The Recession As Seen Through Eyes Of Roosevelt Island's Nonno's And Riverwalk Bar & Grill Owner - Less Work, More Babies
Remember this picture of a crowded, standing room only opening day for Nonno's Focacceria? Well, that was before the recession hit and times have changed a bit economically on Roosevelt Island and the rest of the United States as illustrated in New York On Less from The NY Times City Room blog. The article examines how the recession has impacted Roosevelt Island through the eyes of Nonno's Focacceria and Riverwalk Bar & Grill Owner Alphonso DiCioccio.
... At first, business thrived as roughly 200 construction workers came in daily for lunch. After construction work on the island slowed and residents cut back on eating out, he laid off two workers.What has Alphonso noticed on Roosevelt Island since the start of the Recession - more people out of work and more babies too.
In the two months since he opened the Riverwalk Bar and Grill in another building, Mr. DiCioccio has hustled to attract new customers by offering senior citizen breakfast discounts and half-price happy hour drinks. From his perch behind these two counters, Mr. DiCioccio measures how the recession has played out across the island in pizza slices and how often he sees customers...
... It’s like a baby boom. I see a lot more people having babies here. About three or four women said: “I lost my job. I’m having a baby.”...UPDATE 6:45 PM - More City Room Blog New York On Less stories from other neighborhoods.
