Harvest season

JULIE STEIN, Union Square Partnership

WORK • Tuesday Routine

JULIE STEIN • executive director • Union Square Partnership
Neighborhood you work in: Union Square

It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace? 
The Union Square Partnership office is right off Union Square Park. On Tuesdays, I start my day walking through the district with our director of operations who manages our Clean and Safe Program. We may run into one of our local residents, or stop and say hi to a business owner like Jim Giddon at Rothmans New York. We might have an impromptu chat about an upcoming event or art installation we’re working on, or the new public seating area that opened on Broadway and 17th Street, or the annual Union Square Holiday Market. 

As the director of a business improvement district (BID), my work is centered on enhancing liveability in the Union Square-14th Street district. I work closely with neighborhood businesses, real estate owners, residents, academic institutions, and other community leaders to inspire New Yorkers and visitors to spend time, shop, and do business in Union Square. It’s incredibly fulfilling to work towards transformative changes that enhance people’s day-to-day lives. We’re also working to modernize Union Square’s park, plazas and streetscape to create best-in-class public space for the next generation of New Yorkers.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Next Tuesday, October 29, we’re throwing our signature annual fundraiser, Harvest - A Benefit for Union Square Park, which highlights the culinary excellence of the neighborhood while raising vital funds for the beautification of Union Square Park. So today I’m working with my team, our restaurant partners, sponsors, and the venue team at Civic Hall to talk through event logistics, hospitality and decor, ticket sales and more details. I’m so grateful to have so many local restaurants participating, from Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe to Mission Ceviche, Laut, Ribalta, Tom Colicchio’s Vallata, Breads Bakery, and many more. 

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I love Ariston Flowers & Café for morning coffee and the chocolate olive oil cake. It’s a beautiful space for a meeting or to catch up with friends. After work, I’m meeting a friend at Another Country. They just opened this year and have created such a special hospitality experience from the vinyl music to the cocktail menu, including the C’mon Dad Give Me The Car cocktail (my favorite). I’ll be in the district this weekend with my kids, so we can’t miss Caffè Panna. I love to try their unique seasonal flavors. Over the summer, my favorite was the Union Square Greenmarket-inspired Fior di Panna soft serve with market Sungold tomatoes, basil, Tuscan olive oil, and sea salt. Also on my list is seeing jazz at Midnight Blue. My husband and I have been talking about it since they opened.

How about a little leisure or culture this week?
I’ve loved taking the kids to Vanderbilt Open Streets for Friday night brass bands, and now that the season has closed, we’re looking forward to catching a movie as part of Studio Ghibli Fest 2024 — Kiki’s Delivery Service is a family favorite, and we can’t wait to see it on the big screen.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I’m finishing a major interior design project at my home in Brooklyn with the designer Eleonora Monacella. I recently purchased a beautiful painting by Arantxa Solis and a stunning print by Tatiana Musi from Mooni Gallery, my favorite art gallery in Mexico City. I worked with the wonderful folks at Brooklyn Frame Works on the framing, and their team has been incredible with coordinating international shipments directly from the gallery. I cannot recommend them enough.

What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
Since working with Union Square Partnership, I’ve gotten to know Nick Norman with Thrift NYC over the last year. He has two store locations on 14th Street, and I’ve been so impressed with his passion for building his business, and his warm hospitality towards everyone who visits his shops. He also has very good taste.