He's Been Away For A While But Today Roosevelt Island Welcomes Back The Subway Fruit Stand Seller - His Kindness And Presence Exiting Station Is The Perfect Community Arrival Says Resident

Roosevelt Island residents have been asking: 

What happened to the Fruit Stand seller at the subway? He's been away for a while.

Good news. He's back today with his Fruit Stand next to the Roosevelt Island subway station.

After posting this picture on Roosevelt Islander Instagram page, residents commented: 

• We are so happy you're back. Your kindness and presence exiting the station makes it the perfect community arrival.
• Very kind man
  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @rooseveltislander

More Roosevelt Island Covid Restart - Subway Fruit Stand Vendor Returns Today, Welcome Back

Usually, one of the first signs of Roosevelt Island spring is the return of the Subway Fruit Stand vendor. But today, on a hot, steamy, summer Tuesday in 2020, the Subway Fruit Stand vendor's return is another sign of Roosevelt Island Covid restart.

Welcome back.

Sign of Roosevelt Island Spring - Subway Fruit Stand Vendor Is Back!! Yankees Back Today Too

You know spring is here and warm weather approaching on Roosevelt Island when the Subway Fruit Stand vendor returns

and he is here today.

Welcome back.

It's also opening day for the baseball season.

Yankees baseball is back. #PinstripePride pic.twitter.com/jdMRiuBEgc

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 28, 2019

Welcome Sign Of Spring, Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand Returns

You know spring is here and warm weather approaching on Roosevelt Island when the Subway Fruit Stand vendor returns

and he is here today.

Welcome back.

CORRECTION - ONLY CLOSED ON SATURDAY - First Sign Winter Is Coming - Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand Vendor Closing Tomorrow

The Autumn chill is in the air and the first sign of winter has appeared on Roosevelt Island.

The Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand Vendor has a sign on the cart announcing that they are closing for their winter hiatus tomorrow.

Winter is coming.



Cheer up. Spring will come and the Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand Vendor will be back.

UPDATE 5:55 PM - Oops. Correction. The Fruit Vendor is only closing for Saturday, October 14. Will re-open Sunday. Not taking the winter hiatus yet. Sorry for error.

First Sign Of Roosevelt Island Spring Is Not A Ground Hog But Return Of Subway Fruit Stand Vendor - He's Back Today

Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand Vendor returned today after winter hiatus.

It must be spring.

Sign Of Roosevelt Island Spring - Subway Fruit Stand Vendor Returns Today After Winter Hiatus

One of the first signs of spring is when the Roosevelt Island fruit stand vendor returns from his winter hiatus.

This morning, the Roosevelt Island Fruit Stand was being set up next to the F Train subway station and Duane Reade.

 Image From Janet Falk

The Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand is open now.

Just need some warm weather.

First Sign Of Roosevelt Island Spring - Subway Fruit Stand Vendor Returns Today After Winter Hiatus

A sure sign of spring is when the Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand vendor returns from winter hiatus.

Good news - the Fruit Stand is back today next to the Duane Reade and F Subway Station.

Now, all we need is some warm weather.

New Food Vendor For Roosevelt Island - Healthy Cart All Natural Fresh Fruit And Vegetable Juice Stand Making Smoothies At The Roosevelt Island Tram Station

Healthy Cart is a new food vendor serving All Natural Fresh Fruit Juices at the Roosevelt Island Tram Station.

Here's the menu which includes Strawbery, Banana, Pineapple, Mango, Orange, Papaya,

watermelon and other fruit smoothies.

I had a Razzle Dazzle Strawberry Banana smoothie

on Saturday which was very good.

Prices are a bit high. The regular size, pictured above, is $6 and a large size is $7.

They are open morning to evening from about 8 AM - 7 PM.

A reliable source reports that they have a one month permit from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) for $350.

Perhaps Healthy Cart could be a vendor at Hudson Related's new Eleanor's Pier opening June 29?

It Must Be Spring - Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand Vendor Back Today

After a long winter hiatus, the Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Vendor

is back

today.

No More Fruit Stand At Roosevelt Island Subway Entrance But Coffee and Breakfast Cart Now There

The Coffee/Breakfast

food cart that uses to be at the Roosevelt Island Tram Station has relocated to the Roosevelt Island F Train Subway entrance next to the Duane Reade.

