The Occupy Wall Street (#OWS) movement is now running on its 7th week of mass protests in lower Manhattan. While the crowds are fighting for better wages, jobs, and other economic issues, one of their unintended casualties has been a local Kosher restaurant: Milk Street Cafe, located on Wall Street, and just opened this summer (see my video of the restaurant by clicking here).
Due to the protests, the thriving restaurant is no longer thriving, and just laid off 21 employees from the large restaurant (nearly a quarter of his staff) — which by the way – has THREE separate kosher kitchens, dairy, meat, and pareve (certified by the OU).
The protests + police barricades make it extremely difficult – but not impossible – to reach for pedestrians. Remember, Wall St. is a pedestrian mall, and currently, it is carved up and blocked by many barricades.
Regardless of who is to blame for the restaurant’s layoffs and current financial troubles, we can do something about it – we can eat there.
We can make it our business to go out of our way around the barricades and crowds and eat there. I’m not necessarily endorsing this restaurant over others in the area … or in general. Obviously many Kosher restaurants go out of business … but typically for lack of demand, or because simply, the food / service was bad. This restaurant was in high demand. However, due to unforeseen circumstances they are losing money and may have to close prematurely because of these protests and the NYPD’s response.
Whether you work downtown, or are a #OWS protesters and keep kosher … be sure to stop by Milk Street Cafe on 50 Wall Street. It’s a huge place with lots of options.
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This video is from 3.5 months ago, and the place is thriving! Now, it may go out of business!
Oh yes, it’s the protesters’ fault that the City of New York decided to implement draconian measures, barricading off all of Wall Street. We’re the ones who determine police procedure, right? Maybe if the mayor and the NYPD respected the First Amendment, lower Manhattan wouldn’t look like a Pac-Man board. But you’re right, we’re to blame for exercising our right to assembly…five blocks away!
if you read the post it equally states both parties: protesters and NYPD as the cause.
One is the cause of the other.
No matter whose fault it is (What Mobius says makes sense — it’s not the *protesters* who put up the barricades), it still sucks for the cafe. Wishing them all the best.