!

• Wish there was a community notice board where readers could post information as well // I’ve thought about that, and even looked into it. My main concern (besides the cost of building it): I don’t want to spend all day getting rid of the spam, and even if I do, I worry it’ll become full of self-promotional posts that no one wants to read. In the meantime, you can always email questions or info to tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

• Great way to keep informed on what is going on in the neighborhood. News, school zoning, new restaurant, stores opening. Also, love the banter and neighborhood vibe of the comments. I feel more part of the neighborhood by reading. Thank you and keep up the good work! // I love the comments too! I remember when the first comment came in. I was so excited! Then I realized it was spam.

• I read TC because it is all about Tribeca, the neighborhood I love and live in. Why don’t you have a Tribeca Citizen event so that people can meet each other. Believe it or not, there are single people here. Not just stroller moms. i really like the 12 tweets of tribeca. they are nasty and i like that you don’t edit them. thx // An event could be fun. I did suggest once that we try out Uncle Mike’s, but no one took me up on it. If that’s too downmarket for you shiny folks, we can try somewhere else. Or if someone reading this owns an establishment, get in touch.

• You/re pretty cool as is. Maybe give cats equal time to that dog. (Love the dog though). (I read the RSS feeds so don’t usually see the ads). // Ditch the RSS and we can talk about the cats.

• I sell a lot of real estate in Tribeca and you help me keeping in the loop.. one day I’ll move here too :) // In the meantime, you should be advertising here. Here’s a promotional video just for you.

• It’s a great source of information about the neighborhood. I often find it answers questions I have about things going on in the area or stores/restaurants coming in. It also alerts me to things that I might not have otherwise discovered because they’re outside my usual walking patterns. I really like the interviews with local residents and their tips on places that they frequent for dining, shopping, etc. The one thing I don’t like are the digest posts that just rehash everything that was already posted in the last several days. It seems like they’re not really necessary. // Those are the newsletters. Many folks only read the site when the email newsletter shows up, and for technical reasons, it has to appear on the site like it’s a normal post. I’ve tried to build Tribeca Citizen so that you can keep up if you want info daily or only once or twice a week. For all my nosiness, I don’t actually want to be intrusive.

• I live in and love Tribeca and your publication is the best source of all that goes on in Tribeca. My only advice for the publication would be to use fewer links if possible for the information provided. I find myself spending almost as much time clicking on links and waiting for them to open as I do reading the content. Otherwise, I love your publication. // If you mean there are too many links in the newsletters, that’s because I’m trying to get you to read the site, where the ads are (or will be). If I don’t make you come to the site, my traffic numbers don’t go up, and advertisers get less interested. If you mean there are too many links within posts (such as “In the News” ones), it’s a point of pride that I “link out” whenever someone else came up with the story first. Not everyone plays so fair.

• The Tweets of Tribeca are like a train wreck. I’m not sure they add real value, but I find myself reading them. // For everyone tweet I post, I read hundreds, possibly thousands. Think about what that is doing to my mind.

• Great information about local businesses, restaurants and events. Really clever writing. And I want to win “where in Tribeca” one of these weeks. // Good luck.

• I think it is the greatest! It is the ONLY paper that keeps me truly informed re: my neighborhood! Keep up the good work!! Maybe ban Jim from Where in Tribeca, lol! // Now that’s a thought….

• I love this site and look forward to the Monday/Thursday editions. I just wish it would be profitable so I don’t worry about losing it. // Ahem.

