••• Estancia 460 is now on OpenTable.

••• Speaking of OpenTable: North End Grill will presumably be on it—Danny Meyer is an investor—but for now you can reserve (for lunch, which starts tomorrow) by calling 646-747-1600.

••• I haven’t been excited about Beans & Greens (Greens & Beans?) and Wei West, two of the new restaurants in the Goldman Sachs Dining, Shopping, Lodging, and Entertainment Complex. I figured they were only really of interest to people who worked nearby. But then a neighbor asked if the salads were any good—she cares because she spends a lot of time at the BPC ball fields. And a reader who  lives nearby wrote in to say: “Beans and Greens salad yesterday was excellent, especially the large rare flatiron steak they added, and the excellent soup bar (with free samples). Wei West today was uninspiring, with a flavorless duck wonton soup.” (He also called it Goldman Alley, which I liked enough to retire the “GSDSL&E Complex” name.) So I went over yesterday, but I couldn’t work up an appetite to eat at either. I still think they’re bland and corporate. The salad offerings at Beans & Greens & Beans were of a wide variety, and you can point at what you want or order from a menu, but it’s nothing anyone who has worked in Midtown in the past 10 years hasn’t seen before. (Which isn’t to say I wouldn’t mind one in Tribeca proper—I just wouldn’t cross West Street for it.)  As for Wei West, I liked the bamboo on the walls and ceiling, but I have a longstanding personal bias against pan-Asian restaurants; this one, in particular, struck me as conceived mainly for team meetings where Ivy wants pad Thai but Apple wants sushi. I’m sure it’s handy if you’re ordering in. P.S. Wei West was offering 20% off all food yesterday (and presumably today).

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 saw something online (yet to be verified) that Tribeca Tap House is opening Wednesday. Click that link and you can make your way to the menu.

••• Remember the post about the Blues Bar? Ron Gwynne, story consultant on The Blues Brothers, commented: “The original Holland Tunnel Blues bar was indeed at Hudson (282) and Dominick. It was halfway between our loft on Chambers and John’s place north of there, and it had been closed for some time. The place was owned by Jimmy Woods, a restaurateur who ran the New York Boat Yard at 81st and 2nd Ave. We cleaned it up and used it to park our bike in it. (In fact the parking for the bike on Chambers was more that the cost of the bar rent.) We used the pay phone (still there) outside as our office phone. Our opening party was when the Grateful Dead played on SNL. Tom Davis was a friend/fan of the Dead and he was able to entice them to play on SNL. Keith Richards and Margot Kidder were our bartenders. We had a motto of “Never open, always closed.” We never charged anything for drinks. Heinekin on draft was available and guests donated libations many times. The jukebox was free. On many occasions we let people use it to rehearse or to entertain. Williams Burroughs, Allman Bros., Levon Helm and Keith Richards used it over time. When the landlord took it back, John and Dan bought the other bar and used it for similar purposes although it was never the same as the original Holland Tunnel Blues Bar. We had many great times there and John once said that John Lennon knew of our club and had told him he liked the idea of a place for musicians to hang out without any pressures.”

••• Agatha Ruiz de la Prada is closed for renovations—six months after opening. “One mirror wall was still missing,” says manager Linda Brun. “We’ll be back open in a day or two.”

30% off:
••• 700-thread-count Italian sheets (white sateen with a hemstitch)

50% off selected:
••• Pillows by Anke Dreschel (in silk and silk velvet)
••• Down comforters and pillows by Cloud Nine Comforts
••• Blankets
••• Coverlets
••• Throws
••• Diffusors
••• Dishes

Everything at Stella is handcrafted, created under fair-labor conditions and in methods that are not harmful to the environment. 138 W. Broadway (between Thomas and Duane), 212-233-9610; stellastore.com.

This post was sponsored by Stella.

••• And remember how Lady Gaga stylist and Mugler creative director Nicola Formichetti announced a pop-up shop coming to Tribeca this fall? It’s happening soon. He tweeted: “If you are in NY- 8 sept to 21 sept, please visit my new pop up concept store ‘NICOLA’S’ on walker st. tribeca.” Clear your calendars, New York Times Styles editors! It’s at 57 Walker, where Ted Muehling’s temporary showtique is; Muehling is moving to the old Manhattan Children’s Theatre space on White.

••• “I’m leaving on Saturday and the spa will re-open under new management after Labor Day!” —Soli Davis re: Shibumi Spa in Eastern Athletic.

••• The Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center says that Fiterman Hall (the big brick—or fake-brick?—building just north of 7 World Trade) “is on track to open to BMCC students approximately late summer 2012.”

••• Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano—who are DJs?—have a new track called “Tribeca.” The video was shot in Miami Beach, natch.