The Coffee/Breakfast cart replaces the Fruit Stand

that occupied the spot for several years recently and left suddenly last October.

In prior years, the Fruit Stand stayed open thru the end of December.

The Roosevelt Island subway Fruit Stand vendor vacated the spot in front of Duane Reade earlier than usual this year.

Where's The Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand Vendor? Weekend F Train Subway Service Disruptions Hurting Fruit Stand Business

Several readers have noticed the Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand vendor

missing

from his usual spot in front of the Duane Reade store this past week and asked why?

In response to my inquiry, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reported that the Fruit Stand vendor will be returning to his regular spot but will close for the winter in December, as in past years, and then re-open in March.

The vendor also says that he has been losing business these past weekends due to the F Train subway service disruptions.

First Sign of Roosevelt Island Spring - Subway Fruit Stand Vendor Open Today

You would not know it by the chill in the air this morning but the first sign of Roosevelt Island spring arrived today with the return of the Subway Fruit Stand Vendor.

Soon the weather will warm up and outdoor seating will be available at Starbucks, the other restaurants and the renovated Meditation Steps.

Mobile Food Trucks Not Coming To Roosevelt Island Yet, RIOC Offers No Charge For July To Try Us Out - Please Come Luke's Lobsters, Mexicue, Rickshaw Dumplings And Others, We Will Buy Lots Of Your Food

 Image From RIOC (Click Here For Application)

Reported previously that Roosevelt Island Mobile Food Truck applications were finally made available by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). During yesterday's RIOC Operations Committee meeting (audio webcast of full meeting is here), RIOC VP of Operations Fernando Martinez reported that no Mobile Food Truck Operator has expressed interest in serving Roosevelt Island yet.

I guess we got the answer to my question from this post:

... The question now becomes if any Mobile Food Truck vendor will come to Roosevelt Island with the  extra RIOC fees and regulations that are not required in any other NYC neighborhood?...

As Roosevelt Island resident Mark Lyon commented:

Some responses from twitter:

Big Gay Ice Cream ‏@biggayicecream@markhlyon Damn, $345 a month, three month minimum? Gonna have to pass!

New York Street Food ‏@nystfood@markhlyon Thanks for the info Mark. I may write about it, but at $345/mo, don't know how many trucks will do it.

In response to the lack of interest shown by food truck operators in Roosevelt Island so far,  RIOC Directors decided during the Operations Committee meeting to waive the $345 monthly fee for July to see if any food trucks would come to Roosevelt Island.  Here's the discussion at the RIOC Operations Committee meeting.



So, Mobile Food Trucks like Luke's Lobsters, Mexicue, Rickshaw Dumplings, Schnitzel, Coolhaus, Waffles and Dingles and all the other great ones, please come to Roosevelt Island. You will have a ready, willing and very hungry public ready to buy your food - particularly during the evening rush hours and weekends.

The complete Roosevelt Island Mobile Food Truck vendor application is here and the map of available locations here. The allowable locations for food trucks does include the West Promenade near the subway station which had been initially excluded by RIOC. Other locations include Lighthouse Park, Octagon Soccer Field, Tram Station and Southpoint Park. Existing street vendors are located at the Motorgate Farmers Market and Subway Station Fruit vendor.

Also learned at the RIOC Operations Committee meeting that the Subway Fruit Stand operator will add another location at the Tram.

Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix Reports - Island House Courtyard Skateboard Noise, Dogs and Kids Going Wild At Farmers Market, & Filthy Women's Sportspark Locker Room

RI 311 See Click Fix Image From RIOC

Do you have a Roosevelt Island issue or problem that can be fixed by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)? If you see a problem or an issue on Roosevelt Island that needs to be brought to the attention of RIOC and fixed, click on RI 311 See Click Fix, report the issue and then monitor RIOC's response to the problem.

Here are some recent reports to RI 311 See Click Fix

skateboard noise

Every single day, the Island Hose courtyard becomes a meeting place for skateboarders who exercise their skills.

The noise made by those skateboarders jumping every possible steps inside the Island House courtyard, is amplified by sound reflections from the surrounding walls.
Is there a way Public Safety can provide a quitter environment for tenants of Island House, by enforcing a NO SKATEBOARD ZONE inside Island House courtyard?

and RIOC's response:

Issue Closed
The courtyard is operated by your building management company, RY Management. Please inform them of the situation as it is there responsibility. We will also ask our Public Safety Officers to observe the specified area.

