NYC news you might have missed in Oct.

This is our monthly recap of recent NYC news you might have missed during the last few weeks. Top of our list again this month is food and drink, and real estate, including the re-opening of two favorite eateries.

The Empire strikes back – The beloved Empire Diner in Chelsea is set to re-open in November, under new ownership.  The facade is landmarked, so that won’t change, and there’s no word yet on what the new menu will be. But the new owners also operate the trendy 24/7 Cafeteria and other fashionable eateries, so that’s a hint.  (DNAInfo)

Also re-opening soon –

Hot dog! Gray’s Papaya Re-Opens in Midtown – It’s tough to keep a good dog down, and Gray’s Papaya is one of the best dogs around, with fans devoted to its big flavor and small price. Gray’s was forced to close its midtown location in 2011, and its Greenwich Village location in 2014, both because of greedy landlords.  That left only the original location at 72nd St. and Broadway. The word is Gray’s Papaya will open at 612 Eighth Ave., between 39th and 40th Streets, by the end of the year.  That’s a Christmas and Hanukah present to all of us.

Welcome home, Union Square Cafe – Danny Meyer’s game-changing restaurant re-opens in a new location. It’s one of several new restaurant and cafe openings in Union Square, which has changed so much – for the better – since the first Union Square Cafe opened what seems a lifetime ago.

New opening – 

Go Low – The world’s first underground park is getting closer to opening. The Lowline will be in an abandoned trolley terminal on the Lower East Side, near the Williamsburg Bridge. It will be fully planted with vegetables and herbs that can survive in low light from cuts in the sidewalk above.  (New York Times) 

Pearl River Mart – The popular Asian department store was driving out of its Soho location by a greedy landlord (so what else is new). The good news is that it’s opening a pop-up shop a few blocks away in time for your holiday shopping, and will re-open permanently this spring at Broadway and Walker St.  (Crain’s)

See also our posting about news you might have missed last month. 

If there is a NYC news headline you would like to see included in next month’s report, let us know.  Email us at info@nyconthecheap.com with tips.