It was first listed last July, then withdrawn in January; it has just been listed again for $7 million. The store Stella, which has the ground floor and basement, recently renewed its lease for $13,000 a month. [UPDATE: Stella's owner, Mischelle Arcus says "As the building is being sold the landlords would not renew my lease and the price I'm paying is nowhere near 13,000."] The Imperiolis bought the 1872 building in 1998 for $750,000—but it needed a lot of work. They must have enjoyed the process, because they’re doing it again: They’ve “bought another mixed-use building in Tribeca that they plan to renovate.”

Check out the roof deck, bathroom, and other photos in the WSJ’s slideshow. The text is by Maya Pope-Chappell; photos are by Rayon Richards.

••• “The 9/11 memorial has rented ground-floor space in the luxury building at 90 West St. for security screening” and you can imagine how that’s going over. (DNAinfo)

••• “The Borders bookstore at 100 Broadway recently closed its doors for good, but its enormous 12-foot-tall sign is still hanging on the landmarked building. Roger Byrom, chairman of Community Board 1′s Landmarks Committee, wants Borders to remove the sign as quickly and as carefully as possible. He said it detracts from the ornate facade of the 115-year-old skyscraper, known as the American Surety Building.” Normally I wouldn’t even include this—I mean, of course he wants the sign removed—but new is kind of slow this week. (DNAinfo)

••• “An employee of Stella, 138 W. Broadway between Thomas and Duane Streets, saw a man who entered the shop at 12:40 p.m. Wed., April 13 fleeing from the place without paying for a blue cashmere throw valued at $1,245.” (Downtown Express)

“We didn’t have any downtown friends or roots in the neighborhood,” says Tory Weil about moving from the Upper West Side in 2007. That changed when she was approached about joining the Friends of Bogardus Garden—and now she’s the president of the board. When the St. Louis native isn’t working on new initiatives such as the Bogardus Plaza, she sings professionally (she’s a mezzo-soprano who has performed at the Santa Fe Opera, among many other venues) and takes care of her two kids, Fiona (pictured) and Arlo. Right now, she’s particularly excited about two Bogardus Garden events. Sunday, Apr. 17, will bring Jazz and Poetry on the Plaza with the Alex Levin Trio and Emefe and an assist from Poets House; and Saturday, May 7, is May Day. “It’s our biggest event of the year,” says Weil. Bogardus Garden and Plaza will have live music and kids’ activities (including crafts with Playgarden and sugar-cookie decorating). “Now that we have the additional space provided by the plaza, it will be the best one yet!”

How long have you lived in the area?
I have lived in the area for nearly four years.

Which restaurants do you frequent most often?
I cook most of the time, which became extra fun once Whole Foods opened. As for eating out, we go through phases with the local restaurants. We have frequented Centrico, Marc Forgione (particulary great on a Sunday night for its amazing prix fixe), The Harrison, and, most recently, we’ve been hitting Tamarind (left).

Which restaurants do you tend to go to for a special occasion?
For special occasions we have gone to Bouley—one of the most stunning restaurants around. Megu is pricey but fun and delicious. My husband often retreats to Warren 77 to watch sports “with the guys” and swears by the bar food.

Where do you order in (or get take-out) from? Are there dishes you always order?
We order in from Muscle Maker Grill and just had our first delivery from Yorganic. It was fast, healthy, and yummy. For the never-ending “where can we get decent Chinese food delivered” dilemma, we have settled on Sammy’s. If you have any better ideas, do tell!

Which shops do you find it hard to resist popping into when you pass by?
I live around the corner from Petticoat Lane (right) and I love that it has a little bit of everything, from bathing suits to bras to jewelry. Jennifer, the owner, is an amazing saleswoman and can fit anybody! I also love to poke around Stella and pretend that one day I will properly set a table with a tablecloth and cloth place mats.

What was the last non-essential item you bought in Tribeca?
An itsy-bitsy-teeny-weenie white-and-black polka dot bikini from Petticoat Lane. I went in to buy a one-piece suit that would be appropriate for family swim at the Downtown Community Center. Oh, well….

Are there any services (salon, fitness, etc.) that you’re particularly glad are in the neighborhood?
I’m thankful for New York Sports Club on Reade Street. I’m there almost every day and although it’s not flashy or sexy, it has what I need and, unlike Equinox, you get to have your own TV on the cardio equipment and now you can plug your iPod/iPhone right into your personal screen to watch/listen to your downloaded shows and music.

What’s the area’s best-kept secret?
The area’s best-kept secret is Goodie Girl Cafe, in the lobby of JCP at 146 Duane. Shira Berk whips up fabulous vegetarian soups, sandwiches, and salads. She also makes delicious muffins, biscotti, and other treats. Her chocolate-chip cookies are crazy good and she just started to make a fabulous gluten-free version. Yum, yum, yum! And today I discovered the Poets House just across the highway. They have an amazing new facility, and tons of programming for both children and adults. They will be joining us on the plaza to celebrate National Poetry month and Jazz Appreciation Day. I can’t wait to take my kids!