RIOC

Another issue raised on RI 311 See Click Fix:

Green market protocol

Parents & dog owners! A little sensitivity and some rules needed! dogs going wild, barking, raring their teeth, and jumping up on the food have no place at the green market. Dogs of shouldn't be that close to food sales. And kids on Razor scooters, bikes, skates, etc. are a danger and a nuisance. Please take some responsibility.

RIOC, would u kindly institute some rules:
- no pets allowed in vicinity of food
- no scooters, bicycles, rollerblades, etc. beyond this point?

Thank you!

and RIOC's response:

Issue Closed This is certainly a sensitive matter. The PTA manages the green market as it assists them with meeting their fundrasing goals. We will reach out to them for further discussions and work with the PSD to see that these matters are handled accordingly.
RIOC

Another:

The fruit stand needs lights at night. Currently he uses a generator, which creates unnecessary pollution. Could RIOC make an electrical outlet available at the fruit stand location?

No response yet from RIOC on the fruit stand issue.

One final example:

I guess it will take Cornell moving over here for RIOC to try to put on a good face.. Filthy, nasty women's locker rooms at Sports Park Pool

Bet you 100 bucks by the time Cornell moves in here RIOC will jump to cleaning up the dark, old and pitiful dressing rooms at the pool. l would like to see Ms. Torres' face if she wanted to go for a swim at the Sports park Pool and went into the dressing rooms with her family to change, and shower. I bet she would be heading over to Home Depot stat to purchase some Clorox, a few Mr. Shower heads and she might even grab a gallon or two of yellow or sage green paint and some new clean and slip proof tiles for the floors, not to mention some new light fixtures.

What do people think that come over and use the pool and use the showers before and after the pool? My god, clean the place up if not for us for the kids that frequent the place!

maybe we should go in and take pictures of the showers and the dressing areas to show what we are talking about...last time I went, my flip flops were sticking to the dressing room floor! I wanted to sterilize my hands after touching everything in there. All of that then gets transferd into the pool.

A complete make over is in order, plain and simple.

No RI 311 response yet from RIOC on this issue though RIOC VP of Operations Fernando Martinez did respond to complaints about condition of Sportspark locker rooms in post earlier this week:

The Sports Park locker rooms are cleaned daily, and they were painted about 2 years ago.  We are having preliminary internal discussions on an overall Sports Park rehabilitation project.

One problem with the RI 311 reporting system is that RIOC lists an issue as "Closed" when they respond to the listing, not necessarily when the issue is resolved. Perhaps RIOC should acknowledge an issue is received, then wait until the issue is resolved before indicating it is closed.

More on Roosevelt Island 311 See Click Fix from previous post. 

Remember, if you see a Roosevelt Island problem, say something and report it.

Sign Of Roosevelt Island Spring - Southtown Subway Fruit Stand Back After Winter Hiatus, Fear Of Scurvy Outbreak Ends

Roosevelt Island Fruit Stand street vendor is back in Southtown by the Subway

after its winter hiatus.

No word yet from Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) on whether mobile food trucks will be allowed to park on street near the subway or have to pay any additional fees other than what they pay for NYC license.

Commenting about the Mobile Food truck issue on post earlier today regarding City Council Speaker Christine Quinn visiting Roosevelt Island, Westviewer writes:

The food truck problem is really a symptom of a much larger issue.  Is Roosevelt Island a neighborhood in New York City, or not?   If it is, then there should not be an additional fee to operate.

 If not, then why is Christine Quinn coming here at all?  The answer is obvious (although not to RIOC.) 

Does RIOC Have Authority To Regulate NYC Licensed Mobile Food Trucks On Roosevelt Island? Outdoor Food Vendors, Community Space and Island House Privatization On Agenda For RIOC Directors Real Estate Committee Meeting January 11

You Tube Video of Daniella on Design - Gourmet Food Trucks

As reported in this previous post on Mobile Food Truck access to Roosevelt Island:

...The answer to the question previously posed whether RIOC believes it has the right to ban food trucks on Roosevelt Island public streets which have all appropriate licenses from NYC and can provide service to any other NYC neighborhood is yes, at least according to the Real Estate Committee. The Committee was unsure where that authority came from though RIOC's attorney believes that the RIOC NY State enabling legislation provides for that power. The attorney noted he would check to see if his impression is correct.

