The most iconic holiday market in New York, the Union Square Holiday Market, returns on Thursday, November 18th. Over 150 vendors will showcase a dynamic mix of global cuisines, original art, handcrafted accessories, and more through Friday, December 24th. Come experience one of the City’s most beloved traditions!
Thanks to Charles Stimson we are gifted with six more images of yesteryear. This one shows the east side of Fifth Ave. at 13th St. See Schrafft’s on the corner, which is now the burned out deli? Remember that you can double click on all these images to get a much closer look at some of the detail. The views of 14th St. are especially interesting. The trucks, the signs, the decorative cornices, including the one on our building . Enjoy. 
Not exactly Occupy Wall Street, but this is what Union Square looked like on Labor Day 1882. Fun parade.
Here’s the news: “The New York City Water Board voted on Friday morning to approve a 14.5 percent increase for water and sewer rates, the largest increase since 1992. When the new rate is in place on July 1, according to the city’s Independent Budget Office, water rates will have risen a cumulative 77 percent since 2001, and double-digit increases are expected to keep coming for at least a few more years.”
This is one of those uncontrollable costs that bedevil the co-op’s budget every year. The only thing we can do about it: use less water. We’ve already taken steps to examine our infrastructure and make sure we have discovered any sources of waste and leaks. Other than that, it’s all about less consumption.
Goodbye Borgo Antico on 13th across from our front door. It’s turned into City Tavern, a rather uninteresting bar with regular old bar food.
Signs announcing “#SaltBae coming soon” have been plastered on a space at 220 Park Avenue South, near Union Square, where a location of Japanese chain Haru Sushi once stood. Salt-sprinkling, internet sensation Nusret Gökçe first brought his famed Turkish steakhouse Nusr-Et to NYC in January, opening a 150-seat restaurant in Midtown.
But if Gökçe is indeed responsible for this signage, it could be slated for something other than a steakhouse. In February, he announced plans for a new burger chain, to be aptly named Salt Bae, telling the New York Post he’s plotting multiple locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The signage on the space says just “saltbae,” accompanied by an illustrated version of the butcher.
Critics fell harshly on Nusr-Et, finding the theatrical dinner served overpriced, mediocre steaks. Eater’s own Robert Sietsema described the beef as “a little rubbery” and “low on flavor,” although Pete Wells from the Times seems to have enjoyed his dining experience, going as far as calling the steak “terrific.”
The chain has over a dozen locations around the world, but only one other U.S. location exists in Miami, according to its website.
From Gothamist: Reverend Billy climbed to the roof of the Pavilion building in Union Square last night around 6:30 p.m. to hang a banner reading: Not For Sale. While he was up there, he gave the passersby a lessn on why the historic free speech structure cannot be turned into a private, upscale restaurant; reminding people that the first Labor Day in 1882 took place there, and that one “shouldn’t have to buy a $15 appetizer to have access to this building.” Catch the nutty video.