Where do you always take out-of-towners?
We love to take out-of-towners on a walk through the Bogardus Plaza to Duane Park and then walk up Staple Street to the Harrison for dinner.

What’s your favorite part of the area (street, park, whatever)?
My favorite part of Tribeca is, of course, the Bogardus Garden and Plaza. When the weather is nice, it’s wonderful to see flowers and shrubs blooming in the garden and so many people sitting at the tables in the plaza. The plaza in particular brings New Yorkers together. It’s not uncommon to see students, mommies, nannies, construction workers, office workers, and tourists all enjoying a peaceful moment in the heart of Manhattan.

Which neighborhood building do you wish you lived in and/or owned?
I love the Gerken Building, where I live, but I occasionally pine for a quieter corner, especially now, during the Chambers Street reconstruction project. The building that I secretly covet is 166 Duane. It’s on Duane Park, it’s still close to transportation, and best of all, it has a doorman.

Your most memorable celebrity sighting?
It’s fun to tell friends that we often have dinner at the same time as Jon Stewart on Sunday nights. And I was once at a birthday party for Christy Turlington’s son. She is totally down to earth and normal, but I really wanted to look pretty for the party. Why I thought that I could look good at 40 weeks pregnant at a party hosted by a supermodel is a question that I still ask myself. Anyway, I blew out my hair and put on a cute maternity outfit and makeup. I showed up to find a room full of parents in jeans and “I just rolled out of bed” hair. I stuck out, to say the least. The most exciting moment was when Gwyneth Paltrow breezed in with her kids and my daughter ended up seated next to Apple and even fed her pizza.

Any questions you wish you’d been asked?
I wish that there were more restaurants that had big healthy delicious salads in a nice setting for lunch. I miss Josie’s from the Upper West Side. I also would love to see an upscale kitchen-supply store. I cook a lot and often wish that there was something in the ‘hood that was more unique than Bed Bath & Beyond. Oh well, you can’t have everything—and we sure come close.

Recent TCQ&As:
• Deborah Lupard: “When I Moved to Tribeca, the Odeon was an Automat”
• Alycea Ungaro: “I Want Bouley Bakery Back”
• Marla Mase: “I Can Be Naughty at Times So Let’s Skip That Question”
• Elisa Casas: “Jenny McCarthy Had Phone Sex in My Bed”

How long have you lived in the area?
I’ve lived in Tribeca for over 30 years.

Which restaurants do you frequent most often?
Nobu, Wolfgang’s, Locanda Verde, Pepolino.

Bouley

Which restaurants do you tend to go to for special occasions?
Bouley because it’s so prim and proper—you can have a really special, maniacally made meal. They never rush you and even when my now-adult son was 9, they always treated him as an adult, respecting his love of food and his good manners.

Where do you order in (or get take-out) from? Are there dishes you always order?
Not a big order-inner. But when I do order in I always order a hamburger or tuna sandwich with French fries from Odeon. When I moved to Tribeca, Odeon was an automat. I loved when it was an automat—perhaps it was the last one in New York City.

Nili Lotan

Which shops do you find it hard to resist popping into when you pass by?
I love Nili Lotan—not only is she an extraordinary designer, but she’s also a resident of Tribeca. I like to shop there, as it’s a wide-open loft space and the clothes are unique and well made. I like to buy gifts at Stella—the owner has impeccable taste. Dudley’s Paw is a great place if you need to buy a pet gift, and the owner also a longtime resident who is just lovely. Duane Park Patisserie is a must stop when passing by. I find it hard to resist her delectable baked goods, and again she’s a neighbor who makes me feel grounded. I’ve been going there since she opened (20 odd years ago), and I always see someone I know there.

What was the last non-essential item you bought in Tribeca?
I bought a hand-knit hat at Nili Lotan.

Are there any services (salon, fitness, etc.) that you’re particularly glad are in the neighborhood?
I like Equinox. I-Plaza Nail & Spa is a great mani-pedi place, pricey but clean! Younghee Salon has a great colorist named Lenora.

What’s the area’s best-kept secret?
Pepolino (but perhaps not anymore). I have one other secret place but I can’t reveal it, as it really would ruin it. You’ll have to go out and about, and perhaps you, too, will discover it (if you haven’t already). If you do, I’m sure you’ll want to keep it a secret as well.

Where do you always take out-of-towners?
I use to take them to the top of the Twin Towers—loved to do that—and now we just walk around to see all the great architecture that exists in the ‘hood and talk about the history. So much of it has been so spiffed up, you can almost imagine how it looked way back when. If they’re good walkers, we’ll continue all the way down through FiDi to the Seaport.

