GRUNGECAKE

Tag: New York City

  • ‘Purr-fect’ protection: NYC pushes to grant “bodega cats” legal recognition

    ‘Purr-fect’ protection: NYC pushes to grant “bodega cats” legal recognition

    In what may be the most delightful update to the city’s street-corner scene in years, the New York City Council is moving to grant legal status to the ubiquitous “bodega cats” that patrol countless neighbourhood shops across the Big Apple. The bill, introduced by Keith Powers (East Side/Midtown Manhattan), would not only officially legalise these feline employees, but also launch a free vaccination, spay/neuter and health-care programme for bodega-resident cats.

    The push comes from advocates who say these cats are more than just cute mascots—they serve a practical role by keeping rodents at bay in small food stores. “Bodega cats embody the New York spirit: Friendly, welcoming, and anti-rat”, Powers remarked, adding that it’s time these four-legged guardians were removed from legal limbo.

    The bill, formally known as Intro. 1471, would require city-funded vaccination and spay/neuter services for cats registered under the programme.

    Support from the public has been strong. An advocacy group, Bodega Cats of New York, led a petition gathering more than 13,000 signatures pushing for legal recognition and veterinary-care access. Shop-owners themselves, many of whom have shared space with resident cats for years, might now find the animals legitimised rather than tolerated.

    There’s also a wider benefit beyond charm: By spaying and neutering these cats, the bill aims to curb stray and feral-cat populations that often surround bodegas and burden rescue services. As Rimada of the advocacy group put it: “If we don’t address that piece, we’re just going to add to the overpopulation pressures rescue workers have struggled with for decades.”

    If passed, this move would formalise a small but beloved part of New York City life—giving the silent shop-floor cats their long-awaited moment in the spotlight. Stay tuned for whether the measure clears the next hurdles.

  • Lil Wayne heads to New York’s Madison Square Garden for headlining debut

    It feels like Lil Wayne headlined Madison Square Garden already, but he hasn’t. How?

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    Recently, Lil Wayne, one of the world’s highly skilled master rappers and celebrated businessmen responsible for gifting us Drake and Nicki Minaj announced his headlining debut concert at the iconic and legendary Madison Square Garden. On June 6, the Louisiana-bred superstar will commemorate the release of his fittingly so star-studded forthcoming album, ‘Tha Carter IV’. This album is the follow-up to his first solo studio project since the release of ‘Funeral’ in 2020.

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    According to several reports, an official tracklist has yet to surface but there was talk of an uncleared Billie Eilish collaboration amid an interview with Rolling Stone. Some artists mentioned during the interview are Miley Cyrus, Machine Gun Kelly, Bono, Elephant Man and his talented son Kameron Carter, which tells me Lil Wayne may potentially have the world tuning in, streaming and purchasing his new album, ‘Tha Carter IV’. There are also whispers about the polarising musical genius Kanye West, or Ye, being on his highly-anticipated album.

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    I might be predicting too far into the future, but I think June 6 will be a great day in New York City because his fans get to witness Tunechi at this level for the first time in his career.

    With his staggering influence on Hip-Hop culture, it is well overdue. We anticipate who he will bring to join him on such an iconic night. We hope it includes New York City’s darling Queen Nicki Minaj and her longtime collaborator and Canada’s global musical icon Drake. It would be interesting to see.

  • Daily Paper to close New York City flagship store amid financial hurdles

    Daily Paper, the Amsterdam-based fashion brand renowned for its Afrocentric design influences and storytelling, has announced the closure of its flagship store in downtown New York City. The decision, driven by financial hurdles, marks a bittersweet moment for a brand that has successfully carved a niche in the global streetwear and luxury markets.

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    A bold venture meets economic realities

    The store, opened to much fanfare, symbolised the brand’s ambitious foray into the United States market. Positioned in one of the most vibrant retail districts, the location was an opportunity to connect directly with the brand’s American fanbase, which has grown significantly in recent years. However, as the company revealed, low revenue and mounting operational costs have made it unsustainable to keep the location open.

    Despite its popularity among fashion enthusiasts and influencers, the store struggled to achieve the financial performance needed to sustain its presence in a competitive retail environment. This mirrors broader challenges faced by many independent and mid-sized brands navigating high rents, fluctuating foot traffic, and post-pandemic consumer behavior shifts.