• I really like the writer of TC–I like his approach, his writing style, what he covers, etc. I like that he creates a sense of community. I love the profiles of Tribecans that TC sometimes does–I love finding out about what they like and their tips. I like learning about what businesses are coming soon. I like the “where is this” photo question–one magical aspect of Tribeca is the beautiful little details on buildings. However, I do wish that comments would remain generally productive. And, I wish that one commentator in particular would be less hostile–in the recent kerfluffle over schools, I thought that the comments by “Jim Smithers” were mean-spirited and snide. I prefer it when people are more helpful. Parents are upset and emotional about their kids. I don’t have kids, just my dog and cats, so I acknowledge that it’s sometimes hard to relate. But, I feel that mean-spirited comments take away from the great paper that TC is and the community feeling. The anonymity of the Internet allows some to assume pseudonyms and say some very harsh things that are just so unneeded–esp if one doesn’t have kids. Thank you for your hard work. Cheers & happy holidays. // Not too long ago, Jim Smithers emailed me to ask if there was a way to donate anonymously (because I don’t know who he is, and he likes it that way). I said I didn’t think he needed to donate—he gives enough just by participating to the extent that he does. I don’t always agree with him—I often don’t—but I’m incredibly grateful that he’s there. And I like that he makes people think. I understand that may not make you more comfortable with some of his comments, but there it is.

• it’s news about my neighborhood; has interesting info and observations. i think it’s a bit awkward to get from the newsletter to the blog and the topics on the blog are all over the place. can’t seem to figure out how to just read a section without continually clicking on each topic/article i want to read about. thanks for doing this. // A possible solution: Whenever you get the newsletter, go to tribecacitizen.com, and scroll down (clicking “older posts” if necessary) until you see the last newsletter post. Everything above that will be new. The organization is still a mess—the categories are kind of a joke, thanks to the “In the News” and “Seen & Heard” round-ups—but I’m not sure how to fix that.

• As a Tribeca resident, it’s nice to have a community newsletter. The site is well organized, up to date, usable, presentable, and interesting. A revenue growth strategy could include: potential subscription fees, increased advertising, revenue sharing from referrals to businesses, more active donation solicitation. // But I already feel like a schmuck for mentioning donations three times in this post! Increased advertising would be lovely, it’s true. I’m not very aggressive about selling it because (a) I don’t have the bandwidth, (b) I feel awkward being the editor and the salesperson. I would never want anyone to think I’ll only write about their business if they advertise.

• It’s there….also to find out new stuff about the neighborhood. Stop being so amazed that life actually existed here well before the trendy infilitrated! // I try to have a healthy sense of wonder about everything; it helps counter the snark. Also, I think that many newcomers are interested in what life was like here back then.

• I love New York City and live close by (in the West Village). There is no other neighborhood blog that is so well written and thought out. And I spend a lot of time in TriBeCa as a freelance writer in coffee shops, at friends’ apartments and grocery shopping in peace (no elbowing necessary) at the Whole Foods. Considering a move to TriBeCa someday–we shall see! Thanks for a wonderful site. // Funny, I’ve been thinking about moving to the West Village.

• I LOVE our new neighborhood and am amazed how much is always happening here. Id like to see more interviews with notable/interesting people who live in the neighborhood (Id be happy to be a subject, I own my own business and love to talk about the hood). // Email me at tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

• I read Tribeca Citizen because it (you) condenses all of the relevant neighborhood information in one place. I also like following the Community Board without actually having to attend the meetings. // I bet you do. They’re dreadful.

• I like to know about the new stores, restaurants, and services that are coming to the neighborhood. I wonder if there are ways to create a “Tribeca Citizen” community– either of local business owners or Tribeca Citizen events at local places. Also think it would be fun to have groups of Tribeca Citizen readers/locals select the best cup of coffee, the best cookie, the best sandwich, the best slice of pizza, etc. // Love the “best” idea! I’ll work on it.

• Love the local news from a neighbor’s perspective. I think it should take more advertising, potentially from out of neighborhood sources, so that it continues to grow and thrive. // The best thing you can do to make that happen is to tell local businesses that you read about them on Tribeca Citizen. And yes, non-neighborhood advertisers would be great. In theory, local advertisers should be willing to pay more for readers who they know live in the area, while larger advertisers might prefer to go wider. Then again, Tribeca is a juicy demographic—and I’ve always wondered why upscale brands advertise on buses, pay phones, etc. You’re getting a lot of useless “eyeballs.”

• I really like it. Maybe more stuff for kids? I am really just guessing at this point. I love the real neighborhood gems you find and totally trust your judgement. I have a house in E Hampton, I would love that you cover that area too! // Got a guest room?

