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Gatherings Floral Design

Gatherings Floral Design 1 Florists Kips Bay Tudor City

After wandering through the beautiful park in Tudor City, it was easy to understand how someone was inspired to open a flower shop across the street several years ago. In the spring of 2016, Barbara Mele made the bold decision to take over the existing business and turn it into her own - Gatherings Floral Design. The location, design of the store, and the warm community all contributed to Barbara's decision.

Barbara has been a florist since 2000. She told me that she initially became interested in plants thanks to her grandmother, who was a landscape architect. “When I was younger I was around flowers and plants a lot,” she said. As an adult, she chose to work for numerous flower companies, learning the different techniques of the trade, before deciding to finally branch out on her own. Barbara went on to say that in addition to the magnificent flowers that she is surrounded by each day, she appreciates the opportunity to spend time with so many lovely people in the neighborhood. “I enjoy helping people get something that makes them smile,” she confessed. In turn, residents of the community have expressed their appreciation for keeping a flower shop up and running in the area.

The previous owners had been affiliates of FlowerSchool New York. Barbara now teaches there and, I was delighted to learn, hosts interns from the school at her shop. The space and Barbara’s flowers have been used frequently in the past few months for romantic endeavors. Barbara told the Manhattan Sideways team that the gardens across from her shop are listed as the most romantic place to propose. “I have already had three businessmen come to the shop looking to use either the space or the flowers to help them propose.”

Gatherings is not a traditional cash-and-carry shop. Customers cannot buy prearranged flowers as they can from most American Florists. Barbara instead opts for a traditional European style. The flowers and plants that she carries are, for the most part, locally sourced based upon the season. Customers work with Barbara to create their own personalized floral design.“People react to flowers emotionally,” she said. Based on the customer's favorite flower, color, or based on the occasion, Barbara along with her client work together to create an arrangement that is exactly what the buyer wants. Instead of paying a set price, customers pay based on the number of flowers used and the size of the arrangements. Barbara continued, “ I can’t be offended that my idea of romantic is not someone else's idea of romantic when making an arrangement.” Her devotion to customized flower sales makes her work a significantly more creative, social, and open experience, as well as more cost-effective.

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Gatherings Floral Design 1 Florists Kips Bay Tudor City
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Gatherings Floral Design 7 Florists Kips Bay Tudor City

More places on 41st Street

Lost Gem
Wolfgang's Steakhouse 1 American Steakhouses Times Square Hudson Yards Garment District

Wolfgang's Steakhouse

When I mentioned to a friend that I was up to 33rd Street, she reacted immediately, "You know that this is the street that Wolfgang's is on, don't you?" I loved the description that she and her husband shared with me. "It is an old world man-cave that has incredible charm and certainly appeals to the serious eater." Situated in the former historic Vanderbilt Hotel with magnificently tiled low vaulted ceilings, my husband and I agree that this is a splendid restaurant to dine.Wolfgang's, located in the sleek New York Times building on West 41st Street, is equally pleasant, but offers an entirely different ambiance. During the daytime, the sunlight streams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing the steaks to glisten even more as they are being brought to the tables. The businessmen in their suits still dominate during the lunch hour; however, theatergoers and tourists fill the restaurant in the evening.Wolfgang Zwiener spent some forty years digesting the world of steak by working in the iconic restaurant, Peter Luger's. Think of it this way, Wolfgang received a veritable master's degree in meats in Brooklyn, and now has earned his doctorate in his own restaurant, where he has written a top-notch thesis. When others might have chosen to slow down a bit or even to retire, he began opening his own restaurants.Over the years, I have been to the four in Manhattan, with the 33rd Street flagship location being the one where we have chosen to celebrate many special occasions. As noted, it is a favorite of friends of ours, and when I asked them to speak to me further about Wolfgang's, the immediate response was, "Personally, of all the steak houses in New York, this is the one to go to." They went on to describe the menu as not only having excellent steaks, but they also always look forward to ordering seafood, and then brace themselves as the kitchen presents them with a seafood platter appetizer that is "utterly outrageous." There are jumbo shrimp (my number one oxymoron) and lobster with huge pieces to devour, and thrown in for good measure, some oysters and clams. "Even if you leave the steak out of the equation, it makes for an incredible meal." But, who can leave the steak out? According to my husband, a man who is passionate about his meat, Wolfgang gets it right every time whether he decides on a filet or a porterhouse. And I, of course, am all about the side dishes and salads, which Wolfgang continues to deliver.

Lost Gem
Olde Tyme Barbers 1 Barber Shops Murray Hill

Olde Tyme Barbers

In a city where cultural fads and neighborhoods change frequently, one necessity has remained the same - men continue to be in need of a haircut. That simple fact has kept Olde Tyme Barbers in business since 1929. Or at least that is how Joe “the Boss” Magnetico explains being successful, despite the way midtown has changed since his grandfather opened his doors.Joe is the third generation of barbers, and his daughter Anne-Marie is the fourth and first female barber in the family. Joe’s grandfather, the original “Joe the Barber,” first opened his shop at the Statler Hilton Hotel. In 1945, his son, Frank Magnetico, moved the barbershop to the current location on 41st Street underneath the Chanin building, a New York City national landmark. This makes Olde Tyme Barbers the oldest retail establishment currently in business on 41st from the East River to the New York Public Library.It is easy to tell that Joe, his family, and his staff take pride in the work that they do and the history they have created. Joe still uses the original chairs from the barbershop his grandfather opened. Sitting behind the cash register, Joe stated, “We’re not a business you can do on the internet.” By this he means that despite the way business and the neighborhood has changed in the past years, Joe and his family have survived for so long by remaining true to their trade. He charges what is fair and treats everyone who comes in with respect. Joe told me, “you have to be able to make relationships in business: it’s how you survive.” This is why Joe’s regulars are so loyal. Generations of men in the same family continue to come from all over the Metropolitan area to get their hair cut by his staff. They have been able to do something special in midtown - to create a neighborhood environment in an area of Manhattan that is not considered a neighborhood anymore.Joe ended our conversation by mentioning that he does not believe that he could open a barber shop in today’s market for the price that he charges on this block. "We are a dying breed in the sense that there is not much room in midtown for small owned businesses." In his opinion, all the chains in midtown do not bring the same sense of community or character to the area like the businesses that use to be there.