North Tribeca

Which neighborhood building do you wish you lived in and/or owned?
I am very partial to north Tribeca, so it would be many buildings there.

What’s your favorite part of the area (street, park, whatever)?
I like north Tribeca because it still feels very uncongested, the way Tribeca used to be before the population explosion. I really love to walk along the river as well, and Hudson River Park early in the season.

Your most memorable celebrity sighting?
I once saw Elton John outside Thom Browne. He was just standing there all by himself, waiting for his entourage to come out of the store.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?
I think it’s as good as you get in terms of New York City, and although it has changed so much since I first came, I welcome all the changes. I wouldn’t change a thing.

What’s your best Tribeca story?
After 9/11, all of my friends and neighbors really reached out to each other in ways I could never have imagined. It was a time of great grief, but there was a feeling of extreme love and peace that’s hard to describe. Everyone around was so hurt and destroyed with pain, but so much love was here as well. When the wind blows on certain days you can feel the spirits swirling, and despite how horrible a time that was, the wind feels very strong but peaceful.

Recent TCQ&As:
• Alycea Ungaro: “I Want Bouley Bakery Back”
• Marla Mase: “I Can Be Naughty at Times So Let’s Skip That Question”
• Elisa Casas: “Jenny McCarthy Had Phone Sex in My Bed”
• Connie Connors: “I’ve Always Loved the Chicken from Cornerstone Grill”

P.S. Tell ‘em Tribeca Citizen sent you!

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WARREN AND MURRAY
• Fountain Pen Hospital, New York Vintners, Church Street School, Korin (below), Babesta Cribz, Mysterious Bookshop, Barnes & Noble Tribeca, Bed Bath & Beyond, SoulCycle Tribeca, Seasonal Whispers, Equinox Tribeca, Takahachi Bakery, Spot

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DUANE
• Antiqueria Tribeca, Elan Flowers, New York Nautical, Working Class Emporium, Mondo Cane, Duane Antiques, Jonathan Burden, Grown & Sewn/Skot Foreman Fine Art, Project No. 8 pop-up, Nili Lotan (below)

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HARRISON AND WORTH
• Euphoria Spa, Cass Lilien’s Window 24, Capucine (below), Tribeca Beauty Spa, Farinella Italian Bakery

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HUDSON
• Shoofly, Tribeca Wine Merchants, Torly Kid, Pompanoosuc Mills, Tribeca Issey Miyake, Baker, Abhaya, Moomah, Just Scandinavian (below)

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CHAMBERS AND READE
• Philip Williams Posters (below), Chambers Street Wines, Unleashed by Petco, Tribeca Treats, Canis Minor, Adeline Adeline, Petticoat Lane

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BROADWAY AND CHURCH
• Western Spirit (below), World Journal Bookstore, Transit, Church Street Surplus, T&T Plastic Land, OK Uniform, Apexart, Birdbath, Kidville, SP’s Nuts & Candy

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GREENWICH
• Jade’s Toy Box/Egg by Susan Lazar pop-up, Tribeca Spa of Tranquility, Oly Atelier (below), Edon Manor, Dudley’s Paw, Koh’s Kids, Whole Foods Tribeca, Bit’z Kids

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GRAB BAG!
• BF4E (below), Firestore, Joyce Gold History Tours, Khushi, Resale-Riches, Tribeca Tarot Reader, Best Made Co.

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N. MOORE
• Cristina Dos Santos (below), Steven Amedee Gallery & Fine Custom Framing, Espasso, Playing Mantis, Otte, Room, M.S. Apothecary pop-up

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W. BROADWAY
• Frankly Wines, Babesta, Gotham Bikes, Boomerang Toys (below), A Uno, Stella, American Apparel, Balloon Saloon, Pamper UR Pets, Sweet Lily, Maslow 6, J. Crew Liquor Store, Grandaisy Bakery

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WASHINGTON, VESTRY, AND BEACH
• John Allan’s Tribeca, Vestry Wines (below), Floratech

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FRANKLIN
• Flora, R 20th Century, Steven Alan (below), Bu and the Duck, Gary Graham, 8.15 August Fifteenth

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WALKER AND WHITE
• OLighting, Karkula, trans.LUXE (below), Donzella, Liddabit Sweets/McClure’s Pickles pop-up, Steven Sclaroff

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THE FINAL INSTALLMENT
• La Lumia, Tent and Trails, Manhattan Books (below), Langdon Florist, Capital Audio Electronics

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TRIBECA CITIZEN T-SHIRTS
• You knew it was coming. There are two styles—including ones that say “Jay-Z is my neighbor”—and many colors, starting at $25, or $15 for kids’ shirts. It may be too late to get one in time for Christmas, but so what? Good things come to those who wait.