Maybe We Woke Up: The Saving of Neir's Tavern

A Disappearing NYC Film

A Film By Christopher Ming Ryan and Evan Fairbanks Production furnished by Wheelhouse Communications.

On the brink of closing for good, the 190 year-old Neir's Tavern was saved because of a call to the Mayor on WNYC Radio.

Now hear from Loycent Gordon, the owner of Neir's, why he chose to take over the business 10 years ago. What he loves about it and how in 72 hours time he went from thinking he was closing for good to getting a brand new ten-year lease on life. At the end, Loy has a message for all New Yorkers that must be heard.

Shot in Woodhaven, Queens.

Music By ArtList.

The Last Day at Tad's Steakhouse

There was a Runyonesque feel to the last day at Tad’s Steakhouse in Times Square. Guys and Dolls, the musical, was based on Damon Runyon's characters from twenties and thirties.
Tad’s broiled their first meals here in NYC in 1955 where a guy could buy a doll a steak for a buck.

On the evening of January 5th, 2020, dreamers, lovers, and out-of-towners in fur waited in line for one last nicely nicely priced steak. No longer a buck but way less than a bushel and a peck.

Where can Nathan Detroit find a decent meal in this town anymore?

DP: Evan Fairbanks
Producer and Editor: Christopher Ming Ryan
Audio Ass'/Production Mgr.: Sam Dera

Disappearing NYC: Saving Westsider Books

As of this moment over 800 people contributed to a GoFundMe campaign to save Westsider Books and it all started because the owner, Dorian Thornley, said flippantly in a local blog that if someone wanted to raise 50K he would take it and keep the store open. Well, the wish was granted.

A Film By Evan Fairbanks and Christopher Ming Ryan With Dorian Thornley, Sally Martell and Bobby Panza Music by ArtList

Originally published by Viewing.nyc, Westside Rag and Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York
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Disappearing NYC: The Last Days at the Shalimar Diner

Since 1974, Shalimar Diner has been serving up comfort food to Rego Park, Queens residents.

There's no such thing as "just a diner." To all the regulars, this was a community. And it wasn't because of the free chickpeas on the table. Knowing that the upcoming rent increase was impossible to afford, this last Thanksgiving weekend, the owners served their last meals.

The neighborhood rushed in, ordered their favorites, and said goodbye with an outpouring of love.
A Disappearing NYC Film
Produced by Evan Fairbanks
Director of Photography - Evan Fairbanks
Editor - Christopher Ming Ryan
Music Licensed through Atomica Music
Originally published by Viewing.nyc.
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Disappearing NYC: Star Struck

How Mom and Pops Stay Open in NYC... You need more than your fingers and toes to count the number independent stores and establishments that closed in 2018 in New York City.

I asked Joe Markus, the owner, how he managed to stay put in one place and thrive for so many decades. His answer was simple. His landlord was a decent man. So you either have to own your building or have the incredible luck of having a landlord with a heart to operate a long-standing store in NYC .

Take a last look at Star Struck.

A Film By Christopher Ming Ryan
Photography By Evan Fairbanks
Music By ArtList
Special Thanks: Wheelhouse Communications

NYC Speaker Corey Johnson Pledging Support for Small Businesses (WNYC Brian Lehrer)

According to Crain's, Speaker Corey Johnson of the NYC Council has made good on his support for the Small Business Jobs Survival Act. He has announced the bill will get a hearing by the end of October, 2018.

The bill would give Mom and Pop stores a fighting chance when renegotiating fair rates with their landlords.

savenyc.nyc is a grassroots, crowd-sourced, DIY movement to raise awareness and take action for protecting and preserving the diversity and uniqueness of the urban fabric in New York City. They have been out front on this issue and many others that support the small business shop owner.

While there is a hearing scheduled, that's no guarantee that this will pass. Please take a part and join a letter-writing campaign to NYC officials and let them know the urgency of this bill: savenyc.nyc/letter-campaigns/

Let's help the Mom and Pop stores of NYC before they disappear.

Conceived by Christopher Ming Ryan
Art Director/Animator Paul Waters
Director of Photography Evan Fairbanks
Audio provided by WNYC Radio
A Disappearing NYC Film