RIOC Real Estate Committee chair Howard Polivy hopes to have a Mobile Food Truck policy established by the January RIOC Board meeting.

The issue of Roosevelt Island Mobile Food Trucks, Street Vendors (there is a difference between the two), Community Space and Island House Privatization are on the Agenda for January 11 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Directors Real Estate Committee meeting. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
AGENDA
1. Discussion of Street Vending Licenses on Roosevelt Island;
2. Review of RIOC-Controlled Community Spaces;
3. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Review and Discuss the Status of Privatization/Affordability Plan and Ground Lease Extension for Island House.

More on Roosevelt Island Mobile Food Truck issue from previous post.

Not much is known publicly about the Island House privatization because these discussions are held in Executive Session meaning that that they are secret. More information on RIOC and NY State Executive Session policies from previous posts.

An audio web cast of the meeting will be available a few days after the meeting.

UPDATE 4:20 PM - A Reader using the name Not So Common Sense believes that RIOC does have the power to ban licensed NYC Mobile Food Trucks from Roosevelt Island commenting:

Yes they do, as the rioc legislature from 1988 allows rioc to put up signs as they seem fit for the purpose of flowing traffic on the island.

A easy way to not allow the vendors on the island is to simply put up signs of " no standing" everywhere. If its at a metered spot, it has to move every 2 hours, which is not always feasible for a food truck.

The traffic signs on roosevelt island do not have to be approved by nys dot for the purpose of putting them up. Legislature gave rioc that authority on their own. If you ever look closely at a sign on main street, it does not say nyc dot.

This is one way rioc can not allow vendors here. Either way, your screwed if they want them off island. 

I don't know why but the comment from Not So Common Sense was not on the Disqus commenting system. Please let me know if anyone is having trouble with writing comments to post.

Winter's Here, Roosevelt Island Fruit Stand Gone Until Spring - Fear Of Scurvy Outbreak Grips Roosevelt Island?

Image From Squidoo

Received this question from a Roosevelt Island Resident:

The fruit stand by the subway is gone. Does it always disappear at this time of year? I only moved to RI last year, so I don't know whether this is the usual pattern.

I fear an outbreak of scurvy on the island.

Here's the empty space where the Fruit Stand was located.

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez last Tuesday:

Reader asked me today about the Fruit stand being gone from subway area.

Is this for the same reason as last year - license expired and will be back in spring? Or some other reason?

Thanks

Mr. Martinez replied:

The fruit stand permit ran through December 31, 2011. The vendor may return when the weather improves, say March.

The resident is happy the Fruit Stand will return but worries about health for next few months.

Thanks. It’s comforting to know the fruit will likely return. But in the meantime, I suspect the healthiness of my diet will go down the tubes.

One of the first signs of spring will be the return of the Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand.

RIOC is currently evaluating its street and mobile food vendor permitting process as reported in these previous posts.

Roosevelt Island Subway Fruit Stand Has Returned To Southtown Today- Spring Can't Be Too Far Away Now

 Southtown Fruit Stand Has Returned Today!

Forget about whether any Groundhog can predict the start of spring. On Roosevelt Island, the first sign of spring 2011 is the return of the Subway Fruit Stand in Southtown which has been absent for the Winter. 

I am pleased to report that as I was exiting the subway minutes ago, I saw that the Fruit Stand is back in business. The next sign will be the outdoor tables at Riverwalk Bar & Grill, Fuji East, Nonno's, Starbucks and Trellis.

Hope I am not jinxing anything and we end up with a big March Snowstorm.

What Happened To The Roosevelt Island Fruit Stand By The Subway?

Image of Missing Roosevelt Island Fruit Stand

What's missing from this picture of the area between the Roosevelt Island subway station entrance and the Duane Reade? A reader asks:

Does anyone know what happened to the fruit stand near the subway entrance/exit? Was it the owner's decision to close it down or RIOC's, or Southtown management? I miss having a bit of real New York City on the island.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez explains:

The permit for the fruit stand expired today.  The vendor is planning on returning in March 2011. 

The answer from Mr. Martinez was received on Friday, December 31 which was the expiration date for the fruit seller's permit. Hopefully, we will see the Fruit Stand return in March.

Image of Roosevelt Island Fruit Stand