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A fact of life in Gotham is that things change and we move on. We're just not a big memorial kind of city - quick, where was the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire? - generally speaking we're too busy moving forward to look back (with some exceptions). This habit of ours goes from major events that happened a century ago to that deli on the corner that closed last month. But moving on doesn't mean we necessarily forget stuff. We just stumble upon (or put) their mementos online.
For instance the above video. Did you know that there used to be an Egg Store on East Seventh Street between Second and First? An egg store which was only open on Thursdays and specialized in undated white and brown eggs from Jersey? Because there was, and that is it in that vimeo clip up there.
The Egg Store was a mom-and-pop shop run by the family that owned Shady Hollow Farm in New Jersey. They ran it from the fifties until the mid-eighties at which point a local woman, Olga Worobel, took over for the store's last couple years. Every Thursday for years "people used to line up," Worobel told the Times in 1991. "The whole neighborhood came and stood in line and talked. Waiting for eggs was like church: it brought people together." While we weren't around for those glory days, it certainly had a following in our childhood (that's our sister in the vimeo) and those eggs really were something great.
It's neighborhood ghosts like the Egg Store (and Mike the Butcher) that hammer in to us just how greatly Manhattan has changed in the past two decades. We wonder what the equivalent to a once-a-week Egg Store is now?
Fresh Jersey Eggs (Open Thursday Only) by Gail Epps on Vimeo
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If you're only open 1 day a week selling eggs and able to manage a storefront in NYC (even in the 80's), then you're either the most brilliant egg-seller in the world or else the business is a front-company for something else. Did they happen to own the building/space???
Exactly two blocks north there's currently a housewares boutique called "No More Eggs." When I first saw this item I wondered if it took over the location of the Egg Shop, thus explaining the goofy name. But no. Different block, still an odd reason. Sez the Vioce, the proprietress used to be a farmer.
The current equivalent is the Greenmarket, of course. At least in places like Grand Army Plaza where it's only once a week. Race your neighbors to get the best tomatoes...
Garth: Kim's Video. "You mean people used to leave their apts. to go pick up tapes or DVDs to watch at home?" "It was a strange world Jimmy."
mmmmm...I could go for some eggs right now.
The idea that nobody talks about the history of New York is an interesting one. At one time in our country's history, Boston, Philly, Charleston, and New York were all trying to be the cultural and monetary capital of the country. New York won that battle and so we don't talk about the civil war battles that were fought here or what 86th street looked like before central park and the met (it was a town of freed slaves). Boston and Philly bring in tourists based on their history. Not to insult them, but it's what they have to talk about. New York "lives in the now", so to speak. What sucks about that is that we miss out on a lot of great New York history - like egg stores. But I still wouldn't trade it for anything.
The reason NYC doesn't like to dwell on its history is that it's often, more often than not, on the wrong side. Pro-British, pro-slavery, pro-Confederate, pro-lynching, anti-immigrant, Native American mistreatment and on and on.
Like a rich old man who's accomplished a lot, NYC has many reasons not to rattle the skeletons in the closet of its fickle past. That's why I think the city doesn't like to dwell on its earlier years.
so true, you have all the corruption from city hall to the building of the Brooklyn bridge. then you have the sullivan law.
You have the yankees, one of the last teams to break the color barrier.
Philly and Boston like to talk about their history because Philly was the "Cradle of Liberty" and Boston was the ignitor of the Revolution. Aside from the Battle of Brooklyn in August 1776, NYC has very little creditable to account for in our national history. A historical walking tour of the Drafts Riot during the Civil War might be worth talking about, but I can see why widespread lynching and the burning of African-American orphanages might not want to be something the city wants to dwell on.
Gotham is awesome, but focusing on its past is not its strength or pride for a good reason.
Jerky said:
"If you're only open 1 day a week selling eggs and able to manage a storefront in NYC (even in the 80's), then you're either the most brilliant egg-seller in the world or else the business is a front-company for something else. Did they happen to own the building/space???"
Ummm, what if the owners of the store owned the property and turning a profit was not as desperate as it would be if the spectre of rent hung over their head? Tons of stores in the Village used to be like. Small toy stores, food stores, etc... And I know for a fact that many places had rents that barely went over $500 per month back in the 1980s. Not too bad.
I find it hilarious when people question how a store like this raises suspicion in some, but quaint little boutiques that sell one or two dresses (it seems) and act as if they don't need your business are barely called out on their "front"-ness. Please. Half of the cute boutiues in this city are truly drug (ie: marijuana) fronts. Heck, lots of the "watch repair" places in Brooklyn are known fronts as well. Who fixes $20 watches from Target? How can anyone make money THAT way.
That's your sis, garth?
You guys must of been adorable cause she sure was.
It sure was an unforgetable experience growing up in NYC, sure we didn't drive but the subways were just as exciting.
I'm talking real born and bred NYC'ers not your Howard stern's coming into the city to see his daddy work and bring in their racist views. (sorry, off rant there)
Hey Garth,
Try reading Gothamist and then maybe you'll know where the Triangle Factory Fire was:
http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2006/03/24/a_terrible_day.php
There is nothing like a neighborhood store..
I am guessing they probably owned the property...that was a really cute video..
fresh + jersey in the same sentence? hahaha
jokin of course..
The egg store in the video was not on 7th Street but on 9th Street between 2nd and 3rd. It was in fact located in the store that became "No more Eggs" that a previous commenter mentioned.
Sorry, I meant 9th street between 1st and 2nd Ave
dave, uhm, nope. I promise you the store in that video was at 72 East Seventh Street. Check the linked Times article for verification.
And Rachel you make a good point, I should have used the Gothamist link to make that point...
Not for nothing Dave H., but watch the Egg Store video again and look at the addess of the store itself that's painted on the window. A verty clear "72" is there. 'Nuff said. Excelsior!
I'm usually a bit hard on Gothamist, but stuff like this is excellent. 1970s/1980s New York is mostly ignored because of the state the city was in. Anything that can put a better perspective on the city then is awesome!
43t
yes it was a sweet reminder of kindness and customer courtesy- the little lady in the film was my Tante Anna- she loved to kid with everyone. If I may make a little social commentary here: this store expemplified small town ethics within thelower east side and yes, it included all ages, even a woman in her late 70 and early 80s selling fresh country eggs at decent prices. She was a funny lady and could make anyone laugh. So proud of her in this video. Whoever took it, thanks so much. A delight to watch.