I was very sad when Eisenberg’s Sandwich closed during the pandemic. Now this location that has a long history has reopened as S & P Sandwich Shop. The interior looks very much like it always did and the food was quite good.

As you probably know, I prefer indie businesses and the feel when eating here is warm and friendly. I’ve only eaten here once so far. The name is actually the original name of the restaurant in 1928 before it was changed to Eisenberg’s Sandwich. I’ll definitely be going back there sometime soon.

S & P Sandwich Shop - 174 Fifth Avenue, (212) 691-TUNA

Chelsea is a very large area in Manhattan and I always find get photo opportunities there. You can book a private tour/workshop in Chelsea.

B&H Dairy is a great little deli in New York City. Whether you are a vegetarian or not, you should be able to have a great meal here. I typically have the pierogis and/or a bowl of borscht. I keep meaning to try the French toast made with challah bread! It's difficult to choose from the many deli items they have. They also serve Dr. Brown's cream soda. The staff are very friendly and the clientele are typically from the neighborhood.

They have been in business since 1938! In a city with more than 20,000 restaurants that is truly amazing. Many restaurants in this city come and go. As an old school restaurant, they don't have a website! Also, they are a CASH ONLY restaurant. And the prices are nice on the wallet. By the way, they are also Kosher.

B&H Dairy and Vegetarian, 127 Second Avenue, near St. Marks Place in the East Village.

City in Color is a series of photos in which color became a dominant consideration in the process. Color is intrinsic to the composition. Throughout the process, I narrowed my vision to isolate some of the many palettes that exist in the city.

Cigarette in the Rain

East Village Garbage

Made in China

Man in Hat

Young and Hip in the City 6

City in Color is a photozine of 27 full color photographic images. It is a 36 page, saddle-stitched publication and it measures 5.8" x 8.26". It is limited to 100 copies which are signed and numbered. Don’t hesitate to buy one before they are sell out!

Very exciting news! If you happen to be in New York City, 9 of my street photos are plastered on the windows at 600 Madison Ave. They are really big. It’s like having an exhibit in a gallery, but way better. And you don’t need to worry about social distancing either. So here you can see a street photo that I took with one of my photos on the background.

Yes, I do love real books and good bookstores. McNally Jackson is perhaps my favorite bookstore in New York City. I typically go to the location in Soho. But if you happen to find yourself in Williamsburg it is definitely worth it. Every person who works at McNally Jackson knows books and they tend to specialize in different kinds of topics. The selection of books in the areas of poetry, literature, arts, general nonfiction to name a few areas always fascinates me.

McNally Jackson 76 N. 4th Street, Williamsburg

Yes, I do love bookstores and Spoonbill & Sugartown Bookseller certainly fits this category. Their location is small but their collection is highly curated. They also sell select magazines and paper goods as well as a few secondhand books.

I asked a salesperson about books on a particular topic and she was able to help me find what I was looking for. They are an indie business and they've been in business since 1999.

"If you happen to walk through the doors, you might find the book you’re looking for. But if your mind and eyes remain open you’ll be subject to the phenomenon of “bookshop serendipity”, where anything can happen. We offer second-hand, rare as well as new books on Contemporary Art, Literature, Philosophy and various Design fields – but we also hand-pick thousands of good books of all stripes every month to try and satisfy print-lovers from all over the world."

Spoonbill & Sugartown Bookseller, 218 Bedford Avenue near North 5th Street

Update: Casey’s is in business still! It’s a great store. Updated 12 July 2021.

In a world that seems to be dominated by all things digital there are some analog items that still exist with good reason. Casey’s Rubber Stamps has existed in its East Village location on 11th Street for more than 15 years now. Casey has been in the rubber stamp business for more than 35 years.

Casey has every kind of rubber stamp that you can imagine from alphabets to zebras. And if he doesn’t have what you’re looking for he takes custom orders. You can also order online. When was the last time you wrote a physical letter to someone or made a greeting card by hand? There are so many cool things you can do with rubber stamps including shopping at an independent business.

Casey’s hours are based on artist’s hours and he is “open when not closed and closed when not open.” The listed hours of business are Monday-Saturday 1-8 pm and Sunday 2:30-7 pm.

Casey Rubber Stamps 322 East 11th Street (between First and Second Avenue)

East Village Books is an old style secondhand bookstore. They buy and sell and claim they pay the best price for used books. They've been in business since 1994 and that's saying a lot for a little bookstore in this city! There is a method to the madness if you look closely. Oh the things you can find when you take the time! If you're in the East Village do check it out!

East Village Books, 99 St. Mark's Place.