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

i-PLAZA NAIL & SPA
Coming to the western storefront of the Zinc Building (on Greenwich between Canal and Watts) is a sister to i-Plaza Nail & Spa six blocks down Greenwich. I called the current one to ask when the new one might open, and I was told it could be as soon as two weeks from now.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

AMERICAN FLATBREAD
As reported here first in May, popular Vermont-based pizza chain American Flatbread is opening at 480 Canal (at Hudson). More details surfaced at June’s meeting of CB1′s Tribeca committee, including this: “Tribeca Rooftop’s Billy Reilly, the franchisee, brought American Flatbread’s Clay Westbrook to discuss their plans and talk up the brand (local, sustainable, mostly organic, community-minded). What was notable: The restaurant plans on opening at 7 a.m., serving coffee and breakfast (the first American Flatbread to do so); downstairs will be used for parties; they wanted to serve liquor till 4 a.m. [...] Someone asked if Reilly would accept 3 a.m., and he did. Reilly also said that they plan on having outdoor seating and that this is ‘hopefully the first of many American Flatbreads in Manhattan and New York.’ It’s at least six months from opening.” Indeed: It’s now not scheduled to open until the second half of 2012.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

KAFFE 1668
A second outpost of Kaffe 1668 is coming to 401 Greenwich (just north of Beach). I popped by the original location to ask about an update—and to buy a mocha—and I was told that the owners are “determined” to open it by late January.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

403 GREENWICH
September’s meeting of CB1′s Landmarks Committee included the news that a seven-story building made of blackened steel—with no retail on the ground floor—will take the place of the squat brick one at 403 Greenwich. The back story: “Two years ago, a plan had been presented to build what was billed as the Glass Atelier, entirely made of glass, on this site and the one next to it. [...] Leaving the adjacent building alone, the new developer hired architect Morris Adjmi to come up with a design that’s not as far out as the Glass Atelier, but still awfully attractive.” You can see a rendering here.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

AAMANNS/COPENHAGEN
We’ve known since July’s CB1 Tribeca meeting that Sanne Ytting and Danish chef Adam Aamanns are opening a restaurant at the corner of Laight and St. John’s Place, across from Albert Capsouto Park: “Aamann, founder of the Aamann mini empire, is ‘famous for his open-faced sandwiches’—smørrebrød, as they’re known in Danish. (Try pronouncing it like this.) The restaurant will have a core of 100 smørrebrød recipes, with 12 on the menu any given day. [...] The room, meanwhile, appears to be a showcase of Scandinavian design.” In October, the Crown Prince Couple of Denmark came for a sneak peek—the smørrebrød are indeed delicious—but the actual opening is now scheduled for “the New Year.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

SHINOLA
In November, the Wall Street Journal reported that Bedrock Brands, which is an investor in Steven Alan, bought 177 Franklin, which had been on the market as a private residence. It’ll house Steven Alan corporate offices. Where it gets really interesting: “Steven Alan [...] said Bedrock would use the ground floor space for the launch or rather relaunch of a once-famous American brand: Shinola [....] Bedrock has filed for trademark rights over the Shinola name for a multitude of products from shoe polish to cosmetics, handheld electronic devices, jewelry, leather goods, clothing, toys, and sporting equipment.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

137 FRANKLIN
In August, I posted this from the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center: “A new seven-story condominium began construction in summer 2011 at 137 Franklin Street. Located at the corner of Varick Street in Tribeca, the building will occupy a longtime empty lot across the street from Finn Square. Architecture firm StudioMDA, also based in Tribeca, plans to erect the new, red-brick building to conform to its historic district surroundings. Contractor Avo Construction anticipates a late 2012 completion of the building.” That seems unlikely, given that work appears to have paused. There is now a StudioMDA sign on the fence, so perhaps it hasn’t stopped altogether…? (Bonus: While looking at the press clippings on Studio MDA’s website, I came across this PDF with photos of what goes on inside Tracy Anderson’s fitness studio on Greenwich. Kinky!)