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Manhattan Sideways Joins Forces with KOB Publishing to Champion NYC's Small Businesses

Written by: Manhattan Sideways. Published: May 2, 2023.

Manhattan Sideways, a platform highlighting small businesses across NYC's side streets, has been acquired by KOB Publishing LLC. There will be a new daily newsletter and updated features on the Sideways website.


Manhattan Borough President Mark Levlne (center) with Betsy Bober Polivy and Phil O’Brien at the W42ST Best of Awards 2022 at Intrepid Museum. Photo: Max Guliani

New York, NY - Manhattan Sideways, a platform dedicated to showcasing small businesses across New York City's side streets, is excited to announce its acquisition by KOB Publishing LLC, the publisher behind W42ST.nyc, the leading news service for Hell's Kitchen.

Long-time friends and collaborators Phil O’Brien (KOB Publisher) and Betsy Bober Polivy (Sideways Founder) are thrilled to bring their shared passion for supporting local businesses under one banner. Together, they will continue their mission of shining a spotlight on the diverse and vibrant small business landscape in New York City.

In the coming weeks, visitors to the sideways.nyc website can expect a range of new and updated features designed to further enhance their experience. Moreover, Manhattan Sideways will launch a daily newsletter, delivered Monday to Friday at 4:30pm, offering an intimate look at the city's side streets through engaging conversations with business owners and residents.

The newsletter will also feature interviews with fascinating local personalities and take readers on a nostalgic journey, highlighting the side streets' former businesses, as well as keeping them informed about newly opened establishments.

In 2011, Betsy had a crazy idea to walk the entire original Manhattan Grid — from 1st Street to 155th Street. Over the past 12 years, she has traversed the side streets from the East River to the Hudson, documenting each business, meeting the owners and telling their stories.

“I am so excited to be able to continue to walk the streets of Manhattan and see Sideways grow as a business. There’s no better time to tell the stories and support these thousands of small side street businesses in New York,” said Betsy.

“We cannot wait to build on the legacy that Betsy has created, one step at a time, in Manhattan. The work we have done in Hell’s Kitchen with W42ST, connecting local businesses with our readers, is a perfect platform to help magnify Sideways’ street-by-street coverage of Manhattan,” said Phil

At the heart of Manhattan Sideways and KOB Publishing's collaboration lies a steadfast commitment to advocate for small local businesses. Betsy will maintain her presence on Manhattan's streets as Editor at Large, ensuring the website remains up-to-date and visiting small business owners in person. Meanwhile, Phil will lend his 40 years of entrepreneurial and journalistic expertise to the project, incorporating new technology and fostering relationships with even more small business owners on the side streets.

For more information, please visit: sideways.nyc

Contact:
Phil O’Brien — KOB Publishing LLC
phil@w42st.com
(646) 267-9028

Photos are available here…

  1. Betsy Bober Polivy on UWS stoop — Photo: Phil O’Brien
  2. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levlne (center) with Betsy Bober Polivy and Phil O’Brien at the W42ST Best of Awards 2022 at Intrepid Museum. Photo: Max Guliani
  3. Betsy Bober Polivy and Phil O’Brien out on the side streets of Manhattan
  4. Betsy Bober Polivy out walking downtown — Photo: Naty Caez