Michelle Rick

Good morning, East Village.

One of the most important ongoing stories in the neighborhood is the continuing evolution of small businesses. The Wall Street Journal offers its take on the issue with a look at the neighborhood’s transformation into a hub for nightlife by focusing on a stretch of East Third Street between Avenues A and D.

Framed around the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, the article looks at the businesses that have come and gone in recent months. The piece – in an observation that could be applied to many parts of the neighborhood – describes how East Third “has become a destination for young bards, students and — often — tourists. Indeed, much of the gentrification that surrounds it today was inspired by the foot traffic the café attracted in the first place.” It’s a story well worth reading.

In other neighborhood news, EV Grieve posts a follow-up to an earlier interview with the new owner of the Polonia Restaurant, in which he further defends some of the changes that he’s made at the restaurant. “I have no plans, whatsoever, of trying to scare off Polonia’s long time patrons,” the owner says.

And The Villager profiles one of the neighborhood’s centenarians, Rose Padawer, who recently celebrated her 105th birthday.

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