For many years, I lived in cities and towns in Italy, France, England, Spain California and Hawaii and I know what you know: Tribeca in the 80s was perhaps the most colorful place of all. Its scruffy, offbeat charm made me feel ever so privileged. I thought our daughter was so very lucky to grow up with the Riverrun restaurant and Puffy's Tavern and Nolan Henry's suprette, Bazzini's when it was still a peanut butter factory and the Washington Market Park before it was all tarted up (still a great park in its newer incarnation). The Public Theatre used to produce Shakespeare's plays on makeshift stages in the middle of Greenwich Street, and I wonder if that didn't launch you and my child into the actor's life. We still have the Square Diner, Puffy's, Morgan's corner grocery and Sue Ellen's tumbling classes. For those of my generation and your parents', we have offbeat, adventurous, fascinating children who still like to live here or come home for a long look around. Thanks for a lovely piece. — Chiara Coletti on Did That Really Happen?

The "garage space" at 80 Varick hasn't been a garage for more than 30 years. A "cultural center"? Is that what they're calling night clubs now? Reading Hotel Particular's facebook page, the intent and use of this space is clear, once you get past the convoluted language. For those old enough to remember the Tribeca "cultural center" Area, that appears to be the model of "Hotel Particular". How un-original. The new tenant should be aware that if they attempt to apply for a liquor license, every single prior attempt by a perspective tenant to obtain one has been defeated. Hotel Particular won't be the exception. — American Style on In the News: Judge Rules Against OWS

It seems that the Brookfield Security Company needs to have their employees attend a sensitivity course or possibly a simple course in common sense and how not to act like an arse just because they are wearing the uniform some less than prestigious company issued to them! Wake up and get it together Brookfield! I know I certainly would not hire them for anything! KV Schmitt — kelcy schmitt on In the News: Occupy Wall Street

@Andrea - OMG, I wish I did! I have so many ideas for flyers that need to be printed & posted throughout the United Tribeca Secure Zone. But to be honest, I have way too much free-time to justify a staff or to stop myself from following EriK around on his daily jaunts with his furry poo-poo-generator. — Jim Smithers on Where in Tribeca…?

Jim; Do you have staff? — Andrea on Where in Tribeca…?

Gardiner, Thank you for this! I grew up in Tribeca too (born in 1985) and miss the days where I learned to ride my bike down an empty Greenwich Street, or was forced to endure my mother buying "Fruit Leather" at Commodities on N. Moore as a replacement for my beloved Fruit Roll-Ups. I desperately miss the community and diversity of those days. Sometimes I like to walk up Washington Street and remind myself of what it was like when all the streets in Tribeca were cracked, all the buildings looked worn. — R.E. on Did That Really Happen?

Having grown up in Tribeca at exactly the same time as you, I am A.) amazed I don't know you and B.) I share your nostalgia for legitimately used loading docks, freight elevators and sideways-leaning staircases lit with green lightbulbs. — Lucia Brawley on Did That Really Happen?

LOL! Touché! The children of Tribeca are extremely well-dressed. — Rowena on 12 Tweets of Tribeca

Love that 4 year old! — DeeDee on 12 Tweets of Tribeca

love all of them! — liat on 12 Tweets of Tribeca

Is it PS 1? No, that's too far outside of Tribeca. St. John's Park? OMG, no way! Way too dangerous. Planter #4 at "Green Pavement Park" between Reade & Chambers. Final answer. BTW, that answer was donated by me in memory of District 2 School Zone - Proposal 2. — Jim Smithers on Where in Tribeca…?

"Collaboradoodle"! Love it! — SJW on Pop-Up: The Lake & Stars

Dined here tonight and it was a revelation! Zutto's been in the nabe almost as long as I have, I think, and I'll admit that I stopped going there when the original Japanese owner sold it (early 90's?). My impression was that the place had gotten tired and lost its way. "Neighborhood dependable" at best. But the new Zutto is wonderful. The menu isn't Japanese, but has Japanese, Chinese, European, and Korean influences. And while I despise the "fusion" concept, this is not that - it just blazes its own path and does so deliciously. The service is a delight, preparation superb and the interior is finely detailed and homey. Well done! — David G. Imber on Zutto Rebooted

Thanks for helping people recognize the value and importance of small business in their neighborhood. In conjunction with Small Business Saturday, Torly Kid will offer $20 off any $100 or more purchase from 11/25-11/28. — Carol Adams on Seen & Heard: Small Business Saturday

Thanks for the lovely comments everyone. And Luc Sante! Amazing. I am a HUGE fan of Lowlife. Unbelievable. And my wife is in Hermanautic Circle. Not sure if I'm supposed to be getting so personal on the comments page but I guess the fame is going to my head! Thanks Eric, for posting my piece. I hope to write more. Long live Tribeca! — Gardiner Comfort on Did That Really Happen?

AMAZING New Retail Space for Artsee Eyewear in NYC, Congratulations Julio. — J.Patrick on New Kid on the Block: Artsee

Just walked by today. It does have an other-worldly kinda vibe. — Rowena on Seen & Heard: Fulton Street Transit Center

Yeah, then the children come along with their parents' desire for safe & clean buildings, stairwells, sidewalks, intersections, neighborhoods & schools and it just ruins the fabric of those once tight-knitted, fun communities. They ruin everything. Wish we could turn back the clock. — Jim Smithers on Did That Really Happen?

Lovely piece. Wanted it to just keep going. I never lived in Tribeca, but I have fond memories of everybody taking their beers out to sit on the stoop at Mickey's and gaze out across the Hudson--there was nothing between the west side of Greenwich Street and the river. And the Movies on the Beach, the beach being the landfill that would be the future site of Suyvesant High. And people's collections of stuff they found on the street--one friend had accumulated hundreds and hundreds of shoe lasts, for example. — Luc Sante on Did That Really Happen?

What a lovely remembrance. I still live on Franklin Street, the sole tenant of an abandoned building that was once a cheese factory then Alexander Calder's studio. I've been here since 1984. What I miss the most is stoop sitting. On any given lonely night, I could get a bottle and a couple glasses, sit on my stoop, and friends would stop by and sit for a drink. Now I could sit on a Tribeca stoop all night and no one would stop to share a shot. That, and this year my landlord demolished our stoop. Wonderful to read your piece, I enjoyed and related to every inch of it. — annie nocenti on Did That Really Happen?

Thank you for this wonderful piece. I can remember the days of the old Washington Market before the move to Hunts Point which made room for the artists. The trucks were unloaded by casual workers often from the Bowery and known as rummies because they worked long enough to afford one of those flat bottled cheap boozes. They would fall asleep right on the loading docks under the protection of the overhangs. Those were tough times and this was a tough neighborhood. — betty on Did That Really Happen?

Thank you for this. — cami on The Clampdown

Why don't we take the art and science classrooms at 234 and Spruce Street and use them as classrooms.There may be some additional spaces in those schools that could be used also for additional neighborhood kids. This would create a short term solution of keeping kids in the neighborhood until we can get our elected officials to realize that courting development without creating schools, etc. is problematic. This is not ideal, but might address the safety concerns and also enable TriBeCa is not be "broken up" until there are new schools in place. — cami on Seen & Heard: Small Business Saturday

That sectional sofa is awesome! — Rowena on Loft Peeping: Amanda Pratt & Anthony Crane

So only the people living within "TriBeCa" are a "committed community?" Once you become part of "Chinatown" you are no longer committed to your community or your children? So TriBeCa children are not able or not allowed to become friends or go to school with any children living North of Canal or East of Broadway? — Buzz on Seen & Heard: Small Business Saturday