The Village Looks to 2024

Happy New Year, Villagers! At the Village Alliance, we are grateful for our dedicated staff, business owners and staff, residents and Village advocates who make up our dynamic community. We asked a few Village leaders to tell us about their hopes for 2024.

Here is what they told us:

MATT DAILOR from WEGMANS ASTOR PLACE:

“It is hard to say goodbye to 2023. It was an amazing year and the opening of our Astor Place store exceeded all of our expectations. The reaction of our community has been incredible. We’re proud of the job that our entire team does everyday to provide an exceptional place to work and to shop. Nothing is more important than the relationships that we build together. We’re looking forward to another exciting year (including the opening of our restaurant!) Happy New Year!”

GRACE CHU YANG from GRACE BEAUTY BAR:

“What a year we went through together in 2023! Riding onto 2024, the forever young spirit of our Greenwich Village community makes everything feel fresh and fun to start January. Can’t wait to reset the champagne-and-wine-filled bodies with rejuvenating massages and workout classes, clarifying facials and mega fun nails, and beautiful brows and lashes.”

VINCENZO VIRZI from PANE PASTA:

“In 2024, I will do a new look on my place, Pane Pasta. I will put tables inside for dining-in, and try out the BYOB method – bring your own beer and wine and try Sicilian food! Happy holidays.”

WILL MORRISON from WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK CONSERVANCY:

“In 2024 I’m looking forward to another vibrant year for Washington Square Park and continuing to strive in the mission to help keep it clean, safe, and beautiful. We have much to look forward to whether it is newly seeded lawns coming online in the spring, returning volunteers and park programs, or the more behind-the-scenes maintenance improvements that only Park Administrators tend to get a kick out of (new fountain pipe couplings, anyone?), and so much more. I hope the Village community experiences yet another year of progress as we work collectively to continue to re-vitalize our neighborhood after years of a global pandemic and its after-effects on our City. A snow day or two this winter would be nice too, I am presently missing the snow-art that they bring to the park!”

Image source: WSP Conservancy Instagram

SARAH McNALLY from GOODS FOR THE STUDY:

“In 2024, I hope we can make the Village work for all of us, adding more social services to the many blessings of our neighborhood.” 

ALEX ROMERO from MANHATTAN PAWFFICE:

“We are looking forward to meeting more dogs from the Village neighborhood and hosting them in our new space. Can’t wait to see all of the friendships they form and the memories we make together. Here’s to a tail wagging good time in 2024!”

EM HYNES from A SUSTAINABLE VILLAGE:

“In 2024, I look forward to meeting more new faces and expanding the zero waste community. I’m excited for our plan to make refills on essentials easy and convenient. I can’t wait to share the full details!”

ARLENE PERALTA from NYU COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

“In 2024, the NYU community looks forward to welcoming the first class to enroll under the NYU Promise, a major affordability and financial aid initiative unveiled by President Linda G. Mills in her inaugural speech in October 2023. It eliminates tuition for those whose families earn less than $100,000, beginning with the class entering in the fall, as part of our ongoing commitment to making an NYU education accessible to all.”

DENNIS AMINOV from MADE MAN BARBERSHOP:

“As we enter 2024, we look back on all the wonderful things we’ve done this past year. In 2024, our barbershop isn’t just about hair–it’s where confidence gets a trim, personalities get a boost, and stories are woven into every snip. Here’s to a year of fresh cuts, contagious energy, and the community vibes of the barbershop. We look forward to bringing even more happiness, cheer, smiles and beauty to New Yorkers all over the city.”

EVA PARRA from PRINTED MATTER / ST MARKS:

“At Printed Matter / st Marks, we are looking forward to another year celebrating artists’ books with events, workshops, and collaborations with our East Village neighbors.”

ANN BENEDETTO from A UNO NEW YORK

“With my wonderful staff we have made A Uno New York a very special shop. Our New Year’s Resolution is to make our surrounding area of the Village a mecca for small independent shops. Looking forward we see so many opportunities and with the Village Alliance
and our neighbors 2024 looks awfully good!”

MARCO VACCHI from MADMAN ESPRESSO

“In 2024, I’d like to see people less stressed, definitely would like to see the end of these wars, less nonsense in general! When not in studio, I’ll be at Madman Espresso serving coffee and enjoying a nice talk bout the weather and other light things because I learned that in a light conversation, it’s easier to see smile on people’s faces. Anything that doesn’t make you smile, isn’t worth it your attention, because life is too short to not smile… and to drink horrible coffee.”

JODY BELL from THE PUBLIC THEATER:

“The Public Theater is looking forward to offering a variety of works at its home on Lafayette Street this spring, including three new plays by Tony Award winner Itamar Moses, Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks, and Ife Olujobi’s Public Theater debut. Joe’s Pub at The Public will continue to bring an array of invigorating artists to its stage,  and we look forward to seeing audiences across the five boroughs in the summer ahead.”

MIGUEL QUIRIDUMBAY from VILLAGE ALLIANCE CLEAN TEAM

“Our wish:

– That our areas remain free from waste for our safety, peace, and wellbeing.

– That we are a good team and we work together.

– That there is peace and prosperity for a better future.

– That 2024 is better for everyone, in health and work.”

SCOTT HOBBS from VILLAGE ALLIANCE

“At the Village Alliance, we are looking forward to a vibrant, dynamic, and fresh 2024 – a credit to our dedicated staff, team members, business owners, and community. Anticipate new events and activations showcasing the mosaic of small businesses that make Greenwich Village unique, alongside planned public space improvements in the year ahead. We’re committed to sustaining Greenwich Village as the vibrant and cherished neighborhood known worldwide. Happy New Year!”