    The vision behind Daily Paper

    Founded in 2012 by Abderrahmane Trabsini, Jefferson Osei, and Hussein Suleiman, Daily Paper quickly gained a reputation for its distinctive aesthetic, which blends African heritage with modern streetwear trends. The brand’s rise has been fueled by its commitment to community and cultural storytelling, resonating with a diverse and loyal customer base worldwide.

    The closure of the New York City store is a setback but does not diminish the brand’s significant impact on fashion culture. Over the years, Daily Paper has collaborated with major names like Puma and gained visibility through celebrities who align with its values.

    Moving forward

    In a statement, Daily Paper expressed gratitude to the New York community for their support, assuring fans that this is not the end of their journey in the United States market. While the physical store is closing, the brand remains focused on e-commerce and alternative retail strategies to continue serving its customers.

    This pivot reflects a broader trend in the fashion industry, where brands increasingly prioritise digital experiences and pop-up events to engage with consumers while minimising overhead costs.

    A reflection of industry trends

    Daily Paper’s story underscores the volatility of the retail landscape, particularly for emerging and independent brands. As economic pressures mount and consumer habits evolve, even highly creative and culturally significant brands are finding it challenging to maintain physical stores in prime locations.

    The closure of the New York City store is a reminder of the importance of adaptability and resilience in a fast-changing market. For fans and fashion insiders, the hope remains that Daily Paper will continue to thrive in other capacities, staying true to its mission of celebrating identity, culture, and community.

    This chapter in the brand’s history, though difficult, is likely to fuel its next phase of innovation and growth, keeping the Daily Paper spirit alive.

  • Dinner at Populares, Alphabet City’s best new Mexican restaurant: Review

    Last week, a day after Cinco de Mayo, Populares hosted GRUNGECAKE’s party of three for a tasty dinner around 5 PM. After we were seated near one of the paintings, the menus came to the table. As one of us went to the restroom, I ordered the elote, comprised of grilled corn on the cob, chipotle mayo, cotija cheese and gunpowder. It was off of the cob, fresh, juicy, hot, and bursting with rich, festive flavour. Each mouthwatering bite of the crisp chips and guacamole made of serrano, cilantro, onion and lime left an impression on us. The ceviche serves with the “catch of the day”, avocado, lime, grapefruit, cucumbers and red onion. Based on the ceviche I ingested in Los Angeles many years ago, it tastes the way I hoped: citrusy, and the onions cut the seafood tang. It was good, but I was getting full. So, I took a few bites and left it alone. I was the only one at the table who ate seafood. Therefore, I slowed my intake and gracefully bowed out with the Baja fish tacos and grilled shrimp, which was a tad too salty. On a blue plate, the roasted half-chicken mezcal made its grand entrance. I had a bite with the rice. I preferred the chicken meal alone because the rice had an aftertaste. The menu didn’t show the rice’s ingredients, so I can’t tell you how they prepared it.

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    To eat, we had elote ($11), guacamole ($16), grilled shrimp ($8), ceviche ($19), Baja fish tacos ($8), and tried the roasted half-chicken mezcal ($25). The vegetarian among us ordered the cauliflower tacos ($6). I ordered the grilled skirt steak ($28) and short ribs birria tacos ($7) to-go, but my brother was hungry, so I gave them to him instead. He is a Liberian man in his forties with an exquisite palate as a professional cook who thought it was well-made.

    To drink, I had red wine (Mision-Tempranillo from Santo Tomas, Mexico, $14), water, and a hibiscus aqua fresca made by their in-house mixologist, Fernando Lozano. The rest of our party delighted in the refreshing margaritas (Classic Margs, $16). After absorption, the gentleman who served us showed me around. I saw the private dinner area at the back of the restaurant and the backyard, promised to be up and running as soon as possible. If the management had it their way, it would have been open to the public this year, but there’s always 2025.

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    I noted how clean and relaxing the atmosphere was, and as an art school student, I adored the decorative ceiling and illustrative paintings on the wall. When we arrived, it wasn’t marked how to enter the restaurant, so we went through the wrong door. We’ve added a guide, which may help you to find it easily when it’s time to have your experience.

    As accurately described on the website, it is a new modern boutique restaurant, taqueria, and bar located in the East Village of Manhattan. Populares, located in Alaphabet City at 51 Ave B, Manhattan, NY 10009; the telephone number is +1 (212) 777-3912. Make a reservation through the website to enjoy authentic Mexican food with a modern twist.