Gorilla Coffee, in Brooklyn, is a well-known local favorite but apparently it’s a lot more fun to drink the coffee than it is to work there. It’s so unpleasant, in fact, that even considering the current economic climate, the entire staff simultaneously quit — forcing the coffee shop to close. The staff sent out an email to the media claiming that it’s not a strike — the “staff quit and the matter will not be resolved.” [More]
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The Story Behind The Man Who Designed Apple's Glass Cube Store
By 3.29.10
It’s not often that a retail store becomes an icon even before it opens for business, but Apple managed to pull off this weird architectural/cultural feat with its glass box Apple store in NYC in 2006–it’s the 5th most photographed landmark in the city and 28th worldwide according to a new study of Flickr images. The man who designed it, 70-year-old Peter Bohlin, has been awarded the 2010 gold medal from the American Institute of Architects for his entire body of work, and he doesn’t like computers and had never designed a retail environment before the Apple store. [More]
American Airlines, Jet Blue, Delta Seek To Delay Tarmac Imprisonment Rule
By 3.17.10
You know that new rule that says airlines have to let passengers off the plane if it’s stuck on the tarmac for more than 3 hours? It’s supposed to go into effect in April, but at least three airlines are hoping to delay it because they say runway repairs at JFK Airport will interfere with schedules. [More]
We Hope Your Mail Isn't On This Postal Truck
By 2.8.10
…Because that sh*t is stuck. A Gothamist reader took this photo of a postal truck stuck at a crazy angle under an overpass on 10th ave in NYC. Whoopsies! [More]
"You Break It, You Bought It" Rule Does Not Apply To Museums
By 1.25.10
Good news for the clumsy, if you stagger into a rare Picasso painting and rip a 6″ hole in it — you will not be charged for the painting. On Friday a woman fell into just such a painting while taking a class at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. [More]
Largest Ever Single Residential Property Deal Collapses Under Debt Mountain
By 1.25.10
The company that paid the most ever for a single residential property in the US is giving up and giving the development back to its lenders, says the WSJ. [More]
In Case You Were Wondering, Here Are NYC's 6 Most Interesting Urinals
By 1.15.10
I am pleased to report that I did not do the research for this study, but instead point you to Asylum.com for the results, which include a urinal where you pee on a 52″ flat screen. [More]
NYC Cabbie Returns $21,000 Left Behind In Cab
By 1.14.10
An Italian grandmother was visiting family in New York and forgot her handbag in the backseat of Mukul Asadujjaman’s cab. Inside the purse was about $21,000 in cash, as well as jewelry and passports. Asadujjaman found an address in the bag and tracked down her family in Long Island, about 50 miles outside of the city, to return it. [More]
NYC Police Dept Stops Giving Counterfeit Clothing To Charity
By 1.13.10
It turns out H&M and Walmart aren’t the only two organizations caught destroying clothes they couldn’t sell. Yesterday the New York Times reported that the NYC Police Department has also been destroying clothing that would otherwise be wearable. The big difference this time is that the clothing is counterfeit. [More]
Sorry, It's Not Cool To Use The President To Sell Coats
By 1.8.10
The Weatherproof clothing company got permission from a photographer to use a photo of the President wearing one of their coats at the Great Wall of China — but they didn’t ask the White House. If they had, they’d have been told where to stick their Times Square billboard. [More]
NYC Sues Verizon Because Heinously Ugly Building Is Too Tall
By 1.4.10
Apparently the extremely ugly Verizon skyscraper in NYC is too tall, and is now the subject of a lawsuit. [More]
Homeless Charity Revealed As A Fraud
By 11.24.09
If you live anywhere in the NYC area, you’ve probably seen a “United Homeless Organization” table on the sidewalk, staffed by a volunteer who looks homeless himself. (If you don’t live here, imagine a year-round, homeless Salvation Army Santa.) If you thought the set-ups looked a little sketchy, you were right: the UHO is a “sham,” according to NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. [More]
Tavern On The Green Plays Halloween Trick On Thousands Of Partiers
By 11.3.09
Melissa is one of thousands of people who showed up at the bankrupt Tavern on the Green restaurant in Central Park on Saturday night for a ticket-holders-only Halloween party. She was forced to wait outside at the front of an increasingly agitated mob because the restaurant had sold too many tickets, or because someone had sold fake ones, it’s still unclear. The Daily News says one reveler waited 5 hours before he was finally let in, just before 1:30 am—which was when the party was shut down by police. Now they all want their money back, but Tavern on the Green and the party promoters are blaming each other.
So, Do Calorie Counts On Menus Help People Make Better Choices? Or Not?
By 11.2.09
There have been two recent studies concerning NYC’s menu labeling law. One said that the posted calorie counts had no effect — and the other disagrees. So, who is right?
Best Buy Can Now Overcharge New Yorkers 'Round The Clock
By 10.20.09
If you like Best Buy, come to New York City! In November the company will open its first 24-hour store, in the remodeled carcass of the Circuit City that formerly anchored Union Square. In fact, it’s probably best we call it the Circuit City Best Buy to avoid confusion. According to Best Buy’s PR department, the store will also feature “the largest Best Buy Musical Instruments Department in the United States.”
Verizon, NYPD Don't Care About Fires
By 10.8.09
Once again, Verizon has been caught leaving its vans parked in front of fire hydrants.
Can't Find Work In Your Field? Move To NYC And Open A Food Cart
By 9.30.09
If you were laid off from your job, or can’t find one in the industry you trained for, you can always sell food to people on sidewalks. That’s what at least two people are doing in New York, while a third has opened a cart to supplement his regular income. Update: But don’t expect to actually make any money, according to this article tipped to us by Zach.
NYC Restaurant Stops Accepting Cash
By 9.11.09
If you decide to eat at Commerce, an unpleasantly named upscale restaurant in New York City that charges nearly $25 for spaghetti, your cash is no longer welcome.
