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Nosy Neighbor: Who is the man who lives full time on Reade Street?
Sonia Stock asked what we have all asked over the years: “I don’t know his name but I know this guy sleeps on what was originally a flower box on Reade Street [in the window of the former Sazon restaurant, which was there from 2009 to 2018]. He almost always has a smile. How does he do it? Does anyone know his story?”
And because she is that way, she then answered her own question. She went and spoke to him herself. I could have done the same but it’s tough interviewing people who are clearly unstable in at least a couple regards — in this case, at the very least, with unstable housing. There’s no reason to assume that what he is saying is true.
Image capture November 2024 © Google 2026
But what she learned is a glimpse into a life spent on the neighborhood’s streets for what I think is at least six years and Sonia says is 15. He spent some years on Duane and West Broadway, including in front of what was most recently Willow & Zoey; the owner of that business had to ask him to leave.
His name, he told her, is Johannes Symoure. His family is from Hungary and he has a daughter who lives in Budapest. Sonia asked him if he sees her and he said yes. He speaks very softly and uses a walker to get around — and even then, very slowly. Sonia says she has seen him in Bluestone Lane, so perhaps he uses that bathroom?
He spoke to Sonia about a lawsuit, but the story was jumbled and hard for her to connect the dots.
“He definitely is an educated man and dresses well, if that makes sense,” she said. “He cleans the area in front of his shelter every day. I call him WWM — Weather Warrior Man. He is the most resilient homeless man I have ever seen, through sweltering heat of the summer to the frigid Arctic temperatures we have seen this winter.”
And now the snow. Johannes, Sonia said, will shovel.
An addendum: I wondered what was going on with the building in that none of the tenants have kicked Johannes out, and it looks like it is empty — and for sale. There’s a listing for $25 million; it last sold in 2009 for $10 million. From the listing: “With 18,740 sqft above grade, 9,040 sqft below and over 3000 sqft in air rights the building has the ability to be converted to the most spectacular downtown condos, private residence, social club or gallery house.”
It’s also in the Tribeca South Historic District, so I will write it up soonish.
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We actually refer to him as an urban camper, given how well-outfitted he seems to be. Very nice guy — I always say hello and wave/nod to him, and he does the same. I’ve offered to get him help in the past and he assured me he’s connected with the church, etc., and has what he needs. Many years ago on a cold night I went down there to give him some of the chili we had made. He asked me if it was vegan. (It wasn’t).
He’s been in the neighborhood for at least 16years and moved around. He used to walk around a lot more, but has declined in health and acquired a walker in recent years. My friend offers him food all the time and he doesn’t accept. I have heard people offering him shelter and he refuses. My son just ran over to check if he survived this storm and came home to say, “he’s still alive.” Every storm, we wonder about Johannes.
Same with “Odin” on Warren (always having deep chats and grunts mid-sentence). He is almost always out there in the worst weather. I’ve offered food, blankets, etc., but he usually refuses. (However, he does like coffee, and I gave him a long coat a few years ago which he gladly accepted and I still see him wearing, although it’s way too small for him).
So much more to say about helping all of the un-housed in this city, beyond our little bubble. Nonetheless, I wish these stalwarts would retreat to the warming centers for the extreme cold weather.
But in all seriousness, why is this ok?? There are plenty of shelters in nyc, and clearly he has family. Why does he have to set up camp on a public sidewalk? This makes the street look terrible. I live on Reade St and know that this has caused resale issues for nearby condos. He steals electricity from the building, which means someone is paying for that, and given the garbage around him also creates a rat hazard. Maybe instead of CB1 complaining about sidewalk dining they should be concerned about sidewalk camping.
Bingo… exactly how I feel.. can we stop romanticizing this situation? this is not ok.. the city has systems in place to deal with this.. maybe he is a great person, but it still doesn’t make it ok to be living in the street.
he should at the very least be given accommodations like illegals who came in via Biden Admin have been given, (William and Wall Migrant hotel and cash cards) or, is it that if he didn’t come via the cartels with Biden Admin he doesn’t qualify ? It may sound like I’m being facetious